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Traveling from Arles or Marseilles to Switzerland, Itinerary for France Trip

Posted by on

Hello - we will be in France from end of May until 1st week of June. During the last part of our trip, we will be in Arles and will need to travel to Switzerland. We have 2 days before we need to be in Zurich. I have 2 questions:

  1. What is the best and direct way to travel to Switzerland from southern France- we would like to take a train, but would like to avoid any transfers. So far it looks like Marseilles to Geneva is the most direct train ride, but I am open to any suggestions. I would like to find something that has nice scenery to view on the way.

  2. Here is our itinerary for our trip - we are planning on renting a car and driving while in France. Does this look reasonable?
    We arrive in Paris and will stay near Versailles. We plan on renting a car in Paris and will stay only 1 night.
    Drive to -
    Bayeaux and stay there for 3 nights.
    Mont St Michael, stay 2 nights.
    Amboise, stay 2 nights
    Sarlat, stay 2 nights
    Arles, stay 3 nights

Thanks so much for your input!

Posted by
7300 posts

Indeed there are no direct trains between Provence and Switzerland, but the transfer in Lyon is not much of a hassle. The end of the route from Lyon to Geneva is pretty, but not that scenic. There are no scenic alternatives.

As for your route, I think it is a bit fast, especially the Sarlat bit. I would consider skipping touristy Mont St Michel and staying 4 nights in Sarlat instead. Or if you must, then just 1 night in Mont Saint Michel.

Posted by
486 posts

Arles is closer to Avignon than to Marseilles. And it is in more the "right" direction to Geneva. You could train to Geneva from Avignon with only one change. Avignon TGV station is outside the city and easy to access by car for your return. Or you could bus from Avignon with no changes. Look at options on rome2rio.com. That is a good website to start the journey planning but do check any options then directly on other websites. Others can advise if train or bus would be scenic.

Posted by
10621 posts

There are direct local trains, called TER, from Arles to Lyon. You don't need to go to Marseille. Other routes have you taking a TER to Avignon, transferting to the Avignon TGV station, and then zipping to Lyon. One other route has you changing trains in Valence to a TGV. So you have plenty of options for getting to Lyon to catch the local train to Geneva without going out of your way to Marseille.

Posted by
5 posts

Thanks everyone for your responses - this is really helpful! I decided to adjust our stay in Mont St Michel to 1 night and add another night to Sarlat. Really excited for our trip!

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