Meaux Day Trip from Paris
Meaux day trip from Paris brings you to a medieval town 54km northeast of the capital, famous for Brie cheese, whole-grain mustard, and WWI history. Located in the Seine-et-Marne department, Meaux has a Gothic cathedral, Gallo-Roman ramparts, walkable old town, and the largest WWI museum in Europe. It's accessible by train from Gare de l'Est in 25-40 minutes using your Navigo pass.
Meaux sits on the Marne River where two major WWI battles took place in 1914 and 1918. German troops were stopped at the gates of Meaux in September 1914, altering the course of the war. Today, Meaux is known for its food - Brie de Meaux has been a designated AOC cheese since 1980, and Moutarde de Meaux Pommery won Best Mustard in the World in 2019.
This easy day trip from Paris by train works well if you want authentic French town atmosphere without tourist crowds, are interested in WWI history, or love French food culture. It's less dramatic than Provins but more relaxed. Good for a half-day visit or combined with other destinations in the area.
Tip: Visit on market days (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday mornings) to experience local life and buy excellent cheese and produce.
| Factor | Details |
| Distance from Paris | 54 km northeast |
| Travel time | 25-40 minutes by train; 45 minutes by car |
| Time needed | 3-4 hours for town and cathedral; 6-7 hours with WWI museum |
| Best for | Medieval towns, WWI history, French food culture |
| Entry | Free for town and cathedral; paid for museums |
| Crowds | Very low |
| Difficulty | Easy - direct train, walkable town |
How to Get to Meaux from Paris
Train from Gare de l'Est
Take Line P train from Paris Gare de l'Est to Meaux station (25-40 minutes depending on which train you catch). Trains run frequently throughout the day - roughly every 30-60 minutes.
Your Navigo pass covers this journey if you have zones 1-5. Meaux is in zone 5. If you don't have Navigo, buy a single ticket at the station.
From Meaux station, walk 10-15 minutes to the old town and cathedral. Exit the station, walk toward the town center following signs. It's straightforward.
Rental Car
Drive from Paris via A4 motorway (45 minutes). Free parking is available on streets around the old town and near the cathedral. Driving gives you flexibility to visit the WWI museum (on the edge of town) or combine Meaux with other destinations.
Navigation is easy. GPS works fine.
Organized Tours
Some private operators offer tours combining Meaux with Provins or other medieval towns, often including Brie cheese tasting. These are expensive but handle transport and provide historical context.
One Day Itinerary for Meaux
9:30-10:00 AM: Train from Paris
Catch a morning train from Gare de l'Est to Meaux (departures run frequently). Early trains get you to Meaux by 10:00-10:30 AM, giving you a full morning to explore.
10:00-10:15 AM: Walk to Old Town
Exit Meaux station and walk 10-15 minutes to the old town center. Head toward the cathedral spire - it's visible from most of the town and serves as a navigation landmark.
As you walk, you'll pass through residential streets that show authentic French life. No tourist shops, just locals going about their day.
10:15-11:30 AM: Meaux Cathedral
Start at Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Meaux in the heart of the old town. This Gothic cathedral dates to the 12th century but wasn't completed until the 17th century. Construction took so long because of insufficient funds, English occupation, and the Hundred Years' War.
Architectural styles blend throughout - Romanesque and Gothic features sit side by side. High vaulted ceilings, ornate carvings, and stained glass windows create impressive interior atmosphere.
Entry is free. Spend 30-45 minutes inside appreciating the architecture and quiet.
After the cathedral, walk around Place Charles de Gaulle where the tourist office is located. Pick up a map if you want detailed information about the town.
11:30 AM-12:30 PM: Gallo-Roman Ramparts and Jardin Bossuet
Walk to the Gallo-Roman and medieval ramparts surrounding the old town. Well-preserved sections remain, showing how Meaux was fortified over centuries. One excellent example sits next to the tourist office; another section has been incorporated into public gardens.
Visit Jardin Bossuet - a formal French garden created in the 17th century under Bishop Dominique Séguier. It's laid out in the shape of a bishop's mitre with flowing flower borders, green spaces, and peaceful areas for contemplation.
Walk to the top of the 17th-century ramparts in the garden for one of the best views of Meaux - you can see the cathedral, episcopal palace, and town spreading along the Marne River.
Jardin Bossuet is named for Jacques-Bénigne Lignel Bossuet, a theologian and French bishop who lived in Meaux between the 17th and 18th centuries. He was famous for his sermons and oratory skills.
12:30-1:30 PM: Lunch with Brie de Meaux
Stop for lunch at a local restaurant or cafe. Many serve Croque Monsieur made with Brie de Meaux - either with ham or just cheese. Both versions are excellent.
Brasserie L'Esplanade Meaux (62 Rue du Général Leclerc) sits in the shadow of the cathedral and serves good traditional food at reasonable prices.
Alternatively, if it's market day (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday mornings until noon), buy cheese, bread, and produce at the market and have a picnic in Jardin Bossuet or along the Marne River.
1:30-2:30 PM: Musée Bossuet and Brie Museum
After lunch, visit Musée Bossuet located in the former episcopal complex next to the cathedral. Collections cover art, architecture, and town history through permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Highlights include "The Lamentation of Christ" (16th-century painting by Frans Floris) and the Chassa of Nantouillet shrine with enamelled copper plates from the 12th-13th century.
Entry requires a ticket. Allow 45-60 minutes.
If you prefer food over art, visit Maison du Brie de Meaux instead (5 Place Charles de Gaulle, adjacent to the cathedral). This museum explains Brie production techniques, history, and cultural significance. Workshops and tastings are offered throughout the year.
You'll learn that King Henri IV ate Brie spread on toast, Charles d'Orléans gave it as New Year gifts to court ladies, and it was crowned "King of Cheese" at the Congress of Vienna in 1815.
2:30-3:30 PM: Old Town Walk
Spend an hour wandering Meaux old town. Walk along the Marne River for views of the cathedral and episcopal palace reflected in the water. Streets away from the main commercial areas reveal medieval half-timbered houses, former châteaux and hôtels particuliers (mansion houses), and quiet residential lanes.
Architecture predating and postdating Haussmannian style appears throughout. Some facades wouldn't look out of place in Provence - colorful shutters, stone walls, charming details.
Walk Rue du Général Leclerc (main commercial street) if you want shops and cafes. Walk residential side streets if you want authentic atmosphere without commerce.
3:30-4:00 PM: Return to Paris
Walk back to Meaux station and catch a train to Paris. Trains run frequently until evening. You'll be back in Paris by 4:30-5:00 PM.
Things to Do - Extended Options
Musée de la Grande Guerre
Meaux hosts the largest WWI museum in Europe, opened in 2011. It's located on the northeast edge of town at the foot of the American Memorial of Meaux - a 26-meter statue offered by US citizens in 1932 commemorating soldiers who fell during the Battles of the Marne.
Collections explain WWI nuances, soldier life, weapons, vehicles, uniforms, and trench warfare. Two Battles of the Marne took place near Meaux in 1914 and 1918. In September 1914, 1.5 million soldiers fought in the area around Meaux. French military cemeteries at Etrepilly and Chambry, plus the Great Tomb of Villeroy, remain visible today.
Museum project was made possible by acquiring Jean-Pierre Verney's large private collection - he's a recognized WWI specialist. Displays are beautifully organized with rich historical material.
Allow 2-3 hours minimum. Entry requires tickets. Take a taxi from town center (10 minutes) or check local bus routes. With a car, it's easy to reach.
This museum is essential for WWI enthusiasts. Skip if you're not interested in military history.
Parc Naturel du Patis
Opened to the public in 2006, this natural park offers green space, wooded areas, and walking trails just steps from town center. Over 70 bird species and rare plants can be spotted if you have patience and a keen eye.
Good for nature lovers or anyone wanting fresh air after museum visits. Not spectacular scenery but pleasant local park atmosphere.
Canal de Meaux à Chalifert Walk
A 10km flat walk follows the canal from Meaux to Chalifert village, passing through sun-dappled woodland. You can take a train back to Paris from Chalifert station, making this a one-way walk.
Route passes through Mareuil-les-Meaux, Condé-Saint-Libiaire, and Esbly before reaching Chalifert. It's a charming escape into French countryside without leaving the Île-de-France region.
Allow 2-3 hours for the walk. Bring water and snacks - services along the route are limited.
Market Days and Events
Meaux markets operate Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings until noon on Rue de Gaulle (main commercial street). Cheese quality is divine - locals buy their Brie here.
Annual events throughout the year include: Great Hunt for Easter Eggs (April), Museum Night (May), Water Festival (June), Folles Époques sound and light show telling 2,000 years of Meaux history (select June dates), European Heritage Days (September), National Competition of Brie de Meaux (October), and Meaux and Wonderland animation in city center (December).
Check the Meaux tourism website for current event schedules.
Combining with Other Destinations
Meaux works well combined with other Seine-et-Marne destinations if you have a car. Provins is 40 minutes away - you could visit Meaux in the morning, Provins in the afternoon for a full day of medieval towns.
Chantilly is also reachable by car (45 minutes). Combining requires early start and efficient planning.
Why Meaux Works as a Day Trip
Meaux succeeds because it's authentic. No tourist crowds, no souvenir shops, no manufactured atmosphere. You see real French town life - locals shopping at markets, cafes serving regulars, streets that haven't been prettified for visitors.
Food culture adds appeal. Brie de Meaux and Moutarde de Meaux aren't tourist gimmicks - they're genuine local products with AOC protection and international recognition. Eating Brie in Meaux feels different from eating it in Paris.
For WWI enthusiasts, Meaux offers serious historical depth. Two major battles happened here. Museums and memorials provide context that goes beyond typical tourist sites.
Meaux won't wow you with dramatic architecture or spectacular sights. It charms through authenticity, food, and quiet medieval atmosphere.
Practical Tips
What to Bring
- Comfortable shoes for walking cobblestone streets
- Camera for cathedral and old town architecture
- Appetite for Brie and mustard
- Cash for market purchases (vendors may not take cards)
- Reusable bag for market shopping
Best Time to Visit
Market days (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday mornings) add life and give you access to excellent local products. Spring and fall have good weather. Summer is warmest. Winter is cold but the town remains atmospheric.
Weekdays are quieter than weekends, though Meaux is never crowded.
With Kids
Meaux works for kids interested in history or food. Cathedral and ramparts provide historical interest. Brie museum can engage children with interactive elements. Parc Naturel du Patis offers space to run.
WWI museum is better for older kids or teenagers who can appreciate the historical significance. Younger children may find it heavy.
Language
French is the primary language. English is less common than in Paris. Basic French phrases help. Museum exhibits have some English translations but not everywhere.
Food Specialties
Brie de Meaux - creamy, designated AOC cheese. Buy at markets or cheese shops. Much of it is actually produced in Lorraine region due to demand exceeding local production capacity.
Moutarde de Meaux Pommery - whole grain mustard in distinctive stoneware jar. Slightly nutty, mild flavor. Made using secret 18th-century recipe. Available in versions with green pepper, figs, honey, Espelette pepper, or cognac.
Comparing Meaux to Other Town Day Trips
vs Provins
Provins is more dramatic with UNESCO status, medieval walls, and underground tunnels. Meaux is quieter with better food culture and WWI history. Choose Provins for impressive medieval architecture, Meaux for authentic town atmosphere.
vs Reims
Reims is larger with champagne houses and spectacular cathedral. Meaux is smaller and more intimate. Both have WWI history. Choose Reims for champagne and grand architecture, Meaux for quiet medieval charm.
vs Chantilly
Chantilly has a spectacular chateau and gardens. Meaux has medieval town atmosphere and food culture. Completely different experiences. Choose based on whether you want palace grandeur or town authenticity.
