flying into Lyon..have 10 days

Old May 23rd, 2016, 07:36 AM
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flying into Lyon..have 10 days

we are a couple flying in to Lyon october 6..we want to explore provence and have to be in Barcelona October 13
we thought we could stay 3 nights in Lyon ..rent a car and then travel through provence. we can drive to Barcelona or take the train. Im looking for advice as to the places we should see and stay. Also where should we take the train from in France to get to Barcelona?
thank you
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Old May 23rd, 2016, 08:26 AM
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YOu can take the train from lots of cities on the route between Valence and Barcelona. Just check train schedules. I know you can take the train from Perpignan, however, as I've done it.

YOu can get a train direct to Barcelona from Nimes, Montpellier, Narbonne or Perpignan.
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Old May 23rd, 2016, 08:27 AM
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oh, don't even consider renting a car in France and driving to Barcelona, very bad idea
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Old May 23rd, 2016, 08:39 AM
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And I would take the train from Lyon to Avignon and pick up a car there for exploring Provence, rather than drive that leg.

Count back 3 months from your dates of travel on trains to get the best prices on tickets.
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 03:33 PM
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Thanks for your help so far...we will stay only two nights in Lyon..what area is the best to stay in?
We will then rent a car and drive to Arles or Avignon...we thought we could do day trips..Where is best to stay for 3 nights..Arles or Avignon?
We really want to focus on wineries as we travel...and suggestions re must do wineries ?
Thank you
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Old Jun 22nd, 2016, 02:15 AM
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As regards Lyon, with the time you have I'd suggest saying as centrally as possible and discovering the city on foot.

Depending on your budget, there are a couple of hotels in the old town (5th arrondissement) that are perfectly positioned;

Cheaper;
http://www.college-hotel.com

Not cheaper
http://en.courdesloges.com

There are lots of hotels in the presqu'ile area (1st arrondissement) but in my experience , I've found that traffic noise can be an issue, so don't recommend these.

A recently opened hotel that I've stayed at a couple of times and really, really like is the OKKO hotel in the 6th (Lyon's "chicest" quartier);

http://www.okkohotels.com/hotels/okk...pont-lafayette

It's mid-priced, located a short walk over a pedestrian bridge from the 1st arrondissement, has free breakfast and aperitif (including local beer and wine!) every evening and is tastefully turned out in contemporary designer-lite.

After Lyon, as St Cirq suggests, I'd second taking the train out of Lyon and picking up a car at your next destination, for which Avignon would be my suggestion. I just found it more to my taste than Arles, with more to do and more of an edge to it.

If you need any further suggestions on Lyon, just holler.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2016, 02:36 AM
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Forgot about the vineyards;

Spoilt for choice around Lyon really, find any producer in the following wine regions and you'll be in for a treat.

If you can find a small one, that doesn't do much to advertise their tours (but still does them) you'll likely find better prices and a better experience than you would with a larger producer such as Georges Duboeuf;

Côte Rôtie
St. Joseph
Nuits St. George
Côtes du Rhône

I'm sure you'll find something to your taste at one of these.

I'm suddenly thirsty. Roll on lunchtime...
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Old Jun 24th, 2016, 11:47 AM
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thank you...really want to stay at okko hotel but a little over budget right now...any other suggestions Jay-G in that area?
Seriously considering taking the train and picking up a car now in Avignon...and maybe making Gordes our base for daily travel..thoughts?
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Old Jun 24th, 2016, 12:48 PM
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DH and I trained (direct) from Barcelona to Montpellier. Can anyone suggest car rental drop-off at Montpellier?

When we were there, the train to France was not at the main station so check how far it is from your hotel in Barcelona.
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Old Jun 24th, 2016, 12:56 PM
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You aren't allowed to drive into Gordes. I guess if you really mean somewhere within a few miles of Gordes but not in the village, it would be central enough. So it depends on your plans for Gordes, it is central enough for a base, sure.

I think the closest hotel to the village but not right in it is Mas des Romarins, down at the bottom, and Domaine d'Enclos is jsut a bit farther. So if you don't mind hiking uphill a bit when you go into Gordes (maybe 10-15 min), it would be okay. Those places should have parking, you just can't drive into Gordes. The one hotel I know in Gordes proper is very expensive.

I like the 2nd arr. in Lyon as a convenient base, you can take the metro everywhere or just walk to a lot from there (like the main square where City Hall is, a restaurant street, etc.). It's very central. I liked this hotel
http://www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-2949...el/index.shtml

Noise wasn't an issue for me at all but I didn't have a room overlooking the main streets, I requested one in back.
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Old Jun 27th, 2016, 06:03 AM
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I can't make any other recommendations in that area I'm afraid rocketgirl, as the Okko is the only hotel I've stayed at in the 6th.

There are plenty of others nearby, and the area's pretty well served by metro stations, bus and tram lines, but the wide boulevards can grow tiresome if you're planning on walking.

If you're not set on this area, I'd second Christina's suggestion to stay as centrally as possible, just so you can stroll and explore without having to factor in journey time back to the hotel.
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Old Aug 6th, 2016, 11:54 AM
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Thanks everyone..I've booked in Lyon for Oct6&7 and also outside Avignon for 3 nights... 8,9&10 we have to be in Bordeaux for the 15 Th so we have 5 days with a car to get around..we are not going to Barcelona as I previously stated...and suggestions as where we should spend that time?
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Old Aug 6th, 2016, 02:58 PM
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Three nights is not very long to spend in Provence unless you have already visited. You could add more time there and then take a night to drive to Bordeaux.
But if you do want to move on , you could consider going to Albi for one night to visit the cathedral and the town itself, or two nights to visit some of the lovely villages such as Cordes sur Ciel, St Antonin Noble Val. Then move on to Sarlat in the Dordogne for a couple of nights. Once again, not nearly enough time for the Dordogne, but will give a taste. Then into Bordeaux on the last day.
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Old Aug 27th, 2016, 02:09 AM
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I hear you rhon...we are thinking of driving to Limoges and taking our time...we are pretty open to anything at this point...
Questions..should we pick up our car in Lyon or take the train to Avignon and get it there. If we do that how much of wine country will we miss not driving?
What should we see in Luberon? I'm trying to get a handle on what we should do for our 5 days before we have to be in Bordeaux
Another question..after our cruise we are taking the train to Toulouse and flying out the next day. Should we stay in Toulouse or by the airport..our flight is not an early one ...if we stay in the city any recommendations any one?
Thank you...October is creeping up on me. I've got to get thus trip plNned��
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