For travelers 55 and older, a new trend is catching on: seeing France by train. It’s not just about getting from one place to another. It’s about enjoying the journey itself, with time to look out the window, sip a coffee, and breathe.
Rather than navigating unfamiliar roads or juggling airport crowds, more older adults are choosing to explore France by rail. It’s easier on the body, lighter on the stress, and full of small pleasures you’d miss if you were rushing.
Through France by Train: Kathy’s Story
Kathy Marris, a travel blogger and ZestYears contributor, has been sharing her travel experiences for over a decade. When she planned her French adventure, she didn’t want to drive or stick to a rigid tour group schedule. Train travel gave her both freedom and comfort.
“I didn’t want to be worried about parking or figuring out directions in French. On the train, I could just relax,” Kathy says. “I’d sit by the window and watch the scenery change, lavender fields one moment, vineyards the next.”
She built her own route, starting in Paris and working her way through Burgundy, Provence, the Riviera, and Lyon. Along the way, she met locals, lingered in small towns, and even adjusted her itinerary when she found a place she loved.
Why France by Train Makes So Much Sense for 55+ Travelers
France’s national rail system, SNCF, is known for being efficient, scenic, and surprisingly easy to navigate. Seniors especially appreciate that they can go from city centers straight into historic towns and coastal gems—no rental car, no long check-ins, no shuttles.
Stations are designed for accessibility, with elevators and help desks in most places.
Tickets for travelers over 60 come with major discounts, thanks to the Carte Avantage Senior+.
Train schedules are frequent and reliable, and you don’t need to plan every detail far in advance.
Even better? You get to enjoy the countryside instead of just getting through it. According to Statista, nearly 20 million seniors travel within the EU every year, and France is a favorite thanks to its history, landscapes, and rail convenience.
The 5 Stops Kathy Still Thinks About
Paris: Ease Into the Adventure
Kathy spent her first few days in Paris walking by the Seine, visiting quiet cafés, and watching street performers in Montmartre. “I wasn’t rushing to check things off a list,” she said. “Just being there, enjoying a pastry on a park bench, that was enough.”
She stayed in a small hotel near Gare de Lyon, which made it easy to catch her first train south.
Burgundy: Wine Country Without the Fuss
A quick ride on the TGV brought Kathy to Dijon, followed by a short local train to Beaune. “There were mornings I’d sit at a café and just watch the locals open their shops. I toured a few vineyards, but mostly I wandered,” she said.
At a wine tasting, she met a retired couple from Canada who were also exploring France by train. They shared notes about their favorite stops and later crossed paths again in Lyon.
Provence: Warm Air and Stone Villages
From Burgundy, Kathy continued to Avignon. “That part of the ride was just stunning. You could see old farmhouses and fields of sunflowers,” she said.
Another traveler we spoke to, Marcia, age 67 from Oregon, stayed in a guesthouse outside Aix-en-Provence. Her host offered her a bike to explore a nearby town. “It felt like I had stepped into a different century,” Marcia said. “No traffic, no noise. Just the scent of lavender and the sound of church bells in the distance.”
Nice: A Breeze by the Sea
Kathy described arriving in Nice as “stepping into a painting.” She especially enjoyed early morning walks along the promenade.
“One day I got a baguette, cheese, and some peaches and just picnicked by the beach,” she said. “I didn’t feel like a tourist. I felt like I lived there.”
Harold, a traveler from New Jersey, added that Nice reminded him of his first trip to Europe in the 1970s. “It has changed in some ways, but the colors and the light still have that same magic,” he told us.
Lyon: Food, Friends, and a Perfect Last Stop
Before returning to Paris, Kathy made a final stop in Lyon. “It felt like the perfect mix of everything. History, good food, walkable neighborhoods,” she said.
She remembered a dinner at a small bouchon where the table next to hers struck up a conversation. They ended up sharing dessert and travel stories for over an hour.
“I would have missed that if I was always on the move,” she said. “That dinner was one of my favorite memories.”
Making the Most of Train Travel in France
If you’re planning a similar trip, Kathy recommends booking major train segments ahead of time, especially for high-speed routes. She used SNCF Connect to check schedules and buy tickets. The app helped her navigate changes and keep everything on her phone—no paper needed.
She also suggests packing light. “It’s much easier when you can lift your own bag and walk easily from the station,” she says. Her rolling suitcase and small backpack were plenty.
Most of all, she tells fellow seniors: don’t over-plan. “Leave some space in your schedule. Some of the best things I did weren’t on my list at all.”
Train travel in France isn’t just about getting around—it’s about what you gain along the way. You have time to notice the little things. A sunflower field out your window. A warm conversation with a stranger. A quiet moment in a village square. For seniors ready to explore at their own pace, France by train is more than a smart option; it’s a beautiful one.
Meet the Contributor
Kathy Marris is an travel writer and blogger who launched 50 Shades of Age to inspire women over 50 to embrace new adventures. A self-described free spirit, Kathy travels solo across the globe, sharing honest reflections, destination guides, and life experiences with a warm, relatable tone. Her writing empowers older travelers to explore the world with confidence, curiosity, and joy. When she’s not on the road, Kathy enjoys coastal living, storytelling, and connecting with fellow midlife adventurers.
Website: https://www.50shadesofage.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50shadesofages/
Sources:
Statista, “Seniors traveling in the EU by purpose”
SNCF Connect, “Carte Avantage Senior+”
Interview with Kathy Marris, 50 Shades of Age, https://www.50shadesofage.com
