10-Day France by Train Itinerary: 3 Routes That Actually Work

Ten days in France is the sweet spot for a rail itinerary. It gives you enough time to settle into the rhythm of the country, cover real distance, and still remember where you were by the end of the trip. But once you look at the French rail map, it is tempting to try to see everything.

I recommend picking a clear route. You can connect major cities, quiet coastal towns, and wine regions by train, as long as you group them logically. The French rail system is efficient, but spending half your holiday rushing between platforms is a classic planning mistake.

Below, you’ll find three realistic 10-day France train itineraries. Each one is built around a different travel style, whether you want the classic Paris, Provence and French Riviera route, a Loire Valley and Bordeaux itinerary, or a slower journey through the Mediterranean south.

Table of Contents

• France Train Travel Tips for a 10-Day Itinerary

• 10-Day France by Train Itinerary 1: Paris, Provence and the French Riviera

  • Classic France Train Itinerary at a Glance
  • Days 1-2: Start Your France Trip in Paris
  • Days 3-5: Explore Avignon and Provence by Train
  • Days 6-7: Visit Marseille, Cassis and the Calanques
  • Days 8-10: Discover Nice and the French Riviera by Train
  • Classic France Train Route Times

• 10-Day France by Train Itinerary 2: Paris, Loire Valley, La Rochelle and Bordeaux

  • Loire Valley, Atlantic Coast and Bordeaux Itinerary at a Glance
  • Days 1-2: Enjoy Paris Before the Loire Valley
  • Days 3-5: Visit Loire Valley Castles from Tours by Train
  • Days 6-7: Explore La Rochelle and the Atlantic Coast
  • Days 8-10: Discover Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion by Train
  • Loire Valley, La Rochelle and Bordeaux Train Times

• 10-Day France by Train Itinerary 3: Paris, Collioure, Montpellier and Lyon

  • South of France Train Itinerary at a Glance
  • Days 1-2: Take the Paris to Collioure Night Train
  • Days 3-5: Visit Collioure, Banyuls-sur-Mer and Sète by Train
  • Day 6: What to See in Montpellier in One Day
  • Day 7: Choose Nîmes or Avignon by Train
  • Days 8-10: End Your France Train Trip in Lyon
  • South of France and Lyon Train Route Times

• Best 10-Day France Train Itinerary for Your Travel Style

• Final Tips for Planning 10 Days in France by Train

France Train Travel Tips for a 10-Day Itinerary

Before choosing your 10-day France by train itinerary, it helps to understand the basic alphabet soup of the French railway.

• TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse): This is the high-speed network that connects major hubs like Paris, Lyon, Avignon, Nice and Bordeaux in a matter of hours. The rule here is simple: book early. TGV prices operate a lot like airline tickets, and buying a seat on the day of travel will cost you a steep premium.
• TER (Transport Express Régional): These are the slower, local commuter trains. They are the workhorses that will get you into smaller towns, villages and coastal stops. The massive advantage of TER trains is flexibility. TER fares are usually less dynamic than TGV fares, but rules vary by region, so it is still worth checking your exact journey before you travel.
• Intercités: These run between major towns that are not connected by the high-speed TGV lines. Expect a moderate pace, comfortable seating, and some useful long-distance routes. A few services also run overnight, making the Intercités night train a practical option for crossing France while you sleep.

For longer journeys down south, sleeper trains can be a smart way to protect your daylight hours. Just be aware that their schedules can be irregular, and they do not always operate every day of the week.

10-Day France by Train Itinerary 1: Paris, Provence and the French Riviera

Use the interactive map below to follow this classic 10-day France train itinerary from Paris to Provence, Marseille, Cassis, Nice and the French Riviera before reading the day-by-day plan.

If this is your first trip to France and you want to see the iconic postcards, this is the best 10-day France train itinerary to start with. You begin in Paris, head straight down into the historic heart of Provence, and finish on the Mediterranean coast.

What makes this route so effective is how much it relies on the high-speed TGV for the big jumps, and the local TER trains for easier exploring. The Marseille to Nice section is slower and more coastal than a true high-speed jump, but it still works well as part of the route. You get the highlights without the stress of driving through rural areas or looking for parking.

Classic France Train Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Place	The Transport	The Vibe	Sleep
1	Paris	Arrive	The Seine at dusk, Eiffel Tower	Paris
2	Paris	Metro or on foot	Montmartre mornings, Louvre	Paris
3	Avignon	TGV from Paris	Palais des Papes, medieval walls	Avignon
4	Arles or Nîmes	TER day trip	Roman amphitheaters, quiet squares	Avignon
5	Provence	TER day trip	Local markets, smaller villages	Avignon
6	Marseille	TER or TGV	The Old Port, Le Panier district	Marseille
7	Cassis	TER day trip	The Calanques, cliffside swimming	Marseille
8	Nice	TER or TGV	The Promenade, the colorful Old Town	Nice
9	Monaco or Antibes	TER day trip	Riviera glamour, coastal walks	Nice
10	Paris	TGV from Nice	The long, scenic ride back north	Paris or fly out

Days 1-2: Start Your France Trip in Paris

Even if two days in Paris can feel short, it still gives you a good first taste of the city before your journey through France begins. You will have enough time to see the Eiffel Tower, walk along the Seine, explore a few central neighborhoods, and visit one or two major sights without trying to do everything.

If you are looking for a 2 day guide in Paris around history and culture, this itinerary can help you plan the first part of the trip.

Days 3-5: Explore Avignon and Provence by Train

Reaching Avignon from Paris by train is straightforward with the TGV. Avignon already has that perfect southern France feeling, so it is a strong option if you are deciding where to stay in Provence. There, you can discover the Palais des Papes, which is massive and worth your time.

Another advantage of staying in Avignon is the local rail network. You can buy a cheap TER ticket and be standing inside an intact Roman amphitheater in Nîmes or Arles in about thirty minutes. This makes Avignon one of the simplest bases for a Provence train itinerary.

Days 6-7: Visit Marseille, Cassis and the Calanques

Marseille is the heart of southern France. It is massive, complex, and full of character, with an old port city atmosphere and the famous Notre-Dame de la Garde. Like Avignon, it is also a practical base for reaching nearby places by rail, especially Cassis and the beautiful Calanques.

If you feel like hiking, I highly recommend going to the Calanque d’En-Vau. If you are not into big hikes but are still okay with walking a little, go to the Calanque de Port-Miou. If you really do not want to hike, just enjoy the sunshine in Cassis and spend some time at the beach there.

Days 8-10: Discover Nice and the French Riviera by Train

The train ride from Marseille to Nice takes around two and a half to three hours depending on the service. This is not a full high-speed journey in the same way as Paris to Avignon or Bordeaux to Paris, but it follows the coastline for long stretches, and the sea views from your window are fantastic.

Nice feels very different from Marseille. The old city is beautiful by itself, and you can also reach places such as Menton, Monaco or Antibes by TER train. If you want to extend this part of the trip, a French Riviera itinerary without a car works naturally from Nice. Menton is especially famous for its colourful houses, and it may genuinely surprise you if you want a softer, more scenic side of the Riviera.

Classic France Train Route Times

The Journey	Train Type	Expected Time
Paris to Avignon	TGV or OUIGO	2h30 to 3h
Avignon to Arles/Nîmes	TER	20 to 35 min
Avignon to Marseille	TER or TGV	1h to 1h25
Marseille to Cassis	TER	20 min
Marseille to Nice	TER or TGV	2h35 to 3h
Nice to Monaco/Antibes	TER	20 to 30 min
Nice to Paris	TGV or OUIGO	5h50 to 6h40

On your final day, you face a nearly six-hour train back to Paris. However, you can also fly from Nice Airport or Marseille Airport to your next destination, or back home. Even if six hours can seem a little long, the train is comfortable and the view from the window is good. If you are on a double-decker TGV Duplex, an upper-deck seat can give you a better view. Some TGV services also offer Wi-Fi.

10-Day France by Train Itinerary 2: Paris, Loire Valley, La Rochelle and Bordeaux

This map shows the western 10-day France rail route, linking Paris, the Loire Valley, La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion without needing a car.

If your idea of France leans less toward Mediterranean beaches and more toward grand architecture, serious wine, and the bracing air of the Atlantic, this 10-day rail route is a great option. It moves from the royal history of the Loire Valley out to the maritime history of the western coast, ending in one of the best food and wine cities in the country.

Loire Valley, Atlantic Coast and Bordeaux Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Place	The Transport	The Vibe	Sleep
1	Paris	Arrive	Evening along the Seine, classic café culture	Paris
2	Paris	Metro or on foot	The Marais, world-class museums	Paris
3	Tours	TGV or TER from Paris	Half-timbered houses, settling into the Loire	Tours
4	Chenonceaux or Amboise	TER day trip	Renaissance châteaux over the water	Tours
5	Loire Valley	Local train or bike	Vineyard stops, quieter castles	Tours
6	La Rochelle	TER or Intercités	The Old Port, medieval stone towers	La Rochelle
7	La Rochelle	On foot	Fresh Atlantic seafood, coastal walks	La Rochelle
8	Bordeaux	TER or Intercités	Grand neoclassical streets, the riverfront	Bordeaux
9	Saint-Émilion	TER day trip	Cobblestones and legendary red wine	Bordeaux
10	Paris	TGV from Bordeaux	A fast, comfortable ride back north	Paris or fly out

Days 1-2: Enjoy Paris Before the Loire Valley

Your first 48 hours follow the same idea as the classic route. Paris is huge, so do not try to see everything at once. Two days is enough to get a first taste of the city, walk around the Marais, see a few main places, and slowly settle into the rhythm of the trip before heading toward the Loire Valley by train.

Days 3-5: Visit Loire Valley Castles from Tours by Train

Taking the train to Tours puts you right in the center of the Loire Valley. Tours itself is a lively city with a beautiful old center, so it makes a convenient base. The big advantage of staying here is the local TER network. You do not need to rent a car or deal with château parking. You can take a short local train and reach places such as Amboise or Chenonceau in under forty minutes. If you like the idea of mixing short train hops with cycling, the Loire by Bike itinerary is a useful alternative for this section.

Days 6-7: Explore La Rochelle and the Atlantic Coast

After the Loire Valley, the train takes you west to the Atlantic coast. La Rochelle is a place I really recommend because it feels distinct from the rest of this itinerary. It has a strong maritime atmosphere, an old port, and two medieval towers that make the city immediately memorable.

It is also a welcome pause between the castles of the Loire and the wine region of Bordeaux. You can walk around the Old Port, enjoy the sea air, and stop for fresh seafood or oysters if you like that kind of food.

Days 8-10: Discover Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion by Train

The train ride south brings you to Bordeaux, one of the most elegant cities in France. The city is pleasant to explore on foot, especially around the old town and the riverfront. It has grand architecture, but also a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to enjoy.

The highlight here is the easy day trip to Saint-Émilion by train. The village is surrounded by famous vineyards and built around limestone streets and old stone buildings. It can get busy later in the day, so I recommend taking an early train if you want to enjoy the village before the crowds arrive.

Loire Valley, La Rochelle and Bordeaux Train Times

The Journey	Train Type	Expected Time
Paris to Tours	TGV or TER	1h15 to 1h50
Tours to Chenonceaux	TER	35 min
Tours to Amboise	TER	20 min
Tours to La Rochelle	TER or Intercités	2h to 3h45
La Rochelle to Bordeaux	TER or Intercités	2h30 to 3h20
Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion	TER	35 to 45 min
Bordeaux to Paris	TGV or OUIGO	2h15 to 2h35

Wrapping up this trip is simple. The high-speed TGV from Bordeaux to Paris takes just over two hours, so getting back to the capital is fast and convenient. If you are comparing this route with a shorter add-on, this Paris to Bordeaux train schedule and itinerary guide gives a useful sense of the same rail corridor. It also makes catching a flight from Paris more manageable. However, you can also end your trip in Bordeaux and fly directly from Bordeaux Airport if it works better for your schedule.

10-Day France by Train Itinerary 3: Paris, Collioure, Montpellier and Lyon

This interactive map follows the southern France train itinerary from Paris to Collioure, Sète, Montpellier, Nîmes, Lyon and back to Paris, including the overnight rail option toward the Mediterranean.

This route is perfect if you want a France itinerary with beautiful coastline, colourful towns, beaches, and strong local character. It takes you down to Collioure, one of the most beautiful villages on the Mediterranean coast, with its Catalan atmosphere, small beaches, harbour, castle, and bright streets by the sea. From there, the route slowly brings you north through lively southern cities before finishing in Lyon, one of France’s best food destinations.

This itinerary also gives you the chance to turn one long transfer into part of the experience, thanks to a sleeper train journey across France.

South of France Train Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Place	The Transport	The Vibe	Sleep
1	Paris	Arrive	Classic sights, walking the Seine	Paris
2	Paris / Transit	Direct night train when running, otherwise connect	A full day in the capital, sleeping on the move	Night Train
3	Collioure	Arrive by morning train	Colorful Catalan harbor, coastal castle	Collioure
4	Collioure or Banyuls-sur-Mer or Port-Vendres	On foot or TER	Beach time, painted streets, coastline	Collioure
5	Sète	TER from Collioure	Saltwater canals, working port, fresh seafood	Sète
6	Montpellier	TER from Sète	Place de la Comédie, Arc de Triomphe, Peyrou	Montpellier
7	Nîmes or Avignon	TER from Montpellier	Roman heritage or papal city atmosphere	Nîmes or Avignon
8	Lyon	TGV from Nîmes or Avignon	Renaissance courtyards, traditional bouchon dining	Lyon
9	Lyon	Metro or on foot	Secret traboule passageways, Fourvière views	Lyon
10	Paris	TGV from Lyon	The fast track back to the capital	Paris or fly out

Days 1-2: Take the Paris to Collioure Night Train

You get your first taste of Paris during the first two days, but the real adventure starts on the second evening. When the Paris-Cerbère night train is running and stopping at Collioure, you can board at Austerlitz station, fall asleep to the rhythm of the rails, and wake up close to the Mediterranean. On dates without a direct night service, plan for a connection or choose a daytime TGV and TER route instead.

If you prefer a normal bed, you can also take a daytime train down south instead. But the overnight option can save you a full day of daylight travel when it fits your dates, which is useful on a 10-day France train itinerary.

Days 3-5: Visit Collioure, Banyuls-sur-Mer and Sète by Train

Waking up in Collioure feels like arriving in a painting, which makes sense because the town is linked to the Fauvism art movement. It is a small, bright harbour town set between the sea and the hills. You can spend your time here quite simply: swim near the castle walls, walk through the colourful streets, and enjoy the slower rhythm of the coast.

For your second day in Collioure, you can either stay local or add a short TER day trip. Banyuls-sur-Mer is a great option if you want more coastline, vineyards, and a relaxed seaside atmosphere. Port-Vendres is also close by and gives you a more local fishing-port feeling. Both are simple to reach by regional train, so you do not need to overcomplicate the day.

From there, the train takes you north to Sète. It is a real working port, full of canals, fishing boats, seafood restaurants, and local life.

Day 6: What to See in Montpellier in One Day

A quick train ride brings you to Montpellier. The change in atmosphere is immediate. Montpellier is young, elegant, and easy to explore on foot, which is why one full day here suits this itinerary.

Start around Place de la Comédie, the big central square and the natural starting point for exploring the city. From there, walk into the old center, then continue toward the Arc de Triomphe and Place du Peyrou. This area gives you some of the best of Montpellier in a short time: grand architecture, limestone streets, cafés, and a lively southern atmosphere.

I would not build this day around the beach. It is possible to reach the coast from Montpellier, but it is not as simple or as immediate as in other seaside towns on this route. For a 10-day train itinerary, it makes more sense to enjoy Montpellier itself and keep the coast for Collioure and Sète.

Day 7: Choose Nîmes or Avignon by Train

If you don’t want to spend a second day in Montpellier, I would use Day 7 to add either Nîmes or Avignon. Both are easy to reach by train and both make sense on the way north before Lyon.

Nîmes is the better choice if you want Roman history. The amphitheater is right in the city center, and the town is simple to explore in one day. Avignon is a better choice if you want more of a Provence feeling, with the Palais des Papes, medieval walls, and a beautiful old-town atmosphere.

You do not need to do both. Pick one depending on what you prefer: Nîmes for Roman sites, Avignon for Provence and history.

Days 8-10: End Your France Train Trip in Lyon

The train to Lyon from Nîmes or Avignon is straightforward, especially if you use a TGV connection. Lyon is a city where you should arrive hungry. It is known for its food, but also for its old town, rivers, hills, and historic neighborhoods. If food is part of your route planning, this is also a good moment to think about the dishes you must try in France.

Take time to walk through Vieux Lyon and look for the traboules, the hidden passageways that cut through old buildings and courtyards. It is a fun way to explore the city, and also a good excuse to walk a little after a traditional lunch in a local bouchon.

South of France and Lyon Train Route Times

The Journey	Train Type	Expected Time
Paris to Collioure	Direct Intercités de Nuit when running, otherwise connect	Overnight
Collioure to Banyuls-sur-Mer or Port-Vendres	TER	5 to 15 min
Collioure to Sète	TER or TGV + TER	Around 2h
Sète to Montpellier	TER	15 to 20 min
Montpellier to Nîmes	TER	30 to 40 min
Montpellier to Avignon	TER or TGV	Around 1h to 1h30
Nîmes or Avignon to Lyon	TGV or TER + TGV	Around 1h to 2h
Lyon to Paris	TGV or OUIGO	1h55 to 2h10

Your return journey from Lyon to Paris is fast. The high-speed train takes around two hours and brings you back to the center of the capital. From there, you can catch an afternoon flight, continue your trip, or stay one last evening in France.

Best 10-Day France Train Itinerary for Your Travel Style

If you are visiting France for the first time and want to see the famous sights, the route from Paris through Provence to the Riviera is the best choice. It covers many of the classic places and gives you that Mediterranean side of France at the end.

If you prefer a quieter and more historical trip, the route through the Loire Valley, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux is a great option. You get châteaux, elegant towns, Atlantic air, and a strong wine culture.

But if you want something more local, with smaller coastal towns and incredible food, the route through Collioure, Sète, Montpellier, and Lyon is the one I would recommend. It fits the spirit of these hidden gems in the South of France: more original, more lived-in, and a little less obvious than the classic route.

Final Tips for Planning 10 Days in France by Train

Ten days by rail is a very good amount of time for a trip in France. It is long enough to see the landscape, architecture, and atmosphere change from one region to another, but still short enough to keep the trip clear and easy to follow. For a first visit, avoiding the highways and letting the trains do most of the work is one of the easiest ways to travel.

Just keep a few simple rules in mind. Book your high-speed TGV seats as soon as your dates are fixed, especially if you want to keep the budget under control. Use regional TER trains for easy day trips once you are based in a town, but check the fare rules for your exact region. And if you want to take a sleeper service, check the schedule early, because departures are not always daily.

Choose the route that fits your travel style, book the main train journeys early, and enjoy the ride.