Trains in La Loire

The high speed Eurostar line connects Paris with various European destinations, including a direct train from London taking just two hours and 15 minutes. It arrives directly into Paris' Gare du Nord train station. If you're taking the train from the UK to Nantes, Angers or Tours, you needn't travel into the centre of Paris; one change in Lille allows you to jump onto a SNCF train direct to these destinations in the Loire Valley, with a total travelling time of less than six hours.

France's high speed trains, 'TGV', operate a good service from Paris to the Loire Valley and an excellent regional service between all the main towns and cities.

The 'Train a Grand Vitesse' (TGV) is the high speed rail network of France. The French invested huge amounts in the 1970's to build this system and such is the success of the network that it continues to be expanded both in France and in neighbouring countries. Reaching speeds of up to 200 mph, it's a great way to whip through the French countryside to your destination.

The SNCF website has the information for the TGV (high speed trains) & national rail service, or tgv-europe for all European train travel. TGV train tickets must be bought in advance. There are whole host of discounts available for families, seniors, and groups. Cats & dogs are allowed on the train for a fee.

For information and timetables on the TGV (high-speed trains) & national rail services, visit the SNCF website. TGV-europe have timetables for all European train travel. The Eurostar website has train timetables from London to Paris and Brussels.