You will need to use a credit card at an automated machine (no cash) or from a ticket window or an automated machine. But admit it sometimes you need a break and a breath of fresh air to stay grounded and keep your perspective. The region also hides several other picturesque little villages in its dales, as well as the Sancerre wine cellars, where the cheerful owners are more than happy to offer tours and tasting sessions. Due to the location of Paris (in western Europe), it makes for a convenient base for further exploring more of Europe. Where to Stay: Stay at the Kyriad Meaux, which is just five minutes from the historic center of the city and close to the regions theme parks. Many people who live in Paris rarely venture outside the city, and lots of tourists dont make a point to explore the surrounding areas. The cathedral holds over 900 years worth of royal coronations of the kings of France. A visit to the palace can take up to two-three hours. You can take a sneak peek of the Black Forest from the cathedral, located about 30 kilometres away. Versailles is the second most visited site in France after the Louvre Museum, making it one of the most popular and easy day trip options. If you wish to learn how to make the most of your trip to Paris or generally in Europe, take our free 7 day Europe trip planning email course. Buy oranges or other citrus fruits, organic produce here. It will take just over 2 hours to get to this small town in Normandy. It is a nice place to see the chocolate making process in action! A large abbey built on a rock island, surrounded by marshland, Mont Saint Michel is a sight to behold. There is also a comic museum dedicated to the colorful world of comics called the Comic Strip Center. You are in the right spot. This is a square located in the city center of Lyon (between the Rhne and the Sane, at the foot of the hill of La Croix-Rousse). The most memorable part of the tour was walking through the caves (cellars). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This town, about two hours southwest of Paris, is famous for its 24-hour car race. Lets build a tribe together Join Here. So whether it is traveling within France from Paris or crossing the borders for another country, you will be arriving/using Gare du Nord the main train station in Paris. From learning about the early colonial settlers, immigration communities who follow traditions to the day to places that were re-created with a European flair, you will have a deja-vu moment when, Read More 16 Most European Cities in America for your bucket listContinue, Planning a trip to Paris in the fall? But Versailles has so much to offer (other than Palace of Versailles). La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvire is the most visited site in Lyon, it is a minor basilica in the city. It is a museum of Gallo-Roman civilization, situated in a wonderful spot on a hill known as Fourvire, in the heart of the Roman city. Fast trains from Paris to Frankfurt am Main take around 3 hours and 40 minutes. Here are some quick tips for taking trains in Paris to other towns in France, and other countries. We rather be safe and secured with the booking than face the disappointment of not being able to travel that day! The region is famous for its white horses, which can often be seen galloping through the shallow waters. Chartres was one of our favorite cities near Paris. In addition to Champagne tasting and visiting the historical landmarks, Reims also has wonderful French and international eateries along with beautiful parks to take a stroll through. Another option is to take a sightseeing cruise on River Thames, and finish the day at the London Eye or Shard. La Rochelle is a gorgeous harbour town on Frances southwestern border, backing onto the Atlantic Ocean. 14 Best All-Inclusive Spa Resorts in the U.S. There are spacious rooms here, including double standard and double superior rooms. The owner spent over 30 years beautifying his home and it is now a museum to be enjoyed. Visitors are able to take a tour of the Domaine de Chantilly, discovering the Royal Suites, the Reading Room, the Great Stables, and even the second largest collection of antique paintings after the Louvre! Mayuri has a graduate degree in History and is an MBA. The Chteau houses the Muse dHistoire de Nantes. You can check out the various exhibits and display rooms here. Yes, you read that correctly, a THOUSAND years ago. 2022 tosomeplacenew ToSomePlaceNew is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here is a quick cheat sheet to show train options from Paris to nearby areas and other countries. Check out our detailed guide to the Schengen Visa here. Lyon is the third largest city in France and it can be easily reached from Paris by train. Theres also the Medieval Christmas Market to visit if you make this trip in December. The glorious Chateau de Chantilly is a wonderful destination for those who want to discover other interesting sites located around Paris, either for a day trip or a short weekend visit. 17 Best Weekend Trips from Paris by train & car (2022), Havana Travel Guide: Things to do in Havana Cuba, 8 German Towns in USA to fuel your wanderlust, 16 Most European Cities in America for your bucket list, Paris in Autumn: Reasons to visit Paris in the fall, Where to stay in Paris first time Best arrondissement to stay in Paris, Interesting Facts About Luxembourg and why you should visit. Another cathedral, the Lyon Cathedral is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, and is the seat of the Archbishop of Lyon. Tickets reservations cost about $35 USD+ plus the rail pass for the day. London deserves at least 4 to 7 days to explore the citys major highlights. Pineapple Beach Club Antigua | 5th Nt Free, Air & 15-Day Best of Peru, Argentina & Brazil Tour, $715 Off | 9-Day Luxury All-Incl. Looking for the best weekend trips from Paris by train or by car? This stunning Roman Catholic church was once destroyed by a fire in 1211, but was quickly replaced by a larger Gothic-style cathedral. Over the centuries, pilgrims would make their way to Mont Saint Michel to pray, eventually building a small village in its vicinity. Note, automated machines dont accept foreign credit cards, another reason to book ahead of time. You can venture to other countries from weekend trips from Paris via high speed trains or cheap flights from Paris. A two and half hour fast train from Paris could get you to the medieval city of Avignon in France. If you do not wish to rent a car and drive, this is perfect as Paris has a strong rail network and you can reach cities and small towns in the countryside by embarking on any of these wonderful train trips from Paris. And thats why it is worth spending a weekend in Versailles visiting the popular landmark and enjoying a relaxed getaway. Many top-notch restaurants are located here too, including La Cave d Ct and Brasserie Chantecler. Completely different from the pretty Parisian lanes, Geneva is a natural beauty and a financial center of Switzerland. The Belgian Comic Strip is a must visit on your weekend trip from Paris. From the Gare du Nord Paris you can take the train to Thalys. Aside from the fast-paced action, you can also explore cathedrals here and watch a light show on the historic buildings in the summer months. Here are some ideas for weekend getaway accommodations outside of Paris and a little bit about the beautiful towns theyre located in. As the tapestry was sewn shortly after the battle, it is considered to be an accurate representation of events at the time. This hotel overlooks the canal and the building dates back to a 15th-century covenant. Anyone who has a need for speed will love a weekend trip to Le Mans. Although many of the buildings surrounding the square are actually a replica of the original grand place guilds (from 1690s), this is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Where to Stay: A great place to stay here is Hotel Carmin, which is just a five-minute walk to the beach and next to city hall. There are other items to add to your Bruges weekend itinerary like the Lake Minnewaterpark, Choco-Museum, Saint John Hospital a 800 year old hospital. Please try again. By subscribing I agree to the terms and privacy policy. Top attractions to add to your weekend list are the Normandy Beaches, Caen, Giverny, Falaise, and the seaside resorts. Alpine hills make for a gorgeous backdrop and offer breathtaking views back upon the remarkably blue lake. Neat rows of champagne vines meander down towards to the town of pernay, where several of the worlds most prestigious champagne houses are located; Mercier and Mot & Chandon among them. You can also book same day tickets from the train station in Paris for intercity trains. It is also one of the nicest options for a weekend getaway from Paris, and you can stay nearby at Htel Le Chantilly, a former coaching inn turned boutique hotel that is a warm and welcoming option. The capital city of France, Paris is well connected to many major cities in Europe by trains and short flights. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. During winters, you can visit Christmas markets here at the city center. Located at the centre is also the Frankfurt Cathedral, also known as the Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew. Lyon is a must-visit city in France, perfect for anyone who is spending time in Paris. For intercity trains, you can buy TER French intercity train tickets from any station. However, remember that you will have to spend at least 2 hours at the airport before you depart domestically or internationally. Strasbourg Gothic Cathdrale Notre-Dame dominates the big list of things to see in the city, along with the Rhine River. Air travel might be a cheaper option too, to consider. (The caves used to be an old passageway during numerous French wars and they were also a hospital for wounded soldiers.). If you prefer a more relaxed trip to London, visit 1 -2 museums (The British Museum, Museum of London, or Natural History Museum), and then relax at Kensington Gardens, or Kew Gardens. An Indian-Canadian globetrotter, she has traveled to over 100 cities and 25+ countries. You will love Paris in autumn. This museum was awarded the Museum of the Year 2012, and it is home to one of the most important collections in Germany. Normandy is a historic part of France that has been a significant place throughout the ages. From the old town, you can soak in river views too. Make a reservation for a table at Le Livre Gourmand for lunch. With the Thalys high speed train, you can visit London in less than 3 hour ride. This is a boutique hotel thats urban, cozy, quiet, and romantic. Located in Belgium, Bruges is often known as the Venice of the North. Paris to Geneva flights start at $70 USD one way, takes 1 hour. Le Puy-en-Velay is nestled between thickly forested hills and towering rock formations, which give a real sense of secrecy to the place. You can lose yourself wandering through the surrounding vineyards and patchwork fields that seem to roll across the horizon. Often used as a base to explore the villages and lavender fields of Provence in June-July, this small city itself has several attractions, making it worthy of a day or a weekend. Chantilly is a beautiful French town that you can reach from Paris by train or car. Although there is some risk in popular landmarks, especially pickpockets or tourist safety at night, you must use your judgement and no venture into unknown areas at night. Make reservations online for the Machines de Lile, so that you can visit everything in one afternoon. Its the third-largest city in France and is known for its lovely cathedrals, nightlife scene, and shops. Taking a day tour to visit the major sites is worth it, if your itinerary involves checking out the London bucket list in a short trip. From Paris, you can take a weekend trip to Geneva by train. Today this fortified palace of those times is open to visitors who can admire paintings, tiled floors, a chapel, and scenic views. This quaint home amazes with millions of pieces of crockery, pottery, and more built into mosaics. Start at the Galerie de Machines. Book Your Trip With Our Travel Resources! Many do not require advance booking or reservations. This sandstone cathedral was the tallest building in the world (since its creation upto 227 years), and is a testimony of the engineering wonders of the medieval period. The town is small and offers a peaceful way to spend a weekend outside of Paris. This note applies to those who are traveling to Paris France on a Schengen Visa. This is an ideal place to visit for foodies who love amazing local specialties. These pretty lines are filled with timber-framed houses that are centuries old. And be very mindful of your belongings. The Church of Notre-Dame de Versailles is another landmark, which was built as a place of worship and to serve the needs of the growing town. This small medieval town in the south-west Aquitaine region, perches upon craggy rock faces that wall the passing Dordogne River. The big attraction here is the Chateau de Fontainebleau, which is a country castle that was inhabited by royal French dynasties and is one of the most beautiful castles in France. There are even races here involving trucks and bicycles! Other popular attractions to check out in Brussels are the Atomium Park, Mont des Arts, Mini Europe and the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Well send you our newsletter with travel destinations, deals, and more! Where to Stay: A recommended place to stay in Reims is Chateau Les Crayeres, which has plush rooms, antique-style furnishings, and a restaurant and bar. Drive about an hour and a half south of Paris to reach Orlans, which was made famous by Joan of Arc. Before you arrive in the middle of town, youll pass through the lovely Chantilly Forest that is incredibly peaceful. Another quaint town in France worth visiting for the weekend is Chartres, which is about an hour and a quarters drive west of Paris. Tapestry Museum (Muse de la Tapisserie de Bayeux) is one of the oldest and most well-preserved artifacts of all time and is located in Bayeux. There are chic rooms and suites in this four-star hotel thats a favorite among golfers. It is filled with festive decorations, mulled wine, and is home to one of the prettiest Christmas in France. The site also puts on equestrian shows and flower displays for which tickets can be booked in advance. Legend has it that the archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert of Avranches in 708 and instructed him to build a church at Mont Saint Michel. At the train station in Paris, the platform departing for London is separate from Schengen countries. These days there are more tourists than pilgrims at Mont Saint Michel, but the spirit of the island remains. In case you dont think that is crazy enough, Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family are direct descendants of who would become King William. It hosts Champagne houses to take a tour through and learn all about the production of the worlds favorite celebratory beverage. The city is famous for being the home of whipped cream, known as crme de Chantilly. It either takes you from the Galerie to Le Carrousel or vice versa. Find the best way to reach the destination with sightseeing and accommodation tips for each! The city centre of Brussels is the perfect spot to start exploring the city. Like something out of a fairytale, this charming little Alpine town is full of brightly colored timber houses. We also did a fair bit of research before our trip and we were intrigued by the interesting facts about, Read More Interesting Facts About Luxembourg and why you should visitContinue, Your email address will not be published. Spend time here exploring the beautiful architecture, eat or embark on a horse carriage ride. It is important to know that the French Railways (SNCF) have the fastest trains in Europe. Where to Stay: Book a room at the Mercure Chantilly Resort & Conventions, which is in the heart of the Chantilly Forest and has rooms with forest and golf course views. From Paris, you can easily make a weekend trip to Cologne. Since time immemorial, Marseille was used as an immigration port and trade center. A single entry Schengen Visa is sufficient as long as you remain within the Schengen zone. This square is filled with fountains, restaurants, gelaterias, and shopsAlso visit the St. Pierre Cathedral here, which is the largest cathedral in the city. Annecys old town is a charming assortment of flower-adorned houses that sit upon serene canals; hence why its often referred to as the Little Venice of France. As part of our Europe trip, we left for Brussels from Paris via Thalys High Speed train (from Gare du Nord), and it took us less than 2 hours. At the center, do check out the Belfry Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as the Bruges Historium where you can learn about its history! Consider staying at the Hotel De Orangerie. With crisp weather, fall foliage, slightly fewer crowds, visiting the city of light between September to November is a great idea! Look out for our newsletters in your inbox soon. Once the home of the French royal court, Amboises 15th-century castle still reigns over the town and becomes truly enchanting at night. In the old town of Frankfurt is the stunning Rmer, which is a medieval building and has been the city hall of Frankfurt for over 600 years. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. Expect long waiting times here. The nearby forest area is also great for rock climbing if youre looking for a little adventure. If youre looking for a unique place to stay, check out the top Airbnb rentals in the area. Your email address will not be published. You must set aside some time for exploring the Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvire. Strasbourg is the capital city of the Grand Est region (old Alsace region). Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Air & 7-Nt N. Europe Cruise w/ 1-Nt Hotel Package, Hilton Playa del Carmen All-Inclusive Resort | Mexico, Free Lobster Tails & Ribeyes | ButcherBox, Sail North America's Rivers w/ Free Roundtrip Air, Air & 7-Nt Med. Prior civilizations used tapestries to tell stories and preserve history by sewing it onto cloth. For art lovers, head to the Stdel Museum. Many of these landmarks are still intact and have preserved much of the citys charm from invasions and modern world wars. Located only 4 hours away from Paris, you can easily explore Marseille on a weekend getaway. It has stood nearly a millennia and survived both the French Revolution and both World Wars. Many of the destinations mentioned in this post can be reached in less than 3 hours as weekend trips from Paris, thus allowing you to maximise your vacation time! The city charms you with darling restaurants, a Fine Art Museum, beautiful gardens, and cute shops. It is a large fountain in Geneva, and can be seen at all times of the year. On a Schengen Visa, you can explore these nearby countries from Paris, without applying for an additional visa. The 20 Best Wellness Retreats in California, Based on Google Ratings, Mushroom Foraging and Dumpling + Pizza Making at Upstate Airbnb | Glasco Woodstock, Top 14 All-Inclusive Resorts in Punta Cana. If you are a foodie, Lyon will surprise you in a good way. Its also fun to take a boat tour to relax and take in views of the canal. Located on the banks of the Rhone river, the city is most famous for a monumental landmark, Palais de Papes, or the Popes Palace, which has been the residence of seven Popes. Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. READ: From Loire Valley, Normandy to Disneyland, enjoy these day trips from Paris for history and culture lovers. We list the best places to enjoy lamour. When visiting for one day these are the not to be missed attractions: Chteau des Ducs de Bretagne and Les Machines de Lile. Marseille is one of the prettiest places in South of France. A good place to stay is the Zenitude Hotel-Residence Nantes-La Beaujoire, with a swimming pool and your own kitchen. Currently on a mission to explore all of Europe (cities, castles, microstates you name it). Pay a visit to the Palais des Rohan, a baroque Episcopal palace, built in the 1720s. Being a port city, the coastal vibes in Marseille are very different from any of the other destinations listed in this post.