It crosses the river Marne at Charenton-le-Pont, and follows the right Seine bank upstream until Crosne, where it follows a course east of the Forest of Sénart.

Beyond Blaisy-Bas the railway enters the watershed of the Mediterranean Sea, descending the Ouche river valley to central Dijon.

At Dijon the railway turns south, running along the east side of the Côte d'Or escarpment with its famous vineyards.

At Chalon-sur-Saône the railway reaches the river Saône, and follows its right bank downstream until the city centre of Lyon.

There is also a long parallel line on the right bank of the Rhône between Lyon and Nîmes, which is mainly used for freight transport.

Coal was carried to all regions of the country, Beaujolais nouveau could be sampled far beyond its native area, with wines from the Midi, the Côtes-du-Rhône and even the Bourgognes using the line.