Paris

Chartres

 Home of the famous 12th century cathedral with its breathtaking stained glass windows. The cathedral is a sacred shrine and houses the Sacra Camisia relic (the garment said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary during the birth of Christ). If you speak English, try to be there when Malcolm Miller gives one of his tours of the Cathedral. His learned explanations will give you a glimpse of the amazing majesty and history of the cathedral.BRING BINOCULARS.

Dreux

Home of the Chapel of Saint Louis of Dreux, which was built in 1816 at the behest of the Duchess of Orléans, mother of the future king, Louis-Philippe. In 1830 the Chapel became the official burial place of the Orleans royal family. The chapel houses an impressive collection of recumbent figures sculpted by some of France's most famous scultors: Millet, Barre, Lenoir, Pradier and Mercié. The chapel is also adorned with a magnificent collection of painted and enameled Sèvres glass windows. It's an interesting contrast to the stained glass windows of the Catheral of Chartres. 

Maintenon

This town is home to the chateau de Mainteon, which dates back to the Middle Ages. In 1509 the chateau was enlarged. In 1674, Françoise d'Aubigné, widow of the poet Scarron and future Marquire de Maintenon bought the estate. Widowed at the age of 25, she was one of Louis the XIV governesses, and was secretly wed to the king in  1683. In 1698 she gave Maintenon to here neice Françoise-Amable d'Aubigné. Jules Hardouin Mansart build the west wing; the gardens are the work of Le Nôtre. 

The grounds of the chateau are straddled by the remains of a 3-story aqueduct, built by Vauban and La Hire at the request of Louis XIV to transport water from the Eure river to the fountains of Versailles; it was never completed.

Versailles

What is there to say, except that try to go on a nice day and spend some time wandering around the gardens. Each Sunday from May to October, the fountains bring the gardens alive with music and water.

Giverny (house of Claude Monet)

For art and garden lovers, Giverny is a a great day trip. Despite being a tourist attraction, the house and gardens have kept their charm. If you just can't get enough of Mone, don't forget the Musée Marmottan in Paris.