France

Marseille is one of France’s most vibrant coastal cities: a mix of Mediterranean sunshine, sea views, colourful neighbourhoods, excellent seafood and fascinating cultural layers. With fast rail connections from Paris, Lyon, Nice and Avignon, it is a perfect weekend destination without needing a car. The city is walkable in many parts, well connected by metro and bus, and full of scenic waterfront strolls. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, what local dishes really a

Chateau de Chinon, Loire Valley The Loire Valley is one of France’s most beautiful regions, known for its fairytale châteaux, riverside towns and peaceful countryside. Thanks to fast rail links from Paris, it’s easy to explore without a car. Tours makes the ideal base for a weekend, offering quick train access to some of the region’s most famous castles, vineyards and landscapes. This guide covers what to see, how to get around, where to eat and stay, what Loire Valley dishes

Annecy is one of France’s most picturesque small cities — a turquoise lake framed by mountains, pastel canals, medieval streets and fresh Alpine air. With direct regional trains from Lyon, Geneva and Chambéry, Annecy is an easy and scenic weekend destination without needing a car. The city is walkable, peaceful and full of opportunities for lakeside strolls, cosy cafés and panoramic viewpoints. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, classic Savoyard dishes, where to sta

Arles is one of Provence’s most atmospheric small cities — Roman monuments, golden stone streets, colourful markets and the artistic legacy of Van Gogh. With direct trains from Avignon, Nîmes, Marseille and Montpellier, Arles is an easy and inspiring weekend destination without needing a car. The city is walkable, warm, and full of heritage. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, classic Provençal dishes, where to stay, how to explore beyond the city, and how to arrive

Bordeaux is one of France’s most elegant and easy-to-explore cities, with grand squares, leafy boulevards, world-class wine and a beautifully restored riverfront. Thanks to the fast TGV link from Paris, Bordeaux has become a perfect weekend destination for travellers who want culture, wine tasting and relaxed strolling without the need for a car. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, what local food and wine specialities really are, where to stay and how to reach every

Pointe du Roc, Granville Why Go This is one of the most satisfying rail journeys you can take directly from Paris . Over a few unhurried hours, suburbs dissolve into farmland, apple orchards, and hedgerows, before the train crests a hill and the sea appears below. Granville  feels bracing, real, and refreshingly untouristy. A Little Background Granville prospered as a fishing and shipping town, later becoming a seaside retreat. The railway connected it firmly to Paris, allowi

Why Go This journey leads into a France many visitors never see. Leaving Paris behind, the landscape grows steadily wilder — river gorges, volcanic cones, open plateaus — until you reach Le Puy-en-Velay , one of the country’s most dramatic and spiritual towns. A Little Background Le Puy has been a major pilgrimage centre for over a thousand years and is the traditional starting point of the Via Podiensis Camino route. Its cathedral rises improbably from volcanic rock pinnacle

If France has been on your “one day” list, this is your moment. Today ( 14 Jan ) is the final day  to download Touring France by Train   completely free  on Kindle — and it’s already Amazon’s #1 best-selling Train Travel Guide . This isn’t a generic checklist guide or a whirlwind tour that rushes you from place to place. It’s a practical, insider-led companion that shows you how to explore France independently, confidently, and without a car  — using one of the world’s best r

The Aubrac Line doesn’t try to impress you — and that’s its strength. Running from Clermont-Ferrand  to Béziers , this is one of France’s most quietly powerful rail journeys. Here, the drama lies in space . Wide plateaus. Empty horizons. Tiny stations where the train feels like an event rather than a routine. Why This Is One of France’s Most Underrated Train Journeys The Aubrac region is sparsely populated, agriculturally rooted, and deeply traditional. The railway crosses la

From France’s food capital to Alpine lakes and peaks The train ride from Lyon  to Annecy  may be short, but it delivers one of the most satisfying landscape shifts in France. In under two hours, you leave behind riverbanks, bouchons, and Renaissance streets — and arrive in a world of turquoise water, alpine air, and snow-dusted peaks. This is a journey that feels effortless , yet quietly spectacular. There’s no need for high speed here. The regional TER train slows just enoug

Ile Barbe Lyon is celebrated as France’s gastronomic capital, but beyond its famous bouchons and UNESCO-listed old town lies a more intimate, creative and deeply local city. Hidden passageways, hillside villages, former industrial districts and neighbourhood markets make Lyon ideal for a weekend of discovery away from the main tourist trail — all easily explored by train, metro and on foot.This guide covers what to see, how to get around, cultural context, lesser-known neighb

Harbour of Trentemoult, near Nantes Nantes is one of France’s most inventive and underrated cities — creative, youthful and constantly evolving. Paired with the nearby Atlantic coast, it offers a refreshing alternative to Provence or Paris: industrial heritage, contemporary art, river walks, seafood ports and wide, windswept beaches. Best of all, Nantes and its surrounding coast are easy to explore by train, tram and local buses, making this an ideal car-free weekend escape.

Strasbourg in December France may not be as internationally famous for Christmas markets as Germany, but its best winter markets are atmospheric, regional and wonderfully varied — from fairy-tale Alsace villages to Atlantic port cities and wine-loving eastern towns. Best of all, many of France’s most charming Christmas markets are easily reached by train, making them ideal for a festive weekend escape without a car. This guide rounds up the best Christmas markets in France ,

The Paris Belt Railway - La Petite Centure Paris is world-famous for its iconic museums and landmarks, but beyond the Louvre and Eiffel Tower lies a quieter, more creative city full of unusual museums, independent galleries, neighbourhood markets and unexpected cultural spaces. With excellent public transport and walkable districts, Paris is ideal for a weekend exploring its lesser-known artistic side — entirely without a car.This guide covers what to see, how to get around,

Nîmes is one of France’s best-preserved Roman cities, offering extraordinary ancient monuments, a relaxed southern atmosphere and excellent food — all easily reached by train. Compact, walkable and full of history, it’s ideal for a short cultural weekend without the crowds of larger cities.This guide covers what to see, how to get around, what local dishes really are, where to eat, where to stay, and how to enjoy 48 hours in Nîmes. Why Go? Nîmes combines world-class Roman her

Lille is one of northern France’s most welcoming and characterful cities, known for its Flemish architecture, rich food culture and lively atmosphere. With fast rail connections from Paris, Brussels and London, it’s an ideal weekend destination that feels distinctly different from the rest of France.This guide covers what to see, how to get around, what local dishes really are, where to eat, where to stay, and how to enjoy 48 hours in Lille. Why Go? Lille blends French elegan

Montpellier is one of southern France’s most vibrant and youthful cities, combining medieval streets, bold modern architecture, Mediterranean food culture and easy access to beaches — all without needing a car. Fast trains connect Montpellier to Paris and other major cities, making it an ideal long weekend destination by rail.This guide covers what to see, how to get around, what local dishes really are, where to eat, where to stay, and how to make the most of 48 hours in Mon

Colmar is one of France’s most beautiful small towns — colourful half-timbered houses, canals, cobbled streets and a fairy-tale atmosphere. With easy rail links from Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Basel, Colmar is a perfect weekend getaway without a car. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, Alsatian dishes, where to stay, wine villages and how to arrive smoothly by train. Why Go? Colmar looks like it stepped out of an illustrated storybook. The colourful houses, quiet canal

Church of Saint-Etienne-le-Vieux in Caen 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 sta

Nice Carnival is one of the world’s great winter festivals — dazzling floats, giant sculptures, costumed dancers, flower battles and Mediterranean sunshine. Held every February, it transforms Nice into a colourful, joyful celebration. With direct trains from all over France, it’s one of the easiest major festivals to reach without a car. This guide covers what to see, where to eat, regional dishes, where to stay, how to enjoy the parades, and how to arrive smoothly by train.