Have you been dreaming of a Paris winter getaway lately?
You know, the stall-lined Christmas market in Tuileries Garden, all the Haussmann avenues bedecked in lights, and of course, the timeless charm of the twinkling Eiffel in the background.
There’s no more magical time of year to be in the City of Lights than right now, but what if we told you it is now possible to combine a visit to Paris in the festive period with a little side trip to one of 2 storybook towns in the French Alps?
A new train is launching from the French capital to absolute winter wonderlands Chambéry and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, and the best part is, tickets there cost less than $30!
Winter Wonderland A Short 3 Hour Train Ride From Paris
In celebration of the skiing season, Trenitalia––Italy’s national railway company that also operates in France––is introducing service from Paris to two of the most overlooked, yet beautiful small towns in the French Alps, every weekend from December 15, through March 30.
It is a temporary, winter-only extension of the Paris-Lyon line, a popular railway route that links two of France’s largest conurbations in just under 2 hours, stretching into the Alps, a courtesy of Trenitalia’s high-speed Frecciarossa trains.
Both Chambéry and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne are up-and-coming ski resort towns in the Savoy region of France, that most Americans know for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and surrounding areas––these two, on the other hand, are more popular with locals.
So which one should you go for, and what does each one have to offer?
Chambéry
The most historical out of two, Chambéry is in fact a mid-size settlement close to 60,000 residents call home, found at the foot of the alpine slopes of southeastern France, best known for being the old capital of the Savoy region since the Middle Ages.
It is one of Europe’s most beautiful alpine destinations, not only for the stunning nature that surrounds it, with jagged, snow-dusted peaks that seem to rise up to the skies but for the sheer beauty of its Old Town, where cobbled streets are lined with pastel buildings.
The Castle of the Dukes of Savoy is a fortress in the heart of the Old Town housing medieval artifacts, the 15th century cathedral has a richly-decorated interior and a high-vaulted ceiling, and the local Museum of Charmettes is the former house of French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
No trip to Savoy is complete without a food tour, and we’re glad to report some of the best restaurants in the entire region are in Chambéry, from Les Plaisirs Gourmands––best potato soup we’ve ever had!– to an elegant Le Savoyard and their famed fondue.
If you’re looking to hit the slopes, there are plenty of options in and around Chambéry, the most popular being Aillons-Margériaz, a short half-hour drive from town, at an elevation of 415 meters, with 10 ski lifts and access tickets starting at an affordable $16.
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
The lesser-known, as well as the smallest settlement, home to around 7,500 people, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne does not have Chambéry’s week-round buzz, but that’s not to say it lacks charm, particularly if it’s some peace and quiet you seek:
Though it is primarily a ski destination, thanks to its proximity to Les 3 Vallées, a trio of peaks comprising Val Thorens, Les Manures and Méribel/Courchevel, all dotted with resorts and spa centers, this laid-back alpine village has a number of cultural gems to its name.
Le Tabellion, the house of the Count of Savoy-appointed judge back in medieval times, Rue du Collège, an intact medieval street where you can still see 15th century shop facades, the monumental Cathedral of Saint-Jean-Baptiste (11th century), and the Baroque Palace of the Bishops of Maurienne.
Similarly to Chambéry, Saint-Jean is a world-class foodie destination waiting on the sidelines to be discovered: our top 2 picks would be Le Gavroche (the apricot tartelette is an incontournable, as they say), and Les 5 Sens, primarily for that melt-in-your-mouth magret de canard.
As for skiing, Les 3 Vallées and its whopping 372 miles of slopes is where you should be headed: a day-pass for an adult costs $84.62, at the current euro exchange rate, and it grants you access to the largest skiable domain in the world for a whole calendar date.
You better get there early to get your money’s worth.
More Information On The Train
Going to Chambéry, the train is scheduled to depart from Paris every Saturday and Sunday throughout winter at 7:30 a.m. and arrive at Chambéry-Challes-Les-Eaux station at 10:43 a.m. for a total duration of only 3h13.
As for Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, you’ll be boarding the same train at 7:30 a.m. on the same departure dates, except you’ll only be getting off 43 minutes later at Saint-Jean-de-Maurianne-Arvan station, at 11:26 a.m. for a total travel time of 3h56.
On the way back to Paris, the train departs from Saint-Jean-de-Maurianne at 6:36 p.m. again on Saturdays and Sundays, stopping to pick up passengers in Chambéry at 7:22 p.m. before continuing towards Lyon and finally the capital.
Standard one-way tickets cost only €27, or $28.93.
Business Class seats are a very-reasonable €39, if you’d prefer traveling in more comfort with larger seats that recline further, while Executive seats are a much-pricier €145, for leather seats, footrest, high-speed internet and onboard entertainment.
Book your tickets directly with Trenitalia here.
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