Avignon and Reims Train Decision
 

We will be taking the TGV from Paris to Avignon and then to Reims.
What is the easiest way to do this? Reims first and then to Avignon or vice versa also will be going to CDG direct from our last stop.

Don't matter much I;d say - there are no trains between Reims and Avignon but you have to go back thru Paris to get trains to either one - both have I think some direct TGVs to CDG - Avignon certainly does not sure about Reims but think there now are some.

Reims of course is a lot closer to CDG than Avignon. For lots about French trains check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets from www.voyages-sncf.com or www.capitainetrain.com - same trains same fares; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

You can easily do Reims as a day trip from Paris if staying there - a whole day is too much unless wanting to visit more than one Champagne House.

<<We will be taking the TGV from Paris to Avignon and then to Reims.>>

Ummm...no you won't. The TGV doesn't run between Avignon and Reims. And not all trains go to CDG, either. Check the websites PalenQ gave you above to learn about how trains operate in France.

It doesn't really matter that much as you can't go direct between Reims and Avignon, you have to go through Paris. If you intend to go by train the day of your departure, I'd choose Reims/Champagne TGV for my last stop as it is a lot closer to CDG.

SO going to Reims first would mean about a 1 hr train trip from Paris to Reims (assuming you are not at the airport but in Paris center), a 5 hour trip between Reims and Avignon, changing in Paris, then about a 3:30 hr trip from Avignon to CDG.

GOing to Avignon first would mean a 1:45 trip from Paris to Avignon, a 5 hour trip between Avignon to Reims, changing in Paris, then about a 31 minute train trip to CDG from Reims, but only from the Champagne-Ardennes TGV station. If you are in Reims proper, I'm not sure, but I think you have to take the train into Paris and then out to the airport so that could take up to 2 hours.

If you can be around Champagne-Ardennes TGV station, I'd go to Reims last as it is closer to the airport. The trip in the middle is the same either way. And if you plan to go the day of departure, I definitely would do that. But if you leave from AVignon, you don't need to transfer to get to CDG, there is that benefit. But Champagne-Ardennes TGV station is really only about 5 km from Reims center, just take a taxi if that's where you need to be to get home.

This is really an integration issue requiring how things fit together. You have not supplied much info in this area. Per segment wise, it does not make much difference as others indicated.

How are you moving around? Trains or a car?
Is Paris as a starting point a done deal? You have the most options to get to CDG from Paris. If a train strike falls on the day you are heading to CDG, Avignon or Reims is not a good place to overnight on the last day.

As others mentioned, if your Reims visit is a short visit, you can simplify the itinerary by going to Reims as a day trip from Paris.

there are shuttle trains between Reims/ChampagneTGV and Reims centre or is it a shuttle bus - anyway regular one or the other meets TGV trains so no need for a taxi perhaps.

There are shuttle train that hook up with Paris-Strasbourg TGVs that stop only at Reims-Champagne-A station that take about 13 minutes to get into Reims old in town train station and every two hours about there are direct Paris-Est - Reims center TGVs with no changes required.

AParis to Reims train ticket would include both the TGV and navette or shuttle train into town. Don't have to buy once there.

Ok so we will be spending a couple of days in Reims and 3 days in Avignon and the last night at CDG airport. This is after spending time in Paris.
Although taking TGV to CDG seems longer it is hassle free where as from Reims it may involve changing in Champaagne/Ardenne and like to avoid this.
So I guess it would be Reims and back to Paris by train to get to Avignon but also means taking a cab from station to Gare de Lyon......am I correct?
Thanks

Well you could take the metro from Gare del'Est to Gare du Lyon or change to RER A at the interchange of TGVs from Reims and take it directly to Gare du Lyon - can't think of name of station - the change at Reims TGV station outside of town is simple - the navettes or shuttle trains get there just before the TGV and usually on an adjoining platform I think.

You could also take a taxi from Reims to Champagne-Ardenne. That's what we did.

I haven't been to Avignon but isn't the Avignon TGV station also several kms outside of the city and requires a train or shuttle connection from the center of Avignon?

Just take any of the normal trains from Reims-centre to Paris. It's only a 45 minute trip, and then the trip to CDG is easy since Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord are right next to each other. Going to or from the Champagne-Ardenne station is an extra hassle.

To go from Reims to Avignon or the other way, you go through Marne La Vallée(eastern suburb of Paris), not through Paris.
There is a train shuttle between Reims and Champagne-Ardennes TGV, which is about 8 km from the center. You can also get there by tram (more frequents than the shuttle)

I haven't been to Avignon but isn't the Avignon TGV station also several kms outside of the city and requires a train or shuttle connection from the center of Avignon>

Yes but the navettes or shuttle trains are timed with each arrival and departure- there are also buses to Arles and other places from Avignon-TGV station - just a few miles out of town.

To go from Reims to Avignon or the other way, you go through Marne La Vallée(eastern suburb of Paris), not through Paris.>

this is also a way to go between Reims and CDG Airport by changing to CDG-bound TGVs in Marne-la-Vallee but TGVs there are not that frequent so plan accordingly.