Two Night Stop Options?

Posted by CBRottieMom (Coastal NC) on 07/18/18 05:08 PM

We are going to be traveling from Barcelona to Paris at the end of April via train and would love to find somewhere to break up the trip for two days in between. We stopped in Beaune in 2016 and loved it so we would like to go somewhere new. I had Bordeaux ( or St. Emilion) flagged but the allure of Provence (Avingon) is also so tempting. In college, I dreamed of going to Aix-en-Provence but I'm nervous without a car this would be tough.

Knowing we're traveling by train and do not have a car, where should I look into as out stopover?

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

07/18/18 06:00 PM

16893 posts

Nimes is on the line with the most direct trains per day from Barcelona (probably 3 in April). Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, or Arles each tend to require one train connection on morning departures, but the afternoon train that runs directly from Barcelona to Marseille does stop at Avignon and Aix. Both of those cities have newer TGV stations outside the city center, so you connect the last, short leg into town by bus or regional train. No need for a car while staying in these cities. Each have some daytrip options by train or bus if you want to get out of town.

Looking Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the Deutsche Bahn train schedule link and tips for using it.

Posted by Southam

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

07/18/18 09:43 PM

4044 posts

Neither Avignon nor Aix-en-Provence is very big so walking should be feasible. A car is a disadvantage in Avignon because the walled city has very limited parking.

Posted by Travel Boss

Florida, USA

07/19/18 07:08 PM

12172 posts

In Provence, I like Arles as a base. Aix is pretty, especially if you like Beaune, but I didn't think there was much to see.

Bordeaux seems to be a more direct route to Paris. I just got back from Bordeaux and St. Emilion. Bordeaux doesn't have good public transit (I think three trams plus some bus lines) and it doesn't run late. If you choose there, make sure you are an easy walk from the center (even that is a fairly good walk from the train station). St. Emilion is tiny, easy to get around. I really liked the underground tour, a real bonus to an already nice town. I was driving so don't know how easy it is to reach using public transportation.