Best Weekend trips from Paris to add to your France Itinerary
Looking to add a getaway to your Paris itinerary?
Paris is a beautiful city with endless possibilities of things to see and do. Obviously you will want to see the Eiffel Tower and a few museums, wander through the Luxembourg gardens and the Tuileries but just a few hours from Paris by train is a world of French culture waiting to be discovered. There are tons of weekend trips from Paris you can take to get a better sense of what France has to offer, and the best Paris weekend trips will give you a very different experience from what you'll find in the capital.
If you are looking for a few things to add to your Paris itinerary, check out these “weekend” getaways!
I. Loire Valley (1hr 35min)
A fairytale setting, this region of France does it big: 280 kilometers of classified UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This valley is set along Europe’s longest river, the Loire. It flows past some 20 castles open to visitors— there are so many stories written here from Kings and Queens of old. Nestled up against nature there are forests to explore, fields of flowers to enjoy and wines to taste. My favorite way of exploring this region is by bicyclette. There are many tours that can take you from town to town, or you can just do a quick day tour. There are castles around every bend it seems in this area of France. We biked from castle to patissiere to winery and back to a castle!
My favorite castles to visit were Chambord and Chenonceau.
How to get there:
To Château de Chambord : Take the direct train from Gare Montparnasse or Gare d’Austerlitz in Paris to Blois-Chambord station. Here you can find shuttle buses to Château de Chambord.
To Chenonceaux: SNCF TGV train from Paris Montparnasse station (1 hour) and connect to local TER train at Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (17 min) to the town of Chenonceaux.
Places to Stay:
Château les Grotteaux- located just between Chambord and Blois, this fairytale escape has a bridge made by Gustave Eiffel and trees in their forest brought back to France from Napoleon himself. The rooms are cozy and the breakfast scrumptious. Gael is a wonderful host! You will be well cared for.
II. London (2h 30mins)
A quick trip from Paris to London is one of the most effortless escape from Paris. Taking the high-speed Eurostar train from Paris to London, you can travel city-center to city-center in just over two hours. This makes it an ideal addition to your Paris itinerary, especially for travellers who want to experience two iconic European capitals in one journey.
When you arrive in London’s St. Pancras International, the city’s must-see attractions are at your fingertips. Spend your day exploring top London landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London. If you prefer a more local experience, wander through Notting Hill, enjoy the artistic energy of Shoreditch, or shop and dine in Covent Garden. Art lovers will appreciate world-class museums like the Tate Modern, National Gallery, and Victoria & Albert Museum—all perfect additions to any London travel weekend For foodies, Borough Market is a vibrant stop filled with gourmet finds!
Choosing where to stay in London is part of the fun. There are so many options! For boutique charm, the Henrietta Hotel Covent Garden places you steps from theatres, cafés, and markets—ideal for anyone searching for best boutique hotels in London. If you prefer luxury, The Langham Hotel and The Connaught Hotel the most recommended luxury hotels in London For something modern and chic like their Parisian sister hotel, The Hoxton Holborn or The Hoxton Shoreditch offer classic rooms and excellent locations.
No matter where you stay, a Paris to London weekend trip will be a highlight!
How to get there:
Getting from Paris to London is incredibly simple on the Eurostar! Depart from Gare du Nord in Paris and arrive at St. Pancras International in London in just 2 hours and 15 minutes on average. Trains run frequently throughout the day, and booking in advance on the Eurostar website usually gives you the best fares. ( I’ve learned that lesson the hard way! ) Prices are much cheaper the farther out you book!
V. Lille
f you’re looking for a quick French getaway without leaving the country, a trip from Paris to Lille is the perfect choice. Just one hour on the high-speed TGV train, this adorable town offers a completely different feel from Paris, slower paced, beautifully preserved, and rich with Flemish charm. Lille combines French elegance with Belgian influence, making it an ideal destination for travelers craving something new ( and yummy food) without the long travel time.
Once you arrive at Lille Flandres or Lille Europe station, you can walk right into the historical center of the town.
Vieux Lille, the old town is filled with cobblestone streets, pastel store fronts, local boutiques, and cozy cafés. Visit Grand Place for its historic architecture and lively atmosphere, explore the Palais des Beaux-Arts—one of France’s largest fine arts museums. Dont miss the Lille Cathedral!
If you love markets, don’t miss the Wazemmes Market for local produce, pastries, and regional specialties.
For a luxury, Lille offers several gorgeous boutique hotels. L’Hermitage Gantois, is set in a former 15th-century hospice, it blends history and luxury beautifully. For something more modern and centrally located, Hotel L’Arbre Voyageur is chic, comfortable, and perfect for walking the city.
Lille is small enough to explore in a day, yet rich enough to feel like a meaningful mini-vacation—making it a wonderful, easy addition to any Paris travel itinerary.
How to get there:
It so easy and stree free! Simply take the high-speed TGV train from Gare du Nord, and in about 1 hour you’ll arrive in the center of Lille.
Trains run frequently throughout the day. Booking your ticket on SNCF or Trainline a bit in advance usually gives you the best fares. Once you arrive, the city is compact and walkable, so you can begin exploring immediately.
Paris is truly the perfect jumping-off point for unforgettable weekend adventures across Europe. With high-speed trains, quick flights, and seamless connections, you can experience entirely new cultures and cities in just a few hours. I’ve personally taken all three of these trips—Loire, London, Lille, and beyond—and each one has added something special to my travels: a fresh perspective, new flavours, new architecture, and a renewed appreciation for coming “home” to Paris afterward.
If you’ve explored other weekend getaways from Paris, I would love to hear about them! Share your favourites—whether it’s Brussels, Amsterdam, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, or a hidden gem I haven’t discovered yet. Your recommendations help inspire others and build a beautiful community of travelers who are seeing Europe, one chic escape at a time.
If you are looking for more hidden gems,
check out my Paris Guide here.
