If you can afford it I would spring for the first class rail pass. It'll be a bit more but well worth it, especially for the long train rides. A few years ago my friend and I went backpacking through Europe and the first class rail passes were great. We got big, comfortable seats, and they were easy to sleep in. On one of our train rides (Lyon --> Nice I believe) we had to sit with the general boarding and it was really cramped and uncomfortable. Just a suggestion.
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