south of france
Apr 29th, 2010, 06:12 AM
#1
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south of france
mother and daughter have a week plus to spend in south of france, travelling from London. Thinking of Nice for a few days and doing some day trips by train. Need some ideas for another destination. Nothing seems to stand out apart from Avignon, but seems a little difficult to get to from London. We want to see some highlights of Provence but will need public transport or tours.
Apr 29th, 2010, 06:44 AM
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I am repeating what I have posted a few hours ago in a similar thread:
For Provence, it is best to have a car. If youn do not have a chance to rent a car (not even for a day), you are restricted to see the cities with railway stations. Nimes, Arles and Avignon are attractive destinations with easy rail access.
Also read the other current threads on Provence.
For Provence, it is best to have a car. If youn do not have a chance to rent a car (not even for a day), you are restricted to see the cities with railway stations. Nimes, Arles and Avignon are attractive destinations with easy rail access.
Also read the other current threads on Provence.
Apr 29th, 2010, 06:58 AM
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Hi AD,
>Avignon, but seems a little difficult to get to from London. <
Train London to Paris, train to Avignon 185E 6:30 hr.
See www.eurostar.com and www.voyages-sncf.com
www.whichbudget.com doesn't have discount flights from London and vicinity.
>Avignon, but seems a little difficult to get to from London. <
Train London to Paris, train to Avignon 185E 6:30 hr.
See www.eurostar.com and www.voyages-sncf.com
www.whichbudget.com doesn't have discount flights from London and vicinity.
Apr 29th, 2010, 07:05 AM
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Thankyou ira, that has confirmed what I thought. Also, I don't like the idea of the change in Paris (Nord to Lyon) within an hour or so. Most trains do not go via Lille at that time of the year.
Apr 29th, 2010, 08:28 AM
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It would be good to go via Lille, but in late September I don't think its likely. Is the TGV station outside of Avignon? So Marne la Vallee would work? I'll look at that thanks.
Once we are in Nice, I'm now thinking of the Train des Merveilles from Nice to either Sospel, or Tende (or perhaps
Breil sur Roya) for a day trip. We would just go to one town. Does anyone know that area - which would be best. The train trip through the moountains near the Italian border sounds great!
Once we are in Nice, I'm now thinking of the Train des Merveilles from Nice to either Sospel, or Tende (or perhaps
Breil sur Roya) for a day trip. We would just go to one town. Does anyone know that area - which would be best. The train trip through the moountains near the Italian border sounds great!
Apr 29th, 2010, 08:43 AM
#7
Hi; For me, what I would do is fly R/T London to Nice, very inexpensive and only two hours each way. Arriving at Nice airport, hire a car or train to Avignon for four days. Then back to Nice by train or car for the balance of your vacation. Richard www.kayak.com
Apr 29th, 2010, 08:45 AM
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You can get a visual impression of the Train des Merveilles on the wikipedia site:
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligne_de_Tende
In Tende, there is a small archeological museum. http://www.museedesmerveilles.com/
Otherwise, there is not much to see in the towns along the train. The attractions are all along the coast, not in the mountains.
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligne_de_Tende
In Tende, there is a small archeological museum. http://www.museedesmerveilles.com/
Otherwise, there is not much to see in the towns along the train. The attractions are all along the coast, not in the mountains.
Apr 29th, 2010, 08:57 AM
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yes, the TGV station is outside Avignon, but not very far, just a few km. There are shuttles back and forth and I think they are free.
I stayed in Nice for about four days and didn't feel deprived of things to do without a car, but I guess that depends what you are seeking. You can easily get to Antibes and Monaco by train (or really farther, depending what you want to see), and other places by bus. But Nice is a pleasant place to spend some time. For a whole week, if you don't think that will be enough to do, Avignon might be a better base. If you really want to see the highlights of Provence, don't base yourself in Nice.
I stayed in Nice for about four days and didn't feel deprived of things to do without a car, but I guess that depends what you are seeking. You can easily get to Antibes and Monaco by train (or really farther, depending what you want to see), and other places by bus. But Nice is a pleasant place to spend some time. For a whole week, if you don't think that will be enough to do, Avignon might be a better base. If you really want to see the highlights of Provence, don't base yourself in Nice.
Apr 29th, 2010, 09:40 AM
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Nice is a great transportation center. Lots to do from there. I could easily spend a week there. Search previous posts for daytrip suggestions from Nice.
In inland Provence another interesting place to visit by train is Aix-en-Provence. Both Avignon and Aix have in-city (Centre) stations as well as TGV stations outside the city. Unfortunately to do this trip in any reasonable time, you'll have to bus to and from the TGV stations.
However, Aix is a nice strolling city, very provencal, has a great market. I like Aix better than Avignon, but it's not so centrally located for touring in Provence.
In inland Provence another interesting place to visit by train is Aix-en-Provence. Both Avignon and Aix have in-city (Centre) stations as well as TGV stations outside the city. Unfortunately to do this trip in any reasonable time, you'll have to bus to and from the TGV stations.
However, Aix is a nice strolling city, very provencal, has a great market. I like Aix better than Avignon, but it's not so centrally located for touring in Provence.
Apr 29th, 2010, 11:21 AM
#11
Hi; Another easy option is too fly into Montpellier [non-stop]. It's a bit over one hour from Avignon. Then take the train to Nice. Perhaps three hours. Fly home non-stop, from Nice. Both flights about two hours. Flights could be booked seperately. Using the 18th of Sept., cost was 50US PP to Montpllier, leaving Gatwick at 6;40am. Returning on the 25th, leaving Nice at 9;30am, the cost was 37US PP. Probably about 50 English pounds PP. When using www.kayak.com Easy Jet is the airline. Richard
Apr 29th, 2010, 11:21 PM
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Some more flight links -
To From Carrier
Avignon - Birmingham Flybe
Avignon - Exeter Flybe
Avignon - Leeds Bradford Jet2
Avignon - Manchester Flybe
Avignon - Southampton Flybe
Beziers - Bristol Ryanair
Beziers - Luton Ryanair
Marseille - Bristol Easyjet
Marseille - Gatwick BA
Marseille - Gatwick Easyjet
Marseille - Lille Ryanair
Marseille - Stansted Germanwings
Marseille - Stansted Ryanair
Montpellier - Leeds Ryanair
Montpellier - Gatwick Easyjet
Montpellier - Luton Easyjet
Nimes - Liverpool Ryanair
Nimes - Luton Ryanair
Toulon - Stansted Ryanair
Flights are generally cheaper than the train UK - South France.
If you want a train experience - think about this one : http://www.francevuedutrain.net/Phot...T_FERRAND.html
The line is under threat of closure, and there are various action groups trying to keep it open. Using it from Nimes to Mende for a weekend is a popular way to escape the hot spells in July or August.
Peter
To From Carrier
Avignon - Birmingham Flybe
Avignon - Exeter Flybe
Avignon - Leeds Bradford Jet2
Avignon - Manchester Flybe
Avignon - Southampton Flybe
Beziers - Bristol Ryanair
Beziers - Luton Ryanair
Marseille - Bristol Easyjet
Marseille - Gatwick BA
Marseille - Gatwick Easyjet
Marseille - Lille Ryanair
Marseille - Stansted Germanwings
Marseille - Stansted Ryanair
Montpellier - Leeds Ryanair
Montpellier - Gatwick Easyjet
Montpellier - Luton Easyjet
Nimes - Liverpool Ryanair
Nimes - Luton Ryanair
Toulon - Stansted Ryanair
Flights are generally cheaper than the train UK - South France.
If you want a train experience - think about this one : http://www.francevuedutrain.net/Phot...T_FERRAND.html
The line is under threat of closure, and there are various action groups trying to keep it open. Using it from Nimes to Mende for a weekend is a popular way to escape the hot spells in July or August.
Peter
