Paris to Nice train with TGV INOUI

Paris to Nice with TGV Inoui: From the Capital to the French Riviera in 5 hours

Introduction

The train ride from Paris to Nice has to be one of France’s greatest journeys. I love to call it “France in a nutshell” – you begin in the heart of the capital, pass through the central regions, and watch the landscape transform into the classic scenery of Provence. Eventually, you reach the glittering Mediterranean Sea, just five hours from Paris. How magical is that?

Route Overview

You have a few options for train travel between Paris and Nice, including two types of high-speed trains: TGV Inoui and Ouigo. The latter is the low-cost brand of the national railway, SNCF. While onboard comfort with Ouigo is basic, the travel time is the same as TGV Inoui, which offers more comfortable interiors, First and Second Class seats, and even an onboard bar. Another option is the night train, operated by Intercités de Nuit, which lets you leave Paris in the evening and literally wake up to the sea outside your window. This is a great option if you’re short on daytime travel hours. The choice is yours, but for today’s journey, I chose TGV Inoui!

Transportation Experience

Train tickets in France can be a bit pricey, and TGV Inoui train tickets can sometimes be cheaper than Ouigo. That’s why I always use Omio to find the best possible option for my route.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

Paris Gare de Lyon is one of the city’s greatest stations. Be careful when entering, though, as there are two main halls: Hall 1 (Tracks A to N) and Hall 2 (Tracks 5 to 23). If you have the time, stop by the beautiful Train Bleu restaurant—it has to be one of the most beautiful restaurants I’ve seen in my life. If you don't want to eat there, you can just stop by to enjoy a drink.

Between Hall 1 and Hall 2, don’t miss the Galerie des Fresques—a long mural above the shops that showcases the destinations once served by the former PLM (Paris Lyon Méditerranée) railway. Gare de Lyon was the main station of the PLM, which helps explain why Paris has so many train stations, as each railway company once had its own terminus.

Gare de Nice-Ville, at the end of the journey, might be less grand but is still beautiful, especially the canopy that greets you as you step off the train. From Nice-Ville, you’re just 15 minutes from Place Jean Médecin and another 5 minutes to the Promenade des Anglais, where you can admire the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

I traveled in First Class, and it was great! Mid-train, there’s a bar where I grabbed a small snack for about €15. The food was tasty, even though it was served on an unappealing cardboard plate. Still, eating while zooming through southern France at 300 km/h is pretty cool.

My advice is to sit on the right-hand side of the train when leaving Paris, where you'll be able to catch the best views of the Mediterranean Sea. My favorite stretch is between Saint-Raphaël Valescure and Cannes, which is truly breathtaking. I also love to see the transition between the central part of France and the Mediterranean landscape that changes gradually after Lyon.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

The golden rule: book early. I paid €89 per person for this trip, which I consider very fair compared to flying, especially since I booked about a month in advance.

Costs for one passenger:

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

• Book early to secure the best prices.
• Trains between Paris and Nice are double-deckers. If you want a nicer view, book upstairs, but if you want a quiet space, then book on the lower deck.
• Take a look at the map of the TGV Inoui Wi-Fi portal and see where the train goes. They explain each sight that you can see from the train, so it’s a great way to learn about France.

Conclusion

Paris to Nice is one of France’s must-do train journeys. It's definitely an experience you shouldn’t miss if you’re visiting the country. It captures everything France has to offer. And going from the French capital to a swim in the Mediterranean in just five hours? That’s something quite magical!

About the Author: Thibault Constant

Job Title: Train Travel Content Creator Bio: Content creator (Simply Railway), specializing in train travel from all across the globe — including over 40 countries explored by rail.