	AllExperts > France
	Search

Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions

Home · More France Questions · Answer Library

· Encyclopedia ·

France - Provence

Expert: Terry Casey - 10/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi again Terry, thanks for previous reply, it was most helpful. I have decided to leave out Marseilles & Grand Canyon du Verdon after I read your reply and will also take your advise by travelling to maybe Montpellier by car & then the train to Barcelona.
I am also going to first sort out Provence & will then only start with questions on Spain & Portugal.
1. At CDG airport, do I just ask where the TGV departs from & is it where all the other trains e.g. the RER departs.
What if I book the 4.52pm TGV & we miss it because the plane was late? Will they just put us on the next train or do we have to purchase a new ticket? That makes me very nervous because it seems like there is no refund after I checked RailEurope which you suggested.
2. I thought it a good idea to go from CDG straight to Avignon and sleep there for 4 nights (Wed.24 March - Sat.31st). I'll book in advance for that. Then 2 nights (Sun & Mon) in Aix & then sleep in Montpellier on the Tuesday eve so that we can drop off the car & get on the train to Barcelona on the Wed morning. Which train shall we take from there to Barcelona & can we just book Tues evening or Wed morn or else book in advance in Avignon or Aix? We dont mind just going on the local trains & are there only the 2 times 7.26am & 3.09pm you gave me?
3. Is Carcasonne a must & have you been there?
4. You asked about our budget. I dont like spending on hotels because we are never there. In 2008 in France & Italy we left he hotels/apartments at 8am & never returned untill 8 at night, we just bathed & slept there. I like a combination between city & countryside, art, castles, churches & obviously the famous places all the books recommend.
5. Now, starting off in Avignon, HOW DO WE PLAN WHERE TO GO EACH DAY & HOW LONG IN EACH AREA?
6. Then from Aix, where do we travel those 2 days & do we leave early that Tuesday morning to go to Montpellier, maybe via somewhere else or late afternoon straight there?
7. Is Avignon it self a full days browsing/walking & also Aix?

I think enough for now & thanks once again

Keep well

Magdalena from South Africa

ANSWER: Hi . . . again . . . Magdalena Saaiman!

Thanks for the follow-up with the added information and background. Here are my reactions to your questions:

1. De Gaulle is a large airport, but it has a specific rail station area. You can go to these sites and get more info in advance in order to be prepared on finding the train station.
Airport Options/Info:
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/Adp/en-GB/Passagers/Arrivees/QuitterAeroport/EnTr...
www.aeroportsdeparis.fr
www.paris-cdg.com
On ticket options, if you look closely at the RailEurope.com website, it will show some different options on buying the tickets. You can buy that ticket "fixed" or restricted pricing . . . versus . . . freedom or flexible pricing. The flexible ticket gives you more options to get a later time and not lose your investment.

2. On the train from Montpellier to Barcelona, I would book in advance. There are added "locals" trains going there, but it is much, much slower with so many added stops, etc. You can check those times through the RailEurope.com website.

3. Carcasonne is nice to see, but whether it is worth the time and effort is more of a question for you and a personal choice. Much of Carcasonne is a re-build job and is not as "historic" as some might like to see and do. Personally, I view many of the options in Provence more interesting and enjoyable than Carcasonne. Your choice and how it fits your overall schedule and priorities.

4. Agree and understand on not wanting to blow too much money on a hotel. BUT, to me, the character and location of where you stay is of some value and importance. You don't want to be in a "dump" that ruins the mood and "feel" of the experience. Nor, to be poorly located that causes you to waste lots of valuable time.

5. In Avignon, it depends how much you're interested in history versus just walking around, shopping and seeing the older, most charming areas.   The Palace of the Popes is not super fancy, nor as lavish as St. Peter's is in Rome. BUT, there's lots of history from the hundred years when the Popes were based there. Do you have access to a good visual travel book such as the Eyewitness ones? They have nice books and pictures, etc., to help you consider your many options.

6. For Aix there are some things to see and do in that city. Nearby are many wonderful "country" items, including some that I have mentioned in what I sent earlier.

7. There is much to see in both Avignon and Aix, but in my view, more than half of your time in this area needs to be focused in your time for the many great options in the small villages and country areas. Are you factoring that into your planning?

Let me know any other questions.

ENJOY! Merci Beaucoup!

Thanks. Terry Casey in Columbus, Ohio

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Terry, thanks for previous reply & here are my
new questions.

Is this your full time job & how come you know so much about so many places?

Yes, I do have a book on Provence & the Cote d'Azur, but still, one can't always picture what the dangers are, atmosphere and how long to stay in various places. I previously said I would like to stay for 4 nights in Provence & 2 nights in Aix, but looking at the map, most places are near Avignon & to it's west e.g. Nimes.

1. Now I am confused again as to how I must devide my sleep overs between Avignon & maybe 1 or 2 other places or even just staying in Avignon for the full period & travel from there??? Here are the places we would like to visit:
a.Avignon the town itself with Palais de Papes, Foundation Angladon,Rocher des Doms etc. Is Villeneuve-les-Avignon worth seeing?
b. Upper Vaucluse, Orange, Vaison-la Romaine etc
c. Southern Vaucluse, Fountaine de Vaucluse,Gordes, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Roussilon, Abbaye de Senanque, Apt etc
d. Aix the town itself & the Luberon area - Loumarin etc
e. Arles & eat where you said Les Baux, Van Gogh places,St Remy, Tarascon etc
f. Nimes the town itself (can you still buy Levi Jeans there?) Gard, Pont Garde & Vergeze etc

PLEASE group them for me in days starting on Thusday morning 25/3 being day 1. I have 6 full days, leaving Provence for Barcelona on Wed 31/3.
I battle to figure out how much I can fit into one day, also entering the best churches, art galleries etc. I don't mind getting up early till late.

2. How far is the TGV station in Avignon if we want to walk (minutes)to the centre of town where I think we will be staying & is it save to walk once we arrive there that evening at 20h10?

I hope you can help me sort out my itinerary for Provence so I can move on to Spain. I have just bought an Eyewitness book on Spain & still needs to read it before I can start planning.

Many thanks Terry & take care

Magdalena from South Africa

Answer
Hi . . . again . . . Magdalena Saaiman!

Thanks for your follow-up and nice comments. Here are some responses:

1. Nope, not full-time or part-time job. This doesn't pay. Just a volunteer gig to help others. Secret? Have just traveled lots and know how to research these questions to find added info. Have large research library, etc.

2. You are correct that there is generally more around and near Avignon versus Aix. How do you mix or balance your time between these two places? That is somewhat of a "personal" choice depending on your travel style, interests, etc.   You could do all of your time at one location around or near Avignon or Saint-Remy. Have you checked
www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/europe
for places to stay. Maybe it is better to do all of your time in only one location in Provence, especially if you are not heading to see Nice or Eze, etc.

3. Don't worry that there is a "perfect plan" to see and do all there. There is too, too much in the area. I have only seen a portion of the different towns and places. You can't cover and do it ALL!!!   Weather can be a factor. My strong suggestion is to have researched your general priorities and know what is most important to you.   Have some general ideas on "loops" and directions for some of places you want to see. Then do it! As you are experiencing things, you can then adjust and move forward day-by-day to make or allow it to fit your interests and pace.

4. It's impossible for ME to tell YOU that perfect plan and schedule. I don't know you and your detailed interest/travel style that well. Sorry.

5. Cherish that flexibility to adjust your schedule and be able to stop at some place you drive by that looks interesting. You've got lots and lots of time to read and research, learning more. Don't panic now. It will all work out fine.

6. From the TGV station into main Avignon is probably too far to walk. It would be about a two to two and a half mile walk. Not only is it the distance, but it is the fact that it is not a scenic path, etc.

Let me know any other questions or reactions.

ENJOY! Merci Beaucoup!

Thanks. Terry Casey in Columbus, Ohio

Add to this Answer Ask a Question