Thank you for visiting my blog. I’m RiRi, a Japanese blogger who runs a blog centered around travel and lifestyle, capturing photos and videos along the way.
I share my experiences, impressions, and recommendations to help those who are traveling to France for the first time.
Day 4 in France
After waking up, I will embark on a train journey from Paris, specifically from Gare de Lyon, heading towards Cannes in the beautiful Côte d’Azur in the south of France.
I’ll cover how to get to Gare de Lyon, how to purchase tickets for the TGV, France’s high-speed train, and details about TGV seating. Additionally, I’ll share photos of the scenery along the way.
・Gare de Lyon, Paris
・I will head to Gare de Lyon using the taxi-hailing app “BOLT”
In the morning, Paris is under a cloudy sky.
I’ll be saying goodbye to the lovely Airbnb apartment where I’ve been staying. I hope to return to Paris someday.
To get to Cannes, I first head to Gare de Lyon, one of Paris’s six major terminal stations, and board the train using the ticket I purchased online in advance.
If traveling by plane, I would have flown from either Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport. However, I chose to take the train via SNCF because a train journey seemed more enjoyable.
For this trip, I used the same ride-hailing service, BOLT, that I used upon my arrival on the first day in Paris. Despite leaving the apartment with plenty of time, I encountered some unexpected issues.
10:10 AM: Departure from Gare de Lyon, Paris.
Since it was showing a 20-minute ride to the station, I left the apartment at 9 AM and started waiting for my BOLT driver. However, as I waited, the driver’s estimated arrival time kept getting delayed, causing me to become increasingly anxious…
Unexpectedly, the driver canceled.
What…?
I hurriedly tried to find another driver, desperately hoping someone would pick me up quickly.
Miraculously, I got a match right away! However, by the time I secured the new driver, the estimated arrival at the station was now 9:45 AM.
Just to reiterate, my train from Gare de Lyon departs at 10:10 AM. It was my first time at this station, and I wasn’t familiar with its layout.
The new driver was a friendly guy. However, unaware of my situation, he was video chatting with his girlfriend while driving and even showed me the screen, introducing her to me as his girlfriend. Under different circumstances, I might have enjoyed this interaction, but I was too anxious about missing my train and finding the right platform at the station. I sat in the backseat, nervously wondering if I would make it on time.
The driver assured me, saying we’d arrive at the station in a few minutes. I asked him if he knew where Hall 2 was once we arrived at the station.
・SNCF App Precautions
Gare de Lyon is divided into Hall 1, Hall 2, and Hall 3. I checked the SNCF app beforehand, and it showed that my departure was from Hall 2.
Please be aware that with TGV, the departure hall information is not known until the last minute. Until the day before, it had been indicated as Hall 1 & 2.
Then, after waking up, I checked the app, and the TGV departure hall was displayed on the timetable.
I safely arrived at Lyon Station.
From here, I navigated through this unfamiliar station to reach 【Hall 2】, quickly walking with my suitcase while anxiously thinking, “Where is it? Where is it?!”
I had checked the station layout in advance for the location of the hall, but the station is vast! Honestly, I didn’t have the time to take photos, but I managed to snap some for my blog. (lol)
By the way, the image of Le Train Bleu is of a luxurious restaurant located within the station! Just the website alone is beautiful, so please take a look! It’s so lovely that I definitely want to visit it the next time I go to Paris.
So, I arrived at 【Hall 2】.
However, the board displays “Platform E.”
Huh? Where is E?
I asked a station staff, but they only spoke French. I found another staff who spoke English, and they told me it was 【Hall 1】. With time running out, I hurriedly ran towards 【Hall 1】.
I had no time to spare due to the unexpected move, so I couldn’t even buy breakfast at a kiosk.
Panting, I rushed to 【Hall 1】 Platform E.
Only 10 minutes until departure!
I touched my pre-printed QR ticket at the platform entrance to enter.
Next, I searched for my car. Car 13 was pretty far back (laughs), in an 18-car train. I confirmed with a female station attendant at the car, just barely making it. The train started moving shortly after I took my seat.
Still, it was a miracle I managed to take a few photos. LOL
・Best Ways to Buy TGV Tickets
・Purchasing tickets via the SNCF app
I got my train ticket through the SNCF (SNCF Connect) app, which I downloaded first and used to purchase in advance.
Reservations with SNCF Connect can be made starting three months before your travel date.
- Start by entering your destination under “Search for your journeys ~” and input your departure station for the outbound journey, following the steps.
- Choose your seating class.
- Pay with your credit card.
- Your QR ticket will then be issued.
SNCF ticket: 1st class €66, insurance €3.45, total €69.45.
Access to the train platform closes 2 minutes before departure, so please be mindful of that.
You must attach a label (tag) to your carry-on suitcase. That’s why I prepared it before the trip.
・TGV train interior and the scenery of the French suburbs together
・TGV 1st class
From here, the train journey from Paris to Cannes takes about 5 hours. I’ll describe the interior of the train as we go along.
The first-class seat I purchased is on the second floor, accessible via stairs, so carrying a suitcase might be a bit heavy. However, it is recommended for those who want to enjoy the view outside.
Since I am traveling alone, I reserved a single seat in advance. There is a luggage area just across the aisle where I will place my suitcase. I thoroughly researched the best seats to ensure the safety of my belongings, so having my luggage nearby is reassuring.
If you have a smaller suitcase, it should fit overhead without any issues.
The seat is not narrow and is quite spacious. You can also use Wi-Fi and power outlets.
For those traveling with friends or family, you can choose seats that face each other, making the journey more enjoyable. The seats also come with tables, which is quite convenient.
Unfortunately, the toilet on the second floor was clogged and unusable, so I had to use the one on the first floor.
The train wasn’t crowded, so I was able to take photos, listen to music with my earphones, and enjoy the scenery from the window. I thoroughly enjoyed the 5-hour train journey. Traveling by train in France was fantastic.
・If you get hungry, head to the dining car.
The TGV train has a dining car, and since I skipped breakfast, I’ll go there to buy something to eat.
The dining car has tables and chairs by the windows, allowing you to enjoy the scenery while you eat. After I finished buying my food, a line began to form.
I bought a hamburger, potato chips, and juice. It was a bit pricey, but it satisfied my hunger during the 5-hour journey. You can also order through the app.
Of course, you can pay by credit card, but since I’m not used to handling coins, I showed my coins to the cashier and had them take the correct amount (laughs).
Since I boarded the train without much time to spare, I was grateful that there was a dining car available.
As a recommendation, it’s best to buy something before boarding the train.
・To Cannes. The view of the French countryside from the train.
Departing from Paris Lyon station, the next stop is Marseille in 3 hours.
In Paris, it was cloudy, but as we approached southern France, it gradually cleared up, and the countryside started to shine beautifully.
We have arrived at the first stop, Marseille Saint-Charles station. We will be stopping for about 10 minutes, so you can step out onto the platform and enjoy some fresh air.
By the way, the TGV’s top speed is 320 kilometers per hour, so it’s impressive that you can reach southern France from Paris in just three hours.
One thing that truly reflects the freedom in France is how pet-friendly it is, as you can see in the image above. It’s amazing that pets don’t need cages or anything; it’s almost as if they were taken for a walk straight from home, so natural. Personally, I think this aspect of France is really great.
From Marseille onward, around Toulon, it’s nothing but clear skies! A paradise.
I feel the excitement of being on the Côte d’Azur. Even though it’s still France, the cityscape keeps changing, with palm trees, the sea, and beautiful buildings making you feel the essence of the French Riviera.
It’s hard to take good pictures from the train, but I’m capturing them hoping to convey the atmosphere.
As we get closer to Cannes, the beautiful coastline stretches on. Although my view is occasionally obstructed, making it difficult to find the perfect moment to take a shot, my excitement is building.
I’ve arrived at Cannes station.
This train is headed to Nice, but I’m getting off here.
How did you find the train journey, something you can’t experience on a plane?
Although a flight from Paris to Côte d’Azur Airport takes about an hour and a half, considering the time it takes to get to and from the airports and the waiting time, the difference in total travel time isn’t that significant.
It was a long five-hour journey, but once you’re on the train, you can enjoy the scenery and have a fulfilling experience. For those planning a trip to France, I highly recommend considering this option.
Now, stay tuned for the next segment: Exploring the Streets of Cannes. Enjoy!
