Créé par Emilie, le 20 juin 2026
Votre guide Ryo
5 Weekend Ideas Around Paris
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Looking for a weekend destination less than 2 or 3 hours from Paris? Here's a selection of places guaranteeing total change of scenery, without going too far from the capital! By car or train, all means are good to clear your mind and spend time as a couple, with family, or with friends, for an unforgettable weekend.
1 – Fontainebleau
- By car: 1 hour
- By train: 35 minutes
What to see, what to do: visit the castle and its gardens, walk or exercise in the woods, enjoy the Sunday market.
Total change of scenery at the gates of Paris, that's what you'll find in the Fontainebleau region. The imperial city, closely linked to emperors Napoleon I and Napoleon III, is dotted with historical sites, private mansions and others, which testify to Fontainebleau's rich heritage.
Architectural Heritage:
- The Castle of Fontainebleau,
- The Imperial Theater,
- Saint-Louis Church from the 16th century,
- The Town Hall,
- La Solle Racecourse,
- Sénarmont Riding School,
- Saint-Hérem Cross,
- Dénecourt Tower.
Other Available Activities
- Bike rides (rentals available on site),
- Hiking, circuits on paper or mobile app,
- Introduction to forest climbing,
- Hiking with a donkey,
- Yoga,
- Horseback riding,
- Storytelling walks in the forest of Fontainebleau,
- Nordic walking,
- Guided tours on forest biodiversity, or the animals of Fontainebleau forest.
- Escape game.
Also discover the art galleries of Barbizon.
2 – Provins
- By car: 1 hour 15 minutes
- By train: 1 hour 30 minutes
What to see, what to do: visit a medieval city with a unique atmosphere, get intoxicated by the scents of the rose garden, taste the niflettes.
Take a journey through time to the heart of this atypical city, which has many monuments from the 12th century. Rediscover the atmospheres, customs, colors and smells of a completely different time, through shows mimicking scenes of daily life from medieval times.
The Shows
From March to December, find many shows on the following themes:
- The Troubadours' Banquet: discover the pleasures of ancient gastronomy while skilled troubadours entertain you!
- The Legend of Knights: witness battles, stunts, equestrian prowess, training numbers, acrobatics and other juggling acts, at the foot of Provins' ramparts.
- Eagles of the Ramparts: the flying stars of Provins, the Art of falconry on horseback.
- Swords and Keep: this show reveals the secrets of knights and medieval war machines.
Architectural Heritage
- Caesar's Tower, symbol of the country's omnipotence.
- The Tithe Barn, discover the crafts of the era.
- Saint-Ayoul Priory, houses a collection of rare objects.
- The Museum of Provins and Provinois, displays 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 rose bushes staged by theme in a 3.5-hectare garden.
Other Activities
The little trains of Provins, the vélorail of La Ferté-Gaucher, the treetop adventure park "Jumping Forest", educational farms, the Labymaïs de la Brie maze...
3 – Le Touquet
- By car: 2 hours 45 minutes
- By train: 2 hours 30 minutes
What to see, what to do: walk on the beach, do water activities, forest walking...
Get your fill of fresh air on Le Touquet's fine sandy beaches, stroll along these typical 19th-century houses that line the seafront, enjoy a place for walking and relaxation.
On the Seafront
- Bike paths,
- Wooden horse carousel for children,
- Water activities park,
- Pedal boat rentals,
- Romantic sunset...
In Town
We go there to stroll, shop, discover the covered market, sit on the terrace of a bar or restaurant...
The art galleries, they too are numerous and offer very varied styles.
The Le Touquet museum houses a rich collection of artworks: paintings, photos, modern art works... As well as temporary exhibitions.
4 – Lille
- By car: 2 hours 35 minutes
- By train: 1 hour 05 minutes
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 Citadel...
Lille is a city rich in history and heritage, moreover, everyone knows the warmth of heart of the Northerners! Let this still too little-known city surprise you with the number of activities you can do there... It's impossible to be bored in Lille!
Events
The best known is certainly the great flea market of Lille in early September, this huge flea market particularly popular since the 12th century. But the city also offers exhibitions, concerts, dance shows, theatrical readings, guided tours of monuments...
Architectural Heritage
It's impossible to cite everything, but among the must-sees, we find: the Grand'Place, the Palais des Beaux-Arts, the Citadel Vauban, the old stock exchange (the most beautiful site in Lille), the futuristic towers of Euralille, the Vauban garden, the fortifications...
Legend
During your weekend in Lille, discover the legend of Lydéric and Phinaert, the giant founders of the city...
5 – The Regional Park of the Upper Valley of Chevreuse
- By car: 55 minutes
- By train: 55 minutes by train
What to see, what to do: nature activities, history and heritage, gardens, charming villages...
Between Versailles and Rambouillet, the Regional Park of the Upper Valley of Chevreuse is a true haven of peace where you can recharge according to your desires by choosing a weekend: rather focused on hiking and sports in general, on visiting exceptional sites and remarkable gardens, or on discovering artisans and local products... This immense park brings together all these activities, you'll be spoilt for choice.
Sports
Horseback riding, walking, cycling...
Leisure base with beaches, pedal boats, canoes, beach volleyball, ping-pong, mini golf...,
Fishing ponds...
Observation
- Ornithological reserve, Saint-Hubert pond...
- Naturalist outings, tower pond...
There are very many protected natural areas in this park where you can hike, observe, photograph.
Visits
- Castles (Dourdan, de Mauvières...),
- Archaeological site of the Gallo-Roman city of Diodurum,
- The National Sheepfold of Rambouillet and its merino sheep,
- Museums (Maison Jean Monnet, Louis Carré, Maurice Ravel...),
- Religious heritage (Cistercian Abbey of Vaux de Cernay, Saint-Gilles church...),
- Animal parks,
- Farms and producers,
- Guided tour of the park's nature reserves...
