Smart side-trips from Paris that make every hour count
Getting the most from your time in the French capital doesn’t always mean staying there. In a matter of hours, you could be sipping fizz in Champagne, or swimming in an Alpine lake
The best Paris side trips are more varied that you might think—thanks to Europe’s high-speed train network you can discover some of the best destinations in France, and even beyond, in a matter of hours. From Roman ruins to D-Day beaches, Alpine lakes to fairy-tale palaces, all are within easy reach.
In fact, the French capital is so perfectly located, that you could travel to London, Amsterdam or even Marrakech as part of your vacation. Scroll down, and start the clock…
1 hour from Paris: Versailles and Champagne
Just 10 miles from Paris, Versailles—the 17th-century palace that was home to Marie-Antoinette—is a World Heritage Site and the setting for major equestrian events. Stock up on delicious cheeses from the local market and enjoy a picnic in the breathtaking gardens. Also within an hour from the capital, and arguably even more royal than Versailles, Fontainebleau is one of the largest châteaus in France, the historic home to 34 French kings, two emperors and a 14-acre lake, which you can explore by boat.
Perhaps you fancy a glass of fizz? Head to Champagne, less than an hour by train, where you can visit Reims, tour a champagne house and dine in one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants. Meanwhile, in Giverny, you’ll find the place where Monet found inspiration from his stunning gardens and waterlily covered pond. The nearby Museum of Impressionism is also well worth a visit.
Tour of Monet’s house and gardens
2 hours from Paris: Lyon, Rouen, and Strasbourg
Thanks to a network of super-fast trains, you can eat breakfast in Paris and have lunch in Lyon, the country’s unofficial foodie capital, also home to a network of hidden tunnels, two rivers and a huge football stadium. Meanwhile, right on the countries’ border, Strasbourg blends German and French influences in culture and architecture, resulting in fairy-tale timber-framed houses set along the Rhine.
While pilgrims may walk from Paris to Chartres, you could catch the train to see the cathedral and the nightly summer illuminations, or visit the fantastic museum devoted to the area’s big industry, perfume. Another option is Rouen: Forever associated with Joan of Arc, the city is only 90 minutes from Paris and home both to the tallest cathedral in France and excellent seafood restaurants.
Guided tour of Rouen
3 hours from Paris: Bordeaux, Bruges and London
Connoisseurs du vin can find themselves in Bordeaux in less than three hours. Visit vineyards, learn more about your favorite grape at the excellent wine museum, or catch a game at the international football stadium. In the opposite direction lies Bayeux, the ideal trip for history buffs as the closest town to D-Day beaches and home to the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry.
It’s easy to head further afield with Bruges, Belgium, less than three hours away by high-speed train: Expect pretty medieval architecture, cobbled streets, canal tours and sweet treats from one of the chocolate capitals of the world. Or for a slice of big global city energy, jump on the Eurostar for London’s iconic sights, world-class nightlife, excellent shopping, and huge summer music festivals such as Wireless and BST Hyde Park.
A cultural guide to London
4 hours from Paris: Amsterdam, Nîmes and Rome
Lake swimming, cycling, and souks
In just under four hours, you could be swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Annecy near the Swiss border, before hitting the market in the picturesque Old Town, renting a bike or taking it easy on the beach. Another city famed for its waterways is Amsterdam, only three and a half hours from Paris by train. Postcard-perfect canals, plenty of creative museums and towering gabled houses await the intrepid traveler.
Marrakech is a similar flight time from the French capital and a popular weekend jaunt for chic Parisians thanks to its attractive North African culture, plethora of stylish boutique hotels and must-visit sites such as the Medina and YSL’s Jardin Majorelle. Back in the south of France, Nîmes enjoys an equally appealing climate—and so many monuments it has been labelled “the most Roman city outside Italy.” Come to think of it, Rome is only a two-hour flight from Paris…
An artist’s tour of Marrakech
Alex Gorton is a freelance writer, as well as the former travel editor of Condé Nast Brides. She has visited countries all over the globe, from Chile to Namibia, and lived in France, Canada, and the U.S.
