I’ve developed a love-hate relationship with trains since moving to Paris. In Asia, I loved all kinds of trains: metro, overnight, bullet — anything but a dirty train. Which wasn’t a problem, since you won’t find those in most big cities (and especially not in Singapore).
However, Paris’ subway trains have really turned me off from my rail-loving days. Old and graffitied, they’re always flaunting weird stains, and smell of dirty humans and the dirty things they do. The part of my brain that exercises OCD-restraint gets a major workout every time I step into la métro.
But on my trip to the Riviera, I discovered there are trains in France I like: those of the TGV, France’s high speed rail network.
For one, they’re spacious, clean, and efficient; my trip from Paris to Hyères, a cross-country journey of 435 miles, only took four hours. In this time I managed to read an entire book — but it wasn’t without difficulty….
I kept getting distracted by the most unexpectedly wonderful aspect of taking the TGV: the French countryside.
I’m sure some of you are saying Unexpected? Really? Maybe it’s because I’m not much of a Francophile, but I really didn’t know about the beauty of France’s terrain. I’m not sure why, or what I was expecting — like a country with so many vineyards wouldn’t be pretty?
Not only is the countryside beautiful, but the landscapes are varied and diverse. When I take a train through Ireland, I know I can expect to see two things: Green, and sheep. On the TGV, I found completely new scenery every time I glanced out the window. I was afraid to nap, for fear of missing seeing a new setting. From vineyards and rolling hills to the mountains and quaint villages we passed, my absolute favorite of them all were the sweeping fields of colza flowers; cloaking the earth in a bright, deep yellow I’d never seen before.
If you’re planning on traveling through France, don’t take a plane — you won’t see nearly as much magnificent scenery from the air. Take the TGV.
All photos taken with an iPhone 4S…on a train traveling at 300 km/h.
26 Comments
Shannon.Kennedy
May 4, 2012 at 23:34No matter how many times I was on the train in France I found myself with my face glued to the window (rather, the lens of my camera glued to the window). You’re right – in Ireland and Scotland, the scenery never changes, but in France it is glorious. I’ve lived in both countries and I would take a train in France over anywhere else any day.
Edna
May 5, 2012 at 13:51Oh I know what you mean; I was definitely glued — my neck hurt by the end of the train rides from craning it so much!
confessionsofaballerunner
May 5, 2012 at 00:40Timely post! I just found out today that I will get to go to London in the fall with a planned jaunt over to France. I’m so excited! And, I love trains in general. When it rains to pours (good rain), it seems: going to Dublin (and likely, Edinborough) in June and then this big UK/France trip in September. Will be my first time in Europe and traveling overseas!… :-)
Edna
May 5, 2012 at 13:54Very exciting! You’ll have such a great time. Let me know if you have any questions about Paris!
thebrightoldoak
May 5, 2012 at 07:28I love how one can tell where one is just by looking at a landscape. A part from the first two pictures (which look quite similar to the UK), the following two are so française! ;)
Edna
May 5, 2012 at 14:05Oh I’d love to take a train through the UK, especially if it looks even remotely like this.
GQ
May 5, 2012 at 11:56Totally agreed! I hated the metro smell when I studied in Paris. But the long-distance rides through the country is absolutely stunning. Have you gone West to Brittany/ Normandy region yet?
Edna
May 5, 2012 at 13:49No, I haven’t….yet. And I didn’t know you studied in Paris!
Miss Footloose
May 5, 2012 at 15:25Looking forward to taking that train in the not too distant future. I drove through France years ago, from Spain to Belgium on the way to Holland. The scenery south of Paris is wonderful as your photos show; north of Paris not so much if I remember correctly.
Edna
May 6, 2012 at 01:03That sounds like a great roadtrip! I haven’t been north of Paris yet, but hopefully will get around to it this summer.
Erica
May 5, 2012 at 19:08How beautiful! The only time I’ve been on the TGV, I was napping or playing card games (I was young!). I should probably go to France if only so I can ride the TGV down the Southern France to enjoy the scenery :)
Edna
May 6, 2012 at 01:04Um, and to visit me right?
Erica
May 6, 2012 at 04:17oh ok fine, that too ;)
Christine Amorose (@camorose)
May 5, 2012 at 19:27Love love LOVE the TGV! Can’t wait to take it up to Paris from Nice this June–gorgeous photos!
Edna
May 6, 2012 at 01:05Thanks Christine! Can’t wait to catch up in June :)
Naomi
May 6, 2012 at 13:38How beautiful!! If there’s one thing I really miss when I take the bus or train here in Korea, it’s looking out the window and seeing such unbelievable country scenes….here, most of the countryside is heavily developed, so it’s a lot of ugly green houses and factories all over the hills and fields!
Edna
May 9, 2012 at 11:03That’s unfortunate — at least there’s still some hills and fields left and it’s not all concrete jungle! I wonder why the houses are painted an ugly green?
allnight3
May 7, 2012 at 15:27I went from Rochefort to Paris and couldnÄt stop looking out the window. train rides in France, wherever you go are something special. (And so are the trains).
Edna
May 9, 2012 at 11:01Absolutely! It’s one of my favorite ways to travel; especially from Paris given that CDG airport is so far away.
Daisy de Plume
May 9, 2012 at 00:41Gorgeous shots. I always get excited about how NEON the yellow is of the Colza / Rapeseed fields. As for the metro smelling, when I first moved here I concocted the theory that that people stench you allude to was due to the fact that the French diet is so much richer and more varied than the American one. Of course, I was trying to glorify even the worst of smells. And you’re right — it’s just noxious!
Edna
May 9, 2012 at 10:59I’d never seen anything like the colza/rapeseed fields before; it was stunning! Next time I’m definitely bringing my DSLR and getting proper shots.
kristen (@unefemmeparis)
May 9, 2012 at 09:28I’ve always loved trains and subways – the TGV is no exception. How amazing are all of the bright yellow fields right now? Lovely photos :) Oh and after I took the trains in Japan and then we came back to Paris I couldn’t believe how dirty Paris seemed (which after NYC, Paris seemed like a major step up!)
Edna
May 9, 2012 at 10:58I haven’t been to Japan yet, but I’ve heard incredible things about their trains. I wonder what it is about Asia that seems to produce such immaculate train systems?
Suzy
May 13, 2012 at 22:19Great photos Edna, and all while traveling so quickly and with your iPhone. Reminds me of taking trains in Italy. I never slept because there was always so much to see out the window.
Edna
May 13, 2012 at 23:01Thanks Suzy. I haven’t been to Italy yet, but I can only imagine how beautiful the scenery is there!
gabbingaway
May 21, 2012 at 11:38I love taking the TGV in France, great to read this and spark some memories of my own journeys through France. The minute I see mountains and vineyards I know I’m home :)
I know what you mean about the metro in Paris, always smells like someones just weed on the floor. But it’s just so quintessentially French (including everyone jumping the barriers) that I do enjoy taking it. And it’s not as financially draining as the tube in London!