The TGV network from Paris
Most TGV lines radiate from Paris, making the capital the natural hub:
- - Paris → Lyon: 2h, up to 4 trains/hour in peak times
- - Paris → Marseille: 3h15 (via Lyon)
- - Paris → Bordeaux: 2h05
- - Paris → Nantes: 2h10
- - Paris → Strasbourg: 1h46
- - Paris → Rennes: 1h28
- - Paris → Nice: 5h30 (or overnight)
Paris has two main TGV stations: Gare de Lyon (south and southeast) and Montparnasse (southwest). Know which one you need before you arrive.
Beyond Paris — regional routes worth knowing
Lyon → Marseille (1h45) — The Rhône corridor. Lyon is France's food capital; Marseille is the gritty, beautiful Mediterranean gateway.
Nice → Monaco → Menton (30–50 min by regional train) — The Côte d'Azur coast line. One of Europe's most scenic short rail trips.
Bordeaux → Bayonne → Biarritz (1h45) — Basque Country. Bayonne is the junction for the coast; Biarritz is a 20-minute bus from Bayonne station.
Marseille → Cassis (20 min) — Then a bus or taxi to the calanques. The best day trip from Marseille.
Paris → Mont-Saint-Michel: TGV to Rennes (1h28) then a bus (1h) — a full day trip from Paris.
Booking SNCF tickets
Book early: TGV tickets use dynamic pricing like airlines. The cheapest fares (€9–29 for Paris–Lyon) disappear weeks before departure; the same ticket costs €70–100 the week before.
SNCF Connect app: The best way to book. Also accepts Eurail/Interrail passes for the mandatory reservation (€5–15 per TGV segment).
Ouigo: SNCF's low-cost TGV service — same tracks, fewer stations, no frills, but can be 50% cheaper. Check Ouigo.com alongside SNCF Connect.
Intercités: The slower intercity network connecting cities not on TGV lines. Covered by Eurail without reservation on most services.
City highlights
Paris — Allow at least 3 nights; the city rewards slow exploration. Beyond the obvious landmarks, spend an afternoon in the Marais and an evening in Belleville.
Lyon — France's second city and undisputed food capital. The Vieux-Lyon (old town) is UNESCO-listed; Bouchon restaurants serve the best andouillette and quenelles in France.
Bordeaux — Revitalised wine capital on the Garonne. The wine museum (La Cité du Vin) is excellent; the Chartrons neighbourhood is great for an evening stroll.
Marseille — Raw, diverse, and dramatically underrated. Le Panier (old quarter), the Calanques, and bouillabaisse from a harbour restaurant.
Strasbourg — Half French, half German, entirely beautiful. The Christmas market is the best in Europe (late November–December).
Practical tips
Validate nothing: Unlike Italy, TGV tickets don't need to be validated — your seat is reserved and tracked digitally.
Luggage racks fill up: On busy TGVs, overhead racks fill fast. Board early or use the dedicated luggage area at the end of each car.
Paris station transfers: Crossing Paris between stations (e.g. Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon) takes 30–45 min by metro — factor this in for connections.
Night train: The Intercités de Nuit runs Paris → Toulouse and Paris → Nice. Slow but atmospheric and saves a hotel night.
Plan your French rail journey
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