All aboard the art of travel—window down, soul up.
France isn’t just a destination—it’s a masterpiece in motion. And the train? It’s the brush that paints the countryside in slow, romantic strokes. From Paris, you can ride into rolling vineyards, along jagged coastlines, through lavender fields, and past medieval villages balanced like teacups on hills. The journey matters just as much as the arrival. And The Socialites know which tracks lead to enchantment.
Here are the most scenic train journeys from Paris, for when your wanderlust demands window seats and wine country.
1. Paris to Strasbourg – Vineyards, Villages & Fairy Tales
2h via TGV — Alsace, but make it cinematic
Glide through the storybook landscapes of Champagne and Alsace, with views of half-timbered houses, hilltop châteaux, and golden vineyards that shift hue with the season. You’ll want to stop the train just to sketch the scenery.
Why go: To wander cobbled lanes, drink Riesling in timbered winstubs, and lose yourself in pastel architecture.
📍 Bonus: Hop to Colmar after for a splash of full fairytale.
2. Paris to Clermont-Ferrand – Into the Volcanoes
3h30 via Intercités — Raw, rugged, and vastly underrated
Watch the urban dissolve into the Massif Central, with rolling highlands, volcanic peaks, and forested valleys that feel untouched. It’s like watching France put on her hiking boots and disappear into poetry.
Why go: For volcanic hikes, Romanesque churches, and Auvergne cheese straight from the source.
📍 Highlight: The final hour—where the mountains rise like a surprise.
3. Paris to Nice (via Marseille) – Côte d’Azur by Rail
6h40 via TGV — Sunlight, sea curves, and Riviera dreams
Arguably the most glamorous line south. The final stretch from Marseille to Nice hugs the Mediterranean, offering sea cliffs, turquoise bays, and sun-drenched villas that feel lifted from a 1960s postcard.
Why go: To arrive salty-haired and glowing, ready to sip rosé by the water
📍 Pro tip: Book a seat on the left side for the best sea views.
4. Paris to Bayonne/Biarritz – Surf Towns & Wild Horizons
4h via TGV — Westward into Basque beauty
From sunflower fields to surf beaches, this route glides through southwestern France with golden light and relaxed charm. Watch as the land flattens into the Atlantic plains, and the rhythm shifts to a slower beat.
Why go: For Basque culture, art nouveau seaside villas, and oysters by the ocean.
📍 Stopover suggestion: Pause in Bordeaux for a taste of liquid gold.
5. Paris to Avignon – Through Lavender Country
2h40 via TGV — A rush through Provençal paradise
As the train slices into the South, the fields blur into sunflowers, vineyards, olive groves, and finally: Provence. Arrive in Avignon ready for rosé, Roman ruins, and lavender-scented evenings.
Why go: For the golden light, the open-air opera, and market mornings
📍 Tip: Sit on the right side for better light and field views.
6. Paris to Annecy – Into Alpine Storyland
3h40 via TGV/TER combo — Lakes, mountains, and mirror reflections
A gorgeous glide through the Rhône-Alpes, where the terrain gets dramatic, then suddenly softens around Lake Annecy, its surface perfectly reflecting chalets and swans. It feels unreal. And yet… there you are.
Why go: For crystal-clear lake swims, mountain air, and caramelised tartiflette.
📍 Dreamiest part: The final descent toward the lake.
7. Paris to Dinan (via Rennes) – Brittany, Slowly Unfolding
2h to Rennes, then 1h to Dinan — Green fields to granite towns
Brittany by train is like entering a medieval tapestry. The scenery shifts from apple orchards and thatched cottages to seaside cliffs and fortress towns. Dinan is a true gem—winding streets, flowered balconies, and crepes galore.
Why go: For cider under timbered beams, sea air, and an almost Celtic mood.
📍 Alternative route: Extend to Saint-Malo for a saltier breeze.
8. Paris to Sarlat-la-Canéda (via Brive) – Dordogne’s Golden Valley
5h via Intercités + TER — History with foie gras on the side
The train winds into the Dordogne, through golden limestone cliffs, walnut groves, and riverside châteaux. The light here is buttery and timeless. The kind of place that feels unchanged in 300 years—in the best way.
Why go: For markets, caves, castles, and a sense of forever
📍 Top treat: Local duck confit and walnut wine—preferably picnic-style
9. Paris to Reims – Champagne Without the Fuss
45 min via TGV — Short but sparkling
Quick, chic, and wildly scenic in spring or fall. Ride past neat rows of vines and gentle hillsides, then arrive in Reims with enough time for lunch, a tour, and a tipsy return.
Why go: For a sabrage tutorial, cathedral awe, and vintage bubbles
📍 Essentials: Book a tasting at Ruinart or Taittinger before your train departs.
10. Paris to Dijon – Burgundy in a Glass
1h40 via TGV — Vine-wrapped serenity begins here
A painterly journey through Burgundy, with stops like Beaune just beyond. Think silvery morning light on vines, vineyard-studded hills, and lazy countryside that drips with pinot noir.
Why go: To eat like a god and drink like a duke
📍 Tip: Stop in Beaune after Dijon—it’s smaller, but arguably more delicious.
🛤️ Train Travel Tips from The Socialites:
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Window seat or nothing – always pick a side (left for sea, right for fields)
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Pack snacks from a Parisian boulangerie (you’ll thank us)
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Download a playlist or book a memoir for peak cinematic feels
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Arrive early—but fashionably, of course
Because sometimes, the journey is the destination. Especially in France.
—The Socialites