Day Trip from Paris

We love Auvers sur Oise where Van Gogh lived his last. A trip we did last fall was to Conflans Sainte Honorine; we loved that and having lunch at a little island restaurant; the owners come and fetch you with a boat. Take a look at these:
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/category/day-trips-from-paris/
Another one I particularly liked and you can see in the photo journal is Crecy la Chapelle. There are literally dozens of great trips near Paris on the train and with the Navigo Decouverte now covering all 5 zones for a low price you can hop on a train and try lots of places. For Chateaux, I particularly liked Vaux le Vicomte and Josephine's small chateau Malmaison is also a really nice visit if you enjoy chateaux. Senlis is a wonderful little medieval town and also a great choice.

FWIW. Do not plan day trips to small towns on Mondays; that is the day they pretty much shot down and nothing much will be open.

St-Denis is easy by metro, the basilica where Gothic architecture got started and where most of the French kings, or at least parts of them, are buried in elaborate tombs. Not the pleasantest neighborhood but as an experienced Paris visitor you'll be fine. Also, take a look at Paris to the Past by Ina Caro, a collection of historic sites reachable by metro or train from Paris, mostly as day trips.

Medieval Provins
http://www.provins.net/en/heritage-and-sightseeing/history-of-provins-a-medieval-fair-town.html

Want to second Dick's suggestion of St. Denis. It is on the Paris metro so not quite a traditional 'day trip', but a very worthwhile place to spend an afternoon. I think it is the most overlooked terrific site of interest in Paris (well just over the border). There are other lesser known places in Paris e.g. Promenade Plantee out to Vincennes, the Musee Albert Kahn gardens, Bois du Bologne. And self guided walking tours of less central neighborhoods can be very interesting as well. There are lots of books of these and you can create your own.

Would definitely recommend Provins. Lots of history, nice walled town with plenty to see

Then there is also Napolean and Josephine's Chateau Malmaison, which you can reach by bus from La Defense in about 15 minutes.

I loved Provins.. and Chantilly.

I love visiting St Denis.. but I do not consider it a daytrip out of Paris.. its a half day visit at most really.. and its in Paris.

There is also Chateau Vincennes.. in Paris.. we spent most of day exploring the chateau and the beautiful nearby park..

Don't overlook a fast Eurostar round trip to London, if you've not been there before. Tickets go on sale 6 months prior to your travel date.

Todd: Amiens is a great quick trip from Paris with the added bonus of one of the most remarkable gothic cathedrals in France.

Given that you've seen those listed and want something new, I suggest Amiens too for cultural purposes, as mentioned above, and historically. The house/museum of Jules Verne is there....or even Beauvais, half way between Paris and Amiens. I liked Beauvais.

If you can plan ahead and snag cheap Prems tickets, you can take an easy daytrip to Nancy. This is a very nice overlooked city, particularly worthwhile if you're into Art Nouveau or fine glassware.

If you don't mind a longer ride, Lyon is only two hours away, and is a wonderful place. There's more than one day of sights, of course.

Again, a last minute ticket to these places from Paris will be expensive, but an advance Prems ticket can be cheap, if you can commit to a day and time of travel.

Ack.. just read whole thread.. Janet.. I was born in Conflans St Honorine.. remember spending many childhood summers there with my grandmother.. what a lovely memory.. I didn't think anyone went there on purpose.. lol