Top 15 rail journeys and stations in France
15 great train journeys and stations in France, from scenic lines to sleeper services.
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15 rail journeys
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1High-speed line
LGV Sud-Est
France's first high-speed line, opened in 1981 for the TGV between Paris and Lyon.
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2Scenic route
Train Jaune
Yellow narrow-gauge electric train climbing through the Pyrenees over dramatic viaducts and bridges.
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3Scenic route
Chemin de Fer de Corse
Metre-gauge island railway crossing Corsica's mountainous interior on viaducts and tunnels.
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4Mountain railway
Tramway du Mont-Blanc
France's highest rack railway, climbing towards Mont Blanc from the Saint-Gervais valley.
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5Mountain railway
Montenvers Railway
Rack railway from Chamonix up to the Mer de Glace glacier, in service since 1908.
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6Scenic route
Train des Pignes
Metre-gauge line running from the Riviera up the Var valley into the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
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7Landmark station
Paris Gare de Lyon
Grand terminus with a landmark clock tower and the Belle Époque restaurant Le Train Bleu.
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8Landmark station
Paris Gare du Nord
Europe's busiest railway station, with a neoclassical façade and Eurostar trains to London.
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9Scenic route
Mont-Blanc Express
Metre-gauge line through the Chamonix valley linking the French Alps with Switzerland.
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10Scenic route
Ligne de Tende
Mountain line climbing the Roya valley via spiral tunnels, known in summer as the Train des Merveilles.
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11Scenic route
Ligne des Cévennes
Line through the Allier gorges and Cévennes mountains, with the Chamborigaud viaduct.
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12Sleeper & night train
Paris–Briançon Night Train
Intercités de Nuit sleeper service from Paris to the high Alpine town of Briançon.
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13Mountain railway
Petit Train de la Rhune
Rack railway of 1924 climbing La Rhune mountain on the French–Spanish Basque border.
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14Heritage railway
Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme
Heritage steam railway looping round the Somme estuary between historic seaside towns.
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15Landmark station
Gare de Metz
Imperial German-era station of 1908 built in neo-Romanesque style during the annexation.
No rail journeys match those filters.