Best Weekend Trips from Paris by Train

Where to Go from Paris by Train

Below is a list of great places near Paris to visit by train in 3.5 hours and under, perfect for a long weekend escape. If you are in a hurry, jump to this list of best weekend trips from Paris here.

Paris may be the heart of France, but the country abounds with lovely places worth exploring. From oceanview hideaways to picturesque small towns or wine-tasting trips, there are beautiful train trips from Paris to see something else. So get out of your comfort zone, grab a train, and visit more about this beautiful country on a weekend trip from Paris.

But where to go? From Lille to Marseille, check out these ideas of easy train trips from Paris with something for everyone.

Table of contents:

• Easy Train Trips from Paris
• Best Weekend Getaways from Paris
  1. Marseille
  2. Bordeaux
  3. Rouen
  4. Lyon
  5. Strasbourg
  6. Lille
  7. Dijon
  8. Tours
  9. Nantes
  10. Deauville
• Train Stations in Paris

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.

1. Weekend Trip from Paris to Marseille

TGV trains leave from Paris Gare de Lyon, and it takes around 3,5 hours to reach Marseille Saint-Charles train station. Buy your tickets here.

If you are looking for a sunny weekend trip from Paris by train, Marseille is the place to go. Chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2013, Marseille is a great destination for sightseeing, sailing, and local gastronomy.

The best things to do in Marseille are in the city center, around the colorful Old Port. Don’t miss the Le Panier neighborhood, the Cathedral, the medieval Abbey of Saint-Victor, and Notre Dame de la Garde uphill.

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.

2. Weekend Getaway from Paris to Bordeaux

TGV trains depart from Paris Gare Montparnasse and arrive at Bordeaux-Saint-Jean train station in 2 to 3 hours. Buy your train tickets here.

Bisected by the Garonne River, Bordeaux is one of the most elegant French cities close to Paris by train. Bordeaux’s historical center boasts a beautiful collection of Classical and Neo-classical private mansions, and the architecture is elegant and homogeneous.

But most of all, Bordeaux is world-known for its wines! Come to Bordeaux for sightseeing, enjoy its excellent cuisine, and taste some of the world’s best wines. 

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.

3. Rouen Weekend Trip from Paris by Train

Trains to Rouen leave from Paris Saint Lazare train station hourly (1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes). Click here to book your train tickets to Rouen.

Rouen, by the River Seine in Normandy, is one of the most beautiful places near Paris to visit by train. Due to its short distance from the French capital, many people visit Rouen on a day trip from Paris, but this city deserves more than a few hours.

Nicknamed “‘The City of 100 Bell Towers,” Rouen owns one of the most beautiful medieval centers in France. Notre Dame Cathedral is a jewel of Gothic architecture, and a visit to the History Museum is a good opportunity to learn more about Jeanne d’Arc, who was burned alive in Rouen.

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

4. Weekend Trip from Paris to Lyon

Trains leave Paris Gare de Lyon train station hourly for a journey of around 2 hours. If possible, stop at Lyon Perrache train station, which is the nearest station to Old Lyon. Click here to book your train tickets to Lyon.

Lyon is one of the top cities to visit in France and one of the best weekend trips from Paris by train. The city is well known for its quality of life, its beautiful heritage from Roman times to Contemporary architecture, and good gastronomy.

The Fourbière Hill offers beautiful panoramic views of the city, and it is a great place to start your visit. Explore Vieux Lyon, the city’s historical center and its beating heart, with interesting medieval and renaissance architecture and a wonderful atmosphere. The Lyon City Card, for 1 to 4 days, offers access to 23 museums in Lyon, unlimited transportation, and a guided tour!

This Lyon 2-day itinerary offers a good overview of the city. Lyon is the food capital of France, and this tried and tested food tour in Old Lyon is a great introduction to the local cuisine.

5. Weekend Getaway from Paris to Strasbourg

TGV /ICE trains leave from Paris Gare de l’Est train station and reach Strasbourg in only 1 hour 45 minutes. Book your train tickets to Strasbourg.

Strasbourg is the capital of the former region of Alsace. It is one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with its historic center listed UNESCO Heritage site.

This train trip from Paris has everything, from historical sights to excellent foods and wines. Strasbourg’s Cathedral is one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in France, and from its bell tower, when the sky is clear, it is possible to see the Vosges and the Black Forest in Germany!

With 2 days in Strasbourg, you can get a good overview of the Alsace region. You can also decide to use the first day to visit the best things to do in Strasbourg and the second day to explore beautiful Colmar and other picturesque Alsatian villages such as Riquewhir or Eguisheim.

6. Lille Weekend Trip from Paris by Train

TGV trains to Lille leave from Paris Gare du Nord train station hourly (around 1 hour). Book your train tickets to Lille.

If you are looking for where to go from Paris by train far from the crowds, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Lille in Northern France. Lille is the capital of the region of Hauts-de-France and an interesting cultural hub with a large student population.

During the middle ages, Lille was a prosperous merchant city part of the County of Flanders (today Belgium); that’s why there are so many Flemish influences in architecture and gastronomy.

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.

7. Weekend Trip from Paris to Dijon

Direct trains to Dijon leave from Paris Gare de Lyon train station (around 1 hour 35 minutes). Book your train tickets to Dijon.

Dijon is one of the best train trips from Paris for a cultural weekend or a gastronomic weekend. The capital of the Dukes of Burgundy, Dijon, has an interesting history, beautiful medieval architecture, tasty local produce, and good wine.

Dijon’s Old Town is like a trip back in time, with its impressive Ducal Palace, medieval architecture, and religious buildings.

Being home to some of the world’s best wines, taking a wine tour to the vineyards with tastings is always a good idea. You can also decide to visit Dijon on a day and use the second day to visit Beaune on a day trip from Dijon.

8. Weekend Getaway from Paris to Tours

Trains to St. Pierre des Corps TGV station leave from Gare Montparnasse (1 hour 10 minutes, hourly). From there, take a regional train to reach the Old Town (10 minutes). Click here to book your train tickets to Tours.

Tours is a historic city, the capital of the Kingdom of France, even if for a short time, and with a rich heritage. It is also a student city, with a lively city center populated by many restaurants and bars that pop up their terraces outside as soon as the beautiful days arrive. 

One day 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.

9. Nantes Weekend Trip from Paris by Train

Trains to Nantes leave from Paris Gare de Montparnasse (around 2 hours, hourly). Book your train tickets to Nantes.

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. The city was the former capital of the Dukes of Brittany, and history buffs will enjoy their medieval castle, the Gothic cathedral, and other interesting historical buildings (check out this itinerary for 2 days in Nantes). For some shopping and local delicacies, don’t miss the beautiful Passage Pommeraye, in Quartier Graslin, very similar to the covered passages of 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, Château, and many more attractions.

10. Weekend Getaway from Paris to Deauville

Direct trains leave from Paris Saint Lazare train station hourly (around 2 hours). Book your train tickets to Deauville.

If you are wondering where to go from Paris by train to enjoy the ocean breeze and perhaps a bath, Deauville in Normandy is one of the easy train rides to the coast. Nicknamed Paris’ 21st Arrondissement, Deauville is the perfect place for a couple of days of relaxation, beach walks, and good gastronomy.

Deauville is an upscale seaside town with beautiful Norman architecture, a pretty marina, and sumptuous hotels. Deauville has long been home to French high society’s seaside houses and is often referred to as the Parisian Riviera. 

This seaside resort in Normandy is also famous for its American Film Festival (Festival du cinéma Américain de Deauville). Every year in September, a couple of American cinema stars come to Deauville to promote their films. Don’t miss Deauville’s iconic Promenade des Planches, where the beach closets are dedicated to famous actors and moviemakers who visited Deauville.

Train Stations for the Best Train Trips from Paris 

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).

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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