Ok, this might be a silly question but, I'll ask it anyway.
I'm assuming that you take the TGV from Avignon (prefer city center) to Paris Gare de Lyon, when reserving tickets? We are staying in St. Germain area of Paris, and in looking at the metro/RER lines from Gare de Lyon, it looks like a pain to get to St. Germain area. Is there a better option to select for the TGV into Paris?

No TGVs only go to Gare de Lyon - that is TGVs from Avignon. You may find a bus goes directly from St Germain to the Gare de Lyon - the distance isn't really very far.

Well, I went to the TGV webpage, you could go to CDG???!!!

Ok, checking my Michelin blue guide, you could exit GdL, walk a block to the Seine, go west a block, cross the river, go another block, and catch the Metro in front of the Gare d'Austerlitz, which puts you on Metro Line 10, the 'best' line for getting to St Germain area.

Mike

Yeh but CDG would be a poor move as then you have a long and costly RER ride though could go to within a few blocks of St Germain. But if trains to Gare de Lyon are full then consider booking to CDG - a novel angle that Michel thought of. But instead of that i'd taxi between Gare de Lyon and St Germain.

I hope you know that the Avignon TGV station is not in the city.

Wow. Thanks! That's what I figured. Yes, I know the Avignon TGV is outside the city, which may work out well if we decide to drop our car off there. Guess I'll make my reservations then.

Regarding metro line 10, you do not have to cross the Seine and go to Austerlitz to pick it up. The Quai de la Rapée station is on the same side of the river as Gare de Lyon and is only 2 blocks from it.

Actually, there are some TGV trains that run to Paris from Avignon center, or at least there were last year,when I took one.

Indeed St Cirq is right - there are 3 or 4 TGVs a day that run right from the Avignon Centre station to Paris, going about just a s quick.

There's also a bus that goes from Gare de Lyon to St. Germain; it's only about a 15 min. ride, non rush hour. I've never ridden it in that direction but have taken it from Blvd. St. Germain to Train Bleu in Gare de Lyon. I only began riding buses in Paris last trip or 2, and I really like them. Lots to see that you miss in Metro.

And no stairs or narrow turnstiles to navigate in often labyrinth-like metro stations.

> ..buses in Paris .. Lots to see that you miss in Metro.

> .. no stairs or narrow turnstiles to navigate in often labyrinth-like metro stations...

I agree !