France by train

Eurostar (ES) connects Paris with London, England, and Lille with Brussels, Belgium.

• 1st class (Business Premier): rows of three (2+1), including a meal, access to station lounges and a shorter check-in time of at least 10 minutes before departure
• 1st class (Standard Premier): rows of three (2+1), including a meal, check-in at least 30 minutes before departure
• 2nd class (Standard): rows of four (2+2), check-in at least 30 minutes before departure
• Reservation required
• Most trains have power sockets, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and an on-board bistro with a selection of food and drinks.

InterCity Express (ICE) connects Paris with Munich and Frankfurt, Germany.

• 1st class: rows of three (2+1)
• 2nd class: rows of four (2+2)
• First-class passengers can enjoy extra perks such as magazines, power sockets and at-seat service.
• A reservation isn’t required, but it’s recommended because the routes are so popular.
• The trains have power sockets, free Wi-Fi, toilets and air conditioning. They also have an on-board bistro serving a range of food and drinks.

The AVE Elipsos Spain – France (AVE Elipsos) is operated by both the Spanish and the French railway companies and connects Paris and Marseille with Madrid and Barcelona.

• 1st class: rows of three (2+1), on-board business lounge available
• 2nd class (Turista): rows of four (2+2)
• Reservation required
• The trains have power sockets, air conditioning and a bistro car serving a selection of food and drinks.

The TGV Lyria connects Paris with Zurich and Geneva, Switzerland.

• 1st class: rows of three (2+1)
• 2nd class: rows of four (2+2)
• Reservation required
• The trains have power sockets, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. They also have a dining car serving a range of food and drinks.
• Bikes are allowed on the trains, but you need an extra ticket for your bike (€10).

The TGV connects Paris with Italy, Spain and Luxembourg; it also links Lille with Belgium.

• 1st class: rows of three seats (2+1)
• 2nd class: rows of four (2+2)
• Reservation required
• The trains have power sockets and air conditioning and often a bistro car where snacks and drinks are available.

Thalys (THA) connects Paris with Brussels, Belgium, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Cologne, Germany.

• Premium class: rows of three (2+1), including a meal, drinks and newspapers
• Comfort class: rows of three (2+1)
• Standard class: rows of four (2+2)
• Reservation required – book as early as possible
• The trains have power sockets, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. They also have a dining car serving a range of food and drinks.

EuroCity Thello (THELLO) connects Nice and Marseille with Milan, Italy.

• 1st class: rows of three (2+1)
• 2nd class: rows of four (2+2)
• A reservation isn’t required, but it’s recommended because the route is so popular.
• The trains have power sockets, toilets and air conditioning. They also have a bistro car serving a range of food and drinks.

Intercités de Nuit

Routes:
Paris – Gap – Briançon
Paris – Cannes – Nice
Paris – Marseille – Nice
Paris – Orléans – Cerbère
Paris – Toulouse – Perpignan
Paris – Orléans – Irun
Paris – Orléans – Toulouse
Paris – Orléans – Rodez

• Reservation required
• Couchettes: bedding is included in all couchettes
• 4-berth couchettes, classed as 1st class
• 6-berth couchettes, classed as 2nd class
• Private compartments (“espace privatif”) are also available.
• The bathrooms are located in the carriage
• Seated carriages: 2nd class, no 1st class
• The toilets are located in the carriage
• Refreshment trolleys with a selection of drinks and food come through the carriages.

Thello night train

Routes:
Paris – Milan – Verona – Venice
Marseille – Milan

• Reservation required
• Sleeper cars:
• 1-, 2- and 3-berth sleepers available, classed as 1st class
• 1- and 2-berth sleepers with a private bathroom are also available
• For sleepers without a private bathroom, the toilets are at the end of each carriage.
• Couchettes: 4-berth and 6-berth couchettes available, classed as 2nd class
• The toilets are located at the end of the carriage.
• The train has air conditioning, power sockets, a coffee bar and a bistro car.

Train Jaune (Yellow Train): This train runs in the Pyrenees, connecting Villefranche-de-Conflent with Latour-de-Carol. It’s known for its scenic route through the mountains and is one of the highest railway lines in France.

Train des Merveilles (Train of Wonders): This line runs from Nice to Tende through the impressive Roya Valley and the southern Alps. The train offers spectacular views of gorges, viaducts and picturesque villages.

Train du Mont-Blanc Express: This train links Martigny in Switzerland with Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in France, running through an impressive mountain landscape with views of Mont Blanc.

Le Cévenol: This line connects Clermont-Ferrand with Nîmes and runs through the picturesque Cévennes. The train offers breathtaking views of gorges, rivers and mountains.

Train de la Rhune: A historic rack railway in the Basque Country that climbs from France’s Atlantic coast to the summit of La Rhune (905 metres). The route offers panoramic views over the Pyrenees and the coast.

Train du Verdon: This tourist railway runs through the Verdon Regional Nature Park and offers spectacular views of the famous Verdon Gorge.

Train de l’Ardèche: A heritage train running on a historic narrow-gauge line in the Ardèche region. The journey offers striking views of the Doux valley and the surrounding countryside.

Train des Gorges du Tarn: This historic train runs along the picturesque Tarn Gorges and offers a unique way to experience the region’s impressive nature.

Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme: A historic steam railway running along the Bay of the Somme on France’s northern coast. The journey offers lovely views of the coastal landscape and charming little villages.

Train des Pignes: This train connects Digne-les-Bains with Nice and runs through the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The route offers breathtaking scenery with mountains, gorges and picturesque villages.

Train de l’Andorge en Cévennes: A historic steam railway running through the picturesque Cévennes countryside, offering a nostalgic journey back in time.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: One of the world’s most famous luxury trains, linking Paris with Venice and occasionally calling at other European cities. The train offers a journey in the style of the 1920s and 1930s, with exquisitely restored carriages and first-class service.

Le Train Bleu: This historic luxury train, which once linked Paris with the Côte d’Azur, no longer runs as a regular service, but its legacy and style live on in the legendary Paris restaurant “Le Train Bleu”.

Le Grand Tour: This is a new luxury train project scheduled to launch in 2024. The train will take travellers on an exclusive round trip through France, with luxurious suites, gourmet dining and tailor-made excursions.