Cycle Paris & Provence
 

Wife & I will be arriving at CDG airport with our boxed cycles on Sept 6, wish to take the train to somewhere near Gare du Lyon for train the next day to Avignon. Should we unbox the bikes at CDG airport? I have big plastic bags that we will put the bikes in for the TGV. Need a suggestion for a very cheap hotel near Gare Lyon.
We will return to Paris 10 days later and will stay for 3 days, Need hotel suggestion for than. We are budget travellers.
Merci
GaryH

Are you sure you can carry the bikes on TGVs? I recently read a report that SNCF had closed off luggage racks at ends of cars for security reasons - this after Spain train bombings, may have been rescinded now but not sure. If so where will you put your bikes. Some TGVs may have bike cars, but I'd check www.sncf.com site as these indicate which trains carry bikes.

Second thought, why don't you just get a TGV from Roissy Airport to Avignon, forget about going into Paris - there are several daily CDG-Avignon TGVs.

Thanks for the response.
I understand that bikes can be carried on (you are right no more checking baggage or baggage cars) if you remove the front wheel and can get it into a bag 120X90 cm. Am planning to use contractor clean up plastic bags.
I hope this works otherwisw we will be biking in the Paris suburbs. Anyone have better info?
Merci,
GaryH

PalQ thanks for the advice. I got PREM tickets from Paris to Avignon. Prem are low cost 25Euro's each compared to over 100 for regular tickets. The timing of our flight makes it to difficult to catch a train and get to Avignon at a decent hour.
GaryH