Train connections from Paris

[wondabar]

I want to go for a long weekend away but rather than go to a crowded Eurostar destination would prefer to connect to a French town or city from Paris. I would like the connection to be as easy as possible and have somewhere nice to stay not too far from the station. Up to two hours away from Paris.

Fontainebleau is close to Paris yet feels a millions miles away and has enough to do for a relaxed long weekend. This website has a handy list of all accommodation options https://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/en/welcome/

Does it have to be France? Mechlen, just outside Brussels is nice.

If you want an easy connection, I’d change at Lille. Paris Est is a 10 minute walk from Paris Nord (Eurostar terminal) but all the others require a trip across Paris on the Metro or RER and the Metro/RER bit at Nord is right at the opposite end of the station to Eurostar. Gare de Lyon is the one that I’m most familiar with and is two stops on RER line D but it can be very busy. Don’t forget on your return to factor in at least 60 minutes for Eurostar check in.

I would suggest changing at Lille too. Strasbourg is surprisingly lovely and can be reached by a direct train (2pm) which also stops at the Champagne-Ardennes TGV stop for Reims and Epernay.

Lille is very nice for a weekend too - lovely restaurants and shops and you could do a day trip to Arras. Or Lyon is 3 hours from Lille - direct train from Lille Europe at 11am. Or Ypres has lots to see if you are interested in the war sites.