Weekend Trips from Paris by Train: 12 Places Worth the Journey (2026)

Table of contents:

• Easy Train Trips from Paris
  • Marseille (3h 30min by train)
  • Bordeaux (2-3h by train)
  • Rouen (1h 45min by train)
  • Lyon (2h by train)
  • Strasbourg (1h 45min by train)
  • Lille (1h by train)
  • Dijon (1h 40min by train)
  • Tours (1h 10min by train)
  • Nantes (2h by train)
  • Deauville (2h by train)
  • Reims (1h by train)
  • Avignon (3h by train)
• Paris Train Stations and Where They Take You
• Train Destinations from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Easy Train Trips from Paris

Getting around France by train couldn’t be easier. The French rail network connects all the major cities and towns in France while also linking up many small towns in the countryside. With good planning, you can enjoy wonderful short trips from Paris by train.

The trains in France are fast, efficient, and relatively cheap if booked in advance. If you’re a first-timer coming to France and need some assistance with understanding train travel in France, then you’ll want to read this France Train Travel Guide.

Marseille is a personal favorite – I just love the buzz and vibrant atmosphere around the Vieux-Port, and the afternoon pastis on a sunny terrace. With 2 days in Marseille, you can squeeze in some hours to visit the famous Calanques de Marseille. During the lavender season, you can also consider this half-day tour to visit the lavender fields of Provence.

While it is possible to visit Bordeaux on a day trip from Paris, I always recommend spending a minimum of 2 days in Bordeaux, so you can squeeze in at least one wine-tasting activity.

Last but not least, enjoy Rouen’s gastronomy, visit its various markets displaying delicious local produce, and taste some of the city’s specialties.

Elisa’s Local Tips: Admire Notre-Dame Cathedral at different times of day to see how the light transforms it – just as it inspired Claude Monet. Look for the marker where he set up his easel (in front of the Tourism Office). Also visit the unique Musée Le Secq des Tournelles for its impressive antique ironwork collection (free entry); more details are in my Rouen guide.

The Lyon City Card provides discounted access to many of these museums, along with one guided tour and unlimited public transportation. If you’re planning a short stay, this Lyon 2-day itinerary can help you make the most of your time. As the gastronomic capital of France,

Elisa’s Local Tip: Lyon is a true paradise for food lovers. During one of my city breaks in Lyon, I joined this guided food tour through Old Lyon, and it proved to be an excellent way to discover local specialties while learning more about the city’s history and culinary traditions.

This weekend trip from Paris truly has it all, from historic landmarks to excellent food and wines. Strasbourg Cathedral is one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in France, and from its bell tower, on a clear day, you can see as far as the Vosges Mountains and the Black Forest in Germany.

With two days in Strasbourg, you can get a great overview of the city. Alternatively, you can spend your first day exploring Strasbourg’s top sights and dedicate the second to discovering Colmar and other picturesque villages in Alsace by train or guided tour.

Elisa’s Local Tip: Strasbourg’s Christmas Market is the most famous in France and makes it the most popular getaway from Paris in winter. From my own experience, accommodation fills up very quickly during this period – I usually book my hotel up to a year in advance – so it’s best to secure your stay as early as possible.

Vieux Lille is the city’s historic center, with beautiful 17th-century buildings and cobbled pedestrian streets. The elegant Grande Place, Lille’s beating heart, is a wonder.

Other interesting sights in Lille and around are the Palais des Beaux-Arts, the Old Stock Exchange, the Citadel designed by Vauban, and, a little bit further, the Musée de l’Art et de l’Industrie de Roubaix with its beautiful Art Déco swimming pool. The Lille city pass, for 24 or 48 hours, comes with unlimited transportation and skip-the-line access to the main attractions, including the Piscine-Museum of Art and Industry in Roubaix.

Dijon’s Old Town feels like a journey back in time, with its impressive Ducal Palace, well-preserved medieval architecture, and striking religious buildings. Best of all, all of the city’s museums are free to visit year-round.

As a Bourgogne Masters student, Dijon is a regular base for me when exploring the Burgundy vineyards. If you’re also interested in French wine, consider setting aside half a day or a full day of your stay for a guided wine tour with tastings.

Two days in Tours is a good time to explore the city. Wander around the Old Town, with its pretty architecture of half-timbered houses, and visit Saint-Gatien Cathedral. The bustling Place Plumereau is perfect for a coffee break or some drinks in the evening, and in the summer, you can also relax at the guinguettes (beach bars) by the Loire River.

With such an interesting past and its perfect location in the heart of the Loire Valley, Tours is a great place for exploring some of the most beautiful Châteaux of the Loire Valley, even if it is only on a day tour. Wine lovers will enjoy exploring the Touraine wine region, with world-class appellations like Chinon, Vouvray, Cheverny, and Bourgueil.

Elisa’s Local Tip: TGV trains from Paris to Tours stop at St. Pierre des Corps TGV station. From there, you’ll take a regional train to reach the Old Town (10 minutes).

9. Nantes Weekend Trip from Paris by Train

🚄 Train Time: 2h | From: Paris Gare Montparnasse | Best for: History, culture, food | Book train tickets

If you are looking for lively places near Paris to visit by train, Nantes by the Loire River is an excellent option. Traditionally an industrial city with the biggest shipyards in the country, its owners invested their fortunes in elegant mansions and houses around the city’s beautiful squares.

Nantes is one of the best overnight trips from Paris by train for a cultural weekend. Once the former capital of the Dukes of Brittany, the city offers plenty for history lovers, including its medieval castle, Gothic cathedral, and numerous well-preserved historic buildings (see this 2-day itinerary for Nantes for more ideas).

For shopping and local delicacies, don’t miss the beautiful Passage Pommeraye in the Graslin district, a stunning covered arcade reminiscent of the covered passages in Paris.

Jules Verne, the famous French writer, was born and raised in Nantes, and some of his novels inspired Les Machines de l’Ile, a quirky attraction set in the former shipyards on the Isle of Nantes. There are few places in Europe where you can take a stroll around the city on the back of a mechanical elephant! To get the most out of the city and save money, buy the Nantes City Pass, for 1 to 7 days, with skip-the-line access to Les Machines de l’Ile, the medieval castle, and many more attractions.

10. Weekend Getaway from Paris to Deauville

🚄 Train Time: 2h | From: Paris Saint-Lazare | Best for: Beach, seafood & coastal vibes | Book train tickets

If you’re wondering where to go from Paris by train for a seaside escape, Deauville in Normandy is an easy and rewarding option. Nicknamed the “21st arrondissement of Paris,” it’s the perfect destination for a couple of days of relaxation, beach walks, and great gastronomy.

Deauville is an elegant seaside town known for its beautiful Norman architecture, marina, and luxurious hotels. Long associated with French high society, it is often referred to as the “Parisian Riviera.” It’s also my go-to beach destination when I don’t have enough time to travel south – or when it’s simply too hot there.

The town is especially famous for the American Film Festival (Festival du Cinéma Américain de Deauville), held every September, when Hollywood stars arrive to promote their films. Don’t miss the iconic Promenade des Planches, where beachfront cabins are dedicated to actors and filmmakers who have visited the resort.

History enthusiasts will also know that Reims was the site of Germany’s surrender at the end of World War II. Visiting the Musée de la Reddition was, by far, the highlight of my last trip to Reims, where you can still see the historic “signature room.”

Avignon is also internationally known for its Theatre Festival in July, when the entire city transforms into a stage for street performances and shows of all kinds. It’s a fantastic time to visit, although accommodation tends to be more expensive and books up quickly. My most recent visit to Avignon coincided with the Fête de la Musique (June 21), and it was so fun that it remains one of my best weekend trips from Paris to date.

Elisa’s Local Tips: Avignon’s TGV station is located outside the city center. From there, you’ll need to take a short regional train ride (about 10 minutes) to reach the Old Town. In summer, Avignon can get very hot during the day, so a night tour can be a great alternative. This guided evening tour turned out to be an excellent idea, offering a chance to explore Avignon off the beaten path while learning more about the city and its legends.

Paris Train Stations and Where They Take You

Trains from Paris serve some of the main destinations in France, most of the time with direct connections. They leave from different train stations in Paris, depending on where they go.

» Gare du Nord (Paris 10): Northeast France, Lille, Valenciennes, Calais, London (Eurostar), Brussels, Cologne, and Amsterdam (Thalys)

» Gare de l’Est (Paris 10): Nancy, Metz, Reims, Strasbourg, Germany, and Luxembourg

» Gare St. Lazare (Paris 8): Caen, Cherbourg, Rouen, Le Havre

» Gare de Lyon (Paris 12): South of France. Lyon, Dijon, Besançon, Clermont-Ferrand, Marseille, Nice, Montpellier. Mulhouse in the East of France. Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich), Italy, and Catalunya (Girona, Barcelona)

» Gare d’Austerlitz (Paris 13): Tours, Poitiers, Limoges, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Biarritz, Western Spain

» Gare Montparnasse (Paris 14): All TGV trains to Western France (Brittany, Brest, Rennes, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse).

Train Destinations from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) has a train station located directly in Terminal 2, making it a very convenient departure point for train travel.

For travelers flying to or from Paris Charles de Gaulle, a smart option is to plan a weekend trip by train either at the beginning or the end of your holiday, and book your departure or arrival directly from the airport station.

This allows you to skip one of the usual train journeys between Paris and the airport, saving both time, money, and effort.

French destinations from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) train station

The TGV station at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (located in Terminal 2) connects directly to a wide range of destinations across France, without needing to go through central Paris.

From CDG, high-speed trains (TGV INOUI and OUIGO) serve many major cities, including:

• Lille
• Lyon
• Marseille
• Bordeaux
• Nantes
• Rennes
• Strasbourg
• Toulouse
• Avignon
• Reims (Champagne-Ardenne)
• Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy (Disneyland Paris)

So there you have it, my selection of the best weekend trips from Paris by train. Which weekend getaway from Paris tempts you the most?

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