TGV, the ‘Train à Grande Vitesse’ is the fastest way to travel to more than 1400 destinations in Europe. With record-breaking speeds of up to 320 km/h, whether your destination is on the other side of France or beyond the borders you’ll reach it in just a few hours, and with magnificent views of the French countryside.
The electric, high-speed TGV, operated by SNCF, transports over 130 million passengers to their destinations every year. The total number since the service began in 1981 is expected to reach 2 billion in 2010, second only to Japan’s Shinkansen train. France is, quite rightly, very proud of its bullet train service!
The TGV network
Within France TGV trains connect 150 major cities and towns. Example train durations are given below:| Journey | Travel time |
|---|---|
| Paris – Reims | 0 h 45 |
| Paris – Nantes | 2 h 01 |
| Paris – Strasbourg | 2 h 20 |
| Paris – Avignon | 2 h 40 |
| Lille – Lyon | 2 h 55 |
| Paris – Bordeaux | 3 h 00 |
| Paris CDG – Marseille | 3 h 34 |
TGV trains also connect France with Belgium, Switzerland and Germany where you can continue your journey with other European high-speed services and rail networks.
Many of the TGV stations are architecturally outstanding; if you have time go outside and take a look at the exteriors. The Gare du Nord, Milano Centrale and Amsterdam Centraal are just a few of the network highlights.
Check-in & boarding
All TGV train journeys must be reserved beforehand, most tickets are available up to 60 days previously, or they can be reserved in the station before you board.
Make sure to validate your ticket using the yellow stamp machines, or composteurs, on the platforms before you board the train.
There are usually two steps up to the carriage so make sure you can lift your luggage, or find a friendly passenger to help.
Fashion king Christian Lacroix designed the interiors of the newest TGV trains, so expect to be impressed.Suddenly you see!
On some routes, the double-decker TGV Duplex trains offer an even better view of the passing countryside whilst at high speed.Aboard TGV trains, comfort is not a legend
With the TGV, only the train goes at high speed: you travel in peace and quiet with your family and benefit from the comfort of large seats and all of the services onboard. Upgrade to First class!
| Paris CDG – Brussels | 1h 14 |
| Avignon – Geneva | 2h 53 |
| Paris – Stutgart | 3h 40 |
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