Top weekend trips from Paris in under 3 hours by train

France has one of the most advanced and extensive high speed rail networks in the world and Paris sits at the centre of it all. If you are living in or planning an extended stay in Paris, it could be a good opportunity to also explore nearby cities.

The places in this article can all be reached in around 3 hours or less by train from Paris with no transfers. Thanks to their proximity and accessibility, these cities make for perfect weekend trips. There are certainly many other towns near Paris as well, but those can typically be enjoyed without spending the night so I won’t be including those day trips on this list. The following destinations are ordered by duration of travel.

1. Lille

• Duration of travel: 1h 4
• Price of my round trip: €41
• Description: Lille (pronounced leel) is situated in the north of France near the border with Belgium, and its Belgian influence can be seen in the facades of the buildings and tasted in the local specialty dishes.
• My review: If you’re looking for a small walkable city with an architectural style that feels totally different from Paris, Lille is a great choice. I find European cities situated along borders to be some of the most interesting thanks to their mixed cultural heritage, and Lille is no exception. It’s a small city so even if you stay just one night you will be able to see most of it. It’s also not hard to notice all of the French-Flemish specialties that restaurants serve as you walk along its streets.

2. Brussels

• Duration of travel: 1h 23
• Price of my round trip: €58
• Description: Brussels is the de facto capital of the European Union. Although it is officially bilingual in Dutch (Brussel) and French (Bruxelles), Brussels is a city that operates primarily in French. Much like the country of Belgium overall, Brussels is well known for beer, waffles, cartoons, and “French” fries.
• My review: While Parc du Cinquantenaire was a stunning urban park, unfortunately I don’t plan on returning to Brussels anytime soon. Many streets were lined with loiterers and people who were homeless or under the influence of substances. I also found some of its most famous attractions, including the Manneken Pis and the Atomium, to be uninteresting. Unless you are very into in comic books or the institutions of the EU, I think that there are more interesting and organic Belgian cities to visit (such as Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges), although those wouldn’t be a direct train ride from Paris.

3. Strasbourg

• Duration of travel: 1h 46
• Price of my round trip: €84
• Description: Strasbourg is situated in eastern France along its border with Germany. Due to its location, the city alternated several times between French and German rule. As a result, its cuisine and architecture are the product of both cultures. City synonymous with Franco-German cooperation, Strasbourg is also the seat of several European institutions, including the European Parliament.
• My review: I can’t recommend it enough. After Paris, Strasbourg is probably my favourite city in France so far. There’s no other French city like it; walking along its cobblestone streets and tranquil river while admiring the timber-framed buildings, you feel like you’re simultaneously in France and Germany. I went during the summer, but during the winter it has some of the best Christmas markets in all of Europe. It’s no wonder it’s dubbed the Christmas Capital.

4. Lyon

• Duration of travel: 1h 56
• Price of round trip: €60-100
• Description: Lyon (pronounced lee-oong), is France’s second or third largest city depending on the definition. Situated on the Rhône River, it is dubbed the gastronomical capital of France for its deep appreciation of culinary traditions.
• My review: As a large city, Lyon offers visitors a lot to see, do, and eat. There are many Lyonnaise dishes that can’t easily be found elsewhere. It’s history also stretches back to Ancient Rome, so you’ll seem some very historic sights and ruins. One of the most memorable museums I’ve ever been to is Lyon’s Musée Cinéma et Miniature. If you are a cinephile or lover of intricate dioramas, then this museum alone might make the trip to Lyon worthwhile.

5. Bordeaux

• Duration of travel: 2h 03
• Price of my round trip: €54
• Description: Known the globe over for its wine, Bordeaux is situated in southwestern France and is the 9th most populous city proper in the country. After Paris, Bordeaux has the most registered historic monuments in France. Some describe it as the 21st arrondissement of Paris because of its classy and bourgeois reputation.
• My review: For a city of modest size, Bordeaux is surprisingly majestic. It definitely deserves a detour, especially if you know your red wine. Its world famous reflecting pool adds a modern twist to a view of the otherwise historical Place de la Bourse, which is of a grandeur reminiscent to that of the Louvre Palace in Paris. Bordeaux’s bustling Marché des Capucins is probably the largest and best food market I’ve been to in all of Europe. Although locals have told me that that area of town sees more crime, I felt totally safe exploring it during the day. If you visit, make sure to try a local cannelé, a delicious rum-based chewy pastry originating in Bordeaux!

6. London

• Duration of travel: 2h 20
• Price of round trip: €80-250
• Description: London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a modern megacity with history stretching back to ancient times. Few places on earth can match its cultural diversity and historical richness.
• My review: London is a must-visit destination and it can keep you busy for much longer than just a weekend. It’s been many years since I lasted visited and I’m itching to go back. The museums and public transport are world class, and you can find just about any cuisine you crave. Many people, including the British themselves, poke fun at English food, but if we’re being fair, London has to be among the best cities in the world for dining out. It’s hard for anyone to be disappointed by London because there truly is something for every taste, literally and figuratively.

7. Geneva

• Duration of travel: 3h 11
• Price of round trip: €90-150
• Description: Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland after Zurich. A lakeside city nestled by mountains, picturesque Genève sits on the far western corner of Switzerland in the French-speaking region called Romandy. It is the global capital of watchmaking, an important city for international diplomacy, as well as a finance hub. And of course, who can forget Swiss chocolate?
• My review: With a population of just over 200,000, Geneva is large by Swiss standards but small by global and even European standards. So unless you want to do an excursion to the Swiss Alps, a weekend will be enough to see what it has to offer. Beware that like other Swiss cities, Geneva is exceedingly expensive; prices for eating out easily outstrip even those of places like London or New York. My verdict is that while Geneva is beautiful, it’s probably not worth the price tag for everyone.

8. Amsterdam

• Duration of travel: 3h 22
• Price of my round trip: €83
• Description: Amsterdam needs no introduction. It is one of Europe’s most famous and visited cities. Canals, bicycles, parties, red-light district… We’ve all seen the cliché Instagram posts. Literally named “The Dam on the River Amstel”, Amsterdam covers 219 square kilometres, 24% of which is under water. Despite its large international reputation, the city is very compact, walkable and even more bikeable.
• My review: Amsterdam is nice, but don’t come here expecting it to be the Netherlands’ answer to Paris, London, or Rome. Its size is definitely smaller than its reputation. While there is definitely night-life to be lived, the overall atmosphere is calm and peaceful. You won’t feel the same scale of energy as in Europe’s true metropolises, which can be a much welcome respite if you’re coming from the French capital.

9. A word about Southern France

Avignon, Montpellier, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, are all around 3 hours by train from Paris as well. They are a few of France’s southern cities, all offering tons of natural and cultural beauty. Thanks to their location on the map, they are also the gateway to the French Riviera (the Mediterranean coast extending east to Italy). This means that visitors will likely want to spend more than just one weekend touring them as well as other destinations further along the rail network such as Cannes, Nice, and Monaco. A weekend trip would be very rushed; I recommend at least one week to soak it all in.

Booking train tickets

The best and official website for booking train tickets to, from, and within France is SNCF Connect (app available). Prices follow demand and generally get more expensive towards the date of travel so try to book 2-3 months in advance. To secure the best prices, be flexible in your dates and destination. Before placing the order, check the fare conditions to see what the cancellation or change conditions are. If you see a good deal that also has a free cancellation policy (this is not uncommon even for basic fares), purchase it without hesitation! You have nothing to lose, even if you change your mind later. Bon voyage!

Important: Most trains depart from stations within Paris, but some routes start at a station called Massy TGV. This option is cheaper, but this station is very far outside of the city, so look carefully when booking tickets.