hi there.
Two part question if anyone is able to help me with this.
(We are taking our 3 teenagers to Paris/French Riviera June 2023)
(1) is it the general RailEurope pass (the one you select 4 to 8 days within the country/unlimited hop on hop off) that we would use to get from Paris to the French Riviera? OR is it a special train and reservation needed for this long ride?
(2) Is it possible to hop off in Avignon and somehow get to one wine tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape and then get back on a train to continue on to our final destination hotel in Antibes? Is this a whole new ticket/reservation if you deboard in Avignon and then want to get back on a train that next day to get on to Antibes? or is it part of that easy RailEurope pass and no reservation needed? (assuming staying a night in/near Chateauneuf du Pape or Avignon.
Thank you for any tips,
Jodi L
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
3988 posts
(1) Usually RailEurope is not a great idea for a TGV train, the type of train you will take from Paris. These trains require reservations and an additional fee for pass holders and there is a limit on the number of seats available to pass holders.
(2) If you are traveling on a TGV train, you will need two tickets: one for Paris to Avignon and one from Avignon to Antibes.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33826 posts
Jodi,
It is a Eurail Pass, not a RailEurope (one of the companies selling the pass).
As mentioned above, in France every leg of every journey faster than TER (the local trains) requires an expensive "reservation" fee which varies from route to route. So a fee from Paris to Avignon and another fee from Avignon to Antibes.
If you use regular tickets instead there are deals available and importantly seat reservations come with those tickets at no extra charge.
There are other ways to save money including discount TGVs which are as fast but stripped down.
France is not a country where many experienced travellers suggest rail passes.
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
I might recommend that you do a tour from Avignon to Chateauneuf du Pape then just train from Avignon to Antibes.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
Centuries of combat have taken a toll on the chateau itself, summer palace for the French popes. Most recently, retreating German troops blew up their ammo dump, taking part of the walls down. See Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_Ch%C3%A2teauneuf-du-Pape
The wineries around the hill are a prime attraction. Without a car, but with a thirst, a guided bus tour would seem the most efficient transport. The tourism office in Avignon is a helpful resource to pick out a tour.
The fast train TGV is not hop on-hop-off. I don't know if the old regional train will let you take a break in Avignon.
In the same general area, the Roman ampitheatre in Orange is worth a visit to test the remarkable acoustics. If there is a concert, take a pillow for the rock terrace.