Avignon to Chamonix by train?
 

Hello. Just want to confirm if it is possible to get from Avignon to Chamonix by train? The SNCF site seems to suggest a train to Lyon followed by multiple bus changes to get to Chamonix.

I am visiting France for the first time in October this year, and am thinking of doing a 12 day trip across Paris, Provence and the French Alps. Preferably without having to drive. If it is too inconvenient getting to Chamonix by public transport, the other alternative would be limiting the trip to just Paris (5 days) and Provence (7 days). This leads me to my next question, is 7 days in the Provence area too much time?

TIA.

We spent 13 days in Provence and wished for more. However, we are relaxed travelers. Also, wish we had taken a couple of day tours, hired a driver for a day or rented a car to see places we would have enjoyed but were too difficult to visit with public transportation.

You could easily spend two weeks in Provence and wish for more time.

You may travel via Geneva if you want to do all by train. Trains about every 2 hrs:
Avignon dp 7.16, 8.48, 10.25, 12.48, 15.18 - Geneva ar 3 1/4 - 4 hrs later, change at Lyon
Geneva dp about every hr until 18.32 - Chamonix ar 2 3/4 - 3 hrs later, change at St. Gervais.
There exists furthermore a short cut via Bellegarde (Ain) - Annemasse