5 weekend ideas around Paris

Looking for a weekend destination less than 2 or 3 hours from Paris? Here’s a selection of places that will give you a complete change of scenery, without being too far from the capital! By car or by train, there’s no better way to get away from it all and spend an unforgettable weekend with your partner, family or friends.

1 – Fontainebleau

• By car: 1 h
• By RER: 35 mins

What to see, what to do: visit the château and its gardens, go for a walk or do some sport in the woods, enjoy the market on Sundays.

A complete change of scenery on the outskirts of Paris – that’s what you’ll find in Fontainebleau. The imperial town, closely linked to the emperors Napoleon I and Napoleon III, is dotted with historic sites, mansions and other buildings that bear witness to Fontainebleau’s rich heritage.

Architectural heritage :

• The Château de Fontainebleau,
• The Imperial Theatre,
• The 16th-century Church of Saint-Louis,
• The Town Hall,
• The Hippodrome de la Solle,
• Le Manège Sénarmont,
• La Croix Saint-Hérem,
• The Dénecourt Tower.

Other activities available

• Bike rides (hire available on site),
• Hiking, paper routes or mobile application,
• Introduction to climbing in the forest,
• Donkey trekking,
• Yoga,
• Horse riding,
• Storytelling walks in the forest of Fontainebleau,
• Nordic walking,
• Guided tour of biodiversity in the forest, or the animals of the Forest of Fontainebleau.
• Escape game.

Discover also the art galleries of Barbizon.

2 – Provins

• By car: 1 h 15
• By RER: 1 h 30

What to see, what to do: visit a medieval town with a unique atmosphere, take in the scents of the rose garden, taste the niflettes.

Take a trip back in time to the heart of this unusual town, with its many 12th-century monuments. Rediscover the atmosphere, customs, colours and smells of a completely different time, through shows mimicking scenes from daily life in the Middle Ages.

The shows

From March to December, enjoy a wide range of shows on the following themes:

• The Troubadours’ banquet: discover the pleasures of the gastronomy of yesteryear while some very skilful troubadours entertain you!
• The Legend of the Knights: watch battles, stunts, equestrian prowess, dressage acts, acrobatics and juggling at the foot of the ramparts of Provins.
• Les Aigles des Remparts: the flying stars of Provins, the art of falconry on horseback.
• Swords and dungeons: this show reveals the secrets of medieval knights and war machines.

Architectural heritage

• The Tower of Caesar, symbol of the country’s omnipotence.
• La Grange aux dîmes (The Tithe Barn): discover the trades of the time.
• The Prieuré Saint-Ayoul houses a rare collection of objects.
• The Musée de Provins et du Provinois exhibits unique collections from Antiquity to the 19th century.
• The underground passages of Provins.
• Admire the monuments of Provins from the rose garden: 450 varieties of roses arranged by theme in a 3.5-hectare garden.

Other activities

The little trains in Provins, the vélorail in La Ferté-Gaucher, the “Jumping Forest” adventure park, educational farms, the Labymaïs maze in Brie…

3 – Le Touquet

• By car: 2 h 45
• By train: 2 h 30

What to see, what to do: stroll along the beach, take part in water sports, walk in the forest…

Get your fill of fresh air on Le Touquet’s fine sandy beaches, stroll along the typical 19th century houses that line the seafront and enjoy a place to stroll and relax.

On the seafront

• Cycle paths,
• A merry-go-round of wooden horses for children,
• Water park,
• Rosalie hire,
• A romantic sunset…

In town

You can stroll around, shop, discover the covered market, relax on the terrace of a bar or restaurant…

There are plenty of art galleries, too, offering a wide variety of styles.

The Musée du Touquet houses a rich collection of works of art: paintings, photographs, modern works of art, etc., as well as temporary exhibitions.

4 – Lille

• By car: 2 h 35
• By train: 1 h 05

What to see, what to do: Old Lille, Notre-Dame de la Treille cathedral, the town hall and its belfry, the Hospice Comtesse museum, the Citadelle…

Lille is a city rich in history and heritage, and everyone knows that the people of the Nord have a big heart! Let this little-known city surprise you with the sheer number of activities on offer… It’s impossible to get bored in Lille!

Entertainment

The best-known is undoubtedly Lille’s huge flea market, held at the beginning of September and particularly popular since the 12th century. But the city also offers exhibitions, concerts, dance shows, theatrical readings and guided tours of monuments…

Architectural heritage

It’s impossible to list them all, but the Grand’Place, the Palais des Beaux-Arts, the Citadelle Vauban, the old stock exchange (the most beautiful site in Lille), the futuristic towers of Euralille, the Vauban garden, the fortifications… are just some of the must-sees.

Legend

During your weekend in Lille, discover the legend of Lyderic and Phinaert, the founding giants of the city…

5 – The Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Park

• By car : 55 mn
• By train: 55 minutes by RER

What to see, what to do: nature activities, history and heritage, gardens, charming villages…

Between Versailles and Rambouillet, the Parc Régional de la Haute Vallée de Chevreuse is a haven of peace where you can recharge your batteries as you wish by choosing a weekend outing: hiking and sports in general, visiting exceptional sites and remarkable gardens, or discovering craftsmen and local produce… This huge park has it all, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Sport

Horse riding, walking, cycling…

Leisure centre with beaches, pedalos, canoes, beach volleyball, table tennis, mini golf…,

Fishing ponds…

Observation

• Bird sanctuary, Saint-Hubert pond…
• Nature outings, Etang de la Tour…

There are many protected natural areas in the park where you can hike, observe and photograph.

Visits

• Castles (Dourdan, de Mauvières, etc.),
• Archaeological site of the Gallo-Roman town of Diodurum,
• The Rambouillet National sheepfold and its merino sheep,
• Museums (Maison Jean Monnet, Louis Carré, Maurice Ravel, etc.),
• Religious heritage (Cistercian abbey of Les Vaux de Cernay, Saint-Gilles church, etc.),
• Animal parks,
• Farms and producers,
• Guided tour of the park’s nature reserves…