6 Best Day Trips from Paris

"Simply put: This is the prettiest privately owned château in France. Even Princess Elizabeth agreed. On a visit in 1948, she said, “more beautiful than Versailles!” Famously, Vaux-le-Vicomte was actually the inspiration for the Château de Versailles. Today the chateau can be visited year-round, except for an annual winter closure; tickets can be purchased on site or online in advance. It draws a mix of Parisians and tourists. There are fun events throughout the year that draw regulars. In the summer, the gardens are lit with 2,000 candles during the “candlelit evenings.” There are also theatrical shows and concerts. The annual Christmas festivities are wildly popular as well; each room is individually decorated with a Christmas tree and festive decor." - Lindsey Tramuta, Mary Winston Nicklin