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Most scenic train rides 2 hrs or less from Paris

Posted by on

Family vacation to Paris in late March.

I'd love to see the countryside by train then wander an intact medieval city center/village, get some simple but tasty fresh local food, and see a good cathedral.

Needs to be reasonable as a day trip by public transportation. We will not have a car and our AirBnB has a weird rule that we can't spend a night somewhere else without it being a big hassle.

Strongly considering Chartres for having a reportedly excellent cathedral and being a very easy direct train, but concerned the t trip itself won't be very scenic and/or that there will be little or nothing in terms of a medieval Town center.

At about a 3 hr train ride, Bruges sounds like it's a little too far.

Any suggestions?

Posted by
1004 posts

Nothing particularly "scenic" comes to mind for your parameters (a train ride within 2 hours of Paris).

Better to pick a destination - Chartres is a good one - for the day trip you are planning.

Chartres is very easy, too - compact, good food, visit the cathedral, walk around the town - an ideal day trip.

Posted by
7300 posts

There aren't any scenic railways around Paris. There are some pleasant rural stretches on the line to Épernay, but nothing to write home about.

Chartres is a very good call, frankly. The trains run often and the ride is quick. You can catch a glimpse of the Chateau de Versailles along the way (right after Versailles Chantiers, on the right).

Posted by
8550 posts

I have been on train rides north to south and east to west and to many places an hour or two from Paris -- never saw any scenery worth mentioning. But there are lots of interesting destinations that have beautiful scenery. We enjoyed Moret sur Loing then a walk along the Loing to the Seine.

https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/moret-sur-loing-for-charm-always-follow-the-impressionists/
We have enjoyed many walks along the Marne and enjoyed the canals of Crecy la Chapelle and the river walk by the wash houses in Dourdan.
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/crecy-la-chapelle-a-touch-of-venice-in-the-parisian-countryside/

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