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ContentsWhat we know about the SNCF’s new high-speed train route Why visit Bordeaux?Why visit Lyon?

If there was ever a way to explore France without Paris on your itinerary, chances are you’ll have to hit the rails!

Given Paris’s enormous popularity, it’s hard to imagine visiting France without at least making a pit stop in Paris.

But it is not just the “City of Light” that makes France the most visited destination in the world. In fact, it’s fair to say that the general consensus is that the country’s most magical Christmas markets aren’t even in Paris, nor are the best wines, or of course the best beaches (don’t swim in the Seine, kids!).

A new high speed train will soon be launched in France, connecting two timeless cities that are often overlooked.

But if you happen to be in Paris and want to swap the Eiffel Tower for a view of the vineyards, it actually works perfectly!

Once it debuts, this exciting route will skim through the capital’s outskirts, making it an easy launching pad to experience the delights of bothBordeauxAndLyon.

What we know about the SNCF’s new high-speed train route

If there’s one thing Europe does well, it’s trains.

Instead of dealing with the hassle of barking guards and human herds of livestock, trains are a light-hearted way to explore Europe, especially when they whiz by at high speed.

The newest of the bunch will connect Bordeaux and Lyon, two legendary cities known for their culinary delights and dreamy architecture.

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Here’s what we know so far to prepare you for an unforgettable adventure:

Let’s start with the downside first, and we can work our way up, leaving you in a fresher mood.

This new train route is expected to be launched in 2027 and will do sonotbe a non-stop route. There are6 total stopson the new route, including one near Paris as promised:

• Bordeaux-Saint-Jean (Bordeaux, Southwestern France)
• Angoulême (between Bordeaux and Poitiers)
• Poitiers (Western France)
• Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (near Tours, Loire Valley)
• Massy TGV (just south of Paris)
• Lyon-Part-Dieu (Middle-Eastern France)

To steal a line fromAnchormanis this line ‘kind of a big deal’ as they expect to serve around 1 million passengers in the first year.

Ironically, you can look forward to robust sippingBurgundywines and locally grown varieties, whether you stop or start in Bordeaux, Lyon

Tickets arenotis still on sale but is expected to cost $22, with the aim of keeping most adult tickets under $35, hence it will fall under a budget brand Ouigo.

To see? I told you it gets more positive the further we go.

Why visit Bordeaux?

Here at Travel Off Path we all look forward to what’s exciting and new, but we can’t help but look to the past for this…

Bordeaux was named the most beautiful city in France in 2024, and given its timeless facades and golden stone glow, it’s safe to say not much has changed in two years.

Let’s set the table, if you like. With perhaps France’s most picturesque public square and a waterfront skyline that looks straight out of a painting, it’s hard to imagine any other French city more beautiful.

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They are certainly not the overhyped steel beams of Paris. Did I say that out loud?

Most notably, Bordeaux is celebrated worldwide for its delectable wine scene, home to historic vineyards and prestigious appellations such as Médoc, Saint-Émilion and Graves.

No matter the menu, you will find true legends. But be prepared to spend a pretty penny… or a euro.

Why visit Lyon?

On the other side of the same coin, Lyon is recognized worldwide, although it is more synonymous with food than wine, not that you will find a bad glass here either.

In fact, Anthony Bourdain enjoyed one of his all-time favorite meals, shown on aParts unknownepisode that had me drooling on the couch.

But it’s not just food that’s a draw here, although putting some money aside to spend at a nice restaurant is definitely a must.

Lyon is cheaper than both Bordeaux and of course Paris (which is not cheaper than Paris,amirite)?

The city’s UNESCO-protected Old Town (Vieux Lyon) is stunningly beautiful, consists of several districts, a vast playground with a clockwork where you can enjoy centuries of history, cobblestones and café at the same time.

Call us crazy, but we say Lyon could easily be the ‘next Paris’ if it tried, and France’s latest new train adventure is all the more reason to swap the Seine for the Rhône.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.

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