By Train from Marseille (France) to Madrid (Spain)

Final Destination: Madrid

The train also calls at:  Avignon TGV, Figueres-Vilifant, Girona, Barcelone, Camp De Tarragona and Zaragoza-Delicias.

The train is usually scheduled to depart from Marseille at 08:02 and it is the only direct train between France and Madrid.

The train journey from Marseille to Madrid:

Scenic rating: ***

Type of scenery: coast and hills

This train journey showcases European train travel at its best - with its fantastic contrasts between the coastal views in France and the sweeping vistas across the Spanish plains.

It is also a journey with three distinct phases:

1: Between Marseille and Nimes the train travels through Provence on the high speed line.

2. From Montpellier to Perpignan the trains follow the coast.

Don't expect incredible seascapes, but there are some nice views as the train threads through the lagoons - particularly south of Narbonne.

As can be seen in the video, what's unusual and rather fabulous about this part of the journey, is that the 'sea' can be seen from both sides of the train.

Though that video was captured when travelling on a TGV train and not the AVE train that is used for this journey.

3. Then after Perpignan, the train reverts back to using high speed lines for the remainder of the journey on to Madrid.

Initially the train will travel on a high speed line to Barcelona, but the most thrilling section of this journey comes after the train has departed from there.

Between Barcelona and Madrid the train will spend most of the journey travelling at more than 290 km/h

The video clips showcase what gives this journey its wow factor, but they were filmed travelling in the opposite direction, from Madrid to Barcelona.