So, the other day, I got this idea stuck in my head. I was thinking about Paris, you know, lovely city, and then it hit me: which countries are actually, like, really close to Paris? Not just bordering France, but accessible if you’re in Paris and want a quick hop over to another country.
My Starting Point
My first instinct was, well, countries bordering France, right? That seemed like the logical place to start my little investigation. I didn’t just want to guess, though. I wanted to be a bit more methodical about it. So, I decided to actually look it up, like a mini-project for myself.
Firing up the Map
I pulled up a map online. It’s amazing what you can find with a quick search. I centered it on Paris and started zooming out a bit. France is a pretty decently sized country, so just because a country borders France doesn’t automatically mean it’s a stone’s throw from Paris. For example, Spain borders France, but getting from Paris to Spain is a bit more of a journey than, say, to Belgium.
Looking at the Neighbors
Okay, so focusing on what’s genuinely near Paris, here’s what I found by looking at the map and thinking about travel times:
- Belgium: This was the most obvious one. Brussels is super close to Paris, especially by train. It’s practically a commuter trip for some, I reckon.
- Luxembourg: Another one that popped up. It’s small, nestled right there, and pretty easy to get to from Paris.
- Germany: Parts of western Germany are definitely within easy reach. Think cities like Saarbrucken or even a bit further like Frankfurt or Cologne by high-speed train.
- Switzerland: Again, western Switzerland. Geneva, for instance, isn’t too far when you consider train travel from Paris.
- United Kingdom: This one’s interesting because it’s across the water, the English Channel. But with the Eurostar train zipping under the Channel, London feels incredibly close to Paris. It’s a direct shot, and pretty quick too.
- Netherlands: While not directly bordering France in the immediate vicinity of Paris, it’s very accessible, especially after Belgium. Amsterdam is a popular trip from Paris.
What About the Others?
Then you have countries like Italy and Spain. Yes, they share a border with France. But from Paris, they are a bit more of a stretch for a “quick hop.” You’re looking at longer train rides or a flight. So, while they border France, I wouldn’t call them “close to Paris” in the same way as Belgium or the UK via Eurostar.
Andorra and Monaco are also technically bordering France, but they are quite specific and small, and Monaco is way down south, far from Paris.
My Realization
So, after my little map session and thinking about how people actually travel, I realized “close” isn’t just about shared borders. It’s about how quickly and easily you can get there from Paris. The high-speed train network in Europe really changes the game. It makes cities in neighboring countries feel like they’re just around the corner.
It was a fun little mental exercise, really. I started with a simple question, did a bit of digging, and ended up with a clearer picture. Mostly, I confirmed what I kind of suspected, but seeing it laid out, especially with the travel connections in mind, made it much more concrete. Belgium and the UK (specifically London) really are top of the list for “countries super close and easy to visit from Paris.” Then you have Luxembourg, parts of Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands as very strong contenders.
