10 weekend ideas around Paris

Do you live in the capital and want to get green without driving hours? So here are 10 weekend ideas around Paris that will make you want to leave right now!

Paris is great: the city of light, museums, palaces... But we sometimes need to get out of the metro-bulot-dodo routine. Not the way to go on vacation? No panic, because there are many places around the city to spend a few quiet days.

Indeed, Île-de-France is very well served and it is easy to escape by car or train. Less than three hours away, these are beautiful landscapes and cities full of appeals that stretch your arms.

Quiet and nature corners to take a green bath, beach and sea, vast forests, castles and small villages... Choose from the 10 weekend ideas around Paris that we selected for you.

1. Provins

Provins is a very impressive medieval city registered in Unesco. If you’re looking for a weekend idea around Paris both natural and disappointing, you found it.

Old stone lovers? Take a walk in its alleys of another age or visit the dungeon, ramparts, churches.

Are you rather nature? So did you know Provins has a variety of roses in his name? In the beautiful rose garden of the city, you can take a romantic walk. Perfect idea of weekend around Paris in love, right?

But Provins, it’s also outdoor cultural events! Twice a year, the city dates back time and reconstitutes medieval times.

First in June, during the festival the Medieval . Then during the holidays with a theme Christmas market too. Troubadours are out and recommended disguises!

Provins is also a great weekend idea around Paris to do with children.

2. Le Touquet-Paris Plage

Here’s a weekend idea around Paris to get a good bowl of fresh air. The Touquet is the pearl of the Côte d’Opale . You will admire the bourgeois architecture of the XIX e century, Art Deco villas, the typical and charming seafront...

Walk by the sea along the beach or take a green bath in the forest. Pins, poplars and alders will rejuvenate you as ever, away from the tumult of the capital.

Sports girl? You will burst into a sail tank on the twelve kilometers of beach. More trendy architecture? Walk the nose in the air on the Balnear Architecture circuit.

Climb to the top of the Canche lighthouse, then walk through the city. City hotel, covered market and eccentric villas will delight your pupils, that’s certain.

3. Le Havre

Le Havre will probably not be the first of your weekend ideas around Paris because its reputation as a "bad city" is quite tenacious. However, if you agree to leave the beaten paths, you will be more than pleasantly surprised.

Indeed, the city of Le Havre is entirely classified at Unesco, precisely for its architecture, typical of the post-war period. In addition, you can swim on its beautiful pebble beach or make a getaway from day to day Etretat .

But Le Havre is also a great weekend idea around Paris for art enthusiasts of all kinds. First of all, the MuMa (Musée d’Art André Malraux) will delight the lovers of impressionism because it has the largest collection of paintings of this period after museums in the Paris region.

Then, lovers of modern and contemporary art and street art It'll take your eyes. The city of Le Havre has invested in outdoor art in recent years. Do not miss the container arches near the port, the "gouzous" of the graffiti Jace or the concrete portico on the pebble beach.

4. The bay of Somme

Somme Bay is truly one of the best weekend ideas around Paris that you can find. Indeed, the destination is not well known and quite uncommon by holidaymakers and tourists. Yet this is an incredible nature destination.

Begin first by making a turn of sea canoe to go to observe seals (yes, seals! In France!) in their natural environment. Then go to the hotel. Parc du Marquenterre to observe migratory birds, present by thousands in Somme Bay.

You can also cross the bay on foot, swim on the Crotoy beach sung by Alain Souchon or go to admire the majestic cliffs of the south of the bay.

Finally, in the evening you can enjoy culinary specialties of the bay of Somme: mussels of bouchot, lamb of pre-salted, potato primers... In short (you have it?), it’s a delicious weekend idea around Paris!

5. Troyes

Here's a weekend idea around Paris for gastronomes. Troyes in Champagne is part of the City of Art and History of France. So you can completely cut the bridges with your daily life on a weekend.

First, start by enjoying regional specialities. Eat one andouillette AAAAA , taste the Prunelle, a local water of life and visit the Champagne cellars.

But by filling your stomach, do not forget to fill your eyes too! Car Troyes is also a weekend idea around Paris for heritage lovers and old stones.

Visit the cathedral to the impressive stained glass. Or, take a tour at the MOPO, Museum of the Outil and the Outlook, led by the Companions of the Devoir, the scenography is truly magnificent.

6. Veules-les-Roses

Here’s a weekend idea around Paris in one of the “most beautiful villages in France”. Veules-les-Roses is indeed a charming village. You can admire the typical Norman architecture by walking in its streets lined with shaded houses and chaume roofs.

The towers and detours of the Veules, the "smallest river of France" will take you to small secret corners. It is not every day that you will have the opportunity to travel a river of its source at its mouth, and on foot more!

Finally, enjoy being on the Alabaster Coast to swim on the sandy beach. Indeed, despite its romantic and wild side, its cliffs and its pretty beach, Veules-les-Roses remains relatively preserved from mass tourism. A weekend idea around Paris to test urgently so!

7. Chartres

This weekend idea around Paris will delight fans of city trip. Car Chartres is only one hour from Paris by train and allows to be there very quickly and enjoy its two days in full. Historical city, Chartres is also a modern, dynamic and very green city.

Indeed, crossed by the Eure, you will find beautiful green spaces arranged along the banks to spend calm and relaxing moments.

Do not miss the two animations that rhythm the life of the city. First, Chartres en Lumières. Twenty-four sites in the city centre are illuminated with large colours and decors. Among them, the cathedral of course, but also the museum of Beaux-Arts, the media library, the bridges... A magical moment.

Then the Rencontres du street art called Boulevard du Graff. Today, the works of street art are included in the contemporary art path that crosses the city centre. Chartres is also a weekend idea around cultural and artistic Paris.

8. Lyons-la-Forêt

If you're looking for a weekend idea around Paris to get green, go for Lyons-la-Forêt. Red bricks and shaded facades... no doubts, you are well in Normandy ! Do not hesitate to stroll through the streets to admire the charming buildings, typical of the region.

As its name suggests, the small town, labeled “the most beautiful village in France”, is located on the edge of a large forest. There is not much else to do but to walk in the woods and that’s what makes it all the charm.

So you can all at your ease walk on the edges of the Eure, walk in the forest or discover the tree of the city to relax... Many hiking trails will also make the happiness of cyclists, walkers and even riders.

9. The Perche

For a weekend idea around nature and relaxation, choose the Perche. Indeed, between forests, bocages and picturesque villages, you will have to rest your eyes from the grey of the city.

Travel the area by car for a mini-road trip that will show you the wonders of the Perche. Be careful, get ready to make an overdose of green.

For example, start at Nogent-le-Rotrou, the Capital Perche. Then visit the Landes haras and discover the breed of Percherons horses.

Then take a tour in the garden of Petite Rochelle and follow a guided tour by the owner of the places that created it with all the pieces...

And above all, don’t hesitate to taste local specialties such as boudin or cider. Because in addition to being relaxing, the Perche is a weekend idea around gourmet Paris!

10. Amiens

Amiens is not, at first sight, an idea of weekend around Paris that makes it very envious. Yet, the city is splendid and deserves its nickname "small Venice of the North". Indeed, in the heart of the city, hortillonnages (a range of floating gardens surrounded by canals) form a huge green lung of more than 300 hectares.

It is even possible to discover them in a small boat. The city also has beautiful parks, including Parc Saint Pierre. Close to the city centre, it will provide you with a beautiful view of the cathedral. A nice place to walk, sport or air.

But Amiens, it is also an impressive heritage city. It is indeed the first city of France in number of registration to Unesco! Discover Jules Verne’s house, open to the visit, but also the Perret tower (you know, the architect who rebuilt Le Havre above), the cathedral, the belfry, the circus...

In fact, the city is rewarded with the beautiful development of this heritage thanks to the “City of Art and History” label.