impromptu day trip ideas

Besides the ones you’ve listed, I liked Le Mans for the Planganent medieval center. Be sure to walk down the steps to see the Roman wall with the interesting designs.

Another one is Angers. An amazing fortress! I spent several hours in it. Angers also has some art museums.

thank you jean! great ideas, now i have options.

Many years ago, we traveled from Paris to Giverny (Monet's home and gardens) and loved it! It took about an hour to get there.

Provins and Senlis. (Provins can be done on Ile de France public transport ND)
If you haven't done Basilica St. Denis on the Paris metro, put that high on the list.

Have you visited Reuil-Malmaison, both town and chateau?

I believe it's covered by your Navigo pass.

More art than medieval ideas:

If you wanted a close, 1/2 day trip by public bus, Malmaison is often over-looked. Of special interest to those interested in Napoleon and Josephine. Art collection includes one of the five versions of David's "Napoleon Crossing the Alps". https://musees-nationaux-malmaison.fr/chateau-malmaison/en/history-chateau-de-malmaison

edit - Cross post with above. We agree!

For a terrific art museum - Chantilly - easy train access. Again, often over-looked by US tourists. https://www.chantilly-senlis-tourisme.com/en/the-destination/le-chateau-de-chantilly/

thank you all! now i have too many to choose from. not a bad thing! I visited saint denis already.

This place is located between Amiens and Paris, roughly.

The cathedral is interesting if you're focused on that This is the town of Beauvais. I did an afternoon trip there from Paris Nord.

I'll throw Fontainebleau and Moret sur Loing (both in the same day) into the options for Wednesday. Included in your Navigo.

Here are some of ours:

https://janettravels.wordpress.com/category/day-trips-from-paris/

thank you for continuing to post suggestions. today, on a whim, decided to check out the louis vuitton foundation. a david hockney exhibit in a frank gehry building was too tempting. i will venture further afield on my next open day.

I spent Saturday in Provins and found it quite interesting, if you like medieval stuff. Several places are quite challenging for those of us with mobility issues : steep, uneven stairs either into a basement or up a tower. But glad I made the effort. La Tour César was a highlight.