In France, it’s no stretch to say all railroads lead to Paris.
As the hub of the SNCF railway, Paris connects France’s many high-speed routes and links numerous regional train routes, too. Plus, every corner of l’Hexagone is reachable by train from Paris, if not directly then with minimal transfers. In fact, it’s often faster to backtrack to Paris by TGV high-speed train than it is to link together slow regional trains. Not to mention, the majority of travelers reach France — the world’s most-visited country — by way of Paris. It’s particularly true of non-European travelers, who will almost always arrive by plane into Paris’ De Gaulle or Orly airports.
But Paris is just the tip of France’s culinary, cultural, historic and tourism iceberg. As a launching point into the rest of France, be it Lyon, Provence, Normandy or Bordeaux, it gets no better than hopping an SNCF train and exploring France beyond Paris. So, set up your SNCF account and start perusing train trips from Paris, starting with these three popular routes:
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Paris to Bordeaux by Train
Bordeaux is far more than a destination for wine connoisseurs. France’s sixth-largest city bursts with historic monuments, intriguing museums, and absorbing diversions. Numerous Paris to Bordeaux trains reach the ‘Pearl of Aquitaine’ in under three hours. With frequent Bordeaux to Paris trains for the return journey, it is even possible, with some hustle, to squeeze-in […]
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Paris to Provence by Train
Paris may be the big draw for first-time visitors to France, but the magic of Provence draws visitors back again and again. Rolling from the Alps down to the French Riviera, Provence stretches from the banks of the Rhône to the Italian border and encompasses some of France’s most compelling coastal destinations. Getting from Paris […]
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Paris to Normandy & Brittany by Train
Heading out of Paris to explore France offers a world of tantalizing possibilities. Two regions that should not be overlooked are Normandy and Brittany. The neighboring coastal regions are home to epoch-defining histories, singular cuisines, and some of the most compelling destinations outside the French capital. They include the D-Day landing beaches near Bayeux and […]
