Paris will always be my favorite city to live in (and that’s hard to say being a native New Yorker!!). I mean come on, the Eiffel tower, the rich history, the historic buildings, Seine river, Notre Dame cathedral, THE MONA LISA.. I don't really need to go on. But while you’re here (or if you live here in the city of lights), why not explore some nearby gems and surrounding areas? 

Just for you, we've put together a list of our top best weekend trips for a long weekend getaway while on your trip to Paris. These all have easy access from central Paris. I know it from living here for the last 11 years that sometimes we just need to get out of the hustle and bustle of the French capital. Actually right now AS I'M WRITING THIS, I'm on a train down to the south of France with my mom for 2 days. I love spontaneous trips to beautiful places with people I love. 

Here are the best weekend getaways from Paris, France (in my opinion).

1. Bordeaux (2h03m)

I feel like I have to put Bordeaux first because it's my personal favorite. It's the place where I fell in love with France, where I first imagined moving here, where my husband is from, and where we ultimately got married (yes, in the middle of vineyards.. so French). Bordeaux is such a gorgeous small city, so good for pedestrians, has great food, excellent wine, and a whole slew of things to do and see if you're there for a few days. It's so easily accessed by the TGV (high speed trains). You go from city center to city center in two hours. We make it a weekend trip a few times a year. 

Bordeaux is a city (and region) in the southwest of France most famed for its wine. The city itself however is something to behold. Set on the Garonne River, the city's ornate landscape is studded with gothic, romanesque and baroque architecture. With such a rich culture of gastronomy, a food tour is a must. Take a bike ride along the river and across Pont de Pierre at sunset for unforgettable views. Bordeaux has a heavily pedestrian-only city center and is easily walkable from end to end. There are a bunch of public parks, museums (there is even a wine museum called the cité du vin that some people are deeming a "wine amusement park," which is hilarious). The food scene in Bordeaux is rich and ever-growing. 

Favorite Bordeaux Restaurants:

- Les Nouailles - This is a Bordeaux icon of a restaurant. It's classic French food in a classic setting. 

- Mazal - The food here is truly wonderful, the staff makes you feel like family, and it becomes a party after 10.

- Freida - The tapas, the drinks are both wonderful but the courtyard in the back is the cherry on top!! 

- Brasserie Bordelais - Another Bordeaux icon. You have classic french-fair in the center of "old town" Bordeaux. I absolutely LOVE their steak and duck. 

- Peppone - I love a good Pizza and this is absolutely the place to go for that in central Bordeaux. There's always a line out the door. 

Just outside Bordeaux you have so many places to visit however here are the best things to do: 

Go to the ocean

Arcachon/Cap Ferret - These are two beacside towns that are on opposite sides of the Bay of Arcachon on the Atlantic ocean that are the ideal place to be in the summer months. These beach towns are absolutely beautiful and the beaches are packed in the summer. Think Hamptons, but a bit more laid back. More oysters, less botox (lol). You can take a train to Arcachon or drive the distance in about an hour or so depending on traffic. 

Go see vineyards

Visit the absolutely STUNNING vineyard village of Saint Emilion. You definitely need a car to get there but it's worth the trip about an hour outside Bordeaux. I've been maybe a dozen times over the last decade and we actually got married right in that area. It's a stunning old vineyard village on a hill. It's one of those places you can't believe actually exists because it's just so darn pretty. 

Another vineyard I LOVE to visit is called Smith Haute Laffitte, it's where you have the amazing spa/hotel Les Sources de Caudalie. You can just go for a drink or a wine tasting (which is what we have done) or you can book a stay there. The gardens and vineyards are absolutely stunners. 

Go see the chateaux!

Just outside Bordeaux you can drive on the "Route des Chateaux" in the Medoc area. I did this absolutely delightful drive with my mother in law the first summer I lived here. It's basically just one road that you drive along and see tons and tons of gorgeous castles. Some are still making wine, some are BNBs, some are event venues.. but all of them have their own character. It was like being out of a fairy tale. This is another thing you would need a car for (or to hire a driver) but it was such a cool experience that I wanted to mention it. We only did about 2 hours of driving but you could do much longer and go farther!!

How to get there:

There are around 33 return trips between Paris and Bordeaux everyday on the high speed train line (TVG). These trains leave from Gare Montparnasse (located in central Paris) and the journey takes only a few minutes over 2 hours.

Best time of year to go to Bordeaux: Any season! Winter is rainy and cold so if possible I'd recommend summer and fall more BUT I've been there every time of year and you always eat well and it's beautiful with lots of cultural events going on all year so there is ALWAYS something to do!

2. Strasbourg (1h46m) + Colmar, Riqueweir + Ribeauvillier if You Come for the Christmas Markets

Strasbourg is a French capital city in the region of Alsace that lies right on the border between France and Germany. Though today it lies happily within France, it has historically changed nationality between the two countries no fewer than five times! Because of this, the city has a unique Franco-German culture that is reflected in everything from the architecture to the dialect (called Alsacien and is a germanic dialect!), to the cuisine making it 1000% worth visiting on your next trip to France. Not to mention the city houses an absolutely breathtaking Gothic Cathedral which towers over the city. 

Strasbourg and Alsace in general has a VERY special place in my heart. My husband's family origins are from a little town outside of Strasbourg and my in-laws' first language is actually Alsacian! Yes, they learned the dialect growing up and learned French in school. It's pretty crazy to think that this is the case but it really does bring another depth and layer to the history of the region and country to have so many different sub-cultures within one country. 

Insider tip: The Restaurant La Coccinelle is not to be missed. Order the tapas for two people as an appetizer. The Crème Brûlée au Foie Gras will make your tastebuds cry with happiness.

How to get there:

The average train journey from Paris to Strasbourg takes 2 hours and 20 minutes, however high speed trains are available that will take only 1 hour and 46 minutes. When you arrive in Strasbourg, you’re only a 15 minute walk in to the city center.

3. London (2h30m)

I know you’ve heard all about London, but did you know this renowned world capital is only a short train ride from Paris? Take a weekend out of your trip to Paris to go visit a second world capital! See a show at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, visit the Tate Modern, or take a Harry Potter tour. This city has endless opportunities, you’ll never get bored on a weekend in London.

Do you want to have someone plan your Paris and London trip for you? I would HIGHLY recommend En Route to Rêverie and their services for this!

Insider tip: Book an afternoon tea during your stay! London is packed with an endless number of afternoon tea experiences: from downright palatial, to humble and cozy, to Sherlock Holmes themed! If you’re looking for a contemporary and upscale tea experience, we can personally vouch for the afternoon tea at Como The Halkin.

How to get there:

The easiest way to get to London from Paris is by the Eurostar train. The Eurostar leaves from Gare du Nord and the journey only takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. Make sure to get there between an hour and hour and a half early though. Because you’re going to a different country, you will need to go through immigration and security before you board the train and the platform to board also closes half an hour before departure. Once past security and immigration though, it’s a smooth and simple journey that takes you directly to Kings Cross station right in the center of London.

You also have the option to travel by plane of course. The flight to any of London’s airports only takes 1 hour and because of the time difference, sometimes you’ll even land before the time you took off! Plane tickets also tend to be cheaper than the train tickets. It’s also important to consider of course the extra cost of getting to the airport, which will vary depending on whether you plan on taking public transport or a taxi. (Check out our guide on getting to Paris airports here!). Though the flight itself is faster and the tickets can be much cheaper, the added travel time and potential added stress of navigating to and from the Paris and London airports makes it not the right choice for everyone.

4. Loire Valley (1h35)

The Loire Valley is a vast and gorgeous region to the southwest of Paris speckled with wineries and Renaissance castles (or châteaux as they’re called in French!). In this region you will find some of the most stunning properties in France and taste some magnificent wine too! The two most famous châteaux in the region are Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord, but there are over 300 in the area, 42 of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

I was recently here for a Female Founder Retreat with Molly Wilkinson of Beginner French Pastry, Meghan Donovan of En Route to Rêverie, Preeti Gills of Harupi Media, and Charlotte King of Bacchus and Clio and we stayed at the beautiful Fleur de Loire hotel in Blois. I would absolutely recommend it!

We also got to do an INCREDIBLE experience of Truffle Hunting organized by Charlotte of Bacchus and Clio (watch the video here). I would highly recommend this, you can get in touch with her here!

How to get there:

Parts of the Loire Valley are accessible by train, however many of its attractions are not near any train stations. Because of this, we recommend either renting a car or booking a guided tour. This will allow you to access all of the wineries you desire and visit all of the châteaux with the least trouble.

If you choose to travel by railway you have the option to take direct train from Gare Montparnasse or Gare d’Austerlitz in Paris to Blois-Chambord station. Here there are 35 minute shuttle buses to Château de Chambord, one of the most celebrated of the Loire Valley châteaux.

5. Aix-en-Provence (2h59m)

Aix-en-Provence is a little pocket of elegance in the countryside of southern France. It actually has a reputation around Marseille for being the miniature Paris of the south. It's nowhere near as chaotic and exciting as the capital, but it has the same feeling of bourgeois charm as Paris, just on a much smaller scale. If you want that atmosphere of sophistication without all the background noise, Aix is a great place to visit. 

Another bonus to visiting Aix is that even though it's a small city, it's also a college town with a very international feel. Many students travel to Aix-en-Provence for their study abroad exchanges, which means that English is widely spoken and it's quite easy to navigate the shops and communicate with locals if you need any help. You can always practice your French, of course, but just know that you will be in good hands if your main language is English! 

The city is known for its lavender fields as well as its streets and landscapes painted by Paul Cezanne, who was born there. He was most inspired by the nearby mountain, Saint Victoire, whose elegant silhouette is deeply entwined with the identity of Provence. Many of his paintings depict St. Victoire in one of its many angles and seasons, which you can see from certain vantage points in the city. While you’re in Aix, visit Cezanne’s luminous atelier tucked into the hillside (they offer guided tours in French & English which are totally worth it), and pretty soon you'll be wishing you could lounge about in an olive grove and make still-life paintings all day. If you stumble across the little Saint Pierre Cemetery, you can pay a visit to Cezanne's grave, which is intentionally located with a view of St. Victoire, his favorite mountain, just off to the right of his tomb. 

Aix-en-Provence is one of the best places to wander the curving, cobblestone streets and poke your head into some beautiful churches. Aix has a plethora of fountains (one of which bubbles up from a natural spring), that are worth noticing and often photographing. There are so many cafés and lunch spots to choose from, some of which face a vibrant outdoor market that takes place almost every day in the main square. There's a little window that exclusively sells fresh-baked Madeleines (yummm), and lots of shops where you can find lavender products from Provence and the famous Savon de Marseille (made with 72% olive oil in the most delectable scents). 

Take a tour of the surrounding lavender fields (they are not within walking distance, you'll need to take a bus), and immerse yourself in provincial France. 

If you're an avid reader or a connoisseur of cozy coffee shops, be sure to spend some time in Book in Bar, the international café/bookshop. It's only 2 blocks off the main drag (Cours Mirabeau), and it's such a delightful place to get lost in a book while sipping on a delicious chai latte or cappuccino. They do NOT have Wifi inside, because they want to keep the space technology-free. But this just creates a calm ambience for focusing on reading or journaling or simply existing (sometimes we need a little push to set our phone or laptop down and just BE). They also have a wonderful pastry menu that changes every few days, so don't miss out!

Even if you have a full agenda for your visit, there's something about the south that is just slower-paced and more laid back than northern France. You might find yourself feeling more relaxed here, which means it's a perfect place to recharge during travel. 

How to get there:

Trains to Aix-en-Provence leave every day from Paris Gare de Lyon. The fastest trains available take only 2 hours and 59 minutes to get there. You’ll arrive at the train station Aix-en-Provence TGV which is situated 18 kilometers from Aix City Center. To get to the city center it’s only a 15 minute taxi or bus ride with buses leaving every 30 minutes.

6. Étretat (3h10m)

Étretat is a small town in Normandy that’s famed for its dramatic white chalk cliff faces. Have you heard of the white cliffs of Dover? Well, this is where you’ll find their cousins on the other side of the Channel! The town itself is nestled by the beach at the base of the cliffs, granting the opportunity for beautiful hikes up the edges of the cliffs on either side, as well as a chance to dip your toes in the sea in the summer. Whether you climb the surrounding hills or choose to stay on the beach, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views. Some people even kayak in the ocean below the cliffs! This is seriously such a beautiful place to add to your itinerary. 

How to get there:

There’s no direct train to Étretat from Paris, however you can take the train from Paris Saint Lazare to Bréauté Beuzeville and from here take the bus 17 for just 30 minutes to Étretat.

There are also buses from Paris to Étretat, however direct buses tend to run mainly on the weekend. If you only plan to do a day trip, the bus may not be the best option for you since the earliest arrival in Étretat is 11:50am and the latest bus returning to Paris is at 4:45pm.

If you’ve rented a car while in France, you can also drive to Étretat. The drive only takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes depending on traffic. The autoroute will have tolls though and you can expect to pay around 40€ round trip.

7. Mont Saint Michel (~4h)

Mont Saint-Michel is a pain to get to, but there’s a reason we kept it on this list. Did you ever dream as a kid about visiting a fairytale kingdom surrounded by the sea? Well, it’s come to life as Mont Saint-Michel. Mont Saint-Michel is a medieval town that sits on what’s almost an island, save for a narrow land bridge that allows access to the town. The town’s silhouette is famed because of the massive gothic abbey that towers over the walled city. The surrounding bay gives the illusion that the city could drift into the Atlantic at any moment, only adding to the drama. It’s no wonder that the Mont Saint-Michel and its bay is recognized both as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as a Pilgrimage Route to Santiago de Compostela. The impact of this small city is undeniable and its long history is worth the effort of getting there.

How to get there:

There are no direct trains to Mont Saint Michel, however it is possible to still get there by train if you’re willing to transfer or take a taxi for part of the journey. There are three possible train routes to get to Mont Saint-Michel. The first is to take the high speed train from Paris Montparnasse station to the Dol-de-Bretagne station (2.5 hours). From this station you can take a 30 to 45 minute taxi up to Mont Saint Michel. If there are no direct trains available to Dol-de-Bretagne, it’s also possible to get to the station via a transfer in Rennes and then of course take the taxi to Mont Saint-Michel. The second option to get to Mont Saint-Michel by train may be preferable for some, but it’s much harder to schedule, especially during the high tourist season. There is one direct train daily leaving from Paris Montparnasse station to Mont Saint Michel with a ten minute connection in Villedieu Les Poeles. The entire journey on this route takes 3 hours and 50 minutes so it is the longer option, however the convenience of not needing a taxi is a bonus. The third option is to take a high speed train to Rennes, then from the stations Rennes-Pontchaillou take the 40 minute train to the station Pontorson-Mont Saint-Michel.

It’s also possible to get to Mont Saint-Michel by bus. Flixbus, BlaBlaCar Bus and Omio are all companies that offer bus routes to Mont Saint-Michel and they’re definitely the friendlier option if you’re on a budget. Bus travel times take a minimum of 4 hours and 30 minutes though so though it’s the cheapest, it’s not the fastest option.

There are lots of guided tours that will take you round trip on a private coach. This is definitely the easiest option if you are planning just a day trip to Mont Saint-Michel. With a guided tour, everything is taken care of and you don’t need to worry about any transfers!

If you decide to rent a car while you’re in France, then you can drive yourself to Mont Saint Michel! The most direct route is on the A13 Autoroute, however be prepared for tolls along the way. The drive from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions. There’s a large (paid) parking arena located about a mile away from the abbey and regular free shuttles from the parking arena to the historical center.

When booking your tickets, keep an eye out for trains labeled Trains Grande Vitesse or TGV. These are the high-speed trains. 

Bon Voyage!

P.S. Love the photos? Get in touch for a mini photo shoot in Paris while you’re here! We specialize in joyful portraits, beautiful art pieces to have as your Paris vacation souvenir! Get in touch