Paris to Lyon train

Paris, the famous City of Lights, is the premier destination of choice for people visiting France. Boasting a rich cultural heritage and world-famous culinary traditions, Paris will certainly amaze visitors with everything it has to offer. The city’s star attraction is the famous Eiffel Tower, which was constructed in 1889. An architectural marvel that has stood the test of time, the Eiffel Tower is perhaps the most iconic landmark of Paris, and visitors can take an elevator to the top for a panoramic view of the city. Another must-see iconic landmark is the Musée du Louvre, one of the best art museums in the world. At the Louvre, visitors can marvel at more than 35,000 works of art, including the world-famous Mona Lisa. If you wish to stay away from the deafening crowd, Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, the largest green space in the city, will have what you need.

Paris’ food scene is rich and vibrant, brimming with both traditional bistros and chic new restaurants. For those who enjoy a rustic French vibe, the 2ème arrondissement offers some great selections. If you feel like splurging a little bit, head over to Guy Savoy, one of the best restaurants in town.

Paris is a central hub of transportation in France and Europe, in general. Visitors can catch trains to other cities at one of the six central stations: Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est, Gare de Lyon, Gare d'Austerlitz, Gare Montparnasse, and Gare Saint-Lazare. The main bus station is Paris Bercy Bourgogne - Pays d'Auvergne located not too far from Gare d'Austerlitz. The principal airports in the city are Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Paris–Orly, and Beauvais–Tillé Airport.

Located at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône rivers in the central-west of France, Lyon is France's third-largest city, after Paris and Marseille. Lyon has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its 2,000 years of history and its central role in the Renaissance. Vieux Lyon is the city's historic area, full of old buildings and a vibrant French atmosphere. Wander through the traboules, a unique architectural feature of the city; these secret passageways wind through Lyon's buildings and courtyards. Several guided tours will describe the many uses of these covered paths throughout Lyon's history: from shortcuts to the river for 4th-century residents to meeting places for 19th-century silk workers and the World War II French resistance.

Lyon is also famously hailed as the birthplace of cinema. To immerse yourself in film history, visit the Musée Cinéma et Miniature to explore old movie props, costumes, and even complete film sets from several iconic films. To experience a traditional French market, stop in Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. This indoor gourmet market offers only the finest local produce, the perfect place to sample the local cuisine.

Getting to Lyon is simple, and the lion's share of options are via ground travel. Eurolines coach services offer transport from many European cities into the Perrache train station, and many train services, including the TGV, also operate from the same station. Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is only 25 km east of the city, providing both European and intercontinental flights.