Direct TGV trains to Barcelona leave Paris two to four times per day. The frequency is higher in summer than winter. The TGVs to Barcelona leave from the Gare de Lyon in Paris. In Barcelona they terminate at Sants station. This journey is focused on speed, so there are not a lot of stops along the way - from six to ten depending on which train you take. All trains stop at the historic cities of Montpellier, Perpignan and Girona. There is some very fine scenery along the way too. Early on in the journey, you sweep through Burgundy vineyards, and later on there are engaging views of the coastal landscapes of Languedoc. After the stop at Perpignan, the train speeds south towards the Pyrenees, before diving under the mountains in the Perthus Tunnel.

If you worry that six and half hours if a long time to spend on one train, fear not! This rates as one of favourite high-speed routes. You can relax and gaze out of the window and, from to time, wander along to the bistro for a coffee or a snack. The direct services from Paris to Barcelona are all operated by French TGV trains. But it's a joint venture with Spanish rail operator Renfe, so you find a dash of Spanish style combining with French flair on this international route.

• TGV train guide

The night train to Toulouse leaves from Paris Austerlitz station. Like all domestic overnight services within France, this train does not have sleeping cars. But it does offer a choice of reclining seats, six-berth couchettes and four-berth couchettes. For a reasonable night’s sleep we strongly recommend opting for couchette accommodation.

The night train makes a brief stop at Les-Aubrais-Orléans to pick up passengers bound for south-west France. It then travels for some hours before making a couple of stops to set down passengers prior to arriving in Matabiau station in Toulouse in the morning. From Toulouse Matabiau there are excellent onward connections to destinations across south-west France. The Paris to Toulouse night train carries through carriages (both couchettes and reclining seats) to a number of communities in the Pyrenees. These include Foix, Ax-les-Thermes, L'Hospitalet (for Andorra) and Latour de Carol (for onward connections to Spain or with the diminutive Petit Train Jaune along the mountainous Ligne de Cerdagne).

• Intercités de Nuit (Lunéa) train guide

The direct AVE train from Toulouse to Barcelona dashes south with just four intermediate stops along the way. Alternative connections require you to change trains at Narbonne. All trains depart from Toulouse Matabiau station and arrive at Barcelona Sants, a short distance west of the centre of town. Sit on the right side of the train for the best views of the Pyrenees.

• AVE train guide