How well can you see scenery from a high speed train?

Naaa, not much to see, but objects a few hundred yards out move by very slowly. Not much different than looking out the car window when my wife is driving...

You can see an example of what its like watching the scenery from the high speed train on this youtube video (about 1min 40seconds in).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30yWfXKZ1x0

The French high speed trains average 150 to 200+ mph, once they get out in the open (depending on the line).
Things close are a bit fuzzy; the farther away something is, the clearer your view of it. But if things are really far away, such as mountains on the visual horizon, you may not see them clearly because of the distance rather than the speed
If you pass another train on the adjacent line, the closing speed can be 300 to 400 mph, that's when you have an acute sense of how fast you're traveling over the ground.

In the whole scheme of life what's one blur.

Just my take, but except for trains through the Alps, while there can be some nice scenery, most of the time the view ranks from OK to a bit less than pleasing. A blur is a bit overstated, if you want to watch the world go by, you will adapt, but really no great loss if you spend some time talking to your companions or reading.

If you get car sick easily watch out. I recommend not sitting backwards. I have to focus on the monitor most of the time which offers interesting stats like speed.

Taking the TGV from Paris to Nice was one of the highlights of my life. I loved the scenery and had a blast.

You probably want to select a seat that does not have you riding backward at 200 MPH.

Maglev train. Top speed of 431 km/hr. Too short a ride. See for yourself:

Awesome Maglev Train - Shanghai Pudong Airport - Longyang Road Station, ...:
https://youtu.be/nc81Wej6XWI

How fast you are going isn't very noticeable. Of the ones I've been on, the routes were not very scenic.

One problem with the high speed trains is that, on the purpose built lines, there are anti-noise walls whenever the train gets near a town or village that cut off the view of the scenery. Also, many purpose built lines have a lot of cuttings (sections of route sunk into the ground to avoid gradients).

If you have a double-deck TGV journey, I highly recommend selecting the upper level.

Take the upper deck when possible. I also noticed that in France, more than in Italy (for example), the train tracks run along stands of trees which block sightlines, the upper deck will help with that.

Some people want to face forward, but I think that facing backward allows you to focus on that past scenery longer, with less "rushing at you." You cannot always choose which direction you will face. Many train cars have 50% of seats in each direction and the train can reverse when it pulls in and out of any dead-end stations, usually at the ends of the line, but not always (e.g. Florence SMN station).

Taking the 5 hour ride from Paris to Perpignan on the TGV in 2011 was a good experience plus fast. I can't remember if that reserved seat was forward or backwards.

Thanks so much for the helpful advice, folks!

Terry

Also remember that until Marseille (going FROM Nice to Paris), the train isn't very high-speed at all. The topography simply doesn't allow for fast lines. If you get the choice, pick an upper deck, left-hand side of the train going TO Nice. Then you'll have wonderful ocean views until you turn at Marseille (I'm oversimplifying, but basically).

I've been on TGV trains and Japanese bullet trains and find you can see scenery just fine. Naturally, things close to the train itself whiz by too fast to identify but just look off to the middle and far distances.

Two things that no one seems to warn you about - when another train passes there's a huge rush of wind and noise and the train can really shake. Also, when you cross under an overpass or enter a tunnel, your ears could well pop from the pressure difference.

Another fact of train travel is that an awful lot of people fall asleep, so scenery isn't an issue! In my train car from Dijon to Paris I swear I was one of the only ones awake because I didn't want to miss anything.

I took the high speed train from Paris to Reims this past week. Once out of urban areas the train was going about 170 mph and you can see the scenery just fine at that speed, except for things really close to the train.
The bigger question is whether there is particularly interesting scenery on a given route. If there is, you'll be able to see it just fine.

Kim is correct -- get a seat on the left side upper deck if possible, Nice to Paris. If you buy tickets around 90 days prior to travel, you can often get 1st class for not much more than 2nd. You should be able to select your seats so be sure to get ones with a window view, not all are if I remember correctly. Chcek out www.seat61.com for lots of great tips on train travel.