A taste of the French Countryside, and its ever changing landscape, views captured from the TGV train. If you are planning a visit to France consider hopping the TGV (The French high speed, bullet train.) from Paris to Marseille for an overnighter or two. Imagine breathing in three hours of French country landscapes. The TGV runs around the clock, and has sleeping berths as well.
To take such a journey you need to go to the GARE DE LYON in Paris and catch the train to the south of France which takes you to; Lyon, Avignon, Aix en Provence, Marseille, Nice, Cannes….
The train route follows along a glorious quiet tour through miles of farms land, Roman aqueducts, castles, farm houses, olive orchards, lavender fields… it is the best kept secret tour… Hey wait a minute… I never thought of it until just now, I could give tours on the TGV…. From Paris to Marseille! Hah! I do not need to drive, so there is no fear of me falling asleep at the wheel!
I can see us now, first we would meet at the Gare de Lyon in Paris …
We could gather at Le TRAIN BLEU for a drink, a must stop see and do, while in Paris regardless if you are taking the secret train tour to the south of France or not.
Do not be daunted by the restaurant's beautiful classy interior, you can enter with your suitcases and traveling clothes. Le Train Bleu has many side rooms especially set up for drinks, brunch, desserts… you need not have a meal to enjoy the charm of the place.
The TGV Paris to Marseille Tour (I gotta come up with a name for this thing…) would start with Hot Chocolate in one of the side rooms at the Le Train Bleu, I will wave to you on top of the stairs, wearing my black dress and calling out "Bonjour, Welcome! You are Here! Hi! Come on in!"
After our hot chocolate or champagne, we would walk down to catch the TGV. While on our way to Marseille, along the way I could point out sites, or I could say, "Oops we missed the Roman aqueduct, sorry! The TGV is really fast today!"
I would need to remind myself, and you, that if you are not looking out the window all the time you might miss some of the Tour's Highlights… I must admit I am not that organized to say, "OH Stop and LOOK theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere!"
What would I talk about for three hours?
French Hi
story?
French Architecture?
French Food?
French Habits?
French Husband…
Of course I would supply a gourmet picnic of wine, cheese, tapenade and baguettes…and French pastries, yes a ton of pastries!
…and sometimes we would just take in the view…. Avignon…
…and when we came by an over pass I would make up a game and have us jump on our seats and sing a song from the French group Telephone or sing the French song Voyage Voyage or something French…Oh I know!!! We could sing the French National Anthem!
Or at least shout out: Viva la France!
Are you on board?
Where are we going tomorrow? Close your eyes and hop on.
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