There’s no doubt that the fast trains like the TGV get you there in a time that is scarcely credible and certainly they make air travel far less necessary than in NZ. But for shear enjoyment of the journey, the regional TER system works really well. Small, modern units, with different kinds of seating – and I don’t mean classes, though I think there is a First Class section. Different levels, facing forward, facing backward, facing each other, facing into the middle of the corridor. Your choice. They travel at a moderate speed, so that you have a chance to see the scenery; they make train noises (though they screech a little around tight corners), compared with the TGV; they service shorter distances, so stop more often with the result that you get more of the feel of the place; and they have quite amazing toilets, with water and stuff (soap! paper towels!) and adapted for the handicapped, so spacious.When I said ‘small’ above, I meant only two to four units, rather than the ubiquitous 10 or 20 on the faster trains. TERs service a region, so probably a trip is a maximum of three to four hours. Perhaps Wellington to Palmerston North, or Wanganui. In Toulouse, our local train to Colombiers is a TER. It connects with the metro at the edge of the city proper and is faster than the bus, which also runs in parallel (but which stops more often). We took one from Nantes to Quimper in Brittany before changing to a bus, which really takes you into the little places. And again in the South-West, from Rodez to Millau, where I was collected for Alzon. From Grenoble to Clelles, where I am posting this from, the TER is like a scenic train, not quite Arthur’s Pass, but close. Bridges and tunnels and stunning huge scenery. I have to add here that my train was not a flash new one but we did stop and wait for one of those on a section of double track
So look forward to a TER trip on your next visit to France! It may not have the speed but it certainly gives you more of a look at the countryside.
A few more photos at
http://picasaweb.google.com/101628277989220379025/TERTrains
