Paris to Rhine

Although I haven't taken the train to either destination, I know the areas by car. They're pretty similar- rolling hills and one of the more industrial parts of France. Don't expect any knock-out scenery until you approach the Eifel and Hunsruck mountain areas in Germany. If either train routes you through Metz, you'll see why most travelers don't go out of their way to visit this city.

I have taken the train numerous times from Paris to Metz, the regional and the TGV and also from Paris to Saarbrucken. The ride to Metz is more interesting, visited Metz a few times, but a good two day visit is enough. What is more interesting are the villages in the Metz area, particularily Gravleotte and Mars-la-Tour, for which you need a car. I passed through some of them once in 1984.

I know you asked about scenery, not price; but if you book far enough in advance (up to 92 days allowed) on the German Rail site, you can get a Europa-Spezial Frankreich Savings fare as low as 39 EUR for either Paris-Kaiserslautern-Bingen-Bacharach or Paris-Stuttgart-Bingen-Bacharach.