Ideas for weekend getaways in France

Get away from it all for a weekend as a family, with your other half, or with friends. Romantic, zen, out-of-the-ordinary… Follow our guide to discover the best places to visit/see and find ideas for a weekend away in France.

Ideas for a romantic weekend

Set off on a romantic weekend in France. Whether in the north or south, France is packed full of surprising and utterly charming sites. Discover a few unmissable places and ideas for a trip with your other half!

Discover Grasse

Perched on a hilltop, Grasse dominates the valleys in a picture postcard setting. Its narrow, sloping streets are lined with houses, some of which date back to the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, with typical provençal tiles. It is well-known not only for its perfumeries and fields of flowers, but also for the way of life. Take the time to savour a gastronomic meal at Lou Fassum, an establishment which overlooks the golfe de la Napoule and offers stunning views of the bay. 
Grasse is 32 minutes away from Antibes by train and 23 minutes from Cannes by the regional train. The Mediterranean line of the TGV Lyria stops off in both of these towns.

A weekend walking in Monet's footsteps

Giverny is a small village about an hour away from Paris by car, in Normandy.  With its narrow streets and old buildings, Giverny is a real haven, ideal for a romantic weekend. But the village is also known for housing the Fondation Claude Monet, classed as an historic monument, and which was in fact the painter's home for 40 years until his death. While during the day Giverny adapts to the visitors of the Fondation Claude Monet, in the evening, calm is restored and it offers an extremely romantic setting.
Access Giverny from Paris, where the TGV Lyria stops off. Take the transilien train from Paris Saint-Lazare station.

Ideas for weekend trips as a family

Are you looking for ideas for a weekend away as a family? Whether you are looking for a sporting adventure or green countryside, find a selection of places to discover along with your loved ones, young and old.

A weekend at the farm

Spending a weekend on a farm is an ideal way for parents to refuel, and for children to discover the various jobs and animals on a farm. Many farmers offer themed trips all over France, grouped together in associations such as "Bienvenue à la Ferme" and "Accueil Paysan".

A weekend at one with nature

Take advantage of your family holidays to refuel while at one with nature. Sleep in a floating cabin, become explorers by completing the obstacle course in the trees, admire the stars when night falls… Become a real Robinson Crusoe in the Franche Comté region.

An out-of-the-ordinary weekend trip

Venture off the beaten track: throw caution to the wind and discover several out-of-the-ordinary weekends in France!

A weekend at lofty heights

Spend a weekend in the trees! Think outside the box and enjoy a weekend in majestic treetops in your very own cabin. Climb up and enjoy a real Robinson Crusoe experience. 
To find the treehouses closest to you, have a look on La Cabane en l’Air which lists the numerous addresses in France, some of which can be accessed with TGV Lyria in the Haute Provence and Haute Saône regions

Ideas for a green weekend

Go green for your weekend away in France! A few ideas for zen trips and places you'll want to visit for an experience far-removed from the hustle and bustle of large cities.

A weekend on the canal du Midi

The source of the canal du Midi is in Toulouse, and it makes its way to the Mediterranean sea. Over the 63 locks and 240 kilometres, lined with plane trees, the canal du Midi passes through the typical landscapes of the south-west of France. It is possible to make the journey on your bike using the bicycle lanes or dirt tracks, but also on board a barge which you can rent for the weekend. You don't even need a license! It's the opportunity for children and adults to discover this green haven created in the 17th century.

Discover Sainte-Marguerite island

Built by Vauban, the fort on Sainte-Marguerite island, offshore from Cannes, was home to one of the most famous and mysterious prisoners in the history of France: the man with the iron mask. Very popular with tourists during the day, Sainte-Marguerite island returns to its wild and almost deserted self at night. A handful of visitors can spend the night in a few of the rooms in the fort renovated for this purpose... 
Sainte-Marguerite island can be accessed in just a few minutes by boat from Cannes.

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