The Rhône Valley is a major traffic artery in France and Europe. Rail plays an important role, with many lines running along or through the valley. A TGV line and stations offer high-speed travel along the Rhône. Here’s a geographical and practical look at the TGV in the Rhône Valley.

Taking the TGV along the Rhône
Inaugurated in 1981, the first TGV link built in France linked Paris to the Rhône valley, with Lyon as its destination. Since then, the line has been extended southwards to Marseille, Aix and Montpellier, as well as to Lake Geneva and Geneva in Switzerland.
With Lyon as the main crossroads in the Rhône Valley, TGV lines criss-cross the region:
- In France, between the regions of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur
- In Europe, to Switzerland, Italy and Spain.
Map of TGV lines in the Rhône valley
And to visualise this high-speed rail reality, here is a schematic map of the TGV lines and stations in the Rhône Valley:

TGV lines in the Rhône Valley
The Rhône Valley is served by several key TGV lines linking the region to major national and international destinations. These lines play a crucial role in the mobility of residents and visitors, facilitating fast and efficient travel.
Paris-Lyon TGV line
The Paris-Lyon TGV line is one of France’s busiest rail arteries, with more than 45 million passengers a year. It links France’s capital with the capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. With a journey time of around 2 hours between the two cities, the line opens up other rail destinations, including Marseille.
Lyon-Avignon-Marseille line
It crosses the heart of the Rhône valley, linking Lyon to Marseille via Avignon. Avignon, with its historic heritage, is a must for many travellers. The journey from Lyon to Avignon takes around two hours, and from Avignon to Marseille around an hour and a half.
This line connects major cities such as Grenoble and Valence, offering optimum accessibility for business travellers and tourists. It also facilitates international connections, particularly to Italy and Spain, thanks to links from Marseille.
To other towns and regions in France
TGV lines in the Rhône valley provide links to other French regions. Trains link Lyon to Nice, providing easy access to the Côte d’Azur. Similarly, there are links to Montpellier for quick access to the south of France.
Further north, the TGV also provides access to Saint-Etienne in the Loire, as well as Mâcon, Le Creusot, Dijon and Besançon in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
These inter-regional connections meet the varied needs of travellers, whether on business or on holiday.
TGV to Switzerland, Italy and Spain
The Rhône Valley benefits from rail links to Switzerland, Italy and Spain, reinforcing its position as a European crossroads. From Lyon and the TGV stations in the Rhône valley, high-speed trains can reach Geneva in just under two hours, as well as Milan and Barcelona, facilitating economic and cultural exchanges and offering travellers a fast alternative to air travel.
- Further information: TGV lines and stations in France (French)

TGV stations in the Rhône Valley
The Rhône Valley, with its rich cultural and economic heritage, benefits from an efficient high-speed rail network thanks to a number of strategically located TGV stations. These stations facilitate rapid travel and connect the region to numerous national and international destinations. Many other ‘classic’ stations also offer connections, departures and arrivals for high-speed trains.
Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV
Situated at the heart of Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport, this station provides national and international air connections, with links to Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Paris.
Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV station does not serve regional or intercity trains, but does offer connections to Lyon city centre, with Perrache and Part-Dieu stations (Sytral bus, Rhône Express shuttle and Rhône coaches).
Valence TGV
Located in the Drôme department, Valence TGV plays a crucial role in the rail network of the Rhône Valley. It serves as a stopping point for trains linking the north and south of France, offering fast connections to Lyon, Paris and Marseille. The station offers passenger-friendly services such as rest areas and information services. Its strategic location also provides easy access to local transport, making it easy to make connections and travel to neighbouring towns.
Among the connecting lines, you can also travel to the city of Valence, Grenoble or the Drôme valley towards the Alps.
Avignon TGV
At Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, Avignon TGV is the gateway to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The station offers direct connections to Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence and even Spain and Italy, meeting the needs of international travellers. The station’s modern infrastructure includes passenger facilities such as lounges, restaurants and sales outlets. Its proximity to Avignon’s tourist attractions, such as the famous Pont d’Avignon, makes it an ideal stopover for tourists.
Avignon is also connected to the regional TER networks for Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and, of course, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur.
Nîmes TGV Pont du Gard
Close to Nîmes and the famous Pont du Gard, Nîmes Pont du Gard station is a strategic stopover for travellers heading for the Occitanie region and the Cévennes. It offers fast connections to Paris, Marseille and Montpellier, providing easy access to a region rich in history and varied landscapes. The station is equipped with modern amenities, including relaxation areas and catering services, meeting the needs of travellers in transit to local tourist sites.
The station offers connections with regional TER Occitanie lines, as well as bus connections to Nîmes and the Gard department.
Aix-en-Provence TGV
Aix-en-Provence TGV station is located near Lac Bleu, around fifteen kilometres from the centre of Aix-en-Provence, offering fast connections to Paris, Lyon and Marseille. It provides an efficient connection to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, making it easy to access the region’s many attractions. The station offers a wide range of services for passengers, including work areas and catering facilities.
Local transport options provide a smooth transfer to Aix-en-Provence, Marseille and the surrounding area, notably via the Zou regional network.
Lyon Part-Dieu
Lyon Part-Dieu is the region’s main rail hub and one of the busiest stations in France. Located in the heart of Lyon, it offers direct access to major destinations such as Paris, Marseille, Geneva and Barcelona. The station is equipped with a wide range of amenities, including shops, restaurants and relaxation areas, allowing passengers to enjoy optimum comfort before their departure. What’s more, its excellent public transport network makes it easy to get to the city centre and surrounding area.
The station offers connections with regional TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes lines, national Intercités lines and other TGV lines in the Rhône valley, as well as departmental bus and coach services.
Marseille Saint-Charles
Marseille Saint-Charles is the city’s main railway station and a major TGV hub in the Rhône valley. It serves cities such as Paris, Lyon and Nice, as well as international destinations. The station has a wide range of facilities, including shops, restaurants and intermodal transport services, making it easy to make connections and travel to Marseille city centre. Its central location makes it a major gateway to Provence and the Côte d’Azur.

TGV and TER connections
These dedicated or multi-train TGV stations in the Rhône valley form an essential rail network for the region, offering fast and efficient connections both nationally and internationally. They play a key role in the region’s economic and tourist dynamism, facilitating travel for residents and visitors alike.
An essential part of your travel plans, the stations provide a connection with the regional TER train networks, making it easier to transfer to other areas along the Rhône Valley.
Stations and lines along the Rhône
And to complete your discovery of the railways in the Rhône valley, here is a map of the lines and stations along the river, between the Mediterranean, France and Switzerland:
Tickets, reservations, information
And to make your next journey a reality, here’s all the practical information you need to take the train in the Rhône Valley :

Travel suggestion
Want to take a train ride along the Rhône? Go to the page of the suggestive rail journey between France and Switzerland, from the Camargue to the Alps:

In connection with the Rhône river
- Map of the Rhône river
- Weather along the Rhône
- Taking the train in Switzerland and France
- Where to sleep in the Rhône valley?
- River tourism map (Rhône)
- Towns along the river
- The Viarhôna, the green bike route along the Rhône river
