We plan to travel by train from Florence to Paris in June and would like to stop off in some interesting town in France before we get to Paris. Would like to see a small village if possible. Any ideas?
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
How much time do you have?
The small villages are for the most part off the main rail line. Even in rural areas a train station usually attracts growth, then the small village is not so small any more.
The exception is on the poky TER lines, or maybe a private line like the one that runs from Nice to Digne. But these will require a detour from the Florence-Paris route. Alternatively a rental car would get you into the countryside.
I do think that some of the small cities enroute are very interesting. You might stop in Arles for a night and not be bored.
Beaune is also charming and has great access to the surrounding countryside by bicycle (rented there); it would be a minor detour for you.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
689 posts
What route are you taking? If you could list the stops along your route (if you use the Deutsch Bahn website, click on the link that says "show intermediate stops" for each train trip), that would make it easier for us to give you tips.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Beaune came immediately to mind, as Adam suggested. It's absolutely wonderful. You can rent bikes and tour the nearby countryside and vineyards. My favorite part of being there though was the scenic driving tour Rick recommends, so if you don't have a car you'll miss out on that.