I’ve always dreamed of visiting those quaint French villages in the countryside and I’m going to France in spring. I’ll be in Paris and see the sights there, but would like to speand 1 week in the countryside too. I’m not sure where to begin! Ideally somewhere I can get to by train, or train and a bus. Any suggestions of places i can soak up that French charm in the countryside?
Hi Carol! I’ve only been to Strasbourg, but I absolutely loved it. Half-timbered houses, easily explored on foot or by bike. It’s wine region, right next to Germany, and the beautiful town of Colmar is within driving distance. So can recommend Strasbourg!
@DomiTravelini suggestion of Alsace is a good one.
If the weather is good in Northern France when you’re there, Normandy could be worth considering.
Claude Monet’s house in Giverny (about 45 minutes by train from Paris Gare Saint-Lazare to Vernon, then a short bus ride to Giverny) has a beautiful garden.
We visited Giverny in late summer but I have often thought it might be interesting in late spring, when the flowers start to bloom.
Honfleur, also in Normandy, is a beautiful little harbour town; especially if it’s sunny when you’re there. Train to Deauville-Trouville takes about two hours from Paris Saint-Lazare, then it’s a short bus ride.
Going south, Burgundy (Bourgogne) is another option, with perhaps a little better weather.
The TGV (fast train) from Paris Gare de Lyon to Dijon takes about an hour and a half.
There are some great castles, not as touristy as Val de Loire, in Bourgogne.
I usual drive around the villages, so visit the tourist office in Dijon for suggestions of where to go using public transport.
Further afield, Dordogne is wonderful in late spring. It can sometimes be too hot in summer.
Take a high-speed TGV train from Paris (Gare Montparnasse) to Bordeaux, which takes just over two hours.
From Bordeaux, you can transfer to a local TER train to reach towns in Dordogne such as Sarlat or Périgueux.
Other main train stations in Dordogne include Bergerac and Brive-la-Gaillarde, all accessible from Paris via SNCF trains; sometimes with a change in Bordeaux or Libourne.
Public transport can be limited in Dordogne, especially for visiting smaller villages and exploring the countryside.
This is another region where having a car is almost essential; as with Provence.
If you need more inspiration, visit
The site is in French but the pictures and map might help you plan.
Please tell us how it went when you get back, @carol .
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Hi Carol.
I’ve been to Paris several times, but only once outside Paris last September.
A quick train ride away is Avignon. We loved the area around Avignon for its tropical weather, and lovely French ambiance. From Avignon we took a day-tour of Chateauneuf du Pape, which took us to many lovely areas, namely Roussillon, La Fontaine de Vaucluse, Baux de Provence, and Saint-Remy-de-Provence; all equally beautiful and uniquely charming villages that can be a bit off the beaten path. My pick to spend a week would be in this area, not sure that I could stay still in one village for a week. Good luck, there are so many beautiful places to visit.
Pierre Joly
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