France By Train

There’s a moment on every interrail trip when it clicks… you’re watching the countryside blur past, your backpack is tucked overhead, and your next city is already waiting for you. That’s the magic of travelling in Europe by train. And if you’re mapping out your route, France by train is one of the easiest wins. 

Interrailing through France just works. The trains are fast, the distances are relatively short, and the cities are all fantastic in their own way. Our suggested route has a Staycity in each city: Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux. It’s a loop you can do in 10–14 days without rushing, and every leg is connected by high-speed rail. 

Why France Works for a Train Trip 

If you’re planning France by train, the TGV network is your biggest asset. It’s fast, reliable, and built for exactly this kind of multi-city trip. 

Paris → Lyon: ~2 hours  

Lyon → Marseille: ~1h40  

Marseille → Bordeaux: ~6–7 hours  

Trains run frequently throughout the day, stations are central, and connections are straightforward. You’re not losing full days to travel; you’re moving between cities in the time it takes to watch a film. The Interrail (or Eurail) pass covers most routes, and it’s one of the easiest countries in Europe to navigate with one.  

You will need to book seat reservations for TGV services (a small extra cost) but it’s worth knowing upfront rather than being caught out at the station. If you’re new to it, the pass itself is simple: one ticket that lets you hop between cities without buying individual fares each time. You can check options or buy passes directly via Eurail or Interrail. 

Paris: Your Starting Point 

For most rail travellers, Paris is where the trip begins. Paris is built around its stations, and knowing which is which matters: 

Gare du Nord: Eurostar arrivals and northern routes 

Gare de Lyon: trains to Lyon and Marseille 

Gare Montparnasse: departures to Bordeaux 

They’re all connected by metro, so getting between them is easy, but staying near your departure station saves time (and stress) on travel days. 

48 Hours in Paris 

You don’t need to “do” Paris the hard way. Skip the rush and keep it walkable. Start early along the Seine before the crowds hit, dip into the Louvre (but don’t try to conquer it), and climb Montmartre for a slower-paced afternoon. Paris is packed with Hidden Gems.

Evenings are for wandering. We’re thinking wine bars, small bistros, nowhere in particular to be but soaking up every second in this magical city.  

Discover the top 5 things to do in La Defense 

Where to Stay in Paris 

For rail travellers, location matters more than anything. Staycity has two aparthotels that make the logistics simple - Gare de l’Est and La Défense - both well connected to the city’s main stations.  

The real difference, though, is having your own space. After a long travel day, a proper bed, a well-appointed kitchen, and somewhere to reset before your next train journey is what keeps the trip enjoyable. 

Insert some copy around the benefit of having a place to clean your clothes, prepare some lunch for your next trip etc.  

Slow Down in Lyon 

Two hours south of Paris by TGV, Lyon is a bit of a hidden gem. Arrive at Lyon Part-Dieu and you’re right in the city. Within minutes, the pace shifts. It’s calmer than Paris, more local, and built for slowing down and taking your time. 

48 Hours in Lyon 

Start in Vieux Lyon, where hidden passageways (traboules) cut through old buildings and lead you into quiet courtyards. Cross the river to Presqu’île for cafés and shopping, then head up to Fourvière for the view back across the city.  

If your trip needs a breather, this is where you take it. The Parc de la Tête d’Or is perfect for a slower afternoon, with a lake, gorgeous gardens, and plenty of space to just sit for a while.

Food in Lyon 

Lyon isn’t just “good for food” - it’s widely considered the culinary capital of France. Traditional bouchons serve rich, local dishes, but the real win is the produce. Markets like Les Halles de Lyon are stacked with ingredients you’ll want to take back and cook. 

Where to Stay in Lyon 

Staycity Lyon is located on Rue Garibaldi, right between the buzz of Part-Dieu and the Rhône riverbanks. You’re a short walk from Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse (ideal for food stops that quickly turn into full meals) and close to the main shopping streets, with Place Bellecour and Vieux Lyon just across the river.  

Head out with no real plan and you’ll end up somewhere worth being, whether that’s along the river, through hidden traboules, or in a café you didn’t mean to find. 

Back at your apartment, you’ve got the option to slow things down. Pick up fresh produce from one of Lyon’s fabulous food markets, cook something simple but delicious in your own kitchen, and enjoy the city at your own pace.  

And when you’re done for the day, having the space to properly stretch out and relax makes all the difference before the next leg of your trip. 

Marseille: The South in Full Colour 

From Lyon, head south and the landscape shifts again. Marseille is 3h20 from Paris by TGV, and it feels like an entirely different place. 

It’s rougher around the edges than the Riviera, but that’s exactly the point. This is a city with energy, history, and a coastline that makes the journey worth it on its own. 

48 Hours in Marseille 

Start at the Vieux-Port, where the city opens onto the water. From there, explore Le Panier (Marseille’s oldest neighbourhood) all narrow streets, beautiful old boutiques and faded colour. The real highlight, though, is just outside the city. 

Getting to the Calanques 

The Calanques National Park is non-negotiable. It’s easily one of the highlights of travelling this stretch of the south. Think dramatic limestone cliffs, clear turquoise water, and hiking trails that wind down into quiet, hidden coves that feel a world away from the city.  

Getting there is straightforward. From Marseille’s centre, you can take a local bus out towards spots like Luminy or Cassis, where walking routes begin, or opt for a boat trip from the Vieux-Port if you’d rather take it all in from the water.  

Plan at least half a day here, though it’s easy to stretch it longer once you arrive. Bring plenty of water, good shoes if you’re hiking, and ideally a picnic so you can settle in and properly enjoy it. Find a cove, switch off for a while, and enjoy! 

Where to Stay in Marseille  

Staycity Marseille Centre Vieux-Port puts you right in the middle of the action, just a stone’s throw from the old port. You’re surrounded by street-side bars and restaurants, one minute from the metro, and only a five-minute walk from the waterfront. 

From here, you can wander past the Abbaye Saint-Victor towards the Palais du Pharo, take in the scale of Marseille Cathedral, or lose a couple of hours drifting between the harbour and the Panier. It’s a location that makes the city feel accessible without needing to over-plan. 

Back at your apartment, the practical side of things kicks in. Having your own kitchen means you can prep food before heading out to the Calanques. And after a full day by the coast or in the city, having space to come back, reset and properly relax is a lovely touch. 

Bordeaux: Worth the Detour 

From Marseille, Bordeaux is the longest leg of this route at around 6-7 hours by train, usually with one easy change (often via Montpellier or Toulouse). It’s a slower travel day, but one that shifts the tone of your trip completely. 

Where Marseille is Mediterranean and full of energy, Bordeaux feels more refined, with lots of elegant architecture, wide open squares, and a slower pace.  

48 hours in Bordeaux 

Start along the riverfront at the Place de la Bourse and its famous water mirror, then drift into the old town where the streets open into cafés, wine bars and small shops. 

The Cité du Vin is worth a visit even if you’re not deeply into wine (it’s more about the experience than the detail) and the weekend markets are ideal for picking up local produce and seeing the city at its most local. 

Bordeaux is a city that thrives all year round, but we love the summer air.  

The Arcachon Option 

Bordeaux is an excellent base for day trips. If you’ve got time or an extra couple of days, take a 45-minute regional train to Arcachon Bay. From there, head to the Dune du Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe. 

It’s an easy half-day trip, and one of the more unexpected highlights of travelling France by train, swapping city streets for open coastline in under an hour.  

Where to Stay in Bordeaux 

Staycity Bordeaux Centre-Ville is set in the heart of the historic centre, just a short walk from Bordeaux Saint-Jean station. From the moment you arrive, you’re perfectly placed to explore, with the riverfront and the city’s main sights all just a few minutes away on foot. 

Place de la Victoire is close by too, with easy transport links to the airport and the B line tram, which takes you out to La Cité du Vin. If you’d rather explore at your own pace, you can rent a bike from our reception and see the city like a local  

Why an aparthotel beats a hostel when you’re rail travelling France by Train 

It’s often the small comforts that make the biggest difference on a rail trip. With Staycity, you’ve got everything set up to travel well without overthinking it — your own space, your own pace, and a few extras that quickly become essentials.  

Having a kitchen means you can ease into the day with breakfast at home, pick up local ingredients as you go, and enjoy simple, good food whenever it suits you.  

Laundry facilities take the pressure off packing, so you can travel lighter and stay fresh throughout your trip. And after a full day of exploring, coming back to a comfortable apartment with space to properly switch off and recharge makes the whole journey feel more relaxed, from one city to the next.