We will be visiting my son in Barcelona (where we will spend 11days) and want to go to France with him for 3 nights. We were thinking Nice or Marseille. Can anyone offer any suggestions, as to destinations. We are willing to take a plane or train, no bus. Thanks so much!

https://www.google.com/search?q=coulieres+france+images&tbm=isch&tbo=u&so urce=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjy0oSj0YXZAhUBXKwKHS43Dh AQsAQIKA&biw=1920&bih=949

Collioure just over border in France from Spain is one of several picture postcard seaside resorts - about two hours by train from Barcelona.

If you like tiny trains climbing up mountain valleys from Perpignan - near Collioure you can hop the tiny Le Petit Train Jaune or Little Yellow Train which trundles up a Pyrennes valley. (Well the train starts about 20 miles from Perpignan and you take a regular train to join it from Perpignan.

https://www.google.com/search?q=little+yellow+train+images+france&tbm=isc h&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjelPrT0YXZAh VE-6wKHSmsA64QsAQIJg&biw=1879&bih=922

Nice/Marseilles would be way to far by train timewise and if flying that also takes up much of a day - try adding some days if that choice if possible.

For lots on trains and where to go check www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com. Book Barcelona-Collieres tickets at www.oui.sncf or Renfe.

Nice/Marseilles are long several hour train rides - even if flying you take up much of a day - either add days or forget IMO.

Right across the Spanish border by train are a string of picture postcard seaside villages like Collioure. From there you can easily day trip by the famous (in France) Le Petit Train Jaune - Little Yellow Train - a tiny narrow-gagued train plying a lovely valley in the Pyrenees (you take normal trains to Perpignan and to reach the start of the Little Yellow Train.

https://www.google.com/search?q=little+yellow+train+images+france&tbm=isc h&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjelPrT0YXZAh VE-6wKHSmsA64QsAQIJg&biw=1879&bih=922

For lots on trains in that area, check www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

Tell us to which place you want to go in France or why. You cannot visit "countries", but only places.
For travels up to Nimes or Toulouse, the train is the best choice. If you want to go up to the Italian border (Nice) you better fly.

For the Train Jaune mentionede by Palen, you can just go from Barcelona by train to the border station of La Tour de Carol, board your yellow train there and then go down to Vernet in France. From there you can go on to Perpignan.

Yes can go from Barcelona to La Tour de Carol, etc but that is a very long day. I stayed in La Tour de Carole and liked it as a mountain resort. But I'd do that tiny train from a seaside base as a day trip as you need not go all the way to La Tour de Carole but get off at some town midway and walk around and return to Perpignan.

But the Barcelona -La Tour de Carol route is also very scenic.

I do think Nice is too far, and even Marseille perhaps for only 3 days.

I'd suggest Montpellier if you want a real city. You can get there by direct train from Barcelona in only 3 hrs.

I have been to Perpignan from Barcelona, not sure I understand the above directions, I didn't do anything like that. I guess it was if you wanted to do that yellow train or something. YOu can go directly by train to Perpignan but I wouldn't suggest that as a destination for 3 days myself. I would recommend Montpellier. IT's the same train, it stops in Perpignan and then Narbonne, before Montpellier. I also probably wouldn't recommend Narbonne as a destination for 3 days, although it's a nice town.

Montpellier if you like a bigger town with a university, a lot of students, night life and sandy beaches.
Nice if you like art and culture, a smaller town and transport hub for most so called "must see places".

We have taken the train from Nice to Barcelona, so the reverse of what you are wanting to do. It took a full day. We took a regional train from Nice to Marseille, change of trains in Marseille, then Marseille to Montpellier. Then fast train from Montpellier to Barcelona. It was a long day, but we enjoyed relaxing on the train, much more preferable than flying. That said, I agree that given your short time frame you may be better going to a destination closer to Barcelona. I like Christina’s suggestion of Montpellier, an easy train ride away.

Again book those train tickets once you decide where early for deep discounted tickets. Montpellier is a really nice city but I'd prefer the smaller seaside villages much closer to Barcelona.

We trained from Barcelona to Montpellier and based there before basing in Nice and then on to Paris. All by train. It might be easier than Nice.

3 nights doesn't leave you very much time once you consider all the time it will take you to get there and back. Are you fully committed to going somewhere in France rather than any of the marvelous options that are closer to Barcelona in Spain?

There's a direct late afternoon train (at 16:45) from Barcelona Sants to Avignon & Marseille, both great destinations. https://www.seat61.com/international...a-other-france

And lots of high-speed trains to Perpignan.

yr22 -what do you think?