We will be traveling from Paris to Lourdes the second week of June. We would like to visit Paray le Monial and Nevers on the way to Lourdes. I am having a bit of difficulty looking at train schedules from Paris to Paray le Monial and then to Nevers. What is the best website to use for train schedules and reservations. Also, is it necessary to make those reservations now? Any other tips for train travel in France would be greatly appreciated. Also, is it preferable or easier to drive this route than go by train? Thanks for the help.
Posted by
OP
anchorage, ak, usa
66 posts
Just to add to my previous post... I guess I am wondering also what the distances/times by train are from Lourdes to Nevers, to Paray le Monial, and then to Paris. I'm wondering if it's manageable to leave Lourdes on an early train, stop at Nevers for a couple of hours, go to Paray le Monial for a couple of hours, and then head to Paris for the remainder of the stay. Or, would it make more sense to stay overnight in Paray le Monial and then head to Paris the following day.
Thanks for any help or suggestions with this train itinerary.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10194 posts
Marge, There are some people who are very good with the train schedules, so I'll answer you to bump your question back up to the top. Frankly, I wonder if Nevers and Lourdes are even on the same train line, or if they leave from the same station. Calling Tim form Minneapolis and other train schedule gurus.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4044 posts
www.tgv-europe.com; when asked for country of delivery, choose anywhere other than the US (which bumps to the higher-cost RailEurope.) www.bahn.com is the best site for European schedules but won't sell French tickets. www.seat61.com knows all there is to know about vehicles on two rails.
www.parisbytrain.com has simple, clear instructions on Paris transport and TGV purchases.
Posted by
OP
anchorage, ak, usa
66 posts
Thank you for the help! I'll definitely check those websites. Thanks.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
Maybe another website will have faster connections, but according to the German Rail (Bahn) website, the most direct route, going from Lourdes to Toulouse to Clermont-Ferrand to Nevers will take you 10h33min. It's actually faster to go back through Paris. The fastest route still takes over 9 hours through Bordeaux.
Posted by
OP
anchorage, ak, usa
66 posts
Thanks again for the tips. They give me some good ideas and websites. Much appreciated!