Paris to Nice is a six hour train journey by TGV.

Nice to Brussels is either an 8.5 hour direct train journey by TGV, or a longer jounrey via Paris.

Or you can fly.

Check http://www.raileurop… and http://www.expedia.c… to compare prices.

Prices on raileurope will be the inflated prices to buy the train tickets from outside Europe. Price to buy in Europe will probably be 20% less. Compare train tickets to a rail pass for price. These are long, expensive train trips and a pass may save money.

As for "other destinations" in the south of France… Why did you choose Nice? If you were planning on the Riviera, then Nice is as good a choice as any, time wise. Cannes and Antibes are a few minutes closer to Paris, but it’s not a significant amount of time.

I’d fly. I’m flying from Paris to Nice in late July, with easyJet. From what I remember, the flight cost less than the fare for the train ride I was looking at. Plus there’s less travel time too, which means more time to spend in Nice (or Paris).

Always be careful to factor in time to/from and waiting in the airport when considering time differences…
-howie

We’re taking the night train – leaves around 9 p.m. and arrives at 8:15 in the morning. You don’t lose any sightseeing time that way.

First, why Nice? I don’t mean to suggest that it’s a terrible place, but I’d like to open your mind to other possible destinations that would involve less travel time.
If you want the "Riviera" experience, you could stop at numerous smaller towns along the coast, starting with Cassis (near Marseille), and including St Raphael, Juan-les-Pins, and Antibes, just to name a few—- all are smaller and have better beaches, if that’s a goal.
If beaches are not a major priority, consider the following cities that lie along the route between Paris and Nice (and can be reached by train): Dijon, Beaune, Lyon, Avignon, Arles, and Aix-en-Provence. These are all wonderful places that you’d enjoy seeeing, and can be explored on foot (or, in the case of Lyon, by walking and/or using public transport).

A morning train Paris-Nice will take 5h 55min and tickets cost 60-86 EUR 2nd class.

Nice-Brussels will take 8h 05min and ticket will cost 100-136 EUR.