18. Rail Trip from London to Paris to Chambery

SCENES of FRANCE

Index of Paris Scenes

The Town of Chambery

[Author and photographer © Dr Phil Brown PhD plus notes help from AI these days, page updated May17th 2026]

 All the stations mentioned are between Paris Gare de Lyon and Chambery (not all are on identical TGV routes)

See also French SNCF trains and locomotives  *  Italian TRENITALIA trains and locomotives etc.

Rail Trip Journey from Chambery (France) to Turin, Milan & Passignano on Lake Tresimeno in Italy

East Coast train heading a train for London King's Cross pulling into Northallerton station, where we started from originally, i.e. for the Italian trip started from St Pancras station, London.

Coming into King's Cross Station, London.

Getting off the train at King's Cross Station

The next day at St Pancras Station - the shopping and cafe Mall, need a bite to eat for the journey!

St Pancras Station - on the left are the Eurostar train platforms.

Eurostar trains at St Pancras Station

Eurostar train waiting in St Pancras

Eurostar leaving St Pancras station with a London to Paris train.

Eurostar trains in Paris Gare du Nord Station

Eurostar trains at Paris Gare du Nord

Garde du Nord, TGV train on left, local commuter train on right

Paris Gare du Nord, more local trains on the right

Gare du Nord Eurostar and TGV trains on the left

Paris Gare du Nord station

On the way by coach across Paris to the Gare de Lyon station, you pass an old railway viaduct that has been turned into a walk-through elevated garden - brilliant!

PARIS GARE DE LYON STATION

Paris Gare de Lyon concourse

The platforms Gare de Lyon station Paris

Lots of SNCF TGV high speed trains lined up at Gare de Lyon station Paris (? + ? +TGV 601 28801 + 19)

Paris Gare de Lyon, TGV train on right

MILANO - TORINO - LIONE - PARIGI TGV train from Paris to Chambery

PARIS-LYON-TURIN-MILAN TGV train from Paris to Chambery

The TGV depot south of Gare de Lyon station as we head south out of Paris

Leaving Paris behind and off into the countryside south of Paris.

The odd village, church or chateau flash by as we head for Lyon

Macon Loche TGV station

A tranquil rural scene south of Machon Loche TGV station

Lots of countryside travelling further south to the Lyon region

Although the TGV route goes through Lyon TGV station, there is an alternative and more scenic route from north of Lyon, just south of Machon-Loche TGV via Boug-en-Bresse, Culoz, Aix-les-Bains and alongside Luc du Borget and down into Chambery.

Bourg-en-Bresse station

Bourg-en-Bresse is a busy railway junction, lots of electric multiple unit trains in sight.

Rhone Alpes Region - Transport Express Regional -Bourgogne Conseil Regional

Allotments by the TGV tracks at Bourg-en-Bresse

First view of the lower hills of the Alps after Borg-en-Bresse station

Lac du Bourget (also known as Lac Gris, the Grey Lake) on the western side of the track between Lyon and Chambery.

View through TGV carriage window: Scenery en route to Chambery and after Aix-Les-Bains Le Revard station

View through TGV carriage window: Lake and mountain scenery just before and north of Chambery

View through TGV carriage window: Mountain scenery just north of Chambery

TGV arrived in Chambery

Chambery station with a TGV train on the left.

Local train sets at Chambery with the high mountains in the background

A classic high speed SNCF TGV train at Chambery station for our progress to Italy!

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Decription of the Eurostar railway journey from London, St Pancras to Paris, Gare du Nord

Here is a rich, immersive, carriage‑window description of the Eurostar journey from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord — blending geography, engineering, history, and what you actually see (or sense) along the way.
This is written as if you’re on the train, with layered context so you can relive the journey.

The Eurostar journey from London St Pancras → Paris Gare du Nord is a fast, elegant sweep through London’s Victorian railway heart, the Kent countryside, the Channel Tunnel, and the open plains of northern France, finishing with a glide into the Haussmann boulevards of Paris. It’s a journey where the landscape changes rapidly — from red‑brick London terraces to chalk downs, then to wide French farmland and finally the dense urban fabric of Paris.

THE FULL JOURNEY: WHAT YOU SEE & WHAT’S HAPPENING

1.  Departure: London St Pancras International

A cathedral of Victorian engineering and modern European travel

You begin beneath the vast iron and glass roof of St Pancras, restored to its 19th‑century splendour.
As the Eurostar glides out:

• On your left: the British Library

• On your right: King’s Cross with its modern concourse

• Behind you: the Gothic façade of the Midland Grand Hotel

The train accelerates quickly — Eurostar trains are built for speed.

2.  North London: Camden → Kentish Town → Stratford

A sweep through the capital’s hidden railway corridors

You pass through:

• Camden Road viaducts

• The tunnels under Kentish Town

• The suburbs of West Hampstead

• The industrial edges of Stratford

Look for:

• The Olympic Park and the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture

• The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium

• The Lea Valley waterways and marshes

The train is already on High Speed 1 (HS1) — Britain’s first true high‑speed railway.

3.  Essex & the Thames Crossing

A sudden burst of speed and open landscape

After Stratford, the train accelerates to 300 km/h (186 mph).

You cross:

• The River Lea

• The Essex marshes

• The Thames estuary via the Medway Viaduct (one of the longest in Britain)

Look for:

• The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at Dartford

• Container ports and industrial landscapes

• Chalk cliffs and quarries

This is the transition from London’s sprawl to the open countryside.

4.  Kent: The Garden of England

Rolling fields, orchards, hop gardens, chalk hills

The train races through:

• Ebbsfleet International (brief glimpse of the futuristic station)

• Northfleet and the chalk pits

• The North Downs

• Farmland dotted with oast houses and orchards

On a clear day you may see:

• The White Cliffs of Dover in the distance

• The English Channel shimmering beyond the hills

The landscape becomes more rural, more open, more spacious.

5.  The Channel Tunnel

20 minutes of darkness — but a marvel of engineering

At Folkestone, the train enters the Channel Tunnel:

• 50 km long

• 37 km under the seabed

• The longest undersea tunnel in the world

Inside, you feel:

• A slight change in pressure

• A steady hum

• The sense of speed without scenery

It takes about 20 minutes to cross from England to France.

6.  Emerging into France: Calais → Nord‑Pas‑de‑Calais

A sudden burst of light and wide horizons

The moment you exit the tunnel near Coquelles, the landscape changes dramatically:

• Wide, flat plains

• Big skies

• Wind turbines

• Open farmland

• Small villages with red‑tiled roofs

This is northern France, shaped by agriculture and the legacy of two world wars.

The train is now on LGV Nord, one of France’s high‑speed lines, running at 300 km/h.

7.  Northern France: Picardy & Île‑de‑France

A landscape of fields, forests, and distant church spires

You pass:

• Wheat fields

• Sugar beet farms

• Lines of poplars

• Occasional forests

• Small towns like Arras, Amiens, or Saint‑Quentin (depending on route)

Look for:

• Church spires rising from villages

• The remains of old railway lines

• The occasional château or farmstead

This is a landscape shaped by centuries of agriculture and the scars of WWI battlefields (though not visible from the train).

8.  Approach to Paris

Suburbs, rail yards, and the density of a great European capital

As you near Paris:

• The scenery becomes more urban

• You pass through Saint‑Denis, with views of the Stade de France

• Railway yards and suburban stations appear

• Apartment blocks and Haussmannian boulevards come into view

The train slows as it enters the dense rail approaches to Gare du Nord.

9.  Arrival: Paris Gare du Nord

A grand 19th‑century terminus in the heart of the city

You glide into one of Europe’s busiest stations:

• Iron and glass roof

• Classical façade

• Bustling platforms

• Metro and RER connections

Step outside and you’re in the 10th arrondissement, minutes from:

• Montmartre

• Canal Saint‑Martin

• Boulevard de Magenta

You’ve travelled from the heart of London to the heart of Paris in just over 2 hours.

 Final thought

The Eurostar journey is a modern version of the classic “continental crossing” — but instead of ferries and steam trains, you glide beneath the sea at high speed, watching two countries unfold through your window.
It’s one of Europe’s great railway experiences.

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Description of the SNCF TGV high speed railway journey from Paris Sud station to Chambery

Here is a rich, immersive, carriage‑window description of the SNCF TGV journey from Paris Gare de Lyon (Paris Sud‑Est) to Chambéry‑Challes‑les‑Eaux — one of the most beautiful high‑speed rail journeys in France.
This is written as if you’re on the train, with layered geography, history, and what you actually see unfolding outside the window.

The TGV journey from Paris → Chambéry is a transition from the grand boulevards and suburbs of Paris, through the open plains of Burgundy, into the vineyards and river valleys of the Saône, and finally into the foothills of the Alps, where the mountains rise around you as you glide into Chambéry, the historic capital of Savoie.

THE FULL JOURNEY: WHAT YOU SEE FROM THE WINDOW

1.  Departure: Paris Gare de Lyon (Paris Sud‑Est)

A cathedral of French rail travel

You depart beneath the great iron roof of Gare de Lyon, with its iconic clock tower and Belle Époque restaurant Le Train Bleu above the platforms.

As the TGV glides out:

• You pass the Viaduc d’Austerlitz area

• The Seine flashes briefly into view

• The train curves through the dense eastern suburbs of Paris

This is the busiest high‑speed rail corridor in France.

2.  Paris Suburbs → Île‑de‑France

A fast sweep through the outer city

Within minutes, the train is accelerating to 300 km/h on the LGV Sud‑Est.

You pass:

• Créteil and its modernist towers

• The forests and fields around Melun

• The first glimpses of open countryside

The urban fabric dissolves quickly — Paris gives way to the vast agricultural plains of central France.

3.  Crossing Burgundy: The High‑Speed Heart of the Journey

Wide horizons, golden fields, and the birthplace of the TGV

This is the classic TGV landscape:

• Rolling farmland

• Wheat, barley, and sunflower fields

• Occasional clusters of farmhouses

• Long straight stretches of high‑speed line

You may see:

• The Yonne River in the distance

• Church spires rising from medieval villages

• Vineyards beginning to appear as you approach Burgundy proper

This is the region where the first TGV lines were tested in the 1970s and 80s.

4.  Approaching the Saône Valley: Mâcon & the Maconnais Hills

The landscape begins to change — more hills, more vines

As you near Mâcon, the scenery becomes more dramatic:

• Low limestone hills

• The first real vineyards of the Mâconnais

• The Saône River meandering through the valley

• Cliffs and rocky outcrops

Look for the Roche de Solutré, a striking limestone escarpment sacred to prehistoric peoples and beloved by French presidents.

The train may slow slightly as it leaves the high‑speed line and joins the classic tracks toward the Alps.

5.  The Approach to the Alps: Bourg‑en‑Bresse → Ambérieu

The foothills rise, forests thicken, and the air feels different

You are now entering the Ain department, where the landscape shifts again:

• Forested hills

• Pastures dotted with cattle

• Rivers cutting through narrow valleys

• The first distant silhouettes of the Alps

This is a region of transition — neither Burgundy nor Savoie, but a gateway between them.

6.  The Climb Toward Savoie: Ambérieu → Aix‑les‑Bains

The mountains close in around the train

This is one of the most scenic stretches:

• The line follows the Rhône and Fier rivers

• Steep wooded slopes rise on either side

• Limestone cliffs appear suddenly

• Tunnels and cuttings carry the train through the foothills

You may glimpse:

• The Grand Colombier massif

• The Bugey mountains

• Alpine villages with stone houses and church towers

The air feels clearer, the light sharper — you are entering the Alps.

7.  Aix‑les‑Bains & Lac du Bourget (if visible)

A moment of Alpine serenity

Depending on the exact routing and vegetation, you may catch glimpses of:

• Lac du Bourget, France’s largest natural lake

• The spa town of Aix‑les‑Bains

• The Dent du Chat mountain ridge

This is classic Savoie — water, mountains, and light.

8.  Arrival: Chambéry‑Challes‑les‑Eaux

The historic capital of Savoie, surrounded by mountains

As the train slows, you enter a bowl of mountains:

• The Massif des Bauges to the east

• The Chartreuse to the south

• Vineyards on the lower slopes

• The old town’s terracotta roofs

Chambéry station sits at the edge of the medieval centre, once the seat of the Dukes of Savoy.

You’ve travelled from the heart of Paris to the gateway of the Alps in around 3 hours.

 Final thought

The TGV journey from Paris to Chambéry is a geographical narrative:
from the dense urban fabric of Paris, across the open plains of Burgundy, into the river valleys and foothills of the Alps, and finally into the mountain‑ringed capital of Savoie.
It’s one of the most varied and beautiful high‑speed journeys in France.

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See also French SNCF trains and locomotives  *  Italian TRENITALIA trains and locomotives etc.

Rail Trip Journey from Chambery (France) to Turin, Milan & Passignano on Lake Tresimeno in Italy

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Good UK trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations  Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire  *  Carlisle Station  *  Clapham Junction Station, London  *  Colton Junction, south of York  * Coventry *  Crewe Station  *  Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire  * Grantham * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station  * Leicester station * Newcastle Station  *  Northallerton Station  *  Nuneaton Station  * Peterborough *  Sheffield Station  *  Stratford Station, East London * Tamworth * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML *  York Station

See other UK TOPS classes of diesels and electrics * Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 35 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 58 *  Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 *  Class 84 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 88 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Derby Lightweight * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 120 * Class 121 * Class 122 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 172 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 195  * Class 196 * Class 197 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 331 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 489 * Class 507/508 * Class 700 * Class 730  * Class 755 * Class 800 * Class 801 * Class 802 * Class 803 *  Class 805 * Class 3000 *

INDEX of My IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

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Index of Paris Scenes

 Railway Holidays to France, Italy and Spain from to Paris Chambery France Booking tickets for Great Railway Journey luxury Rail Trip holidays Train travel in Europe Rail holidays from to Paris Chambery France to the USA & Canada luxury train through the Rocky Mountain Canadian rail railway holidays through the Rockies US Cities by train from to Paris Chambery France  Continental rail holidays to France Germany Italy Austria Switzerland Glacier Express Treyn Holidays from to Paris Chambery France from Eurostar to Paris Brussels Avignon Turin Turino Rome Roma Florence Firenze TGV fast trains Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from to Paris Chambery France great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains to Paris Chambery France Travelling by train always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery  to Paris Chambery France in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of Europe! The railway trip from to Paris Chambery France involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive in action and there is nothing like the sight and sounds of a steam train to invoke feelings of nostalgia in some of us to Paris Chambery France even more luxury by having a special trip out on a steam dining train! England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland top class hotels in to Paris Chambery France dining out travel tours top tourist destinations tourist information on to Paris Chambery France weekend breaks mini-breaks family holidays restaurants touring coach trips from to Paris Chambery France continental tours cruise ships pleasure cruises summer breaks spring breaks continental winter breaks European winter holidays spring holidays summer holidays European Rail tours Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from to Paris Chambery France A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains European Rail tours US and Canadian Railway travel holidays special steam excursions to Paris Chambery France A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Travelling by train from to Paris Chambery France always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery either in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of the railways of Europe! The railway trip involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive or heritage diesel in action on a special trip from to Paris Chambery France Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets Stuttgart Brussels Eurostar Brussels from to Paris Chambery France by TGV to Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International Stratford International, St Pancras International Paris Gare du Nord Paris Gare de Lyon Paris Gare de L'est Paris Gare Montparnasse by Eurostar from to Paris Chambery France London to Paris, Eurostar London - Brussels Eurostar London to Lille deals bargain city breaks Great Railway Journey holidays in Italy, Spain and France by TGV booking from to Paris Chambery France business holiday flights from Heathrow Terminals business holiday flights from Gatwick Airport business holiday flights from Stansted Airport business holiday flights from Manchester Airport business holiday flights from East Midlands Airport business holiday flights from Leeds Bradford Airport business holiday flights from Birmingham International Airport business holiday flights from Luton Airport to/from Paris Chambery France by VLM Airlines - the business airline that focuses on flying to regional airports, located close to city centres. Flights to London City Airport, with daily operations to Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Luxembourg. to/from Paris Chambery France by British Airways - can meet all your travel needs including air fares flights business class schedules and prices for the holiday maker and executive traveller. Website has easy on-line booking system that offers competitive prices. to/from Paris Chambery France Jet2.com - low cost airline - find low cost flights to major European destinations including cheap flights to Amsterdam, Alicante, Paris, Palma & Prague. Click to book cheap flights online plus find online flight timetables, destination guides, last minute flights & special offers on cheap flights to Europe with Jet2.com. to/from Paris Chambery France by EasyJet The low cost airline, HQ @ London Luton flying to destinations around Europe and the UK. The first low-cost airline Easyjet flies 150+ routes between 4+ key European airports for business and leisure travellers. Book Easyjet tickets online and get a webfare discount saving you money. to/from Paris Chambery France by Ryan Air the Low Fares Website. Serving all major airports in England, Ireland and Europe for the low cost flights. Special travel offers and flight discounts available weekly for online shoppers. RyanAir Flights, Ticket News and Online Travel Information. to/from Paris Chambery France by Monarch Airlines offer cheap flights to a wide range of popular European holiday destinations such as London, Majorca and Barcelona. Book budget flights online quickly and easily with their online booking system. Book independent travel scheduled flights and check out the full range of services Monarch have to offer. They run both scheduled and chartered passenger flights to and from the UK. to/from Paris Chambery France by Virgin Atlantic Airways Booking is made easier online with Virgin Atlantic's website also includes frequent flyer information and special offers for travellers. Very impressive website to/from Paris Chambery France by Astraeus operates a range of charter services to destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. On charter flights, all seats on the aircraft are sold by Astraeus to a holiday or flight-only company that is then responsible for individual reservations; public can not book direct. to/from Paris Chambery France by Aer Lingus Starting with one aircraft in 1936, Aer Lingus has grown into one of the world's most-admired transportation companies. From Ireland, UK, USA and Europe to all over the world. The Gold Circle Club rewards Aer Lingus frequent flyers with a wide range of benefits and privileges. to/from Paris Chambery France by bmi British Midland bmi is the UK’s second largest full service airline and has its main operational base at London Heathrow where it holds 14% of all take off and landing slots. The airline operates over 2,000 flights a week with a fleet of 53 jet aircraft which have an average age of five years. bmi serves 25 destinations in 10 countries. to/from Paris Chambery France by Brussels Airlines SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express are now one company: Brussels Airlines. Offering the best of two companies, Brussels Airlines flies to more than 70 destinations worldwide, offering you the choice between flexible tickets and the lowest fare. Discover all the destinations and fares available online. to/from Paris Chambery France by Aurigny the Premier Channel Island airline. Flights to Destinations include London, Bristol, Manchester, Guernsey and Jersey. You can book flights online, see the inflight magazine and book short city breaks. to/from Paris Chambery France by Eastern Airways domestic flights covering the UK, 17 regional airports from Stronoway to Southampton. Operate to and from the majority of airports across both the UK and Europe. to/from Paris Chambery France by Emerald Airways FlyJem.com is an aviation group employing upwards of 250 people in various roles. The company operates over 30 freight and passenger aircraft on scheduled and ad-hoc services throughout the UK and Europe. to/from Paris Chambery France by Air New Zealand Air New Zealand airfares, flights, air points (frequent flyer miles), Express and Gotta Go air fares. Book air travel reservations, holidays, travel packages online. Air New Zealand are great airline, we have used them much here @ UK Superweb over the years, the only way to fly when going global. to/from Paris Chambery France by Qantas was founded in the Queensland outback in 1920. Registered originally as the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS), Today, Qantas is widely regarded as the world's leading long distance airline and one of the strongest brands in Australia. to/from Paris Chambery France by Air Europa Líneas Aéreas, S.A. is the first private airline of Spain. Currently AIR EUROPA flights from Spain to more than 140 destinations around the world to/from Paris Chambery France by Air Iceland With AirIceland you can book a flight online (online bookings secure) and view timetables. You can get information on all destinations and find out about various activities for your vacation and holidays in Iceland. You can also join a netclub for cheaper flights and special prizes. to/from Paris Chambery France by Swiss International Air Lines offers 72 destinations world wide, one of the youngest fleets and excellent service. Find here airline tickets, business class airfares, first class airfares, last minute flights, easy online flight booking and company news. to/from Paris Chambery France by British NorthWest Airlines is the airline serving the busy Blackpool - Isle of Man and Belfast routes in the North West. Frequent, reliable services allow the business traveller, commuter, and tourist to take advantage of low BNWA prices and professional, caring services. 21. Air Atlanta Icelandic is the largest ACMI service provider in the world offering tailor-made solutions to other carriers, both in the passenger and cargo industry. Website details, services, fleet information and the routes they fly. to/from Paris Chambery France by Air Baltic a Latvian airline flying out of Dublin and London airports, Baltic Airlines is a low cost, no frills airlines selling cheap flights to Riga, Vilnius, Tallinn, Minsk, Moscow, St Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Kiev, Odessa, Simferopol, Dnepropetrovsk, Baku, Tbilisi and Tel Aviv. You can check availability and buy cheap air tickets online.