Arles - Plane? Train? Auto?
 

My wife and I are planning a trip in mid-Oct. to celebrate our 30th anniversary. We have sort of decided to base ourselves in Arles and have been told the Hotel Du Musee would be a good choice. We are having difficulty deciding whether to fly into Paris and take the train or fly into Marseille and rent a car. We only have one week and I don't want to waste a lot of time getting there and back. Air fares seem to be considerably cheaper right now to Paris (from Chicago)than to Marseille. Any suggestions would be most appreciated

fly into Paris.<BR><BR>TGV to Avignon. 3 hours, pickup right at CDG. 80-90 bucks one way if memory serves?<BR><BR>pick up car, try www.kemwel.com you can get a decent mid size for around 300 for the week.<BR><BR>drive to Arles. not a bad trip a-tall.<BR><BR>QED

Lots of options here. The drive from Marseille to Arles is OK. However, I would suggest taking the train all the way to Arles. If you fly to Marseille, it's an easy connection. If you fly to Paris to save money, you can take the TGV to Avignon in 3 hours and then continue by train (about 20 minutes) to Arles. <BR><BR>That way, you can just rent your car in Arles and pay for the days you really need the car, because you really do not want a car while you are in Arles. Typical of old Roman cities it is very tight driving, but a great walking city. I would spend a few car-less days in Arles, then rent the car and head for the hills north into the heart of Provence, staying in the smaller and more charming villages of the Vaucluse...bb

JoeG - Thinking more about trains...You might be able to take the TGV from Paris all the way to Arles without changing trains in Avignon. The TGV has an OK website, or perhaps one of the many well-informed readers here can pass on that info...bb

not sure if you can take TGV to Arles? I would tend to say no, but I am not sure...<BR><BR>but, Avignon is a good place to pick up a car, and it's a pretty drive to Arles from there...

I don't know hotel du Musee, but Hotel Calendal is also a very nice choice (I think they have a site, or at least it's within the Tourist office's). I think that geographically the closest TGV station is the new one built on the outskirts of Aix en Provence. But Avignon is OK too, and trains might be more frequent. Remember: lots of TGV Mediterranee trains start directly from CDG, so you won't event have to drag yourselves into Paris.

The TGV only stops in Arles during the summer months. So in October, I suggest you take the TGV to Avignon and rent a car - the drive from the Avignon TGV station to Arles only takes about 25 - 30 minutes. (DON'T go to Aix - that station is over an hour from Arles) <BR><BR>You can get on the train at CDG airport (the station is between Halls F & C - by the Sheraton Hotel) - the trip takes a little over three hours. If you leave from the Gare de Lyon, in Paris, the trip is 2.5 hours.<BR><BR>PB

Hey, thanks for the great advice and encouragement - I just booked the flight to Paris for Oct. 8-17th. The Hotel le Calendal sounds great as well as the suggestion to hold off on the rental car. Any ideas on restaurants? Also if we stay in Arles for 3-4 nights any suggestions for another location?

I highly recommend the Calendal: <BR>www.lecalendal.com<BR>[email protected]<B R>The location is great, there are at least two restraurants steps away and others within easy walking distance. They have a garage (must be reserved in advance) and there is also public parking across from the hotel. <BR><BR>I agree with taking the TGV to Avignon. There is a new train station since we were there and car rentals are nearby. I suggest you arrange for car rental before you leave. I would recommend AutoEurope. We used them in France last year and in Italy this year.<BR><BR>Be sure to take a day trip to Pont du Gard with a stop in Nimes. Also visiting the Camargue is wonderful. Arles is a great base for day trips to many places. If you like Roman history and ruins you are in for a treat. The Roman arena (still in use) is next door to the Calendal and the theatre just across the street. <BR><BR>Try for the room we had (Chambre 4). It is larger than most and has a large terrace, beautiful tiled bathroom. There is no elevator but we managed.<BR><BR>If you have further questions e-mail me: [email protected]

Parking and driving in Arles is not easy.I would TGV to Avignon and take a local to Arles.<BR>We dropped off in Arles with Hertz and the office was an easy walk from the Place du Forum.<BR>Ater a day or two in Arles you'll be ready to pick up a car and explore Provence.

I agree that you won't need a car while you're in Arles... it's an easy town to walk around in. However, you'll have to switch train stations in Avignon to get a train to Arles - the TGV from CDG only goes to the new TGV station outside of Avignon. There is a shuttle that goes between the stations, or you can grab a taxi.<BR>Other places to definitely visit (aside from the Pont du Gard, Uzes and Aigues Mortes in the Camargue) are Les Baux ( where I live). St. Remy and if you have the time - Roussillon, l'Isle sur la Sorgue and Oppede le Vieux in the Luberon.<BR><BR>PB

Thanks again for the great suggestions. We just booked room #4 at Hotel le Calendal for 3 nights. We thought of renting a car in Arles on the third day for a day trip and then continuing on by car the next day for 4 days to parts unknown. Then returning to Arles or Avignon to depart for Paris on TVG. If we have to change train stations in Avignon to get to Arles, wouldn't it be simpler to rent a car and drive to Arles? Or is driving in Arles that bad of an idea?

Hi<BR><BR>Firstly, after Avignon, the TGV goes to Nimes which is much closer to Arles.<BR>TGV times from Paris ...... Avignon 150 mins, Nimes 170mins.<BR><BR>The TGV is not so cheap. A better solution might be Air Littoral Paris - Nimes Euro 53 each way. <BR><BR>A bonus is that Nimes airport is between Arles and Nimes.<BR><BR>More info on this area at http://tlp.netfirms.com/<BR><BR><BR>Peter

<BR>Joe:<BR>Usually the extra leg CDG to Marseille doesn't cost that much more. Did you check it?<BR>From Avignon TGV there is also a bus service to Arles. But it depends on time of day how long you have to wait for it. I would pick up the car right there. Granted, you may not have much use for it the first 2 days in Arles, but you save time, which is your main concern.<BR>Flying to Nimes is not a bad idea,but you will then first have to transfer to Orly airport.<BR><BR>Bear in mind that, on your way back, if your flight to Chicago leaves in the morning, you may have to take the TGV the night before.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip!

Thanks Peter - it looks like the TVG from Paris to Nimes makes more sense. Round trip second class fare is 66 Euros and departure and arrival times are good. A couple more questions - what is the difference in service from 1st to 2nd class on TVG? What is best way to transport from Nimes TVG station to Arles? Is there a rental car agency in or near the station?

Hi<BR><BR>Avis have a desk inside Nimes station. You can reserve by internet.<BR><BR>It's a long time since I used the TGV, and I can't remember exactly the differences between 1st and 2nd class.<BR>2nd class TGV is still very comfortable ! <BR><BR>Bon voyage.<BR><BR>Peter<BR><BR><BR>

Though I try to be careful with my spelling, I just realized it should be TGV not TVG. I must have been feeling a little dyslexic. I think TVG is television programming for general audiences! Hey, there must be some differnce between 1st and 2nd class the fare is much more substantial. Also, what is a Twingo? <BR>Thanks,<BR>Joe

Hi<BR><BR>TGV first class .......... different colour seats, a bit more space, more toilets, waitress service, whatever. For 3 hours it is not a big deal ?<BR><BR><BR>Twingo is a miniature van.<BR><BR>Smaller than a VW golf (rabbit ?).<BR>The rear seats slide, so you either get good luggage space or a cramped rear seater.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

Joe:<BR>1st class gives you more space, the seats are more comfortable, and it is usually less crowded, which allows you to keep more small luggage at hand.<BR>Twingo is the smallest Renault. Do you remember their "Le Car"? Well, it's even smaller. I would take at least a Clio, the next one up.<BR><BR>If you have decided to rent a car (good decision IMHO), I don't see the point of taking the TGV to Nimes. Why train 20 min longer both ways? Driving from Avignon TGV (south of the city) to Arles takes as long as from Nimes, abt 35 min. There are more car rental places and their opening hours are more generous.

Hi<BR><BR>I'm a bit confused by the previous post.<BR><BR>Nimes - Arles by car is 15 minutes at most.<BR><BR>I do it often.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>Languedoc, France