Leave your business meetings behind near Paris

You love travelling to Paris for work. In fact, you pride yourself on having ticked off the most famous landmarks the city has to offer. However, for this business trip, you feel it would be a shame not to rent a car, explore gardens, parks and other hidden treasures near the French capital. So, here are our suggestions. 

Get rid of your love handles because you know, French pastries…

Why don’t you drive to Ozoir-la-Ferrière golf club, just 6 miles (10km) from Lognes, where you can be treated with a one-day membership? You can tee off, slice and putt the ball alongside typical stressed Parisians in need of recreation. Then, you can appreciate silence while having lunch at the castle and try to stay away from the said delicious pastries. 

Golf Club d’Ozoir-la-Ferrière, Château des Agneaux, 77330 Ozoir-la-Ferrière

You are sick and tired of glass towers 

Check out the spectacular Arboretum de la Vallée-aux-loups in Châtenay-Malabry, about 4 miles (7km) from Vélizy-Villacoublay and 8 miles (12km) from Orly Airport. There, you can stroll around Chateaubriand’s house, and even shed a little tear at the sight of the majestic blue Atlas cedar, a 150-year-old tree, selected for the European Tree of the Year contest in 2016. It will feel like getting a big hug from Mother Nature. 

Arboretum de la Vallée-aux-loups, 140 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry

You are still trying to figure out the appeal of modern art

You have visited museums and galleries in Paris, but you still can’t get a grip on modern art. The MACVAL Museum in Vitry-sur-Seine, less than 6 miles (9km) from Orly Airport, might finally sway you. It offers a stunning and accessible collection of French art from 1950 to the present and exceptional temporary exhibitions. And you can also meet resident artists. If you are still not fond of contemporary art, splendid Antique statues will welcome you back at the Louvre.

MACVAL Museum, Place de la Libération, 94400 Vitry-sur-Seine

Impress your French counterpart with your perfect knowledge of Rodin 

Everybody knows the Rodin Museum in Paris. But did you know there was another one in Meudon, a chic suburban city only 7.5 miles (12km) southwest from the capital? Located in the middle of a lovely park, the Villa des Brillants recreates the environment and the intimacy of the artist’s workshop. Also, imagine your colleagues’ look on their face when you will explain the artist and his wife are buried a few feet under the Thinker’s gaze.
Rodin Museum, 19 Avenue Auguste Rodin, 92190 Meudon

You thought Versailles was the only place to feast on formal landscape design 

If want to avoid crowds and enjoy some dramatic scenery, head 7 miles (11km) outside Paris to the Parc du Domaine de Sceaux designed by Louis XIV’s beloved gardener and landscape architect of Versailles, André Le Nôtre. If the 448 acres of beauty and brilliant design haven’t exhausted you, you can also join one of the castle tours, view its former stables converted into art galleries, as well as its impressive art collection.

Parc du Domaine de Sceaux, Château de Sceaux 92330 Sceaux

Remember there was a time when people didn’t write on a computer 

Some artists liked to find inspiration in the country rather than in the city’s distracting life. Rent a car and head to Médan, 20 miles (32km) from Paris, where the famous writer, Emile Zola, bought a house, designed the park and attracted artists such as Manet, Cézanne or Pissarro. When Zola was not busy entertaining geniuses, the novelist also filled thousands of handwritten pages in his office.

Maison d’Émile Zola 26 Rue Pasteur, 78670 Médan