The region’s tgv high-speed rail links
The introduction of the L’océane high-speed rail link has brought many Nouvelle-Aquitaine destinations closer to Paris.
For example, in just 1 hour and 18 minutes, visitors from Paris be immersing themselves in the history of Poitiers or well on their way to Angoulême to see the 26 painted walls of the city. A 2-hour journey takes you all the way to Bordeaux, the regional capital. Once there, you can enjoy a stroll along the quaysides of its famous Port de la Lune (Port of the Moon), have a drink on a bar terrace, do some shop, or savour a delicious meal.
Other cities, including La Rochelle, Niort, Arcachon, Pau, Dax and Bayonne, are also served directly by the TGV high-speed rail service from Paris. Here are the journey times for Paris services:
- 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.
- Dax: 3 hours, 20 min.
- La Rochelle: 2 hours, 26 min.
- Niort: 1 hour, 45 min.
- Pau: 4 hours, 9 min.
- Poitiers: 1 hour, 18 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.).
To plan or book your train trip, go to www.oui.sncf
International connections
Many high-speed rail links connect major European cities with Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
From London, you can be in Poitiers in 5¼ hours or in Bordeaux an hour later via Eurostar and the French West Coast LGV high-speed line.
New ! From summer 2019 onwards, 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 be in the region just 6½ hours later.
To plan your European train journeys, go to www.raileurope.com. This website offers you 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
To find all the best intercity services to and from Nouvelle-Aquitaine, go to www.oui.sncf/intercites.
Regional connections
The region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine is criss-crossed by 32 rail lines serving 315 destinations. TER (Transport Express Régional) regional express trains complement the high-speed TGV and Intercity services, giving you the opportunity to visit every town, city and area of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
For more information about regional rail connections, please refer to the ‘Travelling around Nouvelle-Aquitaine’ section.
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From the peaks of the Pyrenees to the Marais Poitevin canals via the wharfs of Bordeaux, the beaches of the Atlantic to the shores of Lake Vassivière near Limoges, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is full of fascinating, entertaining stories that will amuse one and all.