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Visiting Paris from Disneyland by RER A: our one-day itineraries
Staying near Disneyland Paris? The capital is right there: RER A links Marne-la-Vallée with central Paris in about 40 minutes, with no change. Many of our guests add a Paris day to their stay. Here is our classic one-day itinerary, from Notre-Dame to the illuminated Eiffel Tower, two variations for families and rainy days, and all our practical tips.
The RER A journey
From Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy station (or Val d’Europe if you are staying in Serris or Montévrain), take RER A towards Paris. Trains stop at Nation, Gare de Lyon, Châtelet – Les Halles, Auber (Opéra district) and Charles de Gaulle – Étoile (Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées), among others. A single metro-train-RER ticket covers the journey, at the same price as a trip within Paris since the 2025 fare reform.
For all the details on tickets and times, see our guide to getting to Disneyland Paris.
The classic itinerary: Paris in a day
Morning: Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité
Get off at Châtelet – Les Halles, then walk about ten minutes to the Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame de Paris, reopened to the public in December 2024 after five years of restoration. Arrive early: the queue to enter the cathedral (free) grows quickly during the morning.
Continue to the Sainte-Chapelle and its stained glass, then stroll along the Seine and its riverside booksellers.
Lunch: the Marais
Cross the Seine to the Marais, with its little streets, mansions and the magnificent Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris. It is the ideal area for lunch: bakeries, bistros, falafel on rue des Rosiers.
Afternoon: the Louvre and the Tuileries
Head to the Louvre and its glass pyramid. If you want to go inside, book a time slot in advance: it is compulsory and slots go fast. Then cross the Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde and its obelisk.
Late afternoon: Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower
Walk up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, whose rooftop offers one of the best views of Paris. Then head for the Eiffel Tower, on foot (about thirty minutes) or by metro.
After dark, the tower lights up and sparkles for five minutes at the start of every hour. The best viewpoint: the Trocadéro esplanade, directly opposite.
Getting back: RER A from Charles de Gaulle – Étoile towards Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy. Check the time of the last train in the transport app, especially on Sundays.
Family variation with young children
- Luxembourg Gardens: sailing boats to push on the pond, puppet shows and playgrounds.
- Jardin des Plantes and its menagerie, one of the oldest zoos in the world, with the Grand Gallery of Evolution next door.
- A Seine cruise: an hour sitting down to see all the monuments, perfect for little legs.
- The Eiffel Tower: children love going up to the second floor. Book tickets online.
Rainy-day variation
The Louvre
The world’s largest museum. Booking compulsory; allow at least three hours.
Musée d’Orsay
The Impressionists in a spectacular former railway station. Smaller and easier with teenagers.
The covered passages
Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas, Passage Jouffroy: stroll through 19th-century Paris in the dry.
Cité des sciences
At La Villette, fascinating interactive exhibitions for children of all ages.
The day at a glance
| Time | Stop | Nearest station |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 | Leave Marne-la-Vallée | RER A |
| 9:15 | Notre-Dame, Île de la Cité | Châtelet – Les Halles |
| 12:30 | Lunch in the Marais | Saint-Paul |
| 14:00 | Louvre, Tuileries, Concorde | Palais-Royal – Musée du Louvre |
| 17:00 | Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe | Charles de Gaulle – Étoile |
| Night | Eiffel Tower from the Trocadéro | Trocadéro |
Buy tickets in advance or use a Navigo Easy card or your phone to skip the ticket-office queue. Avoid weekday rush hours, around 8:00 and 18:00, when RER A is packed. Watch out for pickpockets on public transport and around major monuments. And keep Disney for sunny days, Paris and its museums for rainy ones.
Morning in the Marais, evening under the sparkling Eiffel Tower, and the next day in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle: that is the perfect stay.
Montmartre variation: the painters’ Paris
For a more bohemian day, leave the RER A at Châtelet – Les Halles and take metro line 4 to Barbès – Rochechouart, or line 2 to Anvers. From there, climb to the Sacré-Cœur on foot up the steps, or by funicular with a standard metro ticket.
From the forecourt, all of Paris lies at your feet. Then walk down through the Place du Tertre and its portrait artists, rue de l’Abreuvoir, the Wall of Love and the Clos Montmartre vineyard. Have lunch in a crêperie or small bistro, away from the big avenues.
In the afternoon, head down to Pigalle and the Moulin Rouge for a photo, then on to the Grands Boulevards and the department stores for the free views from their rooftop terraces.
In the evening: a Seine cruise
To end the day in style, nothing beats a boat trip on the Seine at nightfall. Companies mainly depart from the foot of the Eiffel Tower, the Pont de l’Alma and the Pont-Neuf. In about an hour, you glide past the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Musée d’Orsay and the illuminated bridges.
The magic moment: on the hour every hour after dark, the Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes. Time your departure to be on the water then.
After the cruise, catch the RER A at Charles de Gaulle – Étoile or Châtelet – Les Halles. Check the time of the last train to Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy before you go, especially on weekdays, and leave some margin: once at the station, you are minutes from your apartment.
Paris with teenagers
Teenagers often have their own ideas: let them choose one stop of the day. A few ideas that work well:
- Saint-Germain and the Luxembourg Gardens, to stroll and stop in a tea room.
- The Centre Pompidou and its lively square with street performers.
- The pedestrianised Seine banks, ideal on a self-service bike.
- Parc de la Villette and the Cité des sciences, for science lovers.
A day in Paris, then back to peace and quiet in the evening: the perfect pace to enjoy both without wearing yourself out.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the RER between Disney and Paris?
The journey is part of the Île-de-France network. Fares change regularly: check the Île-de-France Mobilités website or app before you go, and consider a day pass if you make several trips around Paris.
Is it better to stay in Paris or near Disney?
If the parks are the heart of your trip, stay near Disney: you save time every morning and get back quickly at night. Paris is about 40 minutes away for a sightseeing day, whereas the reverse means a round trip on every park day.
Which day should we go to Paris?
Pick a rainy day or a busy park day, often Saturday. Also check museum closing days: many close on Monday or Tuesday.
The best of both worlds
Staying in Marne-la-Vallée means enjoying Disney and Paris while paying less than in the city centre, with more space and peace and quiet. Our 123HOME apartments in Montévrain are minutes from Val d’Europe RER station, and those in Chessy and Serris are close to Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy station. Self check-in from 4 pm, cleaning included. Book at the best price.
Staying near Disneyland Paris?
Apartments and spa suites minutes from the parks. Cleaning included, self check-in, best price when you book direct.
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