France Travel Guide: Paris, Regional Cities and Planning a Trip by Train
A first France trip does not need to be a race between famous cities. Start with Paris or another arrival city, then choose one region that fits your time and interests. Fewer hotel changes usually leave more of the holiday for exploring.
Choose a route that fits your holiday
| Base | Ideas for your stay |
|---|---|
| Paris | Museums, neighbourhood walks and the Seine |
| Lyon | Old-town streets, food and a second city break |
| Nice or Strasbourg | A Riviera-focused stay or an Alsace city break; choose one direction |
Choose the region before booking the return flight. An arrival and departure in different cities can reduce backtracking, but compare the total cost of flights, trains and accommodation.
Book the right train and the right station
Use SNCF Connect to compare your actual dates. Long-distance and regional services have different fares and conditions; check reservations, luggage and exchange rules for the train you select. A regional TER ticket is not the same product as a high-speed service.
Read the station name carefully, especially in cities with more than one main station. Check the address of your accommodation against the arrival station and allow time for local transport. Leave a generous buffer after a flight: collecting bags and reaching the station are part of the journey.
A suggested seven-day plan
- Days 1–3: explore your first base. If it is Paris, use our first-time Paris guide for airport and sightseeing planning.
- Day 4: travel to your chosen second base, keeping the afternoon flexible.
- Days 5–6: explore that city and consider one regional outing after checking the return train.
- Day 7: leave time for the airport or onward journey rather than booking a full sightseeing day.
For three or four days, one base can be enough. For longer holidays, add another region only after checking the travel time between overnight stops.
Prepare tickets, documents and mobile data
Save tickets, booking references and your accommodation address offline. Check entry requirements for your passport before booking and keep the documents required by your transport operator accessible. Download the local transport information for each base rather than assuming one city ticket covers the whole country.
Check whether your phone plan includes data in France. Compare the current France eSIM plans if you need a separate package, and follow our installation guide. Our data-saving checklist helps with maps, tickets and everyday travel use.
Planning references: SNCF Connect for journey searches and regional TER services. Check your specific train and ticket conditions before paying.
Buses and rides, in one app
Check bus times, compare shared rides and book a seat with verified drivers across Kosovo. Free, in English, no commission.