Country, FR
France
France combines fast rail between major cities with slower regional journeys through coasts, islands, wine country and Alpine valleys.
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1 to 24 of 55 guides
City, FR
Aix-en-Provence
A refined Provençal city of fountains, markets, museums and shaded streets, with two rail stations and useful links across inland Provence.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct Open guide
City, FR
Ajaccio
Corsica’s western capital combines a compact centre, Napoleonic history, a working port and access to beaches and the Gulf of Ajaccio.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct Open guide
City, FR
Annecy
Annecy pairs a compact canal-side old town with a large Alpine lake, mountain views and cycling routes that extend well beyond the centre.
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City, FR
Avignon
Avignon is a walled Rhône city of papal monuments, shaded squares and strong rail links into western Provence.
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City, FR
Bastia
A northern Corsican port city of old harbour streets, Baroque churches and hillside districts, well placed for Cap Corse and island rail journeys.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct Open guide
City, FR
Blois
A hillside Loire city with a royal château, historic streets and a useful station for Chambord and the central château corridor.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct Open guide
City, FR
Bordeaux
Bordeaux pairs an elegant stone centre and broad riverfront with a working metropolitan region shaped by wine, trade and modern tram travel.
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City, FR
Cannes
Cannes combines the polished Croisette with a hilltop old town, public and private beaches, a working port and easy boat trips to the Lérins Islands.
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City, FR
Carcassonne
A two-part city where the fortified Cité, lower Bastide and Canal du Midi deserve a plan that extends beyond the busiest rampart circuit.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct Open guide
City, FR
Clermont-Ferrand
A dark-stone Auvergne city with Romanesque and Gothic landmarks, local museums and direct access to the Chaîne des Puys volcanic landscape.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct Open guide
City, FR
Lyon
Lyon spreads around the Rhône and Saône, with Roman hills, Renaissance streets, food markets and modern districts linked by strong public transport.
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City, FR
Marseille
Marseille is a working Mediterranean port of steep neighbourhoods, busy markets, island views and direct access to protected Calanques landscapes.
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City, FR
Montpellier
A lively southern city of medieval lanes, modern districts, museums and tram-linked neighbourhoods, with beaches reached beyond the centre rather than beside it.
Useful months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct Open guide
City, FR
Mulhouse
A southern Alsace city with major transport and industrial museums, a compact historic centre and useful rail links across the Upper Rhine.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Dec Open guide
City, FR
Nice
Nice combines a dense old town, a long Mediterranean waterfront and useful rail links along the French Riviera.
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City, FR
Paris
Paris rewards an area-by-area plan, with major museums, river walks and neighbourhood streets spread across both banks of the Seine.
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City, FR
Quimper
A walkable western Breton city built around a cathedral, riverside streets, museums and a strong Cornouaille identity.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep Open guide
City, FR
Reims
A cathedral city where coronation history, Art Deco streets and major Champagne cellars combine within a straightforward rail trip from Paris.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Dec Open guide
City, FR
Rennes
Brittany’s compact capital combines timbered streets, a major Saturday market, parks and fast rail with useful regional connections.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct Open guide
City, FR
Rouen
Normandy’s historic capital combines a monumental cathedral, timbered streets, major museums and Seine-side districts within an easy rail trip from Paris.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct Open guide
City, FR
Strasbourg
Strasbourg combines a medieval and imperial centre with European institutions, Rhine-side cycling and strong rail links across Alsace.
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City, FR
Toulouse
Toulouse is a warm-toned river city of brick architecture, aerospace museums, markets and strong transport links across south-western France.
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City, FR
Tours
A lively Loire city with a historic centre, cathedral, markets and broad rail connections that make it a practical western base for château country.
Useful months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct Open guideTurn places into a route
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