Why go
Understanding the different networks makes a multi-region trip easier to shape. Trains suit journeys between major cities, including cross-Channel travel through the Channel Tunnel. Urban transit can take over at either end, while roads offer a way to reach places beyond the larger stations. Allow for motorway tolls when comparing a drive with a train journey.
The full story
France's transport network works at several scales. High-speed trains connect major cities, and the Channel Tunnel gives rail travelers a route between France and the United Kingdom. Conventional rail serves many other destinations. In larger cities, metros, trams and buses extend a trip beyond the main station, so a city visit need not depend on a car. Roads become more useful when the places you want to combine sit away from those rail links. Motorways connect French regions and neighboring countries, but many charge tolls. That difference matters when comparing the apparent freedom of driving with the simplicity of a train between cities. Build the route around the places you actually want to see. For a city-to-city journey, compare the rail leg with the onward local connection. For smaller towns or several rural stops, look at the full ground journey before deciding whether to drive. Check current schedules and toll information for the specific route you choose.