A train journey serves as an excellent commencement to your holiday in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This region is conveniently accessible by train from nearly anywhere, with direct high-speed services to and from Paris Montparnasse, Paris-Austerlitz, and Brussels, ensuring swift journey times from northern France.

High-Speed Rail Connections

The introduction of the L’océane high-speed rail link has significantly reduced travel times to many Nouvelle-Aquitaine destinations from Paris. For instance, in just 1 hour and 18 minutes, visitors can immerse themselves in the history of Poitiers or be well on their way to Angoulême to witness the city’s 26 painted walls. A 2-hour journey takes you to Bordeaux, the regional capital, where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the quaysides of its famous Port de la Lune (Port of the Moon), relax at a bar terrace, indulge in shopping, or savor a delectable meal.

Other cities, including La Rochelle, Niort, Arcachon, Pau, Dax, and Bayonne, are also directly served by the TGV high-speed rail service from Paris.

Here are the journey times from Paris to various destinations in Nouvelle-Aquitaine:

  • Agen: 3 hours, 12 min.
  • Angoulême: 1 hour, 43 min
  • Arcachon: 3 hours, 6 min
  • Bordeaux: 2 hours, 4 min.
  • Bayonne: 3 hours, 53 min.
  • La Rochelle: 2 hours, 26 min.
  • Niort: 1 hour, 45 min.
  • Pau: 4 hours, 9 min.

You can travel to the region by TGV from Lille Europe (4 hours, 30 min.) and Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (3 hours, 40 min.). For planning or booking your train trip, visit www.oui.sncf.

International Rail Connections

Numerous high-speed rail links connect major European cities with Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

From London, you can reach Poitiers in 5¼ hours or Bordeaux an hour later via Eurostar and the French West Coast LGV high-speed line.

New! Starting from summer 2019, Thalys will offer a direct service to Bordeaux from Brussels, with a journey time of 4 hours.

From the Netherlands, there are direct connections to Paris from Amsterdam, Schiphol, and Rotterdam. Combined with a French LGV ticket, you can arrive in the region just 6½ hours later.

To plan your European train journeys, visit www.raileurope.com. This website provides timetables and ticketing for all European rail companies.

National Connections

Intercity trains connect France’s major cities:

  • Paris-Austerlitz – Limoges – Uzerche – Brive la Gaillarde
  • Tours – Futuroscope – Poitiers – Angoulême – Bordeaux
  • Nantes – La Rochelle – Rochefort – Saintes – Jonzac – Bordeaux
  • Marseille – Montpellier – Toulouse – Bordeaux
  • Toulouse – Pau – Orthez – Bayonne

 

Visot this link for the best intercity services to and from Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Regional Connections

Nouvelle-Aquitaine boasts 32 rail lines serving 315 destinations, crisscrossing the region. TER (Transport Express Régional) regional express trains complement the high-speed TGV and Intercity services, facilitating visits to every town, city, and area of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

The Tours-Bordeaux high-speed line (LGV L’Océane), opened in 2017 enhances the SNCF links between Poitiers, Angoulême, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Dax, Biarritz, and Agen.

The main national “Intercité” network lines serve Limoges and Brive on the Paris-Limoges route, and La Rochelle and Saintes with a Nantes-Bordeaux intercity.

The secondary rail network in Nouvelle-Aquitaine is concentrated around major agglomerations such as Bordeaux, Biarritz, Limoges, Poitiers, and La Rochelle. This network is utilized by Nouvelle-Aquitaine TER trains, featuring 32 regional lines serving over 300 localities with comfortable and often modern trains.

Beach Trains with the PassOcéan

The most convenient way to reach the beaches, avoiding parking issues and potential traffic jams, is by train! Several offers are available every summer to connect the main towns in the area to the Atlantic coast. For instance, the Bordeaux – Arcachon route costs only €15 with the PassOcéan. Learn more about summer offers at transports.nouvelle-aquitaine.fr.

In conclusion, Nouvelle-Aquitaine presents an enticing array of destinations easily accessible by train, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking convenience and efficiency. Whether you’re immersing yourself in the history of Poitiers, savoring the delights of Bordeaux, or exploring the coastal beauty of Arcachon, the region’s extensive rail network ensures seamless connectivity. From international links connecting major European cities to regional express trains serving every corner of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, train travel offers a stress-free and eco-friendly way to experience this diverse and captivating region.