"It's like being in the countryside... 3 bucolic villages not to be missed, just 1 hour from Paris

updated on November 10, 2023 at 11:31 am

When the hustle and bustle of the capital gets too much, it's time to recharge your batteries in the countryside. And don't panic! You don't have to travel hundreds of miles to find a quiet, rural village. The proof is in these 3 bucolic villages around Paris.

photofort 77 - Shutterstock. The village of Provins.

Summary

Chevreuse, or the "Little Venice" of the Île-de-France region
Auvers-sur-Oise, the setting for the works of Vincent Van Gogh
Provins, to visit a UNESCO-listed village

Chevreuse, or the "Little Venice" of the Île-de-France region

You don't have to travel to Italy to visit the Serenissima Venice. In France, too, you can take a stroll along the canals and enjoy a moment suspended by the water: all you have to do is go to Chevreuse, less than 50 kilometres from Paris. A godsend for Parisians looking for a change of scenery without having to travel very far! Once there, the "promenade des petits ponts" offers a bucolic and enchanting way to explore the village.

Delpixel - Shutterstock. Canal-side houses in Chevreuse.

🚌How do I get there?

From Paris, take Transilien line U towards La Verrière, get off at the terminus, then take bus 39-17 to Gare de Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse.

Auvers-sur-Oise, the setting for the works of Vincent Van Gogh

A stroll through Auvers-sur-Oise is like strolling through a painting by a master, and no less a master: Vincent Van Gogh! The painter fell under the spell of this village in the Ile-de-France region, settled here and never stopped depicting it in his works.

As a result, the church at Auvers-sur-Oise became world-famous thanks to his eponymous painting. The artist also painted the village hall, the streets and his flat.

Pack-Shot - Shutterstock. The church at Auvers-sur-Oise.

🚌How do I get there?

It will take you an hour to get to Auvers-sur-Oise from Paris. Head for Gare du Nord and take the Transilien line H towards Persan-Beaumont. Get off at Valmondois and take the 95-07 Préfecture bus to the Mairie stop.

Provins, to visit a UNESCO-listed village

Half-timbered houses, stone ramparts and medieval architecture promise a complete change of scenery, and a real trip back in time. Welcome to medieval times! More than just an aesthetic attraction, the village's monuments have earned it a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Kiev.Victor - Shutterstock. Aerial view of the village of Provins.

🚌How do I get there?

Getting to Provins is easy. From Paris, all you have to do is go to Gare de l'Est and take line P of the Transilien, in the direction of Provins. The journey takes 1 hour 20 minutes.

by Jude JONES | Staff Writer

Jude Jones is a writer and editor from Manchester, England. He is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in History and Modern Languages at the University of Cambridge. He has a keen interest in art, film and literature.

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