I've been plugging in my summer dates to CDG on every search engine possible for months.

In the past few days I've really been aggressively pursuing flights as I am now within 3 months from departure and since its summer I don't anticipate much in the way of a sale. I also want to take advantage of PREMS train fares and can't do that without flight times.

I just saw your post about flying into Brussels and taking the TGV to Paris (and that there is one that goes straight to Provence from BRU).

OMG! I'd tried London, Frankfort, Marseille, Amsterdam, never thought of Brussels. $375 less per person and I'm still flying home via CDG!

I just poured myself a glass of wine(Screw/Kappa/Napa merlot) and I'm lifting my glass in your honor! Merci!

That's great. Where do you end in Provence. I've spent only a short time in Brussels, alone, and would love to go back with the husband.

Yes, that is great!
My daughter goes to Brussels every year, she stays at the Hotel Welcome.
Sometime during her stay, she will take the train to Paris, I think it is just a couple of hours and she stays there for a couple days.
She loves taking the trains ... Happy Trip Planning!

I will go directly from Brussels to Avignon with no stops which is only 4hr 14 minutes... not much different than from CDG.

thanks for getting back to me, amwosu.

scarlett- I checked out the Hotel Welcome. Tripadvisor rated #2 for Brussels. Not available for my one night in town that I can see.

That's great!!!!

I was drinking a Somona Valley Dry Creek Reserve Zin last night when you posted!!

Stu Dudley

Amwosu, do you think Stu would be happier if you send this bottle to him

Very helpful. I just looked at non-stops from DC to both CDG and BRU for mid-July to mid-Aug and BRU is about $200 less all around (OK, I'm bored).

Anyway, Who knew? I would have never thought to check. Thanks for the tip.

Also note that the cost of the Thalys/TGV from BRU to Paris is less than the cost of a taxi from CDG to central Paris (50-60E last time I took it). I'm actually planning to take the 30E TGV from BRU to CDG, and then the 10E RER to the Port Royal stop - which is 2 blocks from our hotel.

As of this Sunday, you will only be able to take the Thalys to Paris, and only the TGV to CDG (no direct TGV to Paris). Smilies on the Thalys are more expensive than PREMS on the TGV - that's why were connecting to the RER at CDG instead of at the Gare Nord.

Stu Dudley

Looks like I can take the TGV directly from Brussels to Avignon on my date for 100 euro PREMS fare and its only 4hrs 14 minutes. Only about an hour more than from CDG and not much more expensive.

I'll drink another to you tonight on the plane to Aspen Stu!