by Ruth Belena

Created on: August 19, 2010   Last Updated: August 24, 2010

France has many scenic train routes, leading to some top travel destinations, beautiful coastal regions, major cities and historic towns. The French rail service provides a relaxing, comfortable and safe method of to transportation. Scenic train routes in France can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, and at high speed.

The TGV high-speed trains, which connect more than 150 towns and cities in France, allow fast travel at high-speed, and then some of the more scenic train routes in France can be explored slowly on regional trains, along local rail routes. Train services are efficiently operated by the French national rail company, SNCF, and a France Rail Pass allows three days of unlimited train travel, anywhere on the French national rail network, with the option to purchase up to six additional days of unlimited train travel.

The starting point for any of the best scenic train routes in France can be a ferry port, an airport, or any part of the country connected by rail. Getting to Paris is easy, and rail routes run out of Paris in all directions. The only difficulty could be in deciding which one to take.      

• Loire Valley

The Loire region in the west of France, has some beautiful scenic train routes, and the area is well known for its history and architecture. Set on the banks of the Loire, Tours is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is easily reached by high speed train from Paris. From Tours it is possible to travel on regional rail services to such delightful places as the Château de Chenonceau, one of the many great castles to be seen in this region of France.

• Burgundy

Dijon, the historic capital of Burgundy in eastern France, is well served with high-speed trains and regional services, for those who enjoy a more leisurely pace. Trains going through Dijon stop at many historic sites and interesting places in Burgundy, and can take passengers on long distance scenic routes south to Avignon and Marseille .

• Provence

Provence, in the south of France, is accessible by high-speed train services to Marseille. Slower services on scenic train routes through picturesque countryside stop at some lovely places in Province. Towns in this region hold many historic treasures, and have some of the best preserved Roman architecture in the world.

• Brittany

Northern France is easily accessible by train, and there are more than 300 local trains running daily between charming Breton towns. On a scenic route from Auray, Le Tire Bouchon takes tourists through some of the most beautiful parts of coastal Brittany.

Rail travel is a wonderful way to explore France, with trains running efficiently on some of the best scenic routes in Europe. Scenic train routes in France go through areas of natural beauty, stop at historic sites and lead to many interesting places. 

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