Susan

We will be spending 5 days in Paris before heading to the South of France, and eventually to Tuscany. We are deciding between taking the hi-speed train to Avignon, and picking up our rental car there, OR driving from Paris to the south. The times are not convenient for the train and car rental connections. Is this TGV not to be missed, is the scenery gorgeous? Or will the drive be just as lovely. We don't mind driving. I would love suggestions!!!

Rex

I don't quite understand the "train and car rental connection" being a problem, but the drive is fine. You should be aware that you cannot match the speed of the train. I am a leadfoot demon, but it's 560 miles, and the train only takes 4 hrs. It will take longer by car. <BR> <BR>But I love driving in France, and will play advocate for the car anytime. Use the website www.iti.fr to see what the tolls will be. A nice place to stop for a meal is in in Nitry - - La Beursaudiere - - not on the internet as far as I know. <BR> <BR>And/or consider an overnight about 30 minutes north of Lyon at Chateau Longsard - - www.chateauxandcountry.com/chateaux/longsard - - nice owners Olivier and his (American) wife Alex(andra). <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Peter

The TGV is a "quick" four hours ... scenery at 200kph is not spectacular ... it is a long drive ... and if you have the time .. very nice ... although you may want to spend the time with a car in Avignon ... there are many places in Province <BR> <BR>Enjoy

elvira

Besides the TGV, there are the slow trains that take about 7 hours. If you want to see the countryside, there's a morning train that arrives late afternoon (Peter is correct; the countryside goes by pretty fast via the TGV). There's also an overnight train that arrives about 5:30am. <BR>I like trains if I need to get from point A to point B, no stops. I like a car if, in between point A and point B, I want to stop and see stuff. <BR>

Susan

Thank you for all your replies. Rex,the "train and car rental connection problem" is as follows. Our 8AM train gets into Avignon at about 12Noon. The car rental place closes for "siesta" from about 11:30 to 2:30. (Strange!?) With my husband, daughter and luggage it will be difficult to move about without the car. The earlier TGV leaves at 6:56AM, too early!!!! So we are thinking about opting for the drive, which I believe to be about 6 hours, not bad. We will then be spending 2 nites in Les Baux-de-Provence at Mas De L'Oulivie, 1 nite in St. Paul De Vence at Hotel Le Hameau, then onto Tuscany for 2 weeks!! Any suggestions!!??

John

Hi, Susan, <BR>There are luggage lockers at the Avignon station (don't loose the computer receipt - I did and nearly caused a diplomatic incident before the station people opened the locker with two or three officials present to make sure we weren't stealing our own underwear.) <BR> <BR>Peter and Elvira are right about the scenery zooming by on the TGV. I happen to like the sense of speed, however, an unfamiliar sensation to most Americans. And I will do anything to avoid driving in Paris. BTW, I think it's longer than 6 hours, and that's not counting exiting Paris itself, which can take an hour depending on where you start. <BR> <BR>If it was us I'd do the train either to Avignon (then the locker plus a stroll plus lunch, bingo) or to Lyon, then get the car, and a couple of hours later you're in Provence. Sigh. <BR> <BR>Rex and Elvira are right - driving is a pleasure (Paris excepted) and the ability to stop and browse is not possible on the train. But 7 or 8 hours on the autoroute versus 4 on the train and then Provence at leisure, well, I vote TGV.

greg

I think the TGv is an experience that you should try and I think you will still see plenty of the scenery. It is only up close that it blurs! It is quite a long way and I would be reluctant to commit much more of the total time you have to this transit. The idea of putting your stuff in the lockers is an excellent one as you just need to cross the road and take a stroll through central Avignon - maybe get some lunch or at least a coffee then you will be nicely relaxed to pick up the car. We have a share in a house in this region so know it reasonably well - to me your 2-3 days is going to be very limiting as there is so much to see. Of course every trip has constraints and if you need to end up over the border then you will need to keep moving. You will like St Paul de Vence I am sure. Nice is also well worth a visit in my view. <BR>Have a great trip, Greg

greg

I forgot to add my suggestion to leave the autoroute at Grasse and take the Gourdon, Tourettes sur Loup route to St Paul de Vence - some lovely views from Gourdon <BR>Greg <BR>

Beth Anderson

Hi, <BR> <BR>Just a quick note - if it is 560 miles, it is a GREAT DEAL longer than 6 hours. It will take you an hour to get away from the Peripherique... then 560 miles - figure maybe 10-11 hour drive. all so you don't have to sit and cool your heels near a rental car place for 2 hours? doesn't seem worth it to me... <BR> <BR>and if you HAVE to catch a train by 8, you will, and you will have your car by 230 PM. If you are driving, you won't leave Paris by 8 AM (trust me, I know the dawdle factor, if you don't have a set time to meet, you don't get going early) - and you will still be driving at 9-10 PM at night, to get to where the train would have put you, at NOON. <BR> <BR>go TGV. just the TRAIN alone is an experience. you won't believe how smooth it is... an "E ticket" if I ever saw one... (I am aging myself now...) <BR> <BR>Beth

carol

I have both driven from Paris to the south of France and taken the TGV from paris to Avignon, where I picked up the rental car. I will never never never drive from Paris to the south on the A6/E15. It is a truck route and you may <BR>not drive on the right unless you are a truck. But you cannot drive on in the left lane unless you drive a thousand miles an hour.That leaves the center lane which is always in use by the speedy truckers trying to pass one another. It is a harrowing experience and not a pretty route either since so much is blocked by traffic and your mind by staying alive. But when the A7 splits off at Avignon, you have a beautiful road with signs pointing (with picture) to sites of interest (but they don't point out the nuclear plant, easily spotted however. Althought the view from the TGV is hidden for the first half when the train is in a declevity, it is fun to stop at the stations later on. And getting a car in Avignon is a good idea..but after you have put your things in a railroad station locker and spent some time looking around the city.

Tony

TGV TGTV TGV. Only lunatics drive that highway, which is bumper to bumper at 70 mph. On the first day of the French school holidays they routinely have a dozen or more fatal accidents on that road.

Jim

The distance from Paris to Avignon is 440 miles and not 560! About 7 1/2 hrs. <BR>We are picking up a car from AutoEurope in Paris and doing the drive down to Avignon next month. Have a great trip.

Dick Israel

Take the train. The scenery is great, but what is even greater is getting to mix with the french traveling on the train. Even if there is a language barrier, enthusiasm will overcome it. We took the train to Avignon from paris and loved every moment of it. I'd do it again...and again.

jen

Susan: <BR> <BR>Take the train - there is a later train time that travels over lunch and gets you there at 3:00ish in the afternoon - perfect! <BR> <BR>Ironically, I too have stayed at Mas De L'Oulivie in Les Baux, and if you would like dining suggestions, feel free to contact me separately - would love to help. You will love the hotel - it's charming and in a super location! We've stayed there twice in the past 4 years and enjoyed every minute.

karen

I would not drive that route unless I was taking several days to tour along the way. And don't even THINK about doing that drive on a Saturday, along with what seems like all humanity headed for the south. You will be clogged bumper-to-bumper leaving Paris, in the tunnel under Lyon and in many, many stretches of the A6 as you get further south (particularly where entrance ramps and toll booths occur). TAKE THE TRAIN and you'll enjoy your brief time in Provence!