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One
Day France
Pass
Lyon
Nantes
Avignon
Dijon
Beaune
Marseille
Reims
Lille
Bordeaux &
More
France
Day Trips
In a day, you can experience more culture, and history than you thought
possible! Taking a day-trip from Paris will give you an experience that
is easy, authentic, and after spending time in the French countryside we
think you'll agree, rewarding!
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Lyon Well known for its traditional
gourmet food ticket
cost
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Discover the 2nd largest city of France, Lyon. This city is chock-full
of great museums, shops, and restaurants; you won't find a dull moment
here!
Lyon is easily reached from Paris by TGV high-speed train. You can
leave from the Gare de Lyon in Paris, and in just 2 hours you'll arrive in
the heart of Lyon. There are departures from Paris every 30 minutes or every
hour, it depends on if you're looking to travel during peak or off-peak
times.
Once you arrive, visit the famous Opera of Lyon (designed by the architect
Jean Nouvel), and don't miss the brilliant Hotel de Ville-Lyon's city hall.
Be sure to take some time and taste all of the specialties Lyon has to offer.
From Fondue to Bouchon Lyonnais, you can find all kinds of great foods at
the wonderful restaurants and Brasseries in the quartier de la Croix-rousse
(the city center).
After you've experienced the cuisine of Lyon, it's time for a visit
this historical neighborhood found across the Rhone. Make your way to the
Rue Cours de la Liberté to do some shopping in chic shops found there.
Visit the antiquated neighborhood in the Quartier Auguste-Comte. Here
you can find some of the most unique vintage things!
If you should be traveling to Lyon on the 8th of December, be sure
to wait around until nightfall. You will be in awe as the city illuminates
itself right before your eyes! The Fete des Lumieres takes place annually.
All of the monuments and bridges are transformed on this night, and they
put on a phenomenal light show for all to see.
Length of trip: 2 hours
see point to point ticket cost
Best to use
One Day France Pass
Train trips a day: every 30 minutes or hour
First departure from Paris: 6 am See
Lyon Time Tables
Last return from Lyon: 9 pm
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Avignon:
The southern city of art:
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Visit Avignon for a day, and embrace this wonderful City of Art. Depart
Paris on the 7:54 am TGV, and in just over 2.5 hours you'll arrive at the
Avignon TGV station. From the station, take the free shuttle to go to the
city center.
Begin your day in Avignon walking through the terraced gardens of
the Rocher des Doms, which dominates the old walled city. Treat yourself
to a break alongside the Musée du Petit Palais where all the great
Cafés are.
After a refreshing snack, take a stroll along one of the famous bridges
in France above the Rhone, the Avignon Bridge, which inspired the song Sur
le Pont d'Avignon. Walk around the rue des Lices and rue Joseph Vernet to
get a true feeling of what Avignon is really like.
To end your day in this great city, visit the Fondation
Angladon-Dubrujeaud with its collection of impressionist paintings. Always
save the best for last, to finish your trip, pay a visit to the Palais des
Papes and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-des-Doms.
You can board the 7:01 pm train in Avignon and you'll be back in Paris
in just under 3 hours after having enjoyed a most relaxing and delightful
day.
Length of trip: 2 hours 34 minutes from Paris
to Avignon TGV see
point to point ticket cost
Best to use
One Day France Pass
Train trips a day: 15
First departure from Paris: 6:20 am
See Avignon
Time Tables
Last return from Avignon: 9:01 pm
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Marseille The true Mediterranean
life
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Experience for a day, the charming vintage city of Marseille. This
city thrives all year long due to its well-known good climate. Depart from
the Paris Gare de Lyon at 8:20 am and you'll be whisked away to Marseille
in 3 hours. You'll arrive at the Marseille St. Charles station, right in
the middle of the Mediterranean capital.
Take a cab (5 min and 5 euros) from the station to the center of the
city. Start the day by walking in the prominent Vieux Port, guarded by the
12th-century Fort St-Jean on the north bank and Fort St-Nicolas on the south.
Visit the Théâtre National de la Criée on the Quai de
Rive. This théâtre was converted from old fish auction rooms
to this wonderfully cultural building.
North of the Vieux Port, you will discover Le Panier. This is the
oldest part of the city, traditionally the first stop for visitors.
For a glimpse of a little more culture, pay a visit to North African
neighborhood, Belsunce, centered on rue d'Aubagne.
You cannot visit Marseille without having a taste of Bouillabaisse,
a great flavor of the south. You can find this specialty on the Vieux
Port.
After lunch take a ferry to Chateau d'If, known from Alexandre Dumas'
novel Count of Monte Cristo. The ferry leaves from the Quai des Belges.
End your day in Marseille by taking a walk on the famous La
Canebière. This is the city's main street for your last experience
of what can be found in the south in France.
Then it's back to Paris, hop on the 7:29 pm train, and arrive at 10:41
pm.
Length of trip: 3 hours see
point to point ticket cost
Best to use
One Day France Pass
Train trips a day: 15
First departure from Paris: 6:20 am
Last return from Marseille: 8:29 pm
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Lille The medieval city with
modern flare
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Take the train from the Paris Gare du Nord; Lille is only about an
hour away. You will find that trains depart to Lille every hour.
When you've arrived, start the day by a walk in the medieval city
center of Lille. The architecture and cobbled streets of Vieux Lille stretch
between the Canal de la Deule, the northern border of the inner city.
Lille really deserves its title as the City of Heritage and Art. Besides
its colorful Flemish architecture and its narrow ornamented facades, the
Vieille Bourse is a prime example that Lille has a rich and varied heritage.
French classical style houses sit alongside the variety of "grand boulevards"
or even the "maisons Folie". The maisons Folie are considered modern
architecture, and a symbol of an innovative architectural project.
Be sure to visit the Musée des Beaux Arts, second largest museum
in France after the Louvre.
Take advantage of the wonderful markets and regional food and drink
specialties. You'll definitely want to try the famous Belgian beers, you
can taste the famous "moules frites" in the Flemish taverns and certainly
try the oysters at Alcide, found at 5 rue Debris St-Etienne.
Length of trip: 1 hour see
point to point ticket cost
Best to use
One Day France Pass
Train trips a day: 15/20
First departure from Paris: 6:58 am
Last return from Lille: 10:02 pm
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Bordeaux
The wine experience
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Bordeaux is the Capital of the Gironde, a worldwide known region for
its wine.
Board the 8:10 am train to this remarkable city and for a day, discover
the art of life from Bordeaux. As you walk around the city admire the astonishing
18th century buildings with their famous mascarons (stones faces
sculptures).
Visit the Garonne riverfront with fine 18th-century buildings. Take
a tour of the Musée National des Douanes, and see the two medieval
gateways that still remain intact from the old city wall.
Have a break enjoying an authentic French lunch at Hotel La Tupina
located at 6 rue Porte de la Monnaie. Here you can indulge in a great meal
for around 16 euros, prepared by Jean-Pierre Xiradakis. Another lunch option
for you is to go a little bit further and try a "plat du jour" at the Bar
Cave de la Monnaie, a great wine bar that is owned by La Tupina. Meal prices
run a bit less than those of Hotel La Tupina.
You can travel south and see the Grand Théâtre (place
de la Comédie), built on the site of a Roman temple.
You'll want to a second break for the "goûter" and taste the
specialty from there, the Cannelé. This is a delicious mix between
cake and pastries; the cannelé has a crunchy golden exterior and a
vanilla-rum flan-like interior. You won't be sorry you stopped!
Just south of the shopping quarter you'll find the sprawling Gothic
Cathédrale, St-André. Here you will find amazing panoramic
views from the bell-tower. Also found in this area of the city is the Hôtel
de Ville, with the Musée des Beaux-Arts in the garden wing. Housed
here is a rich collection of Dutch paintings, as well as works by Titian,
Delacroix and local Odilon Redon.
If you have an interest in discovering the region's wines, there is
a private limo service that offers full or half day wine tours for 1-4 people.
You can learn all about the production of wine and visit local cellars. For
more information please visit www.bordeaux-wine-travel.com.
After your pleasant day in Bordeaux, take the train at 7:47 pm to
return to Paris.
Length of trip: 3 hours
see point to
point ticket cost Best to use
One Day France Pass
Train trips a day: 15
First departure from Paris: 6:10 am
See Bordeaux
Timetables
Last return from Bordeaux: 7:51 pm
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Nantes The city of Jules
Verne (19th century author, pioneer of the science-fiction genre)
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Depart Paris on the 8am train and two hours later you are in the city
center of Nantes.
The 19th Century was the century for follies. Take a walk in the
best-known, magnificent passage, Pommeraye. You will notice it combines
neoclassical style with a sumptuous décor. Pay a visit to La Cigale,
located at 4, place Graslin. This is a fine brasserie decorated in styles
from the 1900's.
Fix your eyes on the LU Tower (the famous biscuit industry-produces
biscuits that every French child has eaten during the "goûter") and
the Titan Crane. Both are reminders of industrial dynamism.
The Chantenay quarter, its Butte Ste-Anne and the delightful guinguettes
(old fashioned style restaurant, are symbols of another era where eating
and dancing went together), along the Erdre riverside of Trentemoult, are
eternal reminders of this era.
Be sure to visit the museum of Jules Verne to discover where the novel
writer took his inspiration.
Tips: if you want to spice your day up, rent a bike for a day, the
cycling road network is huge and allows you to go all around the city: more
info on www.nantes-tourisme.com
Take the 7:20 pm train, and arrive back in Paris at 9:30 pm, after
such a wonderful day of discovering the West of France.
Length of trip: 2 hours 20 see
point to point ticket cost
Best to use
One Day France Pass
Train trips a day: 15
First departure from Paris: 6:30 am
Last return from Nantes: 8:45 pm
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Dijon & Beaune Mustard &
Burgandy wine country
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Leave Paris on the 8:44 am train, and in an hour and a half you are
in the capital of Burgundy.
Dijon is an old medieval city and has kept this atmosphere. In terms
of the number, density and quality of the houses and mansions to be found
in the old town, Dijon possesses beautiful urban architecture; it's a real
"joyau". This extraordinary city is contained within the 240-acre protected
area corresponding to the old city limits. The original walls were demolished
in the 19th century and replaced by boulevards.
Enjoy the exquisite cuisine at Au Bon Pantagruel: Burgundy, rustic
one-price (11.9 euros) four-course menu (20 rue Quentin).
Have a walk in the city and visit museums that you cannot miss:
The mustard museum, mustard is one of the typical products you can
find in Dijon, learn all about it in this great museum. (3 euros per person,
48 quai Nicolas Rolin)
Saint Bernard's house, built in 1090 but renewed during the 18th century
(Place des Feuillants, FONTAINE LES DIJON)
Le Palais des Ducs.
Take a break in the city center and be delighted by the great food
you can find in the restaurants / brasseries. You must also have a taste
of the well-known burgundy wine.
You can even stay for dinner as Dijon is really close to Paris by
train. Treat yourself to a meal at Le Bon Sauvage, located at 64 rue Monge,
checkout its rich cigars' cellar. Another great dining option is L'Emile
Brochettes, you can find it at 16, Place Emile Zola.
After a fabulous meal, take the 8:33 pm train and be back in Paris
at 10 pm.
Length of trip: 1 hour 30 see
point to point ticket cost
Best to use
One Day France Pass
Train trips a day: 15
First departure from Paris: 7:14 am
Last return from Dijon: 8:33 pm
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Reims Champagne city
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Reims is a city full of history, much like a lot of the cities in
France. Reims, however, is classified in the UNESCO patrimonies. Reims is
often considered the capital of Champagne an old province of France made
world-famous by its champagne sparkling wine
Depart from the Paris Est station at 8:40 am and at 10:20 am you are
in the city center of Reims.
Discover the city, starting with the oldest monument in Reims, the
Porte de Mars. This is a triumphal arch 108 ft. in length by 43 in height,
consisting of three archways flanked by columns. The Mars Gate was one of
4 Roman Gates to the City.
The most famous monument to see in reims is the Notre-Dame de Reims
Cathedral. This is the former Abbey of Saint-Remi, where all of the kings
of France have been crowned. The Abbey has been a UNESCO World Heritage site
since 1991.
If you go a few blocks from the cathedral, you are now surrounded
by a bustling neighborhood of shopping and restaurants.
Visit the Abbey of St. Denis which has been converted into the Fine
Arts Museum.
Take a break at the delectable restaurant L'apostrophe, located at
59, place Drouet d'Erlon. This restaurant was built in 1850. After your meal,
walk half a mile from the Cathedral to visit Saint Remi Basilica. The Basilica
is named for 5th century Saint Remi, who has been the patron saint of the
inhabitants of Reims for more than 15 centuries. The basilica is almost equal
in size to the cathedral.
Go and visit the great champagne cellar to explore the secret of its
creation.
See Pommery, found at 5 place du Général Gouraud,
Taittinger, located at 9 Place St.-Nicoise, or Veuve Clicquot at 1 Place
des Droits-de-l'Homme.
After you've discovered this wonderful city, take the 6:33 pm train
back to Paris, arriving at 8:16 pm.
Length of trip: 1 hour 30 see
point to point ticket cost
Best to use
One Day France Pass
Train trips a day: 15
First departure from Paris: 7:16 am
Last return from Reims: 8:20 pm
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More France see
point to point ticket cost
Best to use One
Day France Pass
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Check
our TERC Guide to France
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France
Day Trips