Paris may entice the great majority of travelers to France, but there are dozens of fascinating French cities, many of which often fly under the radar. And although some visitors eschew Paris for cities such as Bordeaux, Lyon and Nice, these destinations can get crowded, especially in the summer.
But fear not: It’s possible to enjoy an authentic taste of France — without the masses — at these captivating and culturally rich under-the-radar French cities, all easily accessible by train from Paris.
La Rochelle
Located in the middle of France’s Atlantic coast and three hours by high-speed train from Paris, the picturesque city of La Rochelle retains impressive vestiges of its centuries as one of the country’s most important ports. Visitors can soak up its maritime heritage as they tour the Vieux-Port’s formidable medieval towers, elegant mansions built for shipping merchants and Porte de la Grosse-Horloge (Great Clock Gate), the entrance to the old town that’s topped by a 15th-century belfry.
La Rochelle is a historic port town in France.
Credit: 2023 stock/adobe.comClients can take a deeper dive into the city's history at Musee Maritime La Rochelle — housed within three historic boats — or see what’s beneath the surface at the renowned Aquarium La Rochelle.
Travelers seeking relaxation can unwind on one of La Rochelle’s three main beaches or extend their stay by taking the bridge across to Ile de Re, one of France’s most popular islands that's fringed by fine sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and quaint seaside villages.
The French town of Le Mans might be explored by bicycle.
Credit: 2023 Pascal Beltrami/Sarthe TourismeLe Mans
Best known for its 24 Hours of Mans sports car race held every June, Le Mans is a great day-trip option from Paris, as it takes just one hour via high-speed train. Often eclipsed by other Loire cities such as Tours or Blois, Le Mans offers a cultural heritage that spans 2,000 years. Nicknamed the Plantagenet City, Le Mans features well-preserved Gallo-Roman fortifications that encircle the historic core, where cobblestone streets are bordered by medieval half-timbered houses, Renaissance-style mansions and buzzing cafes.
In its heart is the Romanesque-Gothic Saint-Julien Cathedral, one of the
largest in France. Summertime visitors might consider an overnight stay
to enjoy La Nuit des Chimeres (Night of the Chimeras), an excellent light show projected onto the buildings of the city center.
In Lille, the Grand Palace square is home to striking historic architecture.
Credit: 2023 Laurent Ghesquiere/Lille TourismeLille
Just an hour high-speed train trip from Paris is Lille, the capital of the Hauts-de-France region that offers a great alternative to crossing the border into Belgium or Holland. Lille spreads out from the Grand Place, its refined main square that is presided over by a statue of a goddess — also known as the Memorial of the Siege of 1792 — and the imposing 17th-century Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange).
Visitors can grab a waffle or barquette de frites (carton of fries) to accompany a wander through the brick-filled streets of the old town. Afterward, clients can get their art fix at the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille museum, or marvel at the military genius of Marquis de Vauban, Louis XIV’s military architect, at Parc de la Citadelle, a massive fortress he designed after the Sun King conquered the city in 1667. Plan a visit during the city’s annual Lille Braderie — Europe's largest flea market that takes over city streets the first weekend of September — to see the city really come to life.
Place Stanislas is a must-see sight in Nancy, France.
Credit: 2023 Pierre DefontaineNancy
Although it’s sometimes bypassed for the more famous eastern city of Strasbourg, Nancy is well worth visiting, especially for art nouveau fans. A 90-minute high-speed train journey from Paris’ Gare de l’Est, this former capital of the Lorraine region revolves around the majestic Place Stanislas, built in the mid-1700s and named after Stanislas Leszczynski, duke of Lorraine and former king of Poland. His legacy persists via other historic structures, including a grand government palace and a triumphal archway.
Clients might be tempted to spend days visiting Nancy’s exceptional museums, namely Musee des Beaux-Arts de Nancy, a fine-art venue with masterpieces by Caravaggio, Rubens and Delacroix; Musee Lorrain, which traces the art and history of the Lorraine region; and Musee de l’Ecole de Nancy, which spotlights the city’s famous art nouveau movement and is set in a home from the era. Across from Musee de l’Ecole is Nancy Thermal, an innovative spa opened in April 2023 that’s set within historic buildings.
In Nimes, have clients visit Maison Carree, a well-presered ancient Roman temple.
Credit: O.Maynard/Office Tourisme NimesNimes
A three-hour high-speed train ride from Paris transports visitors to the vibrant city of Nimes, which offers all the delights of the South of France without the crowds of Avignon or Aix-en-Provence. Its importance as a Roman-era city is reflected in its well-preserved amphitheater, Arenes de Nimes, and the virtually intact temple of La Maison Carree. History buffs can further explore Nimes' ancient history at the high-tech Musee de la Romanite or the nearby Pont du Gard, a soaring Roman aqueduct bridge that's considered one of France’s most prestigious Roman sites.
Meandering the winding streets of the charming old town, clients might spot some shops selling denim, which actually originates from Nimes ("denim" derives from the French "serge de Nimes,” where serge means “sturdy fabric”). The fabric was exported to North America and popularized there by Levi Strauss.
The city is particularly lively during its many festivals, including the Great Roman Games in April, the Pentecost Feria in May or June and the Feria des Vendanges in September. Nimes is also on the edge of the saltwater lagoons of the Camargue, as well as at the branch of train lines running to the cities along the French Riviera and Occitania coastline.
