More about: Day Trips to Bruges from Paris
The city of Bruges is considered one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. The state of preservation of its historic buildings is so perfect that the city seems to have stopped in time. Not for nothing has it been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
Another unmistakable characteristic of this city is its canals, which have earned it the name of "the Venice of the North", creating a bucolic atmosphere, with beautiful landscapes that seem to be taken out of a book. I know there are a lot of things to see and do in Paris, but if you have a day in your itinerary that you can reserve, I recommend that you visit Bruges, you will not regret it.
Bruges Day Trip from Paris
Day trip during which you will discover the beauties of Bruges, called the Venice of the North.
You will travel by luxury coach from Paris. When you arrive in Bruges you will visit its main monuments, navigate its canals and walk through its medieval alleys while enjoying the unique atmosphere of this wonderful city.
Being a guided tour you will have the opportunity to learn about the city, visit the sights, navigate through its canals and also you will have time to eat and shop. Being in Paris, the distance to Bruges is really short and on this tour the trip is very comfortable, since you don't have to worry about driving, you go in a comfortable luxury bus.
I will tell you all the details about this tour so you will know first hand the advantages of visiting Bruges in this way.
Recommended if you like history and architecture. The city of Bruges is a must if you have the chance to go. In Bruges you will breathe history and you will marvel at its spectacular buildings.
Features of a day trip to Bruges from Paris
Make the most of your time in Paris to see all that the city has to offer, take the best tours of Paris, visit the best museums and eat in the most recommended restaurants, but book, if you can, a day to do this tour to Bruges, you can not miss it.
One of the advantages of this tour is that you can forget about driving, you are taken to and from the tour in a luxury bus with all the comforts.
Driving from Paris to Bruges can be a headache, especially when you enter Belgium because the signs are in Flemish (unless you speak the language) and it is a mess to understand the directions.
On this tour to Bruges you will have a specialized guide who speaks Spanish, so you will enjoy all the information in your language. In addition, you already have included in the price the boat ride through the canals, which you usually have to pay separately in other tours. In the historic center you will pass by the main sights such as the Beguinage, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the Gothic town hall (entrance fees are not included).
Having the advice of the guide, in the free time you are given to walk around the city on your own, you will know the best places to eat, shop and take the best pictures.
Interesting details about this tour
- Price: from 152 euros per person approximately.
- Duration: about 14 hours.
- Means of transport: from Paris to Bruges you go by luxury bus, once in Bruges and due to the characteristics of the city, the tour is on foot and by cruise.
How can I book a tour to Bruges from Paris?
It is best to do it in advance when you are organizing your itinerary at home, to ensure the availability of the date you have chosen. You can do this on tour and tourist experience sales platforms. With this method you also have the advantage of being able to pay with credit or debit card, but for me the best thing about hiring on this type of platforms is to know what I am buying.
Many times it happens that if you hire on site you do not really know what you are going to find, someone may recommend a certain tour, but perhaps they have an interest behind it, such as charging a commission, for example, and not that you have the best experience. On the platforms, however, you have the testimonials of people who have hired that same tour and give their opinion after doing it, you should always read them.
What will I see on the tours from Paris to Bruges?
It depends quite a bit on the type of tour, but generally you will tour the historic center of Bruges, seeing the most emblematic buildings of the city, such as the Provincial Palace and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, for example (entrance fees are not included in the price of the tours, they are usually paid separately).
Bruges is a fairly small city that you can get around well on foot. You will also tour the outskirts of the city, and you can take a cruise along the canals of the Venice of the North. In most tours the tickets to the cruise are not included either, in this one I recommend you do.
As a general rule, you will have free time to do some activities on your own, such as shopping and eating. Despite being a small city, due to the large influx of tourists throughout the year, there is an important variety ofrestaurants in the city of Bruges.
As for shopping, in Bruges there is also a very good offer of shopping areas, such as markets, art galleries, antique stores and pedestrian streets full of local stores.
What are the must-see places in Bruges?
There are many places of interest in Bruges, museums, public buildings, squares and parks. From all that you have to do you will have to choose depending on the time you have available, but you can not miss the opportunity to visit:
1. The historic center of Bruges
The historic center of Bruges was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety, a rare occurrence.
Within its boundaries are many of the main buildings and monuments of the city. You should start your personal tour there so that as you walk through the streets you can enter the buildings that interest you the most.
2. The main square of the city (Burg)
Throughout several centuries of history, the Main Square of Bruges has been the heart of the city and continues to be so, there are concentrated several of the most important buildings such as the Franconate or the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
3. Bruges City Hall
The Bruges City Hall deserves your time during your visit. You will be dazzled by the more than 600-year-old Gothic hall and the works of art throughout the building, from magnificent sculptures to frescoes of typical Flemish art that are a marvel.
4. Old Franconate of Bruges
This building with centuries of history was the center from where the entire campaign of the Burgh of Bruges was controlled. Over the years, the Franconate of Bruges, was changing its functions, was court and currently besides being the building that perhaps has more visits in the city, is home to the archives of the city.
5. The bell tower of the city
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Belfry of the City of Bruges, besides being worth a visit for what it represents and for its architectural beauty, houses important medieval documents that can be seen and the incredible score that makes the bells ring.
6. The Basilica of the Holy Blood
With a structural and decorative beauty that is breathtaking, the Basilica of the Holy Blood is a must-see in the city of Bruges. Inside is kept a relic containing the blood of Christ, carried by the Crusaders, hence its name.
7. The Beguinage Begijnhof (Beguinage)
The Beguinage of Bruges has a rather peculiar history. It was founded in 1245 as a shelter for emancipated women, laywomen, but who also led a cloistered life. Today it is a monastery of the Benedictine Order.
8. The Rosary Wharf (Rozenhoedkaai)
This must be one of the most popular places in the city of Bruges as everyone who visits it usually take pictures there, as it is one of the most emblematic places in the city.
The Rosary Dock is undoubtedly one of the most romantic places in the city and is the ideal setting to portray your visit to Bruges and remember this trip forever. The pictures you can take there are magnificent.
9. Museum of the Church of Our Lady (Notre Dame)
Without a doubt the Notre Dame Church Museum should be visited on any tour to Bruges. The church tower is the second tallest in the world and you will be able to see one of Michelangelo's most famous works, known as the Madonna of Bruges. You can also see the spectacular mausoleums of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold, along with a priceless collection of religious frescoes.
10. St. Boniface Bridge (Bonifaciusbrug)
St. Boniface Bridge is one of the places in Bruges that are enveloped by a different, almost magical atmosphere. The environment of the bridge, of peculiar beauty and tranquility, despite being very visited, invites you to sit and enjoy moments of introspection and relaxation.
Tips for a trip to Bruges from Paris
- Hire a guided tour if you are visiting Bruges for the first time.
- Try to be there a few minutes before the bus departs.
- Try to choose bus seats for you and your group before the day of the tour so that you can go together.
- Bruges is a city best explored on foot, so wear comfortable shoes.
- At night it tends to get chilly in Bruges, so bring a coat.
Why is it advisable to take a tour to Bruges from Paris?
If you are visiting Paris and you have the possibility to include Bruges in your itinerary, do not hesitate to do it. To travel to Paris and everything goes perfectly you have to plan your trip well and if during the planning you see that you have a free day to leave the city, take a tour to Bruges is an excellent alternative for the rich heritage of the city.
The city of Paris is quite close to Bruges so it is advisable to take advantage of this proximity to make this visit, if it is not in your immediate plans to visit Belgium. Bruges is a small city and you do not need many days to visit its main points of interest, with a day tour you will be able to see the most important places in the city.
Why is it better to take a guided tour of Bruges and not do it on my own?
My first visit to Bruges was on my own and while I really enjoyed the trip, I didn't get as much out of it as I could have. Despite a detailed planning of the places I wanted to visit, not knowing the city generated setbacks due to the change of weather and the priority of places of interest. On a guided tour you will be able to make much better use of the time you spend in the city.
Having a person who speaks your language and knows the city like the back of their hand makes things much easier. In a guided tour you will know which are the places you can't miss, you will have an itinerary based on distances and travel times, considering possible setbacks depending on the time of the year. The latter is very important because the influx of people in summer in the city is overwhelming and often causes delays at the entrance to the various attractions and also makes it quite difficult to transit within the city.
Are there other tours available from Paris, where and which ones are the best?
If you are going to visit Paris, I recommend that you take some of the best tours from Paris to other places of interest, which are really worth doing. Leaving Paris, you have excursions to the main tourist spots that you can't miss being so close. You will see that there are tours for all tastes, including the youngest members of the family. Below, I tell you which are the 3 most recommended tours from Paris:
1. Disneyland Paris
If you are traveling with children, visiting Disneyland Paris is a must or your little ones will not forgive you. In case you are not traveling with children, Disneyland Paris is also a recommended destination because there are many activities for adults. You have several ways to get to Disneyland from Paris but the most recommended, based on my personal experience is on an organized tour. On a tour you can forget about traffic problems and driving around looking for parking.
2. Tours to Mont Saint Michel
You are going to love to take a trip to Mont Saint Michel, it is another must see destination if you are in Paris and can spend a few days touring other areas of interest in France. The views, the environment, the history, the architecture and above all the mystique of Mont Saint Michel make it one of the places that year after year gains more visitors.
3. Visiting the Loire Castles from Paris
Visiting the Loire Castles from Paris is another excellent option. When you arrive and start touring the castles of this region you will feel like you are in a fairy tale. The landscapes that you will be able to contemplate and photograph make this tour one of the best to consider if you are in Paris and want to extend your visit.