For travelers who want to discover Europe by train, France offers one of the easiest and most rewarding places to begin. Paris may be the country’s most famous destination, but a comfortable train ride can quickly transport you into landscapes filled with medieval history, artistic heritage, celebrated cuisine, vineyards, castles, and stories that connect France with the wider world.
Europe by train
2026 is an especially meaningful year to explore these destinations. The United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, providing an opportunity to revisit the long history of friendship between France and America. Two French towns have particularly fascinating connections to that story: Colmar, the birthplace of Statue of Liberty designer Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and Vendôme, the birthplace of the Comte de Rochambeau, who commanded French forces alongside American troops during the Revolutionary War.
FTC Disclosure: www.datraveler.com may receive financial compensation. When the affiliate link(s) on this page are clicked on and a purchase is made.
According to Rail Europe, both destinations—and four additional French regions—can be reached directly from Paris, making them excellent additions to a 2026 itinerary. (Rail Europe)
1. Colmar, Alsace — About 2 Hours 25 Minutes
Colmar is one of France’s most picturesque destinations and an especially appropriate stop during America’s 250th anniversary year.
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi was born in Colmar in 1834. Today, visitors can explore the Musée Bartholdi, located in the house where the sculptor grew up. The town also features a 12-meter replica of the Statue of Liberty.
But Colmar offers much more than its American connection. Wander through the colorful half-timbered buildings of the historic center, stroll along the canals of Petite Venise, and experience Alsatian cuisine and wine.
The fastest Paris–Colmar trains take roughly 2 hours 25 minutes, although journey times vary by service and date. (sncf-connect.com)
2. Vendôme, Loire Valley — About 42 Minutes
Vendôme provides one of the most intriguing historical journeys of 2026.
Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, the Comte de Rochambeau, was born here in 1725. He later commanded the French expeditionary force that fought alongside American forces during the Revolutionary War, including the campaign culminating at Yorktown.
Getting to Vendôme is remarkably convenient. Rail Europe lists a journey of approximately 42 minutes from Paris Montparnasse to Vendôme-Villiers-sur-Loir. (Rail Europe)
The area also provides access to the magnificent Loire Valley, famous for castles, cycling routes, historic towns, and beautiful countryside. For travelers interested in history, architecture, and French heritage, Vendôme makes a fascinating short excursion from Paris.
3. Rouen, Normandy — About 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Rouen brings travelers into the atmospheric world of Normandy.
A direct journey from Paris Saint-Lazare takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. (Rail Europe)
Rouen’s medieval streets, historic architecture, and magnificent cathedral make it an excellent destination for travelers interested in French culture and history. Art lovers can also follow the footsteps of Claude Monet, who famously painted the city’s cathedral numerous times.
READ:
The wider Normandy region offers dramatic coastal scenery as well. The famous cliffs of Étretat can be incorporated into a broader Normandy journey, although reaching them requires a local connection beyond the main railway network.
4. Lyon — Under 2 Hours Europe by Train
Lyon is the destination for travelers who believe that food is an essential part of discovering France.
A direct train from Paris Gare de Lyon can reach Lyon in under two hours. (Rail Europe)
Once there, explore the historic districts of Vieux Lyon, walk through the city’s atmospheric streets, and enjoy its celebrated culinary culture. Lyon is also an excellent transportation hub for continuing farther south.
For a 2026 journey, Lyon works particularly well as a bridge between Paris and Provence, allowing travelers to experience several distinct sides of France without spending hours on the road.
5. Avignon and Provence — About 2 Hours 40 Minutes
Avignon offers a completely different experience from Paris.
The journey from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon takes approximately 2 hours 40 minutes on the direct service highlighted by Rail Europe. (Rail Europe)
Avignon is famous for its historic walls, the Palais des Papes, and its connection to the medieval papacy. More broadly, Provence invites travelers into a landscape of vineyards, markets, villages, Mediterranean influences, and unforgettable regional cuisine.
Avignon also makes a useful base for exploring nearby destinations. Rail Europe notes that Arles is around 20 minutes away, making it possible to combine several Provençal experiences during one stay. (Rail Europe)
6. Bordeaux — About 2 Hours 5 Minutes
Bordeaux is the ideal choice for travelers who want wine, architecture, gastronomy, and Atlantic culture.
A direct train from Paris Montparnasse takes approximately 2 hours 5 minutes. (Rail Europe)
Bordeaux itself is a destination worth exploring, while the surrounding region opens the door to famous wine country. Travelers can also continue toward the Atlantic coast, with Arcachon accessible by regional train.
For those interested in the historical relationship between France and America, the Atlantic connection adds another dimension. The nearby port town of Rochefort has links to the French naval effort supporting the American Revolution.
Six Destinations, One Great Reason to Travel Europe by Train
| Destination | Approx. journey from Paris | Best for |
| Colmar, Alsace | 2h 25m | History, architecture, wine |
| Vendôme, Loire Valley | 42m | American history, castles |
| Rouen, Normandy | 1h 30m | Medieval heritage, art |
| Lyon | Under 2h | Food, culture, history |
| Avignon, Provence | 2h 40m | Heritage, Provence, day trips |
| Bordeaux | 2h 05m | Wine, gastronomy, Atlantic coast |
Journey times are approximate and can vary according to the specific service, date, and timetable. (Rail Europe)
Why 2026 Is the Year to Make the Journey
The 250th anniversary of American independence gives these destinations an additional layer of meaning. Instead of treating history as something found only in museums or monuments, travelers can follow the geography of the French-American relationship itself—from Bartholdi’s Colmar to Rochambeau’s Vendôme and onward toward the Atlantic.
But the appeal goes beyond anniversaries. Traveling by train allows visitors to move from one distinctive French region to another while watching the landscape change outside the window. Instead of airport transfers and long journeys to city outskirts, high-speed trains can deliver travelers directly into major urban centers.
Rail Europe describes these six destinations as direct-train options from Paris, while current SNCF schedules demonstrate that direct Paris–Colmar services are operating, although some departures require a connection. (Rail Europe)
Make France by Train Part of Your 2026 Adventure
Paris remains an essential stop, but France is much bigger than its capital. In 2026, travelers have an extraordinary reason to venture farther—to discover the places and people connected to a 250-year story of French-American friendship while experiencing the country’s diverse regional cultures.
From Colmar’s colorful canals and Vendôme’s Revolutionary War heritage to Rouen’s medieval streets, Lyon’s culinary traditions, Provence’s historic landscapes, and Bordeaux’s wine country, these six destinations demonstrate why discovering Europe by train can be as memorable as the destinations themselves.
And perhaps that is the greatest advantage of rail travel: the journey becomes part of the adventure.
Source: Rail Europe’s 2026 feature on six regions beyond Paris, supplemented with current SNCF timetable information for Paris–Colmar. (Rail Europe) P1
Leave a Reply