France · High-speed · Scenic
The fastest TGV inOui services run from Paris Gare de Lyon to Marseille Saint-Charles in three hours four minutes, over the LGV Sud-Est and then the LGV Méditerranée, which opened in 2001. Depending on the service, trains call at Lyon Part-Dieu, Valence TGV, Avignon TGV and Aix-en-Provence TGV. Seats are reserved on every train, and the arrival at Saint-Charles is up the hill above the old port.
Paris → Marseille
3h 04m
Photo: Jean-Louis Zimmermann · CC BY 2.0
Published primary route
Published end-to-end time
No verified figure published
Check the selected service before travel
Route & corridor
City-to-city high-speed corridor. The map, ordered calls and any engineering detail shown below come from the published route record.
The published route runs from Paris to Marseille via Lyon Part-Dieu, Valence TGV, Avignon TGV, Aix-en-Provence TGV.
Key stops
Paris Gare de LyonLyon Part-DieuValence TGVAvignon TGVAix-en-Provence TGVMarseille Saint-Charles
Paris Gare de Lyon
France
Lyon Part-Dieu
France
Valence TGV
France
Avignon TGV
France
Aix-en-Provence TGV
France
Marseille Saint-Charles
France
Why this connection
This is the journey that made high-speed rail feel like a change in geography rather than a faster train: Provence became a morning away from Paris. South of Valence the line runs down the Rhône with the Alps on one side, crosses the river on high viaducts and then breaks into the dry, bright country around Avignon and Aix, where the light changes completely. Arriving at Marseille Saint-Charles and walking down the steps into the city is one of the better station arrivals in Europe.
Our current editorial assessment, for comparing journeys, a considered judgement, not a measurement.
More subjective
Not rated yet: value for money, food & drink, seat quality, onboard service, slow travel quality, romance, remoteness.
Step-free access and assistance are set out with the practical detail further down rather than reduced to a score.
The train in service
Only confirmed onboard details and photographs tied to this service appear here. Unrecorded facilities remain unknown.
Evidence on demand
Route, onboard, season, fit and booking detail remain available without interrupting the journey above. Unknowns stay visible.
3h 04m
The published route runs from Paris to Marseille via Lyon Part-Dieu, Valence TGV, Avignon TGV, Aix-en-Provence TGV.
Key stops
Paris Gare de LyonLyon Part-DieuValence TGVAvignon TGVAix-en-Provence TGVMarseille Saint-Charles
Paris Gare de Lyon
France
Lyon Part-Dieu
France
Valence TGV
France
Avignon TGV
France
Aix-en-Provence TGV
France
Marseille Saint-Charles
France
Jan: Scheduled year-round as a regular timetabled service.
These months show when the train runs, which is a service fact. How good each month is for the experience has not been rated yet, so no month is presented as better than another.
Rail enthusiasts
Especially good
The train and the line itself are a large part of the reason to travel.
First-time rail travellers
Good fit
Frequent, easy to book and a straightforward first rail journey in the country.
Families
Good fit
Short enough, frequent enough or engaging enough to work with children.
You cannot just turn up
A reservation is required for this journey.
Prices quoted SNCF prices TGV inOui dynamically, so the fare depends on the date and how far ahead you book.
Not yet verified: rail pass validity. We leave these blank rather than guess.
This is the operator's own reservation entry point. Fares and availability are confirmed there, not here. Journey length: 3h 04m. Checked 12 Sep 2026 · SNCF Connect.
The detailed source record remains at the end of this guide. Review the evidence.
Your next step
Every TGV inOui seat is reserved; fares rise steeply close to departure, so book ahead.
Check availability with SNCF Voyageurs (opens in a new tab)This is the operator's own reservation entry point. Fares and availability are confirmed there, not here.
Far by Rail is a discovery guide, not a live timetable or booking service. Confirm times, fares and availability with the operator.
Continue exploring
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Photo: Kabelleger / David Gubler · CC BY-SA 3.0
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AI-generated editorial illustration by Rail Atlas
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AI-generated editorial illustration by Rail Atlas
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Also in france
Photo: Remontees · CC BY-SA 4.0
Journey information is reviewed against published material and maintained as sources change.
Last reviewed 12 Sep 2026.
Official sources
Checked 12 Sep 2026