Provence by train
 

The more I read the less I seem to know about getting around Provence without a car. We are flying into Geneva and plan a couple of days in Annecy and then go to Provence. Please tell me what we can easily see using the train. Thanks!

Not much. I encourage you to rent a car.

Hi V,

MB knows his trains.

((I))

You don't say how long you are going to be in Provence. I would suggest renting a car to travel to the small, quaint villages that Provence does so well. You could get a train to one of the larger towns like Aix or Avignon if you only have one or two nights. Then maybe catch a bus to a smaller village. I have never used the bus lines (although I do know they exist).

I'm going to eastern edge of Provence (Gattières) in June (& hiring a car although I'd prefer not to) I found some bus info (French) on www.cg06.fr/transport/transports-tam.html
+ some rail info on
www.beyond.fr/map/mppignes.html
www.beyond.fr/travel/railtravel.html,
with links various to rail maps of area,
www.trainprovence.com/ (union jack for English). This Nice-Digne line is not SNCF, but prices seem quite cheap. Some steam trains run on Sundays. But most of provence has no trains.

I have been to the western part of Provence without renting a car. Avignon, Arles, Orange, and Nimes are connected by frequent trains. St. Remy is ok by bus. The bus service to Pont du Gard in off season was very incovenient.

Thanks to everyone for all your helpful suggestions. We are seniors and just don't think we want to rent a car at this point, but so much would be missed we might just need to make plans to go elsewhere. We are flying into Geneva and out of Frankfurt and have two weeks in between. May go from
Geneva to Annecy and Avignon and then
start our journey back in the direction of Frankfurt. Any suggestions appreciated--Colmar, Strasbourg, Friebourg or ?????
Thanks!