Only by train, Only in Switzerland

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A summer holiday allows you to experience Switzerland’s lakeside cities like never before.  Great destinations like Basel, Geneva, and Zurich are abuzz with warm weather activities. There’s no better time to take advantage of boating, water sports, and even swimming on Switzerland’s celebrated lakes. After a day out on the water, dining with and view, open air festivals, and word-class museums await. The best part? It doesn’t have to end there.

Take advantage of summer-only routes and add the south of France to your itinerary! Direct high-speed journeys from Geneva to Marseille are now on sale for travel until 27 August.

Basel

The northern Swiss city of Basel comes alive in summer with outdoor dining, buvettes (pop-up bars with snacks), and open-air cinema at Münsterplatz. As temperatures rise, enjoy all the Rhine River has to offer: ferry rides, riverside barbecues (public grills are available for use), and even swimming! If you’re in town in August, don’t miss most extravagant riverside event: the FLOSS music festival, from 8 to 26 August 2023. Performances take place on a floating stage right on the Rhine!

Even if you’re making the trip from the culinary capital of Paris, don’t skip the cuisine in Basel. Voted Swiss City of Indulgence in 2022, it’s the perfect place for foodies to delight in Switzerland’s signature foods. Basel is home to the country’s oldest bakery (Jackob’s Basler Leckerly, founded in 1753), local artisanal gelato (Gelati Gasparini), and plenty of traditional brews. It might just be enough to give Paris a run for its money!

Journey: Paris to Basel

Journey time: 3 hours 3 minutes

Number of trains per day: 33

Geneva

Come summer, take full advantage of Geneva’s namesake lake by hopping on a pédalo (paddle boat), taking a cruise, or jumping right into the water. By June, the Eaux Vives neighbourhood on the left bank of Lake Geneva is in full summer mode. Enjoy waterside wellness activities and dining on the quai at La Canopée, free mini golf, outdoor comedy shows, and more. Big events include the Lake Parade music festival on 15 & 16 July 2023, the fireworks display on Swiss National Day (1 August), and Festi’ Terroir, an organic market from 18 to 20 August.

If you’d like to head indoors after all that fresh air, Switzerland’s cultural institutions are open year-round. Duck into high-end boutiques, hide out in air-conditioned museums, or explore the vast interior of Cathédrale Saint-Pierre before climbing to the top for an amazing view of the Old City. If you found the Louvre overwhelming in Paris, try the more condensed but just as impressive Musée d’Art et d’Histoire. With over 650,000 pieces of fine art and artefacts, it’s one of the city’s unmissable cultural experiences.

Journey: Paris to Geneva

Journey time: 2 hours 58 minutes

Number of trains per day: 44

Zurich

Hip Zurich has become a hub of activity for both partygoers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Revellers can enjoy the free concerts every Thursday evening in July at Bäckeranlage Park and at the Stadtsummer concert series until early August. The list of open-air entertainment is long and includes cinema, the Street Parade mobile party on 12 August, and the Seenachtfest Rapperswil-Jona complete with air show, food, and entertainment.

Opt for some peace and quiet in nature after the party’s over. The city’s proximity to great lakeside camping, hiking, and viewpoints makes it truly one-of-a-kind. Head to Uetliberg for views of the Zurich metropolitan area and nearby Alps: the lookout is reachable from the city centre in around 30 minutes. Numerous marked hiking and bike trails are also accessible via public transportation and some campsites are even within the city limits. Feeling adventurous? Head out to one of the city’s islands, like Ufnau, home to Einseideln Abbey (circa 965) and a nature reserve.

Journey: Paris to Zurich

Journey time: 4 hours 3 minutes

Number of trains per day: 29

Summer-only routes to the south of France

In summer, daily direct trains whisk you from Geneva to the storied south of France. From the endless lavender fields of the Provence region to the turquoise blue waters of the Côte d’Azur, it’s a great opportunity to see another side of France.

Provence inspired artists like Van Gogh and Cézanne, and it’s easy to see why. The idyllic landscape and beautiful summer weather lends itself to impressionism and romance. The direct train from Geneva stops in both Avignon, the celebrated City of Popes (the only former Papal seat outside of Rome) and Aix-en-Provence, the region’s chic artsy university town. If you’re visiting Avignon in July, you’re sure to encounter performers from all over the country (and the continent) participating in the annual theatre festival, Le Festival d’Avignon (5 to 25 July 2023). Aix-en-Provence offers a quieter atmosphere: take in the architecture as you stroll along the Cours Mirabeau, discover the Old City, and taste local specialties at the farmer’s market.  

If you’re craving some quality time at the seaside, a journey from Geneva to Marseille might be just the ticket. At 3 hours and 30 minutes from Geneva, France’s largest port city is the place to be for sunshine, regional cuisine, and culture. Start at the Vieux Port and explore the Old City on foot, stopping by a seaside café pour a summer drink en terrasse. Stay in the city for its music festivals (Jazz des 5 Continents from the 8 to 27 July, Le Delta Festival on the beach from the 23 to 27 August), hip neighbourhoods (Cours Julien, Le Panier), and the architecture (Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde). Or venture further afield and discover the Calanques National Park, the Château d’If, and the sandy beaches.   

Journeys:

Geneva to Avignon: 2 hours 55 minutes

Geneva to Aix-en-Provence: 3 hours 14 minutes

Geneva to Marseille: 3 hours 30 minutes

Number of trains per day: 1

Terms and conditions: 

Summer-only routes (Geneva <> Marseille) operate once per day from 1 July to 27 August. Trains departing from Lausanne, Switzerland are available from 1 to 23 July.

Standard aftersales policies and conditions apply.

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