We would like to visit these locations. Can stay from 3-4 weeks. Will be flying from Philadelphia . Don’t want to rent a car but travel by train once we arrive in (maybe Paris unless something more convenient). Also like visiting little towns along the way. We travel light as we are a 73 year old couple. We are quite active so an overnight here and there is fine with us. Just having trouble figuring out the best direction to start our trip.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7026 posts
For that itinerary I would think that Brussels would be the best airport to fly into and start with Bruges. From there you can train to Caen in Normandy, with a change in Paris. Then back to Paris to change for Bordeaux, again with a change in Paris. End in Lourdes and then either fly out of Toulouse (nearest big airport) or train back to Paris to fly home. There may be buses that don't route through Paris with train changes and possible station changes but, as a 73 year old myself, I much prefer trains to buses, even with the resultant changes. You could always interrupt those train journeys with a night or two in Paris also. The worst part of the french train system is that most of the trains route through Paris which isn't always convenient.
Posted by
Washington DC
27094 posts
You do not necessarily need to fly in and out of the same city. Choose the "Multi-city" option on your favorite website (I use Google Flights, but others use Kayak, etc.). See what the fares look like. You may find a reasonable deal returning from Toulouse or Bordeaux (just a tad faster by train), but the extra two hours on a train to go back to Paris for the return flight might save you a lot of money on the airfare.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
If you do fly home from Bordeaux it may make sense to visit there after Lourdes, not before.
On the other hand, Bayeux - Lourdes looks to be a 8-hr trip by train.
Posted by
Elmwood, IL, USA
362 posts
Flying into Brussels then out of Toulouse-usually connecting in Paris would make the most sense. However if you do decide to get a round trip ParisCDG you could Thalys to Brussels then regional train to Brugge. Brugge is nice but not more than 3 full days. Back to Paris, train to Bayeux, takes a few connections. We spent 5 full days with a rental car to see all the WWII sights. Onto Bordeaux — then Lourdes with one connection. Lourdes should be 3 full days too if you want to see it all plus the evening processional, mass at the grotto, baths, stations of the cross and all the Bernadette town connections. Lourdes does have an airport that flights go into Orly Paris; Air France & HOP.
I would use the SNCF web page for traveling within France. TGV is the high speed trains that go from Paris to Bordeaux & Toulouse.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you for your help. I happened to get a great fare about 6 months ago from Phl-cdg for $1000 for 2 round trip tickets.