After you said ‘Bon Voyage!' on your way to France, you were probably welcomed with a a number of transportation options right at the airport. France and Europe offer many ways for travelers and residents alike; from the city to the outlying countryside, there's no shortage of public transportation that is both safe and efficient. Taxis and buses can take you easily throughout the town and city, while the train system can drop you off at your next destination.

The TGV (‘Train a grande vitesse'), is France's favored mode of transport, a bullet train that zips around the entire country in a few short hours. This high-speed train connects you to multiple hotspots throughout France, and runs every 30 minutes to connect over 150 cities and towns. It travels at speeds of up to 300km/hour, and reservations are required. Paris and the surrounding areas have alost 30 trains running each day, and common locations include Chambery, Marseille, Brussles, and Lyon. Paris to Lyon is a short two-hour trip, and one where you'll enjoy the countryside and local attractions on the way. Here are some tips as you set forth on your travels:

1. Always have your passport with you. The French can spot foreigners easily, and will ask for idenificaion on a regular basis.

2. Pack a lunch. Meals can be very expensive on board, so you're much better off picking up a croissant or sandwich at the local bakery before hopping onto the train

3. Drink plenty of fresh water. Be sure to stay well hydrated, since the trains can get stuffy fairly quickly, and you don't want to be drinking the tap water

4. Pick up a Eurail pass. There are many different packages available for frequent travelers, so be sure to get one that allows you boarding discounts for TGV trips

5. Remember to book your trip in advance. You can book and pay for the ticket online through sites such as RailEurope: http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/fares_schedules/index.htm

6. Know the difference between 1st class and 2nd class; 1st class tickets usually include a meal and the seats can recline. 2nd class won't be as spacious, and you'll need to pack a lunch

7. Check the posted departure schedules, and make sure you accommodate for any time changes

8. Pack light! You may be walking quite a lot between stations, and the TGV does have small compartments to stash your luggage. Always be sure to lock the compartment door, especially on overnight trips.

9. Keep your passport and tickets in hand when boarding, and avoid showing your wallet or purse

In addition to the basics, you'll want to be aware of major train stations. The six main train stations in Paris include:

• Gare du Nord
• Gare de l'Est
• Gare de Lyon
• Gare d'Austerlitz
• Gare Montparnasse
• Gare St. Lazare

The main TGV stations throughout France include:

• Lyon: Part-Dieu
• Massy
• Valence
• Marne-la-Valle-Chessy-Disney
• Ile de France
• Lyon: Part-Dieu, Perrache, Saint-Exupery

You can enjoy your visit or trip to France as you zip around on one of the world's fastest forms of transportation. The TGV can take you all around the country with comfort, efficiency, and style!