Bordeaux and the South-West
The journey from Paris to Bordeaux takes just two hours. And it’s worth every minute. Known for its charm, this city, in the department of Gironde, is lively and dynamic, yet far more relaxed than the capital. In Bordeaux, life is less about running around and more about surfing.
The pace of life might be slower in Bordeaux compared with Paris, but the city still has plenty of activities on offer for locals and tourists alike: there’s the Cité du Vin museum of wine, the arts venues and restaurants of the Bacalan neighbourhood, walks along the Garonne river and myriad creative, arty eco-districts. Our suggestion? Spend a few days exploring the city, then venture further afield, towards Hossegor or Arcachon Bay. Here, you can spend the whole day by the ocean – swimming, surfing, eating oysters, climbing the Dune of Pilat – the perfect way to experience the best of the South-West!
Nantes – city of art and culture
Nantes is a French city you simply cannot miss and, if you haven’t yet discovered it, you’re in for a treat. Like Bordeaux, it’s just two hours by train from Paris. Upon arrival, you’ll find yourself in the middle of a culturally exciting and civic-minded city. Nantes is almost more Breton, with a bit less kouign-amann, than Loire-Atlantique, and has a wealth of artistic and industrial heritage to discover. It’s a city you’re really going to love exploring.
Once there, you can follow the green line of the ‘Voyage à Nantes’ trail to navigate the city. Each stop on this exceptional route reveals hidden treasures, unmissable historical facts and contemporary artworks in a fun way. Nantes is steeped in history: it is the city of Jules Verne, LU biscuits and Anne of Brittany – all of which you’ll encounter on your wanderings. And the best bit? Just outside Nantes, not far away at all, is the beach at Pornic – or, if you’d rather not venture that far, the fishing village of Trentemoult, on the Loire, offers a delightful change of scenery.
Caen and the beautiful Normandy
Ah, Normandy. Have you known about it for ages but never taken the plunge? Well, it’s high time you did. Just two-and-a-half hours after leaving Paris, you’ll find yourself in Caen, one of Normandy’s charming port cities. You can’t help but fall in love with Caen’s charm and quaint neighbourhoods, which are perfect for strolling around. And its location in the heart of Normandy makes it the perfect base from which to explore the whole region!
Follow the Normandy coast to Honfleur, Deauville, Cabourg, Houlgate and Gouville-sur-Mer, enjoying the beaches and colourful seafront houses along the way. Of course, no visit to Normandy would be complete without a trip to the cliffs of Étretat – a must-see for good reason! We’re not going to revisit the age-old debate over Mont Saint-Michel, but whether you’re in Normandy or Brittany, it’s another must-visit destination (preferably out of season!)
Rennes and Brittany are just a train ride away
This time, we really are taking you straight to Brittany. Welcome to Rennes! A more intimate city, Rennes is full of history, colour and wonderful crêpes and galettes. You’ll find it to be a young, vibrant city, full of energy and life.
Once there, discover the colourful architecture of Rennes, with its timber-frame houses, Italian mosaics and vast parks. Rennes is more historical than it seems and it’s full of charm. Don’t forget to take time out from your exploring to try the regional speciality: galette-saucisse (sausage wrapped in a buckwheat pancake). We think the best ones are to be found in the Marché des Lices, one of the largest markets in France. If you finish exploring the city early, head to the coast or wander through the forest of Brocéliande – a place of enduring secrets.
Vendée – for sporty types and leisure-lovers
Vendée is the perfect middle ground. If you want to escape the daily grind, head to the ocean, kick back or keep active, then Vendée is the place for you. In just a few hours by train from Montparnasse, you’ll find yourself in La Roche sur Yon. That’s where the adventure begins!
As this is the starting point of the famous Vendée Globe, you can’t escape the sea and all things sailing-related. If you’re more of a landlubber, hop on a bike to explore the island of Noirmoutier (just watch out for the tide!). Not feeling particularly sporty? No problem. Vendée has lots of great beaches on which to relax.
It goes without saying that all these destinations are easily accessible by train. OK, so it will take you more time to get there from Switzerland, but that’s time you can use to work, sleep, read or chat as you are taken directly to the heart of these great destinations. No long waits, no complicated transfers (it takes just 20 minutes to change stations!). So yes, it is possible to head west by train – the sustainable way to travel.