A Michelin guide to train destinations less than 3 hours from Paris

“Echappées en train régional” is riding the wave of enthusiasm for trains in general and TERs in particular.

Record attendance this summer with 24 million passengers, success of TER in most French regions since the end of covid, the train is full and, the cherry on the cake, has become trendy among young people in particular.

Enough to give ideas, especially to publishers. While the Vie du Rail group has just launched “En Train”, a very general public magazine full of tips and tricks, the Michelin guides announce the release of “Echappées en train régional”, in partnership with SNCF Voyageurs, after the success of “Vacances en train”.

The idea is to offer “100 destinations less than 3 hours from Paris”, “an inspirational guide for Parisians as well as for all visitors passing through looking for getaways less than 3 hours from Paris. Inside, readers will find 100 ideas for discoveries accessible by train from Parisian stations to visit the Île-de-France as well as five neighboring regions: Normandy, Hauts-de-France, Grand Est, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Centre-Val de Loire”, we can read in a press release.

100 destinations

Several themes are covered depending on your desires: immersion in a city, seaside getaways, remarkable heritage, parks and forests, towns of character and bike rides.

“All accompanied by key information to facilitate the organization of outings: access by train (departure stations, journey time, frequency of trains), bicycle rental services near arrival stations, maps to locate places to visit, QR codes to download GPS routes for hikes (on foot or by bike), and practical advice for a stress-free trip.”

By happy coincidence, this guide is coming out at the same time as the “Tra incroyable” operation by SNCF Voyageurs which, throughout the month of September, offers promotions on tickets, particularly regional ones. But also at the same time as a study by UFC Que Choisir which highlights the dysfunctions of TER…

“Escapes by regional train”, 208 pages, recommended retail price: 19.95 euros including tax.