🇫🇷 França

France operates one of the world's most celebrated high-speed rail networks, anchored by SNCF's TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) services. The LGV (Ligne a Grande Vitesse) network radiates from Paris to every major city: Lyon in 2 hours, Marseille in 3 hours, Bordeaux in 2 hours, and Lille in 1 hour. Eurostar and Thalys cross-border services connect France to London, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne. Night trains under the Intercites de Nuit brand serve routes to Brittany, the Basque Country, and the French Alps, with international Nightjet services expanding to Vienna and Berlin. Regional TER trains cover the entire country, providing connections from TGV hubs to smaller towns and villages. The Paris metro area is served by the RER (Reseau Express Regional) and Transilien commuter networks, both integrated with the RATP urban transit system. Tickets can be booked via SNCF Connect up to 3 months in advance; early booking unlocks significant discounts through the Prem's fare category. Seat reservations are mandatory on all TGV trains and are included in the ticket price. France is fully covered by the Eurail/Interrail Global Pass, and a dedicated France Pass is also available. However, pass holders must still pay seat reservation fees (typically EUR 10-20) on TGV and Intercites services. For domestic travel, the SNCF App and SNCF Connect website offer the most complete availability and pricing, including flash-sale Prem's fares that can bring Paris-Marseille tickets down to EUR 19.