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Less than 30 minutes (or 50 kilometers) from Paris via train, discover the spectacular Ch\u00e2teau de Chantilly<\/a>. This princely castle spanning the 14th to 19th<\/sup> centuries remains unchanged from 1886. Another chateau takes up residence on the same grounds, but this one is home to horses. The largest stables in Europe, the Great Stables<\/a> offer equestrian shows throughout the year, as well as the Horse Museum<\/a> dedicated to the relationship between man and horse. Stroll the vast gardens of the Ch\u00e2teau de Chantilly designed in three unique styles, including the French Garden created by Andr\u00e9 Le N\u00f4tre in the 17th\u00a0century, the Anglo-Chinese Garden in the 18th\u00a0century, and the English Garden in the 19th\u00a0century. Admire the lush landscape from the comfort of your own castle: the five-star Relais & Ch\u00e2teaux property, Auberge du Jeu de Paume<\/a>. And don\u2019t leave without tasting what the village is known for: Chantilly cream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step into the medieval town of Beaune and prepare to become enamored with this treasure trove. Just over 2 hours from Paris via train, you\u2019ll feel immediately transported to another era, antique markets included. Make yourself at home at the historic mansion, Hotel Le Cep<\/a>, where King Louis XIV once slept, just steps away from the famed Hospices de Beaune<\/a>. Also known as H\u00f4tel-Dieu, this museum built in the 15th<\/sup> century began as a hospital for the poor. Surrounded by vineyards producing some of France\u2019s most notable wines, Beaune proves the perfect setting in which to enjoy nature\u2019s bounty. For a wine tasting by the glass, Michelin-starred restaurant Loiseau des Vignes<\/a> is the spot. Or rent a bicycle and head to the wineries themselves. Stop by for a tasting at Fallot<\/a>, the last independent family mustard mill in Burgundy, another regional specialty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready for a little castle hopping? Just under 2 hours southwest of Paris via train, the charming town of Blois, set on a hilltop along the Loire River, makes for an ideal base from which to explore the Loire Valley. Settle into family-run B&B Le Relais de la Tour<\/a>, built around a 16th<\/sup>-century watchtower, for your first history lesson. The Chateau de Blois<\/a> takes reign in the heart of the town, once the preferred residence to 7 kings and 10 queens of France. From April through September, a captivating light and sound show illuminates the regal facades by night. The 19th<\/sup>-century House of Magic<\/a>, the only magic-themed museum in Europe, is another worthy stop while exploring the old town. Hop on a bicycle for a 25-kilometer riverside ride and you\u2019ll be rewarded with the architectural jewel, Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most picture-perfect destinations in Normandy, located 185 kilometers northwest of Paris. This charming medieval port town is sure to keep you swooning. Set along the estuary where the Seine river meets the English Channel, Honfleur\u2019s kaleidoscopic Vieux-Bassin, or old harbor, is lined with centuries-old townhouses pretty enough to paint. These scenes were in fact painted by artists including Claude Monet and his native-born mentor, Eug\u00e8ne Boudin<\/a>, whose noteworthy museum merits a visit. Saint Catherine\u2019s Church nearby, built in the 15th<\/sup> century, stands tall as France\u2019s largest wooden church. Meanwhile, Honfleur\u2019s oldest church, Saint-Etienne, houses the Marine Museum<\/a> where you can discover the life and times of what is often considered the pearl of Normandy. End your visit with a swim at nearby sandy beach, la Plage du Butin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where better to taste France\u2019s golden elixir than the land from which it originates? Just one hour from Paris, hop over to the city of Reims in the heart of the Champagne region and prepare for a royal tasting. Book a tour at the country\u2019s top champagne houses including Ruinart<\/a>, the oldest Maison de Champagne founded in 1729 and Taittinger<\/a>, one of the last of the great independent houses. In between bubbles, visit the site where every French King was crowned: 900-year old Reims Cathedral, with stained glass windows designed by artist Marc Chagall. Speaking of art, the Mus\u00e9e des Beaux-Arts<\/a>, set in a former abbey, houses a number of masterpieces including works by Renoir, Monet, Matisse and 19th<\/sup>-century landscape artist Camille Coroy (re-opening in 2023).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A quick 2-hour train ride from Paris transports you to the capital of France\u2019s Grand Est region, more commonly known as Alsace. With an architectural heritage marked by Franco-Germanic influences, a visit to the city of Strasbourg feels equally exciting and exotic. Known for its cuisine, taste local specialties including choucroute garnie<\/em> and tarte flamb\u00e9e<\/em> at one of many eateries in the picturesque Petite France neighborhood. With its medieval half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and canals, this quartier <\/em>resembles a village within a city. The famous astronomical clock within the grand Gothic Cath\u00e9drale Notre-Dame<\/a> comes alive with daily shows, while part way up the 142-meter high spire you can catch views of the Rhine River. Visit during the winter holidays and you\u2019ll discover the Strasbourg Christmas market<\/a>, one of the oldest and most famous in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a taste of top French cuisine, head two hours southeast to Lyon\u2013long considered France\u2019s gastronomic capital. Save your appetite and dine at the restaurant helmed by the city\u2019s most revered chef, Paul Bocuse<\/a>, or head directly to food market Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse<\/a>. Among the city\u2019s historic covered passageway called traboules<\/em>, discover hotel Cour des Loges<\/a> whose Michelin-starred restaurant, Les Loges, will surely satisfy your palate. Admire the Roman ruins of this 2000-year-old city while becoming enamored with the regal 19th<\/sup>-century Presqu\u2019\u00eele neighborhood bordering the rivers Sa\u00f4ne and Rh\u00f4ne. Second only in size after Paris\u2019s Louvre, Mus\u00e9e des Beaux-Arts de Lyon<\/a>, set in a 17th<\/sup>-century Benedictine abbey, reveals Neo-classic to Impressionist works by artists including Delacroix, Courbet, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Gauguin, and Rodin. Finally, don\u2019t miss a visit to Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvi\u00e8re<\/a> atop Fourvi\u00e8re Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Often called \u201cPetit Paris\u201d for its exceptional 18th<\/sup>-century architecture, Bordeaux is a quick two-hour express train from Paris. Settle into Hotel Le Palais Gallien<\/a>, named for this once Gallo-Roman neighborhood, and taste the region\u2019s culinary specialties at nearby Le Cromagnon<\/a>. For an international tasting, head to food hall, Les Halles de Bacalan<\/a>, and neighboring museum, La Cit\u00e9 du Vin<\/a>, dedicated to wine, and end with a glass of Premier Grand Cru over stellar views of the city. For a taste of contemporary art, the CAPC mus\u00e9e d\u2019art contemporain de Bordeaux<\/a> will satisfy. While strolling the boutique-lined historic center, stop by the Grand Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Bordeaux<\/a>; you might be right on time for an opera or a ballet. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" While most visitors arrive to Paris with no intentions of departing for greener pastures or smaller urban scenes, more than […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":43148,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":"","_classifai_error":"","_classifai_text_to_speech_error":"","_classifai_text_to_speech_scheduled":false},"categories":[4,67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25203","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-france"],"yoast_head":"\nBeaune, France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Blois, France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Honfleur, France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Reims, France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Strasbourg, France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Lyon, France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Bordeaux, France<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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