| France enjoys one of the most modern, extensive, | | | | also make reservations in advance from your travel |
| high-speed rail networks in the world. The renowned | | | | agent from whom you purchased your pass, or |
| Tres Grande Vitesse (TGV) network will wisk you | | | | directly on Rail Europe's reservation page. |
| across the country in a just a few hours. And the | | | | 5. Most French trains of any distance have an informal |
| Eurostar is heaven....central Paris to central London in a | | | | dining car, with drinks and snacks, and some even |
| mere 2 hours 20 minutes. Here are some of my top | | | | offer kids meals in a cute plastic zip container. |
| tips for enjoying the trains in France. | | | | Convenience can be pricey though. Take a tip from |
| 1. First things first - if you're heading out from Paris, | | | | the locals and pick up a fresh baguette, some local |
| know that there are 7 major train station, plus the | | | | cheeses, fresh fruit and beverage of choice before |
| Charles de Gaulle airport station, each serving a | | | | you head to the station, and enjoy your picnic onboard. |
| different region, based on proximity. Know where | | | | Many train stations also have surprisingly good |
| you're headed. | | | | patisseries - yum! - and sell sandwiches to go |
| Gare du Nord - Paris' busiest train station, with Eurostar | | | | (emporter, pronounced "ahm por tay"). |
| to London; also Belgium, Netherlands, Northern | | | | 6. Travel light - chances are you'll be lifting all the bags |
| Germany | | | | onto and off of the train by yourself. Most trains have |
| Gare du Lyon - Central and south-east France, French | | | | overhead shelves to store smaller items. Storage |
| Riviera, French speaking part of Switzerland, Italy and | | | | areas for larger bags are at the ends of the cars, |
| connecting service into Spain through Montpellier | | | | where you may not be able to keep an eye on your |
| Gare de l'Est -Eastern France, Austria, Germany, | | | | belongings. If you're concerned about theft, bring along |
| German-speaking part of Switzerland | | | | a bicycle-type lock to secure bags to the storage |
| Gare Montparnasse - Western and south-western | | | | shelves. |
| France (southern Normandy, Brittany, Pays de la Loire, | | | | 7. Be alert - like any major gathering place in the world, |
| Poitou-Charentes, Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrénées) and | | | | train stations have their share of pickpockets. Carry |
| north-western Spain. | | | | cash, credit cards and passports in a money belt, and |
| Gare d'Austerlitz - South Central France, Toulouse and | | | | keep a watchful eye on your bags. |
| Pyrenees; night trains to south of France and Spain | | | | 8. Note the platform your train will be leaving from and |
| Gare du Bercy - near Gare du Lyon, provides service | | | | arrive early. You may need to traverse up and down |
| for overnight trains to Italy: Florence, Milan, Rome, | | | | several flights of stairs to reach your platform, so |
| Venice | | | | again, travel light..bring only what you can comfortably |
| Charles de Gaulle - Gare Aeroport CDG - most | | | | carry yourself. Most platforms have an electronic (or |
| convenient if you are flying in and making an immediate | | | | manual) board noting the composition of the trains, i.e. |
| connection - you may not have to transfer to central | | | | first class and second class cars. Position yourself |
| Paris at all. Travel directly from the airport via high | | | | accordingly on the platform while you wait for the |
| speed TGV to Avignon, Brussels, Lille, Lyon and Nice. | | | | incoming train. Cars will be marked with a "1" or "2", |
| Gare St. Lazare - serves Normandy, including Caen, | | | | indicating first or second class. Stations stops can be |
| Vernon, Le Havre, Cherbourg, Deauville, Lisieux | | | | brief, and they don't wait for you, so be ready to |
| 2. Travel like a local - Second class travel is just fine, | | | | board. Likewise, be alert as to when it's time to get off. |
| and you'll meet more Europeans that way. Who wants | | | | Know the names of the stations that are several |
| to be upfront with the business travelers? (ha!) | | | | stops prior to your stop, so you can begin to collect |
| 3. Don't count on purchasing your ticket at the train | | | | your belongings and position yourself towards the exit |
| station kiosks. Most accept only European credit cards | | | | doors. |
| that have a chip which U.S. issued cards don't have. | | | | 9. Onboard bathrooms - okay, maybe not the most |
| Purchase your France rail pass before you leave | | | | glamorous, but serviceable. Most cannot be used while |
| home, or purchase point to point tickets at the train | | | | the train is in the station (I won't go into detail here), and |
| station office. Check with a travel agent or Rail Europe | | | | the water is usually non-potable. Traveling with your |
| website for details on the many great options. France | | | | own hand sanitizer and small pack of tissues is always |
| rail passes are offered for 3-9 days of travel. If you | | | | a good idea. |
| plan to travel only 1 or 2 days, you'll want point-to-point | | | | 10. Eurostar - saved the best for last. You really can't |
| tickets. Also, if you have a short-haul trip in mind, it may | | | | beat the convenience and modern amenities. Easy to |
| be more cost effective to purchase a point-to-point | | | | see why high speed Eurostar service under the |
| ticket for that leg, and save your Rail Pass day for a | | | | Chunnel beats air travel - no checked bag fees, no |
| longer, more expensive journey. here for the SNCF | | | | long security wait lines, no 2 hour advance check in. It's |
| website which has point to point schedules and prices. | | | | a breeze traveling from Paris' Gare du Nord station to |
| 4. Eurail and France pass travelers, be aware that the | | | | London's bright new St. Pancras station. St. Pancras is |
| high speed TGV trains and night trains ALWAYS | | | | almost a destination within itself with shops, restaurants, |
| require advance reservations, payment of a nominal | | | | bars, and Europe's longest champagne bar. For the |
| fee, and space may be capacity controlled. Reserve | | | | best insider tips on traveling Eurostar, check out |
| your train early to ensure your place, especially at | | | | frequent Eurostar traveler's Paris Perfect blog post for |
| peak travel times. When I arrive in one station, I usually | | | | excellent suggestions, including which cars are most |
| visit the ticket window before I leave to make | | | | convenient. |
| reservations for the next leg of the journey. You can | | | | |