10 beautiful train journeys in France

Continuing on the theme of train travel, but with a tilt toward beauty rather than efficiency, here is a list of 10 beautiful train trips in France. I can claim familiarity with only two of them, the Paris Metro line 6 and between Barcelona and southern France. Here's a shot of the Pont de Bir-Hakeim, over which the 6 train travels where it crosses the Seine just south of the Eiffel Tower.

Pont de Bir-Hakeim at dusk in December.

The article points out that much of this line's route run above ground, which allows riders to see some beautiful architecture, the Eiffel Tower and other sights. Underground, this line, the 4 and the RER B pass through the Denfert-Rochereau station in Montparnasse.

It's never a long wait between trains, at least on weekdays.

The 6 line travels through some nice residential areas of the 15th arrondissement; get off and stroll around the areas of the Dupleix or Cambronne stations for a peek at a less-touristic but vibrant part of Paris.

In the south, we've gone between Barcelona and Perpignan by train in the days before the TGV arrived on that route. That required three hours, about the same it now takes to get to Montpellier, nearly twice the distance. The landscape is stark and dry, but farmers still manage to grow grapes and other crops on the steep hillsides.

Farmers coax life from the hilly, arid land near the Spain-France border.

Perpignan was the site of a train faux pas that fortunately ended well. On this trip, we drove in from Provence, giving ourselves what we thought was plenty of time to return a rental car and get on our train. But traffic was horrendously backed up on the narrow streets leading to the station, and time was getting close when I dropped off Charlotte and our traveling companions with our luggage. I then set out for the rental office, but it had moved, and by the time I found it (now right across from the station, duh!), our train had left.

It was now nearing 8 p.m. and we were resigned to spending the night in Perpignan if there was no later train. But I got in the ticket counter queue and, voila, the agent not only transferred our reservation to the next train, she refunded the difference in cost between the first-class tickets I had purchased in advance and the standard fare we now had, which was perfectly comfortable, aided by some bread, cheese and wine we shared on the ride.

Those original tickets were purchased online from SNCF, the French rail operator, at www.voyages-sncf.com. You also can use this relatively new site for tickets in France, Spain and other countries: https://www.capitainetrain.com.

This experience taught me that no matter how large or small the town, allow more time than you think you need when departing by train. It's likely to be on time ... we are the variables!

Here's a very pretty apartment in Barcelona's Eixample district, close to a station for the Metro line 5 that goes directly to the Sants station, where you board the fast trains to France.

The private terrace has plenty of space for dining or entertaining.

There are two bedrooms and this open living/dining space.

This was renovated by a well-established local designer with whom we have been working for more than five years. We've stayed at two of his places, one he owns and the other manages, and they have been a cut above in terms of quality and features but still competitively priced. In fact, his own apartments are real bargains. Arrival and departure are professional and smooth, and credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) are accepted.

To see more examples of apartments we can offer in Barcelona and Paris, visit www.likelivingthere.com. Or just send an email to info@likelivingthere.com and we'll make suggestions; there are a lot more options than appear on the website.