France

Paris by Night There is something quietly satisfying about leaving Paris after dinner and waking beside the Mediterranean. Not dramatic. Not luxurious in the Orient Express sense. Just deeply civilised. The overnight train to Nice still preserves a version of European travel that airports have almost completely erased: the sense that the journey itself matters. At around 8pm, passengers begin filtering into Gare d'Austerlitz carrying paper bags from wine shops, backpacks pack

Roman Arena, Nimes, France Why Go? Nîmes is one of France’s most rewarding small cities — a place where everyday life unfolds among some of the best-preserved Roman monuments in Europe. But what makes Nîmes special isn’t just its history. It’s the atmosphere. You can walk from a 2,000-year-old amphitheatre into a shaded square for lunch, spend the afternoon wandering gardens built around Roman ruins, and end the day with a glass of local rosé as the city glows in the evening

If France has been on your travel list, this is your moment. For the final day today , our 2026 guide Touring France by Train is available FREE on Amazon —and after today, it goes back to full price. This isn’t just another travel guide. It was created for a very specific kind of traveler: someone who wants freedom, flexibility, and a more authentic way to explore France—without the stress, the high costs, or the overwhelm. Why Real Travel Guides Published This Guide Too man

Planning a trip to France in 2026? This is the moment most people get stuck. Too many places. Too many logistics. Too many decisions. Flights get booked… and then everything else becomes overwhelming. But there’s a simpler way to do it — and it completely changes the experience. Travel France the Way It Was Meant to Be Seen Forget rigid tours. Forget long drives and confusing road systems. France has one of the best rail networks in the world — fast, scenic, and incredibly ea

Le Puy-en-Velay feels made for spring. After the long winter, the surrounding volcanic landscape softens — wildflowers begin to scatter across the hills, the air is crisp but warming (typically 12–20°C), and walking trails reopen in perfect condition. The light at this time of year is clear, golden, and ideal for those sweeping views across the Haute-Loire. This is also when the town quietly comes back to life. Pilgrims begin arriving to start the Camino, markets fill with lo

Cathedral of St Peter, Montpellier Montpellier is one of southern France’s most vibrant and youthful cities — and in spring, it truly comes into its own. Think warm sunshine without the summer heat, café terraces buzzing back to life, and easy access to Mediterranean beaches just as the season begins. Arriving by train places you right in the centre, making this an effortless long weekend destination with no need for a car. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, where t

Panoramic View of Lyon, France Spring is one of the best times to visit Lyon. The riverside paths come alive with locals, terraces spill into the streets, and the hills above the city turn green again. It’s warm enough to linger outdoors, but still calm enough to explore without summer crowds. Arriving by train, you step straight into one of France’s most rewarding cities — compact, atmospheric, and built for wandering. This guide covers how to spend a relaxed spring weekend

Rouen is one of Normandy’s most atmospheric cities — and in spring , it feels at its most alive. Timber-framed houses, Gothic churches and cobbled lanes are softened by blossom, outdoor markets return, and café terraces begin to fill again. With direct trains from Paris, Rouen makes an ideal car-free weekend escape — compact, walkable, and rich in history without ever feeling overwhelming. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, where to stay, spring walks, and how to e

Pornic city, harbor and castle, Brittany in France, Loire-Atlantic Nantes is one of France’s most inventive and underrated cities — and in spring , it really comes into its own. As riverside paths fill with cyclists, markets spill outdoors, and the Atlantic coast begins to warm, Nantes offers a refreshing alternative to more obvious destinations. Paired with nearby coastal towns, this is a perfect car-free escape — think river walks, creative districts, seafood lunches, and

Colmar, France Colmar is one of France’s most enchanting small towns — but in spring, it becomes something truly special. As window boxes begin to bloom, vineyards awaken, and café terraces spill into cobbled streets, Colmar feels less like a postcard and more like a place gently coming back to life. With excellent rail connections from Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Basel, it’s the perfect slow, car-free escape — ideal for a long weekend of walking, wine, and wandering. Why Visit

Snow-capped peaks of Pic de Péréjat and Pic des Estaqnols in early spring in the French Pyrénées If the Alps feel polished and postcard-perfect, the Pyrenees in spring feel something else entirely — wilder, greener, and quietly alive again after winter. The train from Toulouse to Latour-de-Carol captures that transformation beautifully. This isn’t a journey to rush. In spring especially, it’s one to slow down for — as rivers swell with snowmelt, hillsides turn vivid green, an

Panorama of Place D'Albertas, Aix-en-Provence at dusk Aix-en-Provence is one of southern France’s most charming cities — a place of sunlit squares, graceful fountains and elegant streets shaded by plane trees. Located in the heart of Provence, it offers a refined alternative to the larger city of Marseille nearby. With its relaxed pace, rich artistic heritage and vibrant markets, Aix embodies the timeless beauty of southern France. Arriving here feels like stepping into a pai

Aerial view of Toulouse Toulouse is one of France’s most vibrant cities — a place where medieval history, elegant squares and cutting-edge aerospace innovation coexist beneath the warm glow of pink brick buildings. Known as La Ville Rose — the Pink City — Toulouse owes its distinctive colour to the terracotta bricks used throughout its historic centre. Located in southwestern France near the Spanish border, it offers a unique blend of southern charm, rich history and lively

Last chance to download! Our travel guide Touring France by Train is free on Amazon today ( March 14th ) only as part of a limited promotion. If you're planning a trip to France — or simply dreaming about exploring the country beyond the usual tourist trail — the guide shows how to travel easily between regions using France’s excellent rail network. Inside you'll find: • Easy rail itineraries across France • Travel times between destinations • Ideas for day trips and hidden

For 3 days only (March 12–14) our travel guide Touring France by Train is FREE to download on Amazon. France has one of the best rail networks in Europe, making it easy to travel between beautiful cities, historic towns, vineyards and coastal regions without renting a car or joining expensive tours. Inside the guide you’ll find: • Easy rail itineraries across France • Travel times between destinations • Ideas for day trips and hidden gems • Practical tips for booking trains

Poitiers skyline Poitiers is one of France’s most historic yet overlooked cities — a place where Roman roads, medieval churches and student energy blend into a wonderfully atmospheric destination. Located in western France between Paris and Bordeaux, it makes an easy stop on a rail journey through the country. Compact, elegant and rich in history, Poitiers offers visitors a quieter glimpse of historic France away from the crowds. Why Poitiers? Few cities in France have witnes

Why Nantes? Often overlooked in favour of Paris or Bordeaux, Nantes is one of France’s most creative and liveable cities. Sitting on the Loire River, once a powerful maritime port, today it blends bold contemporary art, medieval history, river culture and easy access to the Atlantic coast. It’s compact, stylish and perfect for a relaxed, culture-rich weekend — especially by train. Getting to Nantes by Train Nantes is extremely well connected: From Paris Montparnasse : TGV, a

Bordeaux is one of France’s best hub cities. Elegant, walkable and brilliantly connected by TER regional trains, it makes exploring southwest France effortless. Here are five easy, rewarding day trips — all under 2 hours. 1. Saint-Émilion (35–40 mins) Frequent TER trains from Bordeaux Saint-Jean. A UNESCO-listed medieval wine town surrounded by vineyards. What to see: Monolithic underground church Tour du Roy views Cobbled lanes Lunch idea: terrace dining with Grand Cru wine

Pont Wilson on the Loire in Tours Tours is the perfect base for exploring the Loire Valley by train — lively, elegant and full of culture. With direct rail connections from Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux and Blois, it’s an excellent car-free weekend break. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, Loire dishes, where to stay, day trips and how to arrive smoothly by train. Why Go? Tours offers a walkable old town, vibrant markets, excellent food and easy train access to the region

Bayeux, Normandy Normandy is one of the easiest regions to reach from Paris, making it ideal for a weekend escape by rail. With fast connections to Caen and Rouen, charming coastal towns, impressive medieval cities and the powerful history of the D-Day landing beaches, Normandy offers a varied and rewarding short break without the need for a car. This guide covers what to see, how to get around, what Norman dishes really are, where to eat, where to stay, and how to make the m