Planning a weekend away from Paris, but don’t want to spend hours on the road? You’ve found the perfect place.
France is filled with charming towns, medieval cities, and storybook landscapes. All are less than a two-hour train ride from the city.
Whether you’re seeking a quiet Paris countryside inspired romantic getaway, a culture-packed escape, or just a break from city life, there are endless places to go near Paris that promise history, beauty, and relaxation.
In this guide, you’ll discover 9 easy-to-get-to Paris weekend breaks. From villages built alongside rushing rivers to the quiet calm of the Champagne country and hilltop citadels. These weekend getaways from Paris are perfect for couples, solo travelers, and anyone needing a change of scenery, all without renting a car.
If you’re thinking about a longer weekend away from Paris, the Bordeaux area is a great pick. Just a 3 to 4-hour train ride. Check out Southwest France Vacation: Beaches, History & Adventure and Bordeaux At A Glance: 7 Most Popular Areas for some easy travel inspo.
- How To Plan Your Weekend Away From Paris
- 1. Auvers-sur-Oise – A Van Gogh Escape Under an Hour
- 2. Troyes – A Weekend Away from Paris with Half-Timbered Houses and Champagne
- 3. Provins – A Weekend Away From Paris To The Middle Ages
- 4. Moret-sur-Loing – An Impressionist Riverside Retreat
- 5. Laon – A Hilltop Citadel Full of Surprises
- 6. Senlis – A Medieval Weekend Away from Paris
- 7. Coulommiers – Cheese, Abbeys, and Country Markets
- 8. Nemours – Canoeing and Prehistoric
- 9. Château-Thierry – Champagne and Fairy Tale Ruins
- Making The Most Of Your Weekend Away From Paris
How To Plan Your Weekend Away From Paris
Planning a weekend getaway from Paris is easier than you might think. Whether you’re heading off from Paris for a romantic getaway or simply looking for new places to visit near Paris, here’s how to quickly find the best hotels and navigate transport like a pro.
Finding the Best Places to Stay
My favorite place to find accommodation in France is with Gîtes de France. It’s a French network offering everything from charming B&Bs (chambres d’hôtes) to countryside homes and tiny, independently run hotels. It’s especially great if you’re after a cozy and authentic stay in a quieter village or rural spot. Locals run many gîtes and include breakfast, making them perfect for a relaxed weekend away from Paris.
However, the easiest way to find a great hotel is by heading to Trip.com. Sometimes the same gites or B&B from Gites de France are also listed here.
Like any other booking site, type in the town’s name and let the search do the work for you. You’ll see a wide range of options sorted by price, reviews, and location.
Trip.com often features flash deals and free cancellation options, which is perfect for spontaneous Paris weekend breaks.
You can also do a simple Google search. “Town name + hotels”
This will also bring up hotels in the surrounding areas, which is particularly handy for smaller towns with limited accommodations.
Figuring Out Trains and Transport
When it comes to getting from Paris to your weekend destination, Google Maps is your best friend. Just open the app, enter your starting point in Paris and your destination town, and switch to the transit (train) tab.
Google Maps will show you the best train routes, departure and arrival times, transfer stations (if any), and approximate ticket prices.
Trip.com is also great for booking direct trains, plus they often of discounts and free cancellation.
It works for both major cities and smaller towns, and it’s surprisingly accurate, even for rural connections. You’ll also get helpful tips like which station to leave from (Paris has several), and how long it’ll take to walk to your accommodation once you arrive.
Pro tip: Set your departure time in advance, as late as possible, to see all the options available. Perfect for planning a smooth weekend getaway from Paris without any stress.
Travel Planning Resources
🏰 Tours & Activities – ParisCityVision – Top-rated sightseeing tours in Paris and beyond
🛡️ Travel Insurance – Travelex – Reliable coverage for trips of all types
🛏️✈️ Hotels, Flights & Trains – Trip.com – Book accommodations and transportation in one place
🚗 Car Rentals – AutoEurope – Best rates for rental cars across Europe
🚂🌿 Flight-Free Travel – Byway – Eco-friendly package trips without flying
Note: These affiliate links help support our site at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we trust.
1. Auvers-sur-Oise – A Van Gogh Escape Under an Hour
🚆 From Gare Saint-Lazare, it will take about an hour, however, direct trains are available on weekends.
🚆 Get off at Gare d’Auvers-sur-Oise, from there it’s about a 5-minute walk into town.
Looking for a cool artsy retreat not far from Paris? Then, Auvers-sur-Oise is one of the best weekend getaways under 2 hours from Paris.
This perfectly picturesque town was the final home of Van Gogh, and his spirit is stamped all over the town. Walk the same street that Van Gogh walked from his home (Maison de Van Gogh) to the church he painted, and visit his grave, all while spending the weekend taking your time and seeing the sights.
It’s a calm, countryside town perfect for a romantic getaway or a slow-paced day away from the capital.
Where to stay:
🏨 Hôtel des Iris – From €129/night, just steps from the main sights.
It’s also really the only hotel in the actual town. But the surrounding area is linked by the trainline, so check out the surrounding towns for a bigger choice of hotels.
2. Troyes – A Weekend Away from Paris with Half-Timbered Houses and Champagne
🚆 Train from Paris: Departing from Gare de l’Est, the trip will be about an hour and a half.
🚆 Arriving Train station: Gare de Troyes, which is a 15–20-minute walk to the old town.
Troyes is one of the most picturesque places to visit in France near Paris. The old town is filled with narrow lanes and colorful, leaning half-timbered houses as well as Gothic cathedrals and medieval architecture. It’s almost too postcard-like to be real.
For those who love a glass of bubbly or are interested in the making of champagne. You’re in luck, Troyes is in the Champagne Region, making it the perfect place to drink some real champagne.
So if you’re after a weekend away from Paris that combines history, architecture, and local wine culture, Troyes won’t disappoint.
Where to stay:
Both are about a 20-minute walk from the Gare De Troyes.
🏨 Hôtel La Maison de Rhodes – A historic hotel that is full of charm in the heart of the old town. This is really two hotels in one.
🏨 Ibis Budget Troyes Centre – An Affordable budget hotel that is located right in the center of town.
3. Provins – A Weekend Away From Paris To The Middle Ages
🚆Train from Paris: About 1 hour and 20 minutes from Paris, departing from Gare de l’Est.
🚆Arriving Train station: Gare de Provins is a 15-minute walk to the town’s medieval ramparts. The main attraction in Provins.
Provins is a UNESCO-listed medieval town that feels frozen in time. It’s one of the most unique places to visit near Paris, especially for history buffs.
Wander the cobbled streets on your way to visit the centuries-old towers or to watch a falconry show. For an interesting history lesson, join a guided tour to discover the fascinating underground tunnels that were once used for trade.
This small town is compact and fully walkable, making it an ideal choice for a weekend getaway from Paris or even a long day trip.
Where to stay:
🏨 Aux Vieux Remparts – A gorgeous medieval hotel that’s about a 20-minute walk from the station.
🏨 There are numerous other hotels in Provins that are within walking distance. Use booking sites like Trip.com to find the best deals for your dates.
4. Moret-sur-Loing – An Impressionist Riverside Retreat
🚆 Train from Paris: Only a short 50 minutes from Gare de Lyon.
🚆 Train station: Gare de Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons or Moret-sur-Loing.
You can stroll along the riverbanks, visit quaint art galleries, or enjoy a quiet picnic. Moret-sur-Loing is walkable with beautiful surroundings at every turn, it’s one of the easiest places to visit near Paris for a tranquil weekend.
Moret-sur-Loing is the perfect blend of art, French countryside charm and nature. The ideal destination for a weekend getaway is not far from Paris.
It’s so beautiful that it was the inspiration behind the works of impressionist painter Alfred Sisley, and it’s easy to see why, with stone bridges, medieval gates, and calm waters setting the scene.
Where to stay:
🏨 Hôtel Moret Seine et Loing is a wonderfully old but stunning hotel, 5 minutes from the town center.
🏨 Once again, this area is full of hotels and gites. There are 5 train stations in the surrounding area. Check out trip.com to pick the perfect accommodation for your travel style.
5. Laon – A Hilltop Citadel Full of Surprises
🚆 Train from Paris: Leaving from Gare du Nord to journey takes only a short 1 hour and 40 minutes.
🚆 Train station: After arriving at Gare de Laon, the walk to the upper town is a 20-minute walk up the hill. However, a bus does come every 20 minutes during the day.
If you’re looking for places to go near Paris that feel completely different, Laon is a fantastic choice. Built on a hilltop, this fortified town offers panoramic views and cobbled medieval streets.
The car-free upper town is home to Laon’s stunning Gothic cathedral and fortified walls.
It’s a perfect mix of history, architecture, and quiet charm. Ideal for a slow-paced weekend away from Paris.
Where to stay:
🏨 Hôtel Restaurant Le Chevalier is an 18th-century house right in the middle of the medieval city.
6. Senlis – A Medieval Weekend Away from Paris
🚆🚌 Train + Bus: The only getaway on this list that is not a direct train. But it is absolutely worth it. From any station in Paris, catch a 30-minute train to Chantilly. Once there, hop on the bus to Senlis for 20 minutes. Which is still only under an hour to go from Paris to a gorgeous Roman city.
Senlis is one of the most underrated weekend trips outside of Paris. Despite being tiny, it’s packed with cobbled lanes, Roman ruins, a majestic cathedral, and cozy cafes. The perfect place to wander and explore while, relaxing in a coffee shop or exploring laneways and tiny boutiques.
If you’re after a Paris romantic getaway with old-world charm and fewer tourists, Senlis is it.
Where to stay:
🏨 If you want to stay in Senils, the town is full of hotels and gites. However, alternatively, Chantilly is a larger town and is only a 20-minute bus ride to Senlis. Giving you lots of different places to stay.
7. Coulommiers – Cheese, Abbeys, and Country Markets
🚆 Train from Paris: Leaving from Gare de L’Est, the journey only takes 50 minutes.
🚆 Arriving Train station: Gare de Coulommiers, which is a 10-minute walk into town.
Cheese lovers rejoice. Colummiers is in the heart of Brie country, making this a delicious weekend getaway destination. Take your time strolling along the river or looking around the market square before heading to the Cheese Museum. Not to mention the 12th-century abbey.
It’s one of those charming places to visit in France near Paris that feels like stepping into a storybook. Collummier is a gastronomy wonderland set in a charming little town with plenty to do over a day or two.
On a side note, Coulommier is only about 30 minutes from Disneyland.
Where to stay:
🏨 l’Hôtel de l’Ours a cool hotel in the center of colommiers.
8. Nemours – Canoeing and Prehistoric
🚆 Train from Paris: Departing from Gare De Lyon for an hour-long train ride through the Parisian countryside.
🚆 Train station: Gare de Nemours-Saint-Pierre, which is a 15-minute walk to the river and the castle.
For outdoorsy travelers, Nemours is an ideal weekend getaway from Paris, adventurers will love. The Loing River is great for canoeing or peaceful riverside walks, and the local prehistory museum adds something a little different to your trip.
It’s a low-key, kid-friendly destination that also works well for couples wanting a nature-filled Paris weekend break.
Where to stay:
🏨 Pavillon Hugo Restaurant & Hôtel is an affordable hotel sitting at the fork in the river. Leaving you not only in the middle of town, be right next to the riverside.
9. Château-Thierry – Champagne and Fairy Tale Ruins
🚆 Train from Paris: Begin your journey at Gare de l’Est. In just an hour, you’ll reach Château-Thierry.
🚆 Train station: From Gare de Château-Thierry, it’s a 10-minute walk to the center, uphill.
Located in the Champagne region, Château-Thierry is one of the best places to visit near Paris for history, sparkling wine, and countryside charm. Visit La Fontaine’s house, sip local champagne, and hike up to castle ruins overlooking the town.
It’s walkable (though a bit hilly), historic, and just far enough from the crowds to feel like a true escape. An ideal choice for a Paris romantic getaway.
Where to stay:
🏨 Le Jardin Des Fables is a gorgeous bed and breakfast 10 minutes walk from the train station that is covered in ivy, giving it a truly charming B&B feel.
Making The Most Of Your Weekend Away From Paris
With so many weekend getaway options just a train ride from Paris, it’s easy to add a dash of romance, history, or relaxation to your French itinerary. From fairytale villages to elegant spa towns, you’ll find destinations that are walkable, charming, and full of personality.
Before you hop on that train, make sure you’re packed right—especially if you’re traveling light. Check out our International Travel Packing List 2024: Budget-Friendly Essentials for everything you’ll need to pack smart and stress-free for a European weekend away.