6 French Villages You Can Reach by Train (No Car Needed)
Renting a car isn’t the only way to explore rural France. Several scenic villages are connected by rail, with train stations right in or near the center. You can step off the train and start wandering without needing to arrange extra transport.
Here are six scenic, small-town stops that are easy to reach by rail.
1. Moret-sur-Loing (Île-de-France)
Moret-sur-Loing sits at the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, about 90 minutes from central Paris. It’s an old medieval town that looks like something out of a painting. It was once home to Alfred Sisley, a famous 19th-century Impressionist painter.
To get there, take a direct Transilien R train from Gare de Lyon. The stop is called Moret–Veneux-les-Sablons. From the station, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the historic center.
The river, stone bridge, and city gates are all within easy reach on foot. Trains run frequently throughout the day.
2. Cassel (Hauts-de-France)
Cassel is a hilltop village in northern France with Flemish-style architecture and views stretching across the plains of Flanders. Its Grand’Place is lined with traditional estaminets and 18th-century buildings.
You can reach Cassel from Lille by direct TER train. The ride takes around 45 minutes. The train station is located in the lower part of town. It’s a 10-minute uphill walk to the central square, steep, but doable. Trains typically run once every hour or two.
3. Turckheim (Alsace)
Turckheim is a quiet village near Colmar with brightly painted houses, stork nests, and preserved medieval gates. It’s a good alternative to the more crowded towns along the Alsace wine route.
Trains from Colmar to Turckheim take just 10 minutes and run frequently throughout the day. Turckheim’s station is just a few steps from the village center.
If you’re based in Colmar, you can be in Turckheim within half an hour door-to-door.
4. Sarrebourg (Lorraine)
Sarrebourg is a small town in eastern France with some unexpected treasures, including a chapel with a 12-meter stained-glass window by Marc Chagall. There’s also a peaceful park with forest trails and a canal that cuts through town.
The station is on the main line between Nancy and Strasbourg. From either city, the trip takes about 45 minutes by TER train. The station is right in town, and everything of interest is walkable.
5. Giromagny (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté)
At the base of the Ballon d’Alsace, Giromagny is a low-key village surrounded by hills and forest. It’s a popular launch point for hikes and has a few historic buildings including a Napoleonic fort and a 19th-century church.
You can reach Giromagny via Belfort. From Belfort-Ville station, a short local train or TER bus brings you directly into Giromagny in around 30 minutes. The train station is central, and the village is small enough to explore entirely on foot.
6. Mont-Dore (Auvergne)
Mont-Dore is a Belle Époque spa town in the Auvergne region. It’s set in a valley at the foot of the Sancy massif, with thermal baths, old hotels, and a riverside promenade. Outdoor lovers use it as a base for hiking and skiing.
To get there, take a train from Clermont-Ferrand to Laqueuille, then connect to Mont-Dore. The entire trip takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Mont-Dore’s station is located just outside the main part of town. It’s a 15-minute walk or a short ride on a seasonal shuttle. Services aren’t as frequent as in other areas, so check schedules in advance.
Final Notes
These villages aren’t famous on Instagram, but they offer a slower, easier way to see the French countryside. You can base yourself in a nearby city and take a short ride, or make a longer stop as part of a regional loop. No car required, just a ticket, a map, and a good pair of shoes.