Toastmasters International -

Versailles, near Paris, France

Paris, France, is the site for the 89th Annual Toastmasters International Convention, August 5-8, 2020. Now is the time to start planning!

During your visit, consider taking a day trip from Paris. We’ve rounded up a few suggestions to get you inspired. Most are accessible by train; distance is from the city.

Versailles. (35 km/21 mi.) Former palace of French kings and queens in the 17th and 18th centuries, Versailles is an extravagant and opulent architectural site that boasts 2,300 rooms spread over 63,154 sq. meters, including the stunning gardens.
Disneyland Paris. (32 km/20 mi.) Comprised of two theme parks (Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park), hotels, shopping, and a golf course, it’s one of only two Disney resorts outside of the U.S.
Giverny and Monet’s Gardens. (76 km/47 mi.) The Impressionist painter Claude Monet lived in the quaint village of Giverny for 43 years, and some of his most famous paintings were inspired by his garden and feature his water garden and Japanese bridge.
The Loire Valley. (213 km/132 mi.) The Loire Valley is home to over 300 castles that date from the 15th–17th centuries. Among the most popular: Château de Chenonceau, Château d’Ussé, Château de Chambord, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, Château d’Amboise, Château du Blois, and Château de Cheverny. The area also boasts numerous famous wineries.
Normandy D-Day Beaches. (271km/168 mi.) The liberation of Europe from the clutches of the Nazis during World War II began on June 6, 1944. Five beaches in Normandy were strategically used in the invasion, the most famous being Omaha Beach, which now includes three museums and the American Cemetery of Normandy with nearly 9,400 graves of soldiers who died in combat.
Mont-Saint-Michel. (363 km/225 mi.) Located on the coast of Normandy, Mont-Saint-Michel is both an island and an iconic Romanesque abbey, which was originally only accessible at low tide. Today there are shops, hotels, and restaurants, as well as a causeway connecting the island to the mainland.
Wine regions. The Champagne region is closest to Paris (144 km/90 mi.) and is famous for its eponymous Champagne. Additionally, France has seven famous wine regions. From Paris, consider the regions of Burgundy, known for its dry red and white wines; Alsace, which borders Germany and is famous for its beers as well as its sweeter wines; and the Loire Valley, which is known for its Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc.