Cologne

Want to go on weekends without increasing your carbon footprint? Opting for the train is an excellent solution, especially when there is little time. When you reach your destination, you just have to leave the station to start your getaway. For example, here is a selection of beautiful European cities directly and daily accessible from Paris or other French cities. The escape is at the end of the platform!

Brussels by train – BelgiumMuseums, good beers, mussels and fries and great city walks … All within reach of Thalys! Capital of Belgium and seat of the European Union, Brussels is above all a city on a human scale, warm and endearing.

It has many treasures in its center such as its Grand-Place, bordered by buildings with superbly decorated facades. Nearby, here are the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert, the famous little fountain of the Manneken-Pis, the Gothic cathedral of Saints-Michel-et-Gudule …

Almost everywhere, there are buildings in the Art Nouveau style, notably in Ixelles and Saint-Gilles where we visit the house-workshop of the architect Horta.

The Mont des Arts district is home to the important royal Fine Arts museums, including the one devoted to Magritte. Elsewhere you also have a number of galleries and exhibition spaces for contemporary art, as well as frescoes representing comic strip characters. There is therefore a lot to see in Brussels, one of the most singular monuments of which remains the Atomium!

During or at the end of your strolls, you will have the pleasure of entering a tavern to savor fries and beers, or to try one of the gastronomic restaurants of various culinary traditions in Brussels.

How to get there?

Thalys. From Paris-Nord. Duration: 1 h 22 – IZY offer (low cost): 2 h 26.

Thalys. From Marne-la-Vallée, Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport. Duration: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

TGV. From Strasbourg, Nice, Marseille, Avignon, Perpignan, Lyon, Lille, Rennes …

Rotterdam by train – Netherlands

Rotterdam, it changes Amsterdam and it goes without a car! The Batavian metropolis, which deserves to be known, is easily connected with Thalys.

Located at the junction of the Rhine and Meuse estuaries and the North Sea, Rotterdam has a huge port, which caused it to be bombarded extensively during the Second World War.

Old buildings have survived, but instead of reconstructing the old districts that have disappeared, the choice has been made to rebuild the city by adopting modern architectural and urban principles, which continue to be applied.

Skyscrapers, Kijk-Kubus (amazing cube houses), Erasmus bridge … Walks on this theme are fruitful, as is taking a boat trip in the port is memorable.

Who says Netherlands says beautiful museums! The Boijmans-Van Beuningen , whose collections of paintings are exceptional, is essential. See also: the Kunsthal (contemporary art), the Het Nieuwe Instituut (architecture), the Maritiem Museum …

Rotterdam is also famous for its concert halls and its many spots where to party, have a drink, etc.

How to get there?

Thalys. From Paris Nord. Duration: 2 h 36. From Lille: 1 h 54.

Cologne by train – Germany

A good destination for a festive and cultural getaway, easy to access … One of the most dynamic cities in Germany, Cologne (North Rhine-Westphalia), crossed by the Rhine, is easy to discover during a weekend, extended or not.

A cruise on this river provides an overview of the city. It suffered greatly during the Second World War, hence the strong presence of modern buildings alongside older ones, especially beautiful colorful houses.

The charm of its old districts is savored among other things on the side of Agnesviertel, or Rudolfplatz where one enters Belgisches Viertel, one of the most lively and festive sectors of Cologne.

It is impossible to ignore the very monumental Gothic cathedral of this city which also conceals 12 Romanesque basilicas and several very interesting museums, such as those which are called Wallraf-Richartz and Ludwig (art), or MAKK (applied arts). See also: Farina House, the famous inventor of cologne and 18th century.

The famous carnival, which takes place here in February, is the most important in Germany. But the city is very lively all year round, with several neighborhoods where it is good to go out.

How to get there?

Thalys. From Paris-Nord. Duration: approximately 3.15 to 4.15 hours.

TGV. From Paris Est, via Forbach. Duration: about 5 h 30.

Freiburg im Breisgau by train – Germany

Fancy a big breath of fresh air? Direction Freiburg im Breisgau (Baden-Württemberg), one of the gateways to the Black Forest, a magnificent massif which faces that of the Vosges, its brother located in France.

Before venturing out for a walk or a hike, we stroll pleasantly in the city. Largely destroyed during the Second World War, its restored center has preserved beautiful witnesses of the past such as its Gothic cathedral, medieval doors, or the Historisches Kaufhaus (Historic House of the Merchants).

On the ground, channels called bächle, fed by the water of the Dreisam river give an unusual touch to the streets. A remarkable view of the city and the surroundings is to be grasped at the Schlossberg (Castle Mount) – a biergarten is located there.

Know that, resolutely following the principles of sustainable development, Friborg has a famous eco-neighborhood called Vauban, created on the site of an old barracks once occupied by the French army. To visit to see what the cities of the future could look like!

How to get there?

TGV. From Paris-Est. Duration: between 3 h 30 and 5 h 10. Via Champagne-Ardenne, Meuse TGV, Forbach, Strasbourg.

Munich by train – Germany

Traditional and modern, the capital of the Land of Bavaria, Munich (München), is an exciting city, where you are advised to spend at least 3 days.

Munich has an old city which has at its heart the Marienplatz, around which stretch streets and other squares decorated with beautiful buildings, such as the Frauenkirche cathedral, the palace of the Residence of the dukes, princes’ electors and kings of Bavaria …

We also appreciate lively districts like Isarvorstadt or Schwabing where cafes, restaurants and fashionable boutiques abound.

To get green, you can ride the wave of the Eisbach river, or more wisely stroll through one of the city’s many parks, including the vast Englischer Garten.

Another richness of Munich, its 46 museums: art galleries (fine arts), Antiquity, Muca (urban and contemporary art), BMW … You also have theaters, an opera, concert halls, or even the stadium where plays Bayern.

All year round, large festive and cultural events are organized, the most famous being the Oktoberfest, the famous beer festival which takes place between September and October. In a way, it pays homage to the biergarten, these typically Munich open air breweries. In short, there is plenty to do.

How to get there?

TGV – ICE. From Paris-Est. Duration: around 5.30 hours. From Strasbourg: 3.50 hours.

Basel by train – Switzerland

France is right next door and it is the largest Swiss city closest to Paris. No excuse for not going there, especially since exploring Basel means adopting it!

Basel (Basel) borders directly with Alsace and Germany. This pretty city crossed by theRhinehas awell-preservedold center. It has a lot of charm and it is a pleasure to walk in its narrow streets punctuated by small squares, many fountains and historic buildings: City Hall, cathedral, gates … Basel and its nearby surroundings also include remarkablemodern constructionssigned Gehry, Piano, or Botta, which completes to seduce lovers of architecture.

Basel is also a leading cultural destination: the city has 40 museums, including the Kunstmuseum (fine arts), the Puppenhausmuseum (toys), or the one dedicated to Jean Tinguely, famous designer of mechanical sculptures.

One of his works, a fountain, is in the open air like other artists’ creations, which reminds us that an important contemporary art fair is held here, Art Basel (in June). A famous carnival is also taking place in Basel (in March).

How to get there?

TGV Lyria. From Paris-Gare de Lyon. Duration: 3 hrs. Via Dijon, Belfort-Montbéliard TGV, Mulhouse.

TER from Strasbourg, via Colmar and Mulhouse

Lausanne by train – Switzerland

A great idea to relax on the edge of one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe against a backdrop of mountains, near vineyards classified by Unesco, in the heart of a town with an almost village charm.

Capital of the canton of Vaud, Lausanne stretches along the shores of Lake Geneva. This is one of its great assets, because the views from this freshwater “sea” are among the most beautiful in Europe.

Its historic district is the Cité. It is there, on a hill, that we find the Notre-Dame cathedral, the Saint-Maire castle and alleys full of charm. You can have a quiet drink there, or shop there along the streets lined with craft shops.

In the center, on the Place de la Palud , you cannot fail to admire a wall clock from which automata come out every hour between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The City Hall is one of the most imposing buildings in this lively district.

Overlooking the lake, the Ouchy sector is adorned with remarkable gardens. It is an essential walking site. From its quays, you can board a boat for a cruise.

Finally, note that a number of museums in Lausanne cannot be missed: Fondation de l’Hermitage (fine arts), Collection de l’Art brut, Mudac (contemporary art, design, fashion), Musée de l’Élysée (photography), museum Fine Arts or Olympic Museum to name a few. There is also the Swiss Cinematheque here

How to get there?

TGV Lyria. From Paris-Gare de Lyon. Duration: approximately 3 h 40. Via Dijon, Dole, Mouchard.

Also accessible by TGV Lyria: Geneva and Zurich.

Please note that all of Switzerland is accessible by train with a combined Lyria + CFF (Swiss railways) ticket. Switzerland has the densest network in the world and the entire territory is covered by the Swiss Travel System. To find out more, read our file on Switzerland by train.

London by train – England

London, you never get tired … Just 2 h 15 from Paris, it’s a change of scenery guaranteed!

London has a fine heritage which contributes to its fame, starting with the Station St Pancras International where you get off the Eurostar, the famous railway line that borrows the Channel Tunnel.

So, there is something to see in the heart of this city crossed by the Thames: Buckingham Palace, the Big Ben clock at the Palace of Westminster, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, The Shard skyscraper (308 m).

Many urban sites with varied atmospheres such as Oxford Street, King’s Road, Portobello Road, Camden Town, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, or Soho, lend themselves to strolling and shopping.

We make pleasant stops in venerable green spaces such as Hyde Park and we appreciate here great museums: British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery…

Fans of shows are attentive to the programs of theatres and concert halls of all kinds such as the Royal Albert Hall.

And then everyone takes pleasure in having a drink or a pint in one of the countless pubs in the city, without forgetting the clubs that are among the best in the world!

How to get there?

Eurostar. From Paris-Nord. Duration: 2 h 15. Calais: 56 min. Lille: 1:20 am Lyon: 4:40 am (summer). Avignon: 5:50 a.m. (summer). Marseille: 6:27 a.m. (summer). Bourg Saint-Maurice: 7.40 a.m. (winter).

Barcelona by train – Spain

Barcelona by train? Nothing could be easier and by TGV too!

From the sea to the hill of Montjuïc, the capital of Catalonia is (re) discovered on each visit. Its appeal is inexhaustible. Unmissable are the old streets of Ciutat Vella, including those of Barri Gòtic and Raval, two highly sought-after districts. It is crossed by La Rambla, a large avenue in the shape of an extremely lively promenade. At the end, we arrive at Port Vell, where stands the Mirador de Colom, a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus. At a height of 60 m, there is a panorama of the city.

See also: the famous Sagrada Família, an unusual unfinished basilica by Gaudí, the famous architect who designed the Park Güell, or the Casa Vicens. Other modernist creators have built remarkable buildings here, among the most famous of Art Nouveau.

48 museums are to be visited: the Picasso museum, the Miró and Tàpies foundations, the Museums of Art of Catalonia, Modernism, Contemporary Art …

For relaxation, you have the Barceloneta beaches, or countless tapas bars, or all kinds of clubs where to dance.

How to get there?

Renfe. From Paris-Gare de Lyon. Duration: 6:26. From Lyon: 5:05. From Toulouse: 3:10. From Marseille: 3:51. Stops in Valence, Avignon, Nîmes, Montpellier, Perpignan…

Madrid by train – Spain

Do you live in the South of France? Madrid is directly linked by train to Marseille (via many cities around the Mediterranean) every day.

Arriving at the remarkable Madrid Puerta de Atocha train station, you can go straight to the air in the large Retiro park, where you can admire gardens, sculptures and beautiful constructions. You can also go to the Paseo del Arte, where three important museums are nearby: the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía. And there are others in town!

Majestic urban spaces still await you with the Puerta del Sol and the Plaza Mayor which is in the old sector of the Austrias, where the Royal Palace and other prestigious buildings, civil or religious, extend.

Madrid is also very appreciated for the variety of its barios, its districts with different atmospheres: very lively, chic, popular, trendy … You have for example La Latina, Malasaña, Chueca, or Lavapiés, where the flea market is held Sunday of Rastro.

How to get there?

Renfe. From Marseille via Aix, Avignon, Nîmes, Montpellier, Sète, Perpignan. Duration: 7 h 39. From Paris via Barcelona.

Milan by train – Italy

Italy without the macchina? It’s playable, if you go to Milan. Capital of Lombardy, main economic center of Italy, Milan includes in its center a jewel: a cathedral whose exterior evokes the work of a lacemaker with its numerous spiers and statues.

At the foot of this monument called Duomo, we enter the Vittorio Emmanuele II galleria, an imposing shopping street covered with glass roofs which reminds us that Milan is one of the major cities in the fields of design and fashion.

Not far away, there is the famous Scala opera house, as well as the Navigli district, where cafes, restaurants and shops abound on the canals.

As for museums, we are spoiled by the superb collections of the Pinacoteca di Brera and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, the museo del Novecento, or the various institutions located in the Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle)

The former convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie also contains a masterpiece: “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci

How to get there?

Thello night train. From Paris-Gare de Lyon. Duration: 10:15 am Via Dijon.

Thello. From Marseille. Duration: 5 h 30. Via Toulon, Saint-Raphaël, Cannes, Antibes, Nice Ville, Monaco.

TGV. From Paris-Gare de Lyon. Duration: 7 h 10 approximately. From Lyon Part-Dieu or Saint-Exupéry: around 5:15. Via Macon, Bourg-en-Bresse, Aix-les-Bains, Chambéry depending on the route.

Venice by train – Italy

The access station to this fabulous treasure that is the Serenissima is Venezia Santa Lucia and it is at the end of an overnight trip – something more and more rare – that we set off to explore this city- archipelago, on foot , or aboard a vaporetto or gondola . Remember that driving there is impossible anyway!

There are countless palaces (Ca ‘d’Oro, Ca’ Pesaro …) and churches (Santa Maria dei Frari, Santa Maria della Salute) on both sides of the Grand Canal.

Among the unmissable sites, you have of course heard of Saint Mark’s Square, with its basilica, Doge’s Palace, campanile and Florian caffè. And also the La Fenice concert hall, the Rialto bridge, the Sighs bridge, the Lido islands (beaches), Murano (glass work), Burano (colorful fishermen’s houses) … And then, and then. Finally, all what!

How to get there?

Thello night train. From Paris-Gare de Lyon. Duration: 2:15 pm Via Dijon. Thello via Milan from Marseille and Nice Public transport on site: river shuttle.

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