The French know their wine, their cheese … and their incredible holiday destinations.
Rather than resorting to a Google search to plan your summer escape like countless other eager travellers, ask a local. Or better yet, let Helen Schenck, an American in the Paris Rail Europe office, put you on the right track.
She’s tapped into the expertise of her colleagues to come up with some amazing rail trips. All you need to do is pack your bags!
Noirmoutier-en-l’Île
Not far from Paris hides a coastal paradise known as Noirmoutier-en-l’Île. From delicious seafood – mussels and oysters a speciality – to leisurely bike rides along the waterfront, this charming seaside village is a gem waiting to be discovered. No need to hire a car during your stay. Instead, rent a bike and ride up and down the shores at your leisure. The best news? The region is mostly flat so scooting around is a breeze!
Getting there: Take a train from Paris to Nantes then connect to Noirmoutier-en-l’Île by bus or taxi.
Chablis – a no-brainer!
Chablis means excellent wine and even better food. With just over an hour’s train journey from Paris, you can reach this famous wine region and indulge in some of the best culinary delights and tasty tannins France has to offer. As an added bonus, Chablis offers more budget-friendly wine tastings compared to other wine regions in France.
Getting there: You can either take the RER commuter train from Paris or book a train from Paris to Auxerre-St-Gervais and catch a bus or taxi to your final destination.
The crystal blue waters of Lake Annecy
Beautiful mountains? Check! Relaxing beaches? Check! Endless outdoor activities? Double check! Nature lovers travelling to Annecy are in for a treat that only the French Alps can provide. Those keen on aquatic adventures can swim, kayak, go boating and paddleboard on the pristine waters of Lake Annecy, known for being one of the cleanest lakes in all of Europe.
Once you’ve had your fill of nature, stroll the charming cobblestone streets of the old town, pay a visit to the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre, and admire the unbeatable panoramic views from Château d’Annecy. With activities for all ages, Lake Annecy is a great holiday destination for the whole family.
Getting there: With multiple travel options a day, getting to Annecy by train is easy.
Nice – the perfect balance between Italy and France!
Nice strikes the ideal balance between Italian and French cuisines and ambience. With scrumptious Italian cuisine and a Mediterranean vista you could easily mistake the destination on your train ticket for a seaside village in Italy.
Getting there: The journey to Nice is worth the adventure alone. As you sit aboard your high-, mid- or low- speed train, you can take in the scenic seaside view right from the comfort of your seat.
Enter your elegance era in Cannes
Step away from the city grind and bask in the seaside shine and splendour of Cannes. Admittedly, Cannes is not the most budget-friendly option on this list, but that’s part of the allure. Marvel at the star-studded red carpets, wade into the warm Mediterranean waters, indulge in luxury shopping, dine al fresco, sip wine on a stylish terrasse, mingle with the who’s who and try your luck at the casinos. In Cannes, there’s a little something for everyone.
Getting there: With around fifty daily journeys between Paris and Cannes, you will have a number of booking options to suit your budget and schedule.
Go biking along the Route des Grands Crus
What could be better than walking through the world’s most famous vineyards? Biking through them! Route des Grands Crus is a must-visit for fans of French wine and French sunshine. Starting off in Dijon and following the route south through the Burgundy region to Beaune, you can bike the well-marked (and thankfully mostly flat) trails.
Getting there: Most travellers start the Route des Grands Crus in Dijon, so book your trains from around France or greater Europe to Dijon.
No one has ever regretted a trip to Besançon!
Besançon is jam-packed with sights to see, so get your checklist out, because you won’t want to miss a thing. Kayak or cycle along the River Doubs, a natural border between France and Switzerland.
Visit the famous Time Museum: Besaçon is known as the home of French watchmaking. This museum holds 2,000+ timepieces on display plus watchmaking workshops and exhibits where visitors can interact with a watch’s mechanisms.
Behold the Porte Noire, an arch dating back to the 2nd century: Before becoming the charming French city that it is today, Besançon was Vesontio, an ancient Roman town.
And, of course, take in the most iconic spot in Besançon, the Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Citadel has served many purposes throughout history, including a fortress, a residence for the royals and even a prison. Now, it holds multiple museums, and most notably, the best view of the city and the entire Doubs River valley.
Getting there: Besançon is well connected by train, making it easy to reach.
Enchanting La Loire
In just an hour from Paris on a high-speed train, you will find the Loire River valley region, often referred to as “Garden of France” for its lush greenery, rare bird and fish species, and protected wildlife reserves.
With endless outdoor activities, including canoeing on the Loire River and cycling up and down the valley and nearby towns, La Loire is the epitome of summer fun.
First stop: Tours, a charming city located in the La Loire region, known for its medieval architecture, enviable cuisine and plethora of cultural activites, especially during the summer. According to Aurélie, Place Plumereau, the town’s historic square, is the best place on earth for a French apéro, or cocktail hour. Get to know some other travellers and the lay of the land with an interactive outdoor escape game (l’Enquête Tourangelle).
Explore one of the many (and we mean many) castles, including Chenonceaux or Amboise. Want to see all of the castles in France all in one convenient location? You’re in luck! Visit the Parc des Mini-Châteaux near Amboise, where you’ll find mini replicas (complete with identical decorative details) of the most famous castles in the Loire Valley and beyond.
Whatever your definition of summertime fun is…La Loire’s got it!
Getting there: Make the quick ride from Paris to Tours by train.
Arles – a walk through ancient Rome and the mind of Van Gogh!
Despite often being overshadowed by its more frequently visited neighbor Avignon, the New York Times notes that Arles is becoming a “cultural center” of France. So get there (by train, of course) with twice-daily direct trains from Paris, it’s easy to do so.
Located on the Rhône River delta in the south of France, Arles is most famous for its Roman ruins, including an amphitheatre, church, graveyard and baths, as well as being the place where Van Gogh was most prolific – creating over 300 pieces of art.
Getting there: Whether you are starting from Avignon, Marseille or Paris, you will have a number of journey options to choose from.
With thanks to Caroline, David, Atta, Alexiis, Kiltan, Morgaux, Michael, Aurelle and Judith for sharing their destination favourites.
Feeling inspired? Get your tickets aboard France’s national rail provider, SNCF. Travel swiftly alongside locals and fully immerse yourself in the beauty of France by train. More information is available at https://www.sncf.com/en and booking advice is readily available online.
