How do we process your data?
We use cookies to improve your browsing experience and personalize our content. They are mainly used for statistical purposes.
Inspiration and great deals for your next low-carbon trips
Want to escape the gray of the city without embarking on a big expedition? Winter is the perfect time for a micro-adventure: a cabin in the woods, a steaming Nordic bath under the cold sky, a crackling stove… And no need to park a car.
We took a look inside the favorite accommodations of travelers from GreenGo to find the coziest ones—as long as you can get there by train. For each one, we’ll give you the train station and how to get there from the station. And here’s some good news: several hosts offer to pick you up at the station.
No need for a car to enjoy a unique weekend! From Paris, the forest of Fontainebleau is a 45-minute ride on the Transilien R, then within biking distance. In the Vosges, two cabins with Nordic saunas await you in the mountains, between Saint-Dié-des-Vosges and Gérardmer, and their hosts can pick you up at the train station. As for the coast and the countryside, the Somme Bay It can be reached from the Rue train station, and Normandy from Caen.
We often think of cabins as a summer treat. But in winter, everything that makes them so charming takes on a whole new dimension. A Nordic bath becomes a truly magical moment: the warm water, the crisp air on your face. The wood-burning stove turns even the quietest evening into a cozy gathering. And the calm of nature in winter, when everything seems to slow down, has a soothing quality.
On the edge of the Fontainebleau Forest, in Arbonne-la-Forêt, this treehouse invites you to reach new heights—literally. On-site amenities include a sauna, massages (by reservation), and breakfast included. The host sets the tone right from the start: “Come on, let’s park the car and enjoy ourselves!” They suggest taking it even further—by not driving at all.
Arbonne Vacation Rental, Treehouse - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the Transilien R from Paris-Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon—the trip takes about 45 minutes. The cabin is 13 km from the train station (the station recommended by the host), and you can get there by bike. The host recommends the marked “Fb” tourist route, which starts at the train station and leads to Barbizon, mostly through the forest. From Barbizon, it’s another 4 km along country roads through fields—perfect if you have a bike. If you enjoy walking, you can follow the trails shown on IGN maps.
A kota is a hexagonal wooden cabin from Finland, and this one was built by the hosts themselves at the bottom of their property, surrounded by nature. The real treasure is the traditional wood-heated Nordic sauna: private and available for unlimited use, all year round. The Kota It sleeps up to 3 people, and it has a dry toilet.
Désiré Kota Cabin - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the train to the Saint-Dié-des-Vosges station, 3.4 km from the kota (station recommended by the host). From Paris-Est, allow 2 hours and 40 minutes for the fastest trip, and between 3 hours and 30 minutes and 4 hours on average, usually with a transfer in Nancy; the host can then pick you up (be sure to confirm before booking).
Nestled in the heart of the Vosges, near Gérardmer, the Deer Cabin is a wooden cabin for two, built on stilts in the middle of a lot measuring nearly 5,000 m². The wood-heated Nordic bath features relaxing bubbles, just like a hot tub.
La Cabane du Cerf - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? The closest stop listed by GreenGo is Saint-Léonard Centre, 3.6 km away; the host can then pick you up at the train station (be sure to confirm this before booking).
🚂 With the HOURRAIL Club!, you can enjoy exclusive discounts from our travel partners, including GreenGo, and use the HOURRAIL! Premium app to plan your train itineraries. Join the HOURRAIL Club!
In the heart of a wild forest on the edge of the Bay of Somme, these eco-lodges Japanese-inspired facilities invite you to relax. A sauna, a Nordic bath, and a furo—a Japanese bath heated by a wood fire—are located on an island that you can reserve for private use. From there, a trail leads down to the sea, along a coastline where you can spot seals.
The Baie de Somme Eco-Lodges - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the train to Rue Station, 8.5 km away, then take bus 709 for 12 minutes to Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont, or bike there in 28 minutes.
On the outskirts of Swiss Normandy, about 15 minutes from downtown Caen, this cabin This wooden cabin for two is perfect for a cozy getaway: it features a wood-burning stove, a private deck, and a year-round heated hot tub. To stretch your legs, bicycles are available to borrow or rent, and a bike path runs less than a kilometer away.
Chalet Nature & Spa - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the train to the Caen station, 14 km away (the host recommends this station). The host can pick you up at the station. Otherwise, the Nomad 106 bus line runs from Caen to Amayé-sur-Orne.
Perched on stilts more than 3 meters high, in the middle of a lush garden, this cabin offers a retreat between the sea and the mountains, not far from the Basque coast. As an optional extra, a wood-stove-heated Nordic hot tub awaits you: it’s available outside of July and August, making it perfect for winter (€40 per day, payable on site in cash or by check). Please note for a winter stay: the summer kitchen is located below the cabin, and the restrooms are at its base.
A treehouse nestled in the heart of the woods - © GreenGo
🚆 How do I get there? Take the train to the Biarritz train station, then the Txik Txak bus to Arbonne (Arbonne Gure Nahia–Biarritz Train Station line).
🎁 Psst… A night in the trees or a Nordic bath under the stars: that’s a great gift idea for both Christmas and Valentine’s Day, isn’t it? With the GreenGo gift card, the recipient chooses their own dates, and the card is valid for 2 years and can be exchanged. Give a GreenGo gift card.
Also check out our selection of GreenGo accommodations for a car-free ski trip:
Article
Where to Go Skiing Without a Car: Chalets, Bed-and-Breakfasts, and Cozy Getaways Accessible by Train
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
