France countryside by train? Possible?
 

Hi, This is my second attempt, as my first attempt got no response. Does anyone know if you can go to Paris and see the french countryside by using trains only? We had a car in Italy, and it was very stressful driving there. We want to be more relaxed this time. We would like to see Alsace region, Champagne and perhaps French Alps, if time permits. We will have about one week. <BR>Favorite B and Bs in the alps, champagne and Alsace area, under $100 are appreciated as well. <BR>Thank you for your help.

I think that I tried to reply to your original post, which did not mention that you found driving stressful. In one week you would not have the time to go to the Alsace and the Alps. To really experience the countryside and the villages, you really need to rent a car, perhaps doing it out of Strasbourg on a daily basis, and spreading out the rental by either staying in Strasbourg or by taking the train to see towns like Colmar on alternate days. <BR><BR>Others may be able to offer interesting train rides that give you more than just zipping through the countryside. The train ride that I know of is in the eastern Pyrenees, going from Prades to La Tour de Carol. It starts down in the dry Mediterranean climate valley and goes up through a gorge to an Alpine valley where you can catch a regular train to go back north through Foix to Toulouse.

Fodors used to publish a book &quot;Fodor's France by Train&quot; (perhaps you could still find it at your local libraries),it is quite helpful.<BR><BR>I have traveled around different regions by train and bus in France. Except during weekend(buses to small towns very infrequent),it is quite convenient.