Philippines Top Destination, Top Safe Destination, Safest Tourist Attraction, Top Beach Destination: Great Cities for Easy Train Trips From Paris France

These nine easy train trips from Paris showcase some of my favorite places in France. All trips depart from one of the following stations depending on the Region destination: Gare du Nord (travelling north), Gare du Lyon (travelling southeast) and Gare Montparnasse (travelling southwest).

The first stop will be Amiens north of Paris. This is a must see stop because of the Cathedral. It is the tallest Gothic church and the largest cathedral in France. Along with the cathedrals in Chartres and Reims, this cathedral is one of the first three Gothic cathedrals built in France of the High Gothic style.
The next stop will be Rouen which is also north of Paris. Rouen is located on the Seine and is France's fifth largest port. The Rouen Cathedral boasts the highest spire in France; St Maclou, across the street from the Cathedral, is Gothic in style and is best known for its 16th century carved wooden doors; and St-Ouen, also Gothic in style, and larger than the Cathedral was once a Benedictine Abbey. Joan of Arc was sentenced to death here in the 1400s.
Reims is another must see. The Cathedral here is one of the trio of Gothic churches built in the 14th century. The Cathedral was formerly the coronation church of French monarchs, dating back to Clovis. It is a very pedestrian friendly town with lots of champagne shops! You should also see St Rmi Basilica which is the largest Romanesque pilgrimage church in France. If you are short on time, be sure to take the little tram ride around the city to take in major sites. If time permits, be sure to make the climb to the top of the Cathedral to get splendid views of the city and breathtaking upclose views of the Cathedral architecture.
Going east of Paris you will also find the city of Metz. Metz is located on the Mozelle River. There is a delightful covered market on the cathedral square, and of course, the Cathedral is not to be missed! The Cathedral has amazing stained glass, including some designed by Chagall and is nicknamed 'God's Lantern' because the cathedral is flooded with light due to having the second highest nave in France. Be sure to see Porte des Allemands which is one of the original city gates; the architecture is amazing. Finally, don't miss Graoully, the legendary monster that Rabelais describes in Gargantua and Pantagruel.
Strasbourg, in far eastern France will give you a taste of the "German" side of France. This section of France was handed back and forth between Germany and France for years before finally becoming part of France in WWI. Strasbourg's historic center was classified as a World Heritage Site in 1988 by Unesco - a unique honor in that it was the first time this designation was given to a whole city. Besides visiting the enormous Cathedral (built on the site of a Roman temple) you will want to see the Astronomical Clock where the 'Parade of the Apostles' takes place at noon every day.
Dijon is known for its famous mustard and beautiful tile roofs. Dijon has an enormous covered marked that is great fun, in addition to a weekly out-door market. The shopping is great and it is a wonderfully pedestrian friendly city with lots of parks. You can see centuries of architectural styles in the three churches of St Bngigne, St Michel and Notre Dame. St Bngigne is a huge Romanesque church, St Michel is a good example of Renaissance architecture and Notre Dame is 13th century Gothic.
From Dijon, travel on to Beaune for more amazing tiled roofs! Beaune is in the heart of the vineyards so it is a great place for wine-tasting and excursions to the vineyards. The Hospices de Beaune is a historical monument dating from the 15th century that is now a museum. It is definitely a must see location. My favorite thing to do, however, is to simply walk the cobbled streets and enjoy the timbered buildings and tiled roofs. Beaune is a beautiful town.
Chartres is only an hour trip from Paris by train and the Cathedral will be the highlight of your visit. It is one of the three original Gothic cathedrals in France and is built on the remains of a Druid worship site. While you are there, be sure to visit the crypt and see the original churches that were built on this site. You will also not want to miss Chartres en Lumieres, the light show between April and September of all the historic buildings. I love Chartres for the cathedral, antique stores, and general shopping. After a day trip, you will want to return and spend several days exploring the city.
Finally, Tours can be your gateway to the Loire Valley and all of the Chateaux. The Cathedral of St.Gatien has amazing 13th century stained glass. The Cathedral is a combination of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. You will find the atmosphere of the Cathedral permeating some of Honor de Balzacs novels. Tours is renowned for the French language; it is said to be the purest form of French spoken in the hexagon. Tours' Central park is a beautifully serene place to visit and the HUGE trees are breathtaking.