The best springtime getaways within 2 hours of Paris! (2024)

At Paris Secret, we love Paris, as you know. But it would be a shame to limit ourselves to our beautiful capital, when the rest of France also offers magnificent landscapes and places to see at least once in a lifetime. We live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and Paris is fortunate to be close to many sublime destinations. With the May long weekends just around the corner, to fill your spring weekends or for a day trip day trip, here are our 5 favorite getaways within 2 hours of Paris!

A brief clarification of what is meant by “less than 2 hours from Paris”: the journey must be made in less than 2 hours, and we give priority to soft mobility, especially the train. We exclude air travel here, as a flight of less than 2 hoursdoes not necessarily mean a journey of less than 2 hours from Paris, taking into account the time spent at the airport and the journey to and from it.

Giverny

One of the many “painters’ villages near Paris giverny is perhaps our favourite, along with Auvers-sur-Oise. Just 70 kilometers from the capital, Giverny is a real cultural and natural change of sc enery. Accessible from Paris by train in just under an hour, and just under an hour and a half by car, this bucolic little town is located in Normandy, close to the border with the Île-de-France region. Here you will find Claude Monet Gardens – Giverny a true haven of artistic peace, preserved exactly as it was when the painter lived here between 1883 and 1926. The Musée de l’Impressionisme is also worth a visit, as is the heart of the village. The Normandy countryside will immerse you in Impressionist paintings, a guaranteed escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital.

Reims

Less than an hour by TGV from the Gare de l’Est, Reims is the ideal destination for combining a city break with a nature outing. The unofficial capital of Champagne, this Grand Est metropolis is a cultural treasure trove brimming with heritage. The city of kings, which has witnessed the coronation of numerous French monarchs in its sublime Notre-Dame-de-Reims cathedral, is of course also the epicenter of the world of champagne. Enthusiasts of wine and wine-tasting will find a number of internationally renowned houses here – Veuve Cliquot, Moët & Chandon and Dom Pérignon – while culture buffs can explore the city’s many monuments and museums. Just a stone’s throw from Reims, the landscapes of the Marne region open up to you, with their vineyards and the Montagne de Reims regional nature park.

The Loire Valley

If you’ve already done the most beautiful castles to visit near Paris if you’re looking for the perfect getaway in the heart of the Loire Valley, then this is the place for you. Chenonceau, Chambord, and a score of other equally majestic and sublime estates… Along the Loire, a journey back in time awaits you, when castles bloomed in the region like flowers in springtime. Located just over 150 kilometers south of Paris, the Loire Valley is accessible by train in just 1 hour to Orléans or Tours, and 2 hours to Blois or Angers. By car, only Orléans and Blois can be reached in 2 hours, and you’ll need to concentrate on the surrounding châteaux. We advise you to take your bike with you, so you can enjoy the Loire à Vélo, a 900-kilometre long cyclo-tourist route.

Lyon

Less than 2 hours from Paris by TGV from the Gare de Lyon – of course – the ancient capital of the Gauls is a must-see city break. Perhaps the only other gastronomic metropolis in France to rival Paris – our colleagues from Lyon Secret lyon is a vibrant city, full of life. From the Parc de la Tête d’Or to the slopes of the Croix Rousse, via the Presqu’Île and the old Saint-Jean district, Lyon ‘s neighborhoods each offer a different atmosphere and ambience, and its human scale means you can discover it (almost) entirely on foot. A pleasure in fine weather, for a town in the throes of renewal, with many historic vestiges. And those with a sweet tooth won’t need much more than a short jaunt to sample the local culinary specialties born of the Rhone Valley’ s rich gastronomic history.

Honfleur

While it would have been easy to recommend Deauville for a seaside getaway, we prefer its more discreet neighbor, Honfleur. Back to Normandy for this bucolic seaside village which illustrates our article, and which is just a 2-hour drive from Paris. Another cradle of Impressionism, the colorful facades of the buildings along its old port have been painted many times by such greats as Claude Monet, Gustave Courbet and George Seurat. Today, artists still gather on the quayside to paint the bucolic atmosphere of Honfleur. For those who want to bask in the sun, the little town also has its fair share of beaches, and is just a stone’s throw from the metropolis of Le Havre for city dwellers. And if you fancy a trip to the 7th art, Deauville is only 25 minutes away by car, or 1 hour by TER.

Also read about Paris Secret:

👉 All our recommendations for getaways less than 2 hours from Paris can be found here!

👉 The most beautiful village in the world is in France, just a few hours from Paris!