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

Given the sheer magnitude of Paris’s popularity, it’s hard to imagine visiting France without at least making a Parisian pit stop. 🥐

But it’s not solely the “City of Lights” that makes France the most visited destination in the world. In fact, it’s fair to say the common consensus is that the country’s most magical Christmas markets aren’t even in Paris, nor is the best wine, or obviously, the top beaches (don’t swim in the Seine, kids!).

A new high-speed train is set to launch in France soon, connecting two timeless cities that are often overlooked.

Though if you do happen to be in Paris and want to swap the Eiffel Tower for vineyard views, it actually works out perfectly!

Once it debuts, this thrilling route will skim the capital outskirts, making for an easy launchpad to experience the delights of both Bordeaux and Lyon.

What We Know About SNCF’s New Blazing Fast Train Route

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

Rather than deal with the hassle of barking security guards and human cattle herds, trains are a breezy way to explore Europe, especially when they zoom by at blazing speeds.

The latest of the bunch will connect Bordeaux and Lyon, 2 storied cities known for their culinary prowess and dreamy architecture.

Here is what we know so far to get you ready for an unforgettable adventure:

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

This new train route is slated for launch in 2027 and will not be a nonstop route. There are 6 total stops on the new route, including one near Paris as promised:

• Bordeaux-Saint-Jean (Bordeaux, southwest 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 (central-eastern France)

To steal a line from Anchorman, this line is ‘kind of a big deal’ since they’re expecting to service roughly 1 million passengers the first year.

Ironically, you can look forward to sipping robust Burgundy wines and locally-grown varieties no matter if you stop or start in Bordeaux, Lyon

Tickets are not on sale yet, but are expected to be $22 with the goal of keeping most adult tickets under $35 hence it will be umbrella’d by budget brand Ouigo.

See? I told you it gets more positive as we go along.

Why Visit Bordeaux?

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

Bordeaux was named France’s most beautiful city in 2024, and given its timeless facades and golden-stone glow, it’s safe to say not much has changed in a 2-year span.

Let’s set the table, if you will. Boasting quite possibly the most picturesque public square in France and a waterfront skyline straight out of a painting, it’s hard to imagine another French city more beautiful.

It’s certainly not Paris’s overhyped steel beams. Did I say that out loud?

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

No matter the menu, you’ll find truly the stuff of legends. But just be prepared to spend a pretty penny…or Euro.

Why Visit Lyon?

On the flip side of the same coin, Lyon is globally recognized, though more synonymous with food than wine, not that you’ll find a bad glass here either.

In fact, Anthony Bourdain savored one of his favorite meals of all time, shown on a Parts Unknown episode that had me drooling on my couch.

But it’s not solely food that’s a draw here, though it’s definitely a must to set aside some cash to splurge on a nice restaurant.

Lyon is cheaper than both Bordeaux and, of course, Paris (where isn’t cheaper than Paris, amirite)?

The city’s UNESCO-protected Old Town (Vieux Lyon) is stunningly gorgeous, comprised of multiple districts, a sprawling clockwork playground to indulge in centuries of history one cobblestone and cafe at a time.

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

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.