Paris is fantastic and in case you solely select one place to go to in France – effectively Paris is at all times a good suggestion. And from Paris it’s tremendous straightforward to get to see different elements of France – in simply in the future and with no automotive. These are 13 of one of the best day journeys from Paris by practice.
Paris to Lyon day journey
You possibly can take the practice to Lyon from three totally different stations, Paris Bercy, Paris Austerlitz and Paris Gare de Lyon however verify the timetable fastidiously for the quick practice, as a result of sluggish trains take twice as lengthy. I like to recommend you are taking the practice from Gare de Lyon as a way to ogle, or indulge on the Practice Bleu – the poshest station buffet on the earth! It’s costly, but it surely’s a really Paris expertise. Embellished in neo-baroque type, assume Versailles gold, glitz and glamour with beautiful painted ceilings, chandeliers and delicate banquettes. Cease for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a cheeky glass of one thing through the day. And followers of Mr Bean – that is the restaurant Bean dined at and emptied his oysters right into a fellow diner’s purse!
Gare de Lyon to Lyon Half Dieu station is simple – in case you catch the 7.30 practice within the morning you’ll be there earlier than 9.30. And there are many trains again to Paris, the final one is at about 10 o’clock.
There’s tons to see in Lyon, and a tremendous quantity of very good eating places – the town is named the “Gastronomic Capital of France”. I might advocate lunch at a bouchon, a conventional staff restaurant, go to the coated meals market, wander the outdated city and it’s traboules, the phrase for the slim coated streets the place the silk staff lived and labored as this was a really well-known centre of silk manufacturing. And take the funicular railway to the highest of the Fourvière Hill the place there’s a lovely Basilica, constructed on high of a former Roman discussion board. Plus go to the Roman stays, just like the splendidly preserved amphitheatre, and luxuriate in gorgeous views over the town.
Enjoyable truth: There’s a legend that within the 12 months 832, 4 Lyonnais had been seen rising from a UFO! After all everybody mentioned oh no, it’s not aliens, it’s witchcraft however they did handle to steer the fitting folks that they had been telling the reality. Fortunate for them! Nearly 800 years later in 1621 a UFO was reported within the skies above Lyon. And in 2015 the Raelian Sect – they imagine in extra-terrestrial life – proposed to arrange Earth’s first ever alien embassy in Lyon in Place Bellecoeur which is France’s largest pedestrian sq.!
Monet’s Backyard Giverny – day journey from Paris
Now for someplace utterly totally different – we’re heading to the countryside of Normandy and the stunning little village of Giverny the place Claude Monet lived. It’s simply 45 minutes by practice from Paris Saint-Lazare station, which seems just about simply because it did when Monet painted it, to the Vernon-Giverny station. It’s about 3 miles to Monet’s home and it’s a flat path in case you observe the Route de Giverny which follows the outdated railroad. Or you’ll be able to take a taxi, or the shuttle bus which runs from Spring to Autumn when Monet’s home and gardens are open and that’s 10 euros return.
Monet really first noticed his home from a practice carriage because the outdated railway line used to run alongside the a part of the backyard that’s now house to the lily ponds. He moved there in 1883 along with his second spouse Alice and his two youngsters and her 4 youngsters. He turned obsessive about the backyard, and with water lilies that he grew within the pond and which impressed his well-known “Water Lilies” collection.
Most individuals don’t know that he had as much as 7 gardeners serving to him, nowadays there are 8 gardeners. Monet insisted that the gardeners polish the lily leaves to maintain them good, and the gardeners grew grew roses, geraniums, daffodils, poppies and irises and vegetation that had wealthy colors as a result of Cash developed cataracts and noticed color higher than element, color was every thing to him. Immediately the gardeners stick with a listing of vegetation that Monet grew and whenever you wander into the backyard it’s like getting into one in every of his work. His spouse really wasn’t proud of the best way he grew flowers, she needed a neater backyard!
The home is fantastic, it seems like he simply left the room to go and reduce some flowers. The rooms are vibrant colors just like the backyard, yellow, blue and inexperienced. Pots and pans within the kitchen, Japanese prints that he beloved on the wall alongside copies of his work.
The village of Giverny is effectively value a go to too, it’s just about one avenue lengthy, however tons to see and do. Nice locations for lunch or a snack together with the Lodge Baudy the place a number of artists stayed, and don’t miss a visit to the Lodge backyard to see the artwork studio that appears simply because it did when the artists stayed there resembling Renoir and Cezanne. There’s additionally a museum, cute outlets and a church the place Monet is buried within the graveyard.
Provins, a medieval city close to Paris
Let’s head now to the enchanting medieval city of Provins, a UNESCO World Heritage Website. Simply over an hour from Paris, this medieval gem provides a step again in time with its well-preserved partitions and towers. Don’t miss the Rose Backyard and the underground tunnels – a hidden labyrinth beneath the town! A number of the buildings right here return 1000 years.
What stunned me most is how massive the town is, and that individuals are dwelling within the medieval buildings – it’s extraordinary.
They host the most important medieval pageant in France right here. It takes place often in June (verify their web site) for 2 days and there are lots of and lots of of individuals wearing medieval costume with dances, music, video games, jousting, avenue efficiency and a conventional medieval ball plus a parade – it’s magnifique!
Paris to the Chateau de Chantilly day journey
One other fortress you’ll be able to go to actually simply is the Château de Chantilly in Picardy, which neighbours Ile de France the place Paris is. From Gare du Nord you are taking a practice to Chantilly-Gouvieux which takes round 25 minutes. Then both stroll to the chateau, about 25 minutes by means of the stunning city, or take a bus from exterior the station, rent a motorcycle on the station or take a taxi which takes about 5 minutes. In case you take the practice from Gare du Nord, whenever you purchase your ticket – ask for a Pack TER Domaine de Chantilly which incorporates your practice journey and ticket entry at a reduced worth.
The fortress is totally gorgeous, and you’ll simply spend a complete day right here. Many well-known aristocrats have lived right here and the rooms are embellished and stuffed with unbelievable artworks together with work by Botticelli, Van Dyke and Raphael, plus tapestries and furnishings, books and dazzlingly lovely stained glass. There are additionally essentially the most magnificent stables, and big gardens. And… there’s a legend that Chantilly cream was invented right here.
In truth I’m a Sq. of the Knighthood of Chantilly Cream Whippers! I visited Chantilly final 12 months after I was a cruise of the Oise Valley in Picardy with CroisiEurope and a Knight of the Whippers confirmed us the way to make Chantilly cream correctly and I demonstrated that I may do it, ten lengthy minutes of whipping – and I used to be inducted into the Brotherhood as a Squire, the bottom stage, however I’m very happy with it! Right here’s my high tip that I discovered – whenever you whip the cream, icing sugar and vanilla collectively to make Chantilly cream, do it in a metallic bowl that you simply fill with ice cubes and shake to make it tremendous chilly then empty, dry and whip in it. The Whippers name it a cul-poule which roughly – and in its well mannered translation – means “chickens bum” as they are saying shaking the ice cubes is like chickens shaking their butts to get the eggs out!
Do chickens shake their butts to get eggs out? Hmmm – solutions on a postcard please!
Paris to Fontainebleau day journey
Anther Chateau you’ll be able to go to is in Fontainebleau. It’s the lesser-known cousin of Versailles however no much less regal. Discover its opulent halls, lush gardens, and picture the kings and queens who strolled right here. And there’s even a lake for boating – very stylish! For our nature lovers, the Forest of Fontainebleau awaits. This isn’t simply any forest; it’s a former royal looking floor with dramatic landscapes and limitless mountain climbing trails. It’s a breath of recent air and a favorite with Parisians on the lookout for a nature escape (about 40 minutes by practice).
Paris to the chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte day journey
Up subsequent, the Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte, a baroque masterpiece that impressed Versailles. This fortress is so gorgeous that it made a king jealous sufficient to destroy the proprietor. It was constructed by a person referred to as Nicolas Fouquet, the finance minister of King Louis XIV. It took 20 years to construct and he employed the best architects, backyard designers and painters within the land. Simply because it was virtually completed, and the painters hadn’t fairly accomplished a number of the frescoes and the stone masons had been nonetheless engaged on the statues that encompass the fortress – Fouquet held a celebration and invited the King who was so jealous of its magnificence he stormed out and days later had Fouquet arrested on what had been doubtless false costs and poor Fouquet by no means received to take pleasure in it, he died in jail.
And the statues had been by no means completed – in case you go you’ll be able to see that some bits are nonetheless in block kind! The chateau was purchased by the de Voguë household some 150 years in the past, it’s been superbly restored and preserved. Alexandre de Vogue, the son of the rely and countess who dwell there, informed me that when he was a child, and the chateau was opened to guests, he needed to rush round hiding his toys behind the curtains! The chateau is the place the TV collection Versailles was filmed because the décor and furnishings are so genuine. And it additionally additionally starred within the Bond movie Moonraker!
Take a 30 minute practice experience from Gare de Lyon to Melun, then taxi, bus or the chateau shuttle bus (peak customer instances).
Paris to Deauville day journey
Craving a seaside escape? Let’s head to Deauville. Consider it because the Parisian Riviera – stylish, elegant, with a contact of glamour. Stroll alongside the promenade, benefit from the sandy seaside, and in case you’re feeling fortunate, there’s even a on line casino. That is the city the place Coco Chanel opened a store in 1913 catering to the tremendous wealthy who flocked right here even then. And it’s the place a well-known movie pageant is held in autumn – and the place you could stumble upon George Clooney, Angelina Jolie or Matt Damon – they’ve all been there for the pageant. And all this, only a two-hour practice experience away!
Paris to Chartres day journey
For our subsequent journey, we’re off to the medieval metropolis of Chartres, well-known for its gorgeous Gothic cathedral. However there’s extra! Uncover the quaint streets, charming boutiques, and the peaceable Eure River. Two hours by practice.
Strasbourg, Alsace
At round 1 hour 50 minutes by TGV practice from Gare de l’Est, the gorgeous city of Strasbourg in Alsace is a superb day journey. Should-sees together with a powerful Gothic cathedral, it’s one of the lovely in France. Strasbourg has a fairy-tale like city centre, UNESCO listed Petite France district, and a community of canals that are good for a calming boat experience. There are heaps of museums, fabulous eating places and very good wine bars the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a glass of native Riesling or Gewurztraminer earlier than you catch the practice again to Paris. And, a year-round Christmas store for a memorable memento even in case you’re not there for the well-known Christmas markets. Actually, in the future will not be sufficient for this unmissable metropolis…
Paris to Reims day journey
45 minutes by practice from Gare de l’Est, lies Reims, the capital of Champagne. From the station you’ll be able to stroll to a number of the greatest Champagne homes together with Mumm (15-minute stroll), and Charles de Cazanove (5 minutes) for a tour and tasting. On the outskirts of city, Ruinart is the favorite Champagne of the French and oldest Champagne home on the earth. However you’ll must take bus no. 3 from the station and stroll 5 minutes from the Crayeres cease (complete 20 minutes – it’s value it!). There are additionally a great deal of little boutique Champagne bars, the place you’ll be able to style and purchase reasonably priced classic Champagnes from the family-run firm.
“Town of coronations” or “the town of Kings” because it’s recognized, homes the nice UNESCO-listed cathedral Notre-Dame de Reims, the place French kings had been crowed for 1000 years.
Learn extra about Reims in our free journal The Good Life France Journal
Paris to Compiègne day journey
Compiègne in Picardy has a wealthy historical past and could be reached by practice in lower than an hour. It’s the place Joan of Arc was captured. Go to the gorgeous palace, the historic forest, and in case you’re a automotive fanatic, there’s an unbelievable automotive museum. An ideal mixture of nature, historical past, and expertise!
Paris to Bordeaux day journey
You possibly can even do a day journey to Bordeaux from Paris by practice now! The superfast trains whizz you to Bordeaux in simply two hours! From Bordeaux St Jean Station, hop on a tram to the town centre to find the fantastic UNESCO listed structure of the “Pearl of Aquitaine” as the town is thought. Go to a novel wine museum, immerse your self in artwork on the Bassins des Lumieres, a brand new artwork venue within the former WWII German submarine pens – such an exquisite place, it introduced tears to my eyes after I went, and splash within the Miroir d’Eau water sculpture and absorb the ambiance of sunny Bordeaux with a glass of regional wine. Historical church buildings, Place de la Comédie, fabulous museums, foodie heaven and divine wine bars…
Paris to Dijon day journey
Final however not least, let’s go to Dijon in Burgundy. In case you love cities stuffed with lovely, historic buildings. In case you love implausible meals and fantastic wines. And in case you love museums, galleries, sitting at terraced cafés watching the world go by as you sip a scrumptious native wine, impossibly fabulous avenue markets, nice wine bars and a vibrant pleasant vibe, then add Dijon to your must-see checklist.
This wonderful metropolis has all these items by the bucket load together with the most effective markets in France… and extra.
At simply over an hour and a half from Paris Gare de Lyon, Dijon practice station is within the metropolis centre and completely walkable.
And there you’ve gotten it – a whirlwind tour of implausible day journeys from Paris, all inside a few hours by practice.
Janine Marsh is the creator of a number of internationally best-selling books about France. Her newest e book Tips on how to be French – a celebration of the French way of life and artwork de vivre, is out now – a have a look at the French lifestyle. Discover all books on her web site janinemarsh.com
Need extra France?
Uncover extra fabulous locations in France with our free journal The Good Life France
Love France? Have a hearken to our podcast – every thing you wish to learn about France and extra!
All rights reserved. This text is probably not revealed, broadcast, rewritten (together with translated) or redistributed with out written permission.
