Cue the “Le Festin,” bring out the baguettes, and put on that signature red lipstick! Why? Because we’re going on a grand trip to the gorgeous French countryside with the Eurail Pass.
Save up on your Europe trip with a Eurail Pass—travel to France, Italy, Spain, and 30 other countries on the continent! Use the pass for:
- Unlimited train travels from 15 days, one month, and up to three months.
- Enjoy discounts on ferries, hotels, city cards, tickets, and more.
- Visit iconic French landmarks + 40,000 destinations across 33 countries in Europe!
Check out 10 reasons to get a Eurail Pass for your Europe escapade!
Apart from the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre in Paris, France is bursting with romantic sceneries, grand chateaus, and charming villages in its countryside—and they’re all waiting to be explored!
For unique holidays far from the usual tourist attractions, jot down these 10 cool places in France, and hit them all up with a France Eurail Pass:
- Lille, Hauts-de-France
- Valensole, Provence
- Nice, Provence
- Conques, Occitania
- Lyons, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Colmar, Alsace
- Cannes, Provence
- Marseille, Provence
- Limoges, Limousin
____________________________________________________________________________________
1. Lille, Hauts-de-France
Explore sprawling chateaus not far from Paris! Image Credits: @stefankst
Kickstart your Europe trip with a day trip to Lille, or the “Capital of Flanders.” Radiating both old-world charms and vibrant urban energy, Lille boasts some of the most eye-catching architecture in Europe. Check out the Place du Général de Gaulle (Grand Palace) with its Neoclassical facades, the Eglise Saint-Maurice for hulking gothic structure, the lavish Rang de Beauregard in Baroque-style architecture, plus many more!
How to get there
- With your Eurail Pass, board the regional train from Paris to Lille.
- These cities are only an hour’s train ride away from each other. Perfect for a quick breather from Parisian tourist crowds.
2. Valensole, Provence
Marvel at the endless sea of purple! Image Credits: @ireneccloset
Get ready to swoon over lavenders when you visit the Plateau de Valensole in Provence. The South of France plays host to some of the most magnificent landmarks in the country, including the famed Lavender and Sunflower fields. Left and right, these fragrant, purple flowers grace the soils and come in full bloom every July and August!
How to get there
- Travel from Paris to Nice using the high-speed train.
- Once in Nice, rent a car. Getting around by train in the countryside is impossible, so we recommend booking a car rental from Nice to Valensole instead.
- Or join a Lavender Field tour that’ll take you to the best farms!
3. Nice, Provence
Every nook and corner of Nice is filled with curious antiquities that make for a lively and colourful Europe trip. Image Credits: @vakica_97
Once you’re ready to head back to the city, the charming Nice awaits! Have a culturally-packed day of museum hopping, scenic strolls around the French Riveria, and pastry tasting of the local “socca” (French crepe made from chickpea flour and seasoned with sea salt) from small cafes in Baroque-style buildings!
How to get there
- Take the direct high-speed train from Paris to Nice. The train ride is roughly 6 hours.
4. Conques, Occitania
Time to belt out your favourite Beauty and the Best tunes at this dreamy village! Image Credits: @catyouandus
Did you know that you can visit Belle’s hometown while in France? Conques in Southern France is the inspiration behind the village of Villeneuve in the beloved Disney classic, “Beauty and the Beast.” This “little town” has cobblestone streets, cute little cottages, a town square made for busting out a catchy dance number, and even a gorgeous gothic castle to tell a tale as old as time!
How to get there
- If you’re travelling from Paris, take the high-speed train to Lyons using your Eurail Pass.
- From Lyons, take the regional train to Montpellier or Toulouse.
- Once in Montpellier or Toulouse, the old French village is only a two-hour drive.
5. Lyons, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Spot colourful murals as you tour the city. Image Credits: @michaela_medinger
The art lovers, foodies, and history buffs will definitely want to stop by Lyons for its stunning fusion of ancient Roman ruins, Renaissance towns, colourful murals, and the most mouthwatering French cuisines in all of France! Make your Europe trip unforgettable by embarking on a gastronomic adventure in search of the best escargot among the city’s oldest bouchons (that’s French for restaurants, FYI).
How to get there
- Travellers with Eurail Passes can directly travel from Paris to Lyons using the high-speed train, which takes only about 2 hours.
6. Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Beyond wine, the Miroir d’Eau is among the city’s most visited places and one of the contemporary UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Image Credits: @yohann.rict
Bordeaux is France’s most well-loved destination for wine tasting, with over 6,000 vineyards and wineries splashed across and around the city. Treat your taste buds to a test with premium and vintage Bordeaux blends dating back to 1959!
How to get there
- From Paris, take the regional train that passes by Vierzon or Limoges and to Bordeaux.
- Use your Eurail Pass to enjoy unlimited train travel from region to region and country to country!
7. Colmar, Alsace
Little Venice makes the perfect backdrop for your Insta posts! Image Credits: @voula_ganosi Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbuSOfNobIy/
Venice in France? You read that right. The Colmar La Petite de Venise—aka Little Venice—in the Alsace region looks just like the Italian capital with its lazy stretch of calm waters, pastel-coloured cottages, and shrubberies bursting along the waterways. Here, you can snap the cutest shots and even ride the gondola. Of course, don’t forget to drop by the local markets and get yourself a pipin’ hot pretzel!
How to get there
- Board the high-speed train to Nice.
- Take the overnight train to Colmar.
- From Colmar, Little Venice is a day trip away.
8. Cannes, Provence
Soak up Vitamin Sea at Cannes! Image Credits: @extremenomads
Here’s a stop you can’t miss during your Europe trip: Cannes is famous for its film festival, A-list celebrity spottings, luxury shopping, and the most gorgeous beaches in France. For a change of scenery, head to Carlton Beach, La Salis, and over 30 more public and private beaches in this quaint coastal town. Frolic in the sea, take a dip, and build sandcastles—Cannes is the perfect place to switch off and unwind!
How to get there
- From Paris, take the high-speed train to Lyons.
- Ride the intercity train going to Cannes from Marseille.
- Don’t forget to use your Eurail Pass for unlimited train travels!
9. Marseille, Provence
The view is worth the climb. Image Credits: @astridlanceau
If Cannes’ sunny beaches aren’t enough for your dream tan, the neighbouring town of Marseilles has got you covered! Besides sandy beaches and the Old Port, the city is abundant in challenging trails and craggy cliffs to jump off to. If you’re a thrill-seeker, hike the rugged cliffs of the Calanques National Park and afterward take a refreshing dip in the sea. The Calanques of Marseille and Cassis promises panoramic views of the Mediterranean Coast surrounded by white limestone cliffs.
How to get there
- Travel to Lyons via the high-speed train.
- Take the regional train going directly to Marseille.
10. Limoges, Limousin
Limoges-Bénédictins is one of the French landmarks that decorate the city. Image Credits: @loic.lagarde
Another fantastic place to visit in France if you love art is Limoges in the south of Paris. This quirky city is the French capital of fire art! The finest porcelains and the most exquisite stained-glass handicrafts in Europe can be found in the Adrien-Dubouché National Porcelain Museum and along the streets. See how ceramics are fashioned by visiting the markets and stopping by the Limoges-Bénédictins, a beautiful Art Deco railway station at the heart of the city!
How to get there
- Take the Eurostar train to Vierzon to Limoges.
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_160,h_104/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_410,h_264/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
