Winning tip: Nîmes to Le Grau-du-Roi
This single track line not only takes you to within metres of the Mediterranean, it also reveals a couple of gems in the Camargue along the way. After winding through the vineyards of Costières de Nîmes, there is a wonderful close-up view of the medieval city walls of Aigues-Mortes, followed by a run across the famous salt marshes and lagoons.
From €7 return
TristanStock
The Little Yellow Train, Pyrenees
The Petit Train Jaune starts its spectacular journey through the Pyrenees at Villefranche-de-Conflent and winds its way up through forests, chasms, gorges, viaducts, past two old fortresses and a precariously perched monastery to a summit of 1,592 metres at Bolquère Eyne, the highest station in France operated by the SNCF. The yellow carriages add to the Alice in Wonderland feel before you get back to reality when it leaves you at Latour-de-Carol close to the Spanish border.
From €22 return
gonca
Bastia to Ajaccio, Corsica
The three-and-a-half-hour trip across the island from Bastia (in the north east) via Corte to Ajaccio (south west) is breathtaking. The most stunning part of the route starts after coastal Casamozza once the railway enters the mountains. You can enjoy views into the valleys and canyons as the train crosses the many old stone-viaducts. There are great opportunities for stop-offs en route, such as at picturesque, historical Corte and there are fine waterfalls near Bocognano.
train-corse.com, from €22 return
at_koehler_b
Cote D’Azur
€15 will give you all-day train travel around the Cote D’Azur and beyond. I travelled from Cannes to Antibes then to Eze Plage via Nice but you can go all the way to Italy. The sea views, cliffs and hills are superb. Other destinations you can easily reach include Monaco and Menton. I particularly loved Eze Plage followed by a short bus trip to the village of Eze high above the sea.
ter.sncf.com/paca
CharlotteB1
Train des Pignes
The Train of Pines is a spectacular three-hour ride from Nice to the pretty mountain village of Dignes-les-Bains, through scented pine forests, along rushing river valleys, over ancient bridges to its destination, with its stone houses adorned with bougainvillea, cobbled streets and craft shops selling products of Provence. Buy a baguette before you board from the buffet and grab a window seat.
trainprovence.com; from €23 return
funinfinland
Paris Métro Line 6
Travel from Bercy to Trocadéro and, unusually for the Metro, most of your journey will be above the Paris streets. It also includes two crossings over the river Seine; on the Pont du Bercy and Pont du Bir Hakeim. Lift your eyes skyward to spot the Montparnasse Tower and the Eiffel Tower or, my preference, look down at the streets to catch passing glimpses of everyday Paris life and buildings. A special view of a special city.
€1.80 per journey
ID6664040
Gorge de L’Allier
After suffering one of the slowest trains in France that pootles its way from Paris to Langogne near the Massif Central (via Clermont Ferrand) you will experience in the last hour or so a fabulous ride down the Gorge de L’Allier. It’s just the railway and the river as the train winds its way over many bridges and through numerous tunnels. Return to the gorge later and try canoeing it. A tourist train also runs through the gorge.
train-gorges-allier.com; from €25 return
ayleshamlad
Bergerac to Le Buisson
This 45-minute journey in rural south-west France is a marvel of timeless style and the ultra-modern. Bergerac station is a haven of cool from the blistering summer sun. The futuristic train’s double doors slide gracefully open to reveal an air conditioned coach, with panoramic windows. This luxury machine then trundles along a rickety, single track line, passing fields of maize, vineyards, and chestnut woods. Houses alongside the track are so close, you can almost see what people are eating for supper. Bon Voyage!
From €9 return
adogcallednina
Barcelona to Montpellier
One of the best little trips you can do from Barcelona is to take the train to Montpellier. At three hours, the journey is ample enough to make it feel like a proper adventure, yet not so long that it drags. Passing the Pyrenees you get to gape at the snow-capped mountains and soon you’re speeding along the coast, with the sea on one side and some wetlands on the other. You’ll see the S shaped silhouettes of flamingos wading in the water if you look closely. After that, you’ll pass some beautiful old villages and forts piled on top of hills.
From €45 return
Rabs83
Clermont-Ferrand to Béziers
Although France is known for its network of TGVs, it’s hard to take in all that beautiful scenery when you’re travelling so fast. Instead, we gave one of the slower historic routes a go. Clermont-Ferrand to Béziers, in Languedoc, takes a full day to travel and is the longest single track line in France. The Massif Central was a scenic dream, the Gustave Eiffel viaduct (Viaduc de Garabit) was a delight and the Roquefort cheese was delicious.
From €60 return
leebe_1991
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