Exploring France by train: Our top five train rides in France
Paris to Nice.
Nimes to Clermont Ferrand.
Villefranche to Latour de Carol.
Le Petit Train des Combes.
Nice to Digne-Les-Bains.
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A scenic ride through the French and Swiss mountains.If the Polar Express took inspiration from a real-life train journey, it would surely be the Mont-Blanc Express . This alpine train runs from Chamonix to Martigny in Switzerland, taking 90 minutes and going through 21 tunnels and over 28 bridges en route.
Le Grand Tour is a poetic and immersive luxury train journey where you will be able to escape into the French legend, therefore it is essential that on the final full day of your grand tour of France we stop at Le Puy du Fou.
Trains à Grande Vitesse (TGV)TGVs or Trains à Grande Vitesse are SNCF's premier high-speed trains. They run on major routes covering most of France at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).
he Cévennes railway – Le Cévenol links the city of Nîmes (department of Le Gard) to Clermont Ferrand in Puy de Dôme. Opened in 1870, it took six years to build and cost a staggering 520 million francs. That's just over one billion euros!*
Making the scenic trip from Paris to Marseille by train will have you glued to the window as you enjoy all the beautiful French landscapes passing you by.
Your journey from city center to city center will be highlighted by high-end comfort and French sophistication thanks to SNCF's impressive TGV high-speed train. During the 2-hour trip, sightsee the magnificent countryside from your window as you enjoy onboard services with a smile!
But there is added comfort in full class, and given the nominal price differnce and your travel companions, I would suggest that you choose first class. There's somewhat more room in first class and the seats are *supposed* to be slightly more comfortable. You can't be served a meal at your seat in second class.
The Glacier Express - known as the 'Slowest Express Train in the World' (and arguably the most scenic) - connects the mountain resort towns of Matterhorn adjacent to Zermatt and St Moritz in the Swiss Alps.
If you're looking for the most beautiful train ride on earth, you know that Switzerland has to be number one on this list. The Bernina Express is a scenic train route unlike no other. It's a four-hour trip from start to finish and covers a total of 76 miles (or 122 km) of the track.
Any tips for buying point-to-point train tickets in France? If a rail pass doesn't pencil out for your trip, you may be able to shave off the cost of your train tickets with some of these tips: Advance-purchase discounts: Buying tickets in advance from SNCF'S site can get you 50 percent off the full fare.
France increases cost of train faresThe rail network announced a decision to raise prices last November because of the increase in energy costs. Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, said the company was “facing additional costs of 13 per cent in 2023.”
TGV trains, the high-speed trains that serve most of France's main lines as well as some international routes, require seat reservations. Seat reservations for domestic routes start at $11, and go up to $27 as seating sells out. These trains can fill up, especially around weekends, holidays, and special events.
Which is the nearest beach to Paris? The Les cerfs-volants de Dieppe is the nearest beach to Paris and is located just 170 kilometers from the iconic city. The beach is highly popular amongst travelers, particularly coming from Paris.