Chugging previous rolling hills filled with heritage vineyards, chopping by means of spectacular mountainous backcountry, or zipping alongside the shoreline of the Mediterranean: there’s no higher strategy to expertise the wonder and bounty of France than from the window seat of a train.
The very good rail community in la République makes it straightforward to discover the far corners of this wealthy, different nation. We’ve chosen the next journeys as a result of they provide scenic magnificence, sustain a classic heritage or are simply plain fabulous. All aboard for the best train rides in France!
1. Le Cévenol is probably the most distant and wild train journey
Clermont-Ferrand to Nîmes; 303km (188 miles)
The savage fantastic thing about the remoted Massif Central opens up on one among France’s oldest train routes – and some of the difficult to construct, given the topography of the Gorges de l’Allier. Within the mid-1800s, the expertise to blast by means of granite and basalt mountains did not but exist, so in a triumphant feat of engineering, employees used rudimentary methods to blast out the road’s tunnels. Le Cévenol (also referred to as La Ligne des Cévennes) opened in 1870 for each passengers and freight, together with coal headed to the Rhône area and wine to Paris.
The Cévenol kinds a part of an extended, cross-country route linking Marseille to Paris, however most riders soar aboard at Clermont-Ferrand, in the center of volcano nation. You’ll begin off admiring volcanic plugs dotting the panorama earlier than heading by means of the pièce de résistance: the Gorges de l’Allier. Excessive above the Allier River, magnificent views open up, stretching far throughout the gorge.
Alongside the best way, you’ll cross three historic viaducts, wind by means of a number of spectacular valleys and traverse 106 tunnels. The highest level is La Bastide-Puylaurent at 1024m (3360ft), whereas the Chamborigaud viaduct guarantees a heart-in-mouth expertise as you teeter excessive above the panorama for 409 countless meters (1341ft).
Planning tip: Upkeep work is usually carried out in the spring, and SNCF buses change trains. Make sure to test forward earlier than reserving.
2. Le Train du Montenvers will get you up near a glacier
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc to Montenvers; 5km (Three miles)
Mont Blanc towers over the Alps, its eternally snow-capped peak offering an imposing vista from afar. To rise up near this age-old mountain, hop aboard the well-known cherry-red Train du Montenvers, as sightseers have completed since 1908.
Departing from the principle train station in Chamonix, the rack-and-pinion train trundles up the mountainside at an angle better than 9%, climbing by means of darkish forests and tunnels pierced by means of the rock. Sit on the left aspect of the train to take in glimpses of Mont Blanc between the fir timber.
It takes about 20 minutes to ascend 1000m (3280ft) up the mountain and – simply whenever you assume the excessive mountain surroundings can’t get any extra gorgeous – you arrive on the foot of Mer de Glace, a valley glacier (actually, “sea of ice”) at an altitude of 1913m (6276ft). From right here, you may take in the north face of the Grandes Jorasses, an immense face of rock and ice.
But probably the most superb sights are the dense, blue-colored ice caves of the glacier, by means of which you’ll stroll to admire ice sculptures (the tour is included in the worth of the train ticket). The interactive Glaciorium, which recounts the glacier’s historical past, is one other must-see. Seize a scorching chocolate at Le Panoramique cafe earlier than heading again down, or spend the night time on the historic Refuge du Montenvers, with its gorgeous patio overlooking the Mer de Glace.
3. Marseille to Ventimiglia is the best train journey for dazzling sea views
Marseille to Ventimiglia; 187km (116 miles)
Touring from Marseille to Ventimiglia in southern France alongside the SNCF tracks could be a typical journey. The views, nevertheless, are something however. You’ll be challenged to stay seated for a lot of the best way, as gorgeous scenes of the azure-blue Mediterranean Sea slide by the train’s window, illustrating the attract of the South of France. Interspersed are glimpses of maquis-covered cliffs (maquis is the tantalizing mix of herbs that develop wild right here), terracotta-colored villages, and palm-tree-bedecked hills.
The stops alongside the best way are fabled locations unto themselves: legendary St-Tropez, made well-known by then-unknown Brigitte Bardot; Cannes, with its star-studded legacy; Monaco, dwelling of the Grimaldi royals; and Good, with its intoxicating mixture of world-class museums and legendary seashores. However there are lesser-traveled locations as effectively, together with beautiful Èze Plage, with its medieval village perched impossibly excessive on a close-by peak, and down-to-earth Menton. Get out, discover, take in some solar – and catch the following train onward later.
The 50-minute stretch between Good and Ventimiglia is maybe probably the most gorgeous, as you glide previous artwork deco villas, glowing bays and pastel-colored cities marching up palm-tree-dotted hillsides. You finish simply on the Italian border, the place you could have the choice of turning round and seeing it another time.
4. Le Train des Pignes is a wonderful classic train journey
Good to Digne; 150km (93 miles)
Behind the Mediterranean-lapped shores of Good, the jagged grey peaks of the Mediterranean Alps beckon from afar. A journey aboard the “Train of Pinecones” chuffs from the glittery seaside up into these snowy mountains in simply over three hours, offering gorgeous, ever-changing views alongside the best way. From Provençal fields and olive groves, you’ll enter a land of deep river gorges and medieval fortresses.
Simply 90 minutes from Good, Entrevaux is an efficient cease to wander enchanting medieval streets and discover an historical citadel. Digne-les-Bains, on the finish of the road, is cute as could be, with cobblestone streets, bougainvillea-draped stone villas and retailers purveying honey, lavender and different native merchandise.
With its diesel railcars and gleaming varnished wooden benches, this line is the one remnant of the meter-gauge Chemins de Fer de Provence that after crisscrossed southern France.
The pigne in its title means “pinecone”: maybe as a result of the train used to run so slowly that passengers might soar off to collect cones or as a result of when the train ran brief on gas, the engineers resorted to burning them. Regardless of the case, majestic pine forests surrounding the route add to its scenic attract.
5. Orléans to Le Croisic on Interloire is the best train journey for cyclists
Orléans to Le Croisic; 338km (210 miles)
The Loire Valley unfolds like a fairy story, with a surprising array of Renaissance castles, green-emerald rivers and charming medieval villages. (Azay-le-Rideau fort was, in any case, the inspiration for Sleeping Magnificence.) The Interloire railroad (run by the TER Centre-Val de Loire and TER Pays de la Loire) traverses this legendary valley from Orléans, the hometown of Jeanne d’Arc, to the fishing harbor city of Le Croisic on the Atlantic.
Should-visit stops embrace Blois, topped by the château as soon as occupied by Louis XII; Amboise, Leonardo da Vinci’s remaining dwelling; and Nantes, a historic Breton city with an evocative 15th-century château.
Planning tip: You’ll be able to hop on and off the train together with your bike to hawk elements of the 900km (559-mile) Loire à Vélo, a comparatively flat bike path by means of this quintessentially French panorama. The train even has a automotive devoted to bicycles in the summer time.
6. Eurostar by means of the Chunnel gives a fast escape to London
Paris to London; 451km (280 miles)
If you happen to fancy a fast getaway from Paris to London, maybe to say hello to Massive Ben or to wander by means of the V&A Museum, rely on the Channel Tunnel. Accomplished in 1994, this extraordinary engineering feat – nicknamed the Chunnel – burrows deep beneath the expanse of water between France and England, permitting passengers in modern, high-speed Eurostar trains to journey the channel portion of the journey – 51km (31.5 miles) – in simply 30 minutes, with a full 38km (23.5 miles) of that underwater.
From Gare du Nord in the center of Paris to St Pancras Worldwide in the center of London, all the journey takes simply 2½ hours from door to door. Alongside the best way, you’ll get pleasure from fairly French and English countryside – contained in the tunnel itself, you shouldn’t rely on seeing any sea life, solely blackness till you emerge into the sunshine of day.
7. The Nîmes to Le Grau-du-Roi Line is the best Wild West train journey
Nîmes to Le Grau-du-Roi; 37km (23 miles)
Wild bulls in Provence? And cowboys? Mais oui. Tucked away in the southwestern nook of Provence, the marshy Camargue – a river delta south of Arles the place the Grand and Petit Rhône meet the Mediterranean – reigns as France’s model of the Wild West. Gardians – Camarguais cowboys – reside on manades (ranches), driving indigenous white horses with flowing manes as they spherical up wild black bulls.
Bullfighting is a giant a part of the tradition right here (not like Spanish bullfights, the bulls right here aren’t killed or injured). As are paella (although Camargue rice differs from its Spanish cousin), jazzy manouche music and an impartial spirit developed from working a difficult panorama for hundreds of years. You will get to the center of all of it aboard the Nîmes to Le Grau-du-Roi train route.
Departing from Nîmes, the single-track train rumbles by means of the vineyards of Costières de Nîmes earlier than passing by Aigues-Mortes. Kings departed on their Crusades from this medieval walled metropolis, the place you may nonetheless stroll historical streets. From there, you head throughout the salt marshes and lagoons; maintain your eyes out for horses and bulls, in addition to pink flamingoes flying overhead. The route ends in Le Grau-du-Roi, simply steps from the Mediterranean Sea.
8. Le Petit Train Jaune is probably the most well-known classic train journey
Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour de Carol; 64km (40 miles)
This historic little train – or, actually, the “little yellow train” – would be the most well-known of all of them in France. It’s actually one among its most gorgeous on the subject of surroundings. Chugging by means of the mountainous Pyrénées-Orientales from medieval Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour de Carol on the Andorra border, it winds by means of gorges and shadowy forests, throughout viaducts, previous two historic fortresses and by one perilously perched historical monastery. The highest level is the Bolquère Eyne depot, a gasp-inducing 1593m (5225ft) excessive – making it France’s highest station.
Observe that two several types of trains function this route: a contemporary enclosed train in addition to the classic train that typically runs with open carriages. No want to fret about which one to decide on, although – each are painted yellow.
Suggestions for train journey in France
Train choices in France
A number of several types of trains journey throughout France, together with native and regional trains, in a single day trains with sleeping lodging and the TGV, the high-speed Trains à Grande Vitesse. To journey between most large cities, the TGV is your best guess: these pioneering high-speed trains journey between 255km/h and 320km/h (160mph and 200mph) and can get you there inside hours.
Paris to Bordeaux, for instance, is 2½ hours, with Paris to Marseille a mere Three hours 40 minutes. That mentioned, the slower native and regional trains open up lesser-traveled areas of the nation. TGV inOui is a brand new premium TGV train service operated by SNCF on sure high-speed rail providers.
Two courses of tickets are often obtainable to buy: first (première), with plush, reclining seats and ample area; and second (deuxième), which remains to be snug however typically extra crowded. Maps of the French rail community can be found on the SNCF web site.
Learn how to guide a train in France
Whereas you should purchase a ticket on the station, both from a ticket window or a merchandising machine, it’s typically cheaper to guide your ticket on-line in advance. Contact Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer (SNCF) or, from the USA, Rail Europe.
Low-cost train tickets in France
France gives numerous rail passes, together with the France Go, with limitless journey on the nationwide rail community; and the Eurail International Go, which incorporates train journey to neighboring international locations. Offers for accommodations, museums and different points of interest are sometimes included, too. You’ll discover extra data on the Rail Europe web site.
The TGV gives Prem’s tickets (their time period for reasonably priced tickets) three months in advance (the reserving horizon could also be prolonged in summer time).
The Eurostar high-speed train service connecting the UK with France (and Belgium and the Netherlands) gives a restricted batch of low cost fares six months in advance. The sooner you guide, the higher probability you could have of getting a very good worth.
Arrange a reserving alert to be notified when low cost tickets are launched.
Learn how to get from Italy to France by train
You will get from Italy to France through Italiarail. It takes about 11½ hours to journey from Rome to Paris. SNCF additionally serves the route.
Learn how to get from Spain to France by train
Spain’s train firm is Renfe. It takes about 10½ hours to get from Madrid to Paris, a route additionally served by SNCF.
Learn how to get from Switzerland to France by train
The TGV runs from Geneva to Paris in slightly over 4 hours.
Learn how to get from Germany to France by train
The Deutsche Bahn’s InterCity Specific (ICE) is Germany’s high-speed train service, permitting journey from Frankfurt to Paris in as little as 4 hours (so long as you don’t have to attach in Cologne). SNCF additionally serves the route.
Learn how to get from Poland to France by train
It takes between 14 hours and 19½ hours to cross a lot of Europe from France to Poland, and also you sometimes must make two adjustments alongside the best way. Train firms serving this route embrace Deutsche Bahn, SNCF and Eurostar (the French–Belgian high-speed train operator, which can take you so far as Cologne).