Please sign in to post.

Paris (CDG) to Sarlat to Arles

Hello! I'm planning a trip to France, and am trying to connect the dots from Charles de Gaulle to Sarlat and then over to Arles in Provence. I get into Paris early on a Sunday, and am hoping there is an ample selection of trains to Sarlat. Next, I'll be heading to Arles. Would anyone be able to recommend public transportation routes for these destinations? I'm having trouble figuring this out with books and sites! Thanks so much.

Posted by
8700 posts

For detailed train timetables, go to www.bahn.de and click on the drop-down flag menu for English. Enter Aeroport Paris-Charles de Gaulle TGV as your departure point and Sarlat as your arrival point. After you get summary timetables, click on the arrow to the left of each departure time to see the connecting points.

Use the same site to get timetables for Sarlat-Arles. You'll see that it will be a long ride with several connections required.

Posted by
250 posts

Amy - not sure if I've got this right, but it sounds like you're trying to catch the train the same day you arrive at CDG. Why not just book a connecting flight to Bordeaux? Last summer, my wife and I flew to CDG/Marseille, rented a car, stayed in Arles and day-tripped. Then we drove to Carcassonne and up to Sarlat, turned the car in at Bordeaux and flew back from there. I'm sure the same thing is possible in reverse. Strongly advise seeing Sarlat/Dordogne and Arles/Provence up close by renting a car and getting local.

Posted by
977 posts

Getting to Sarlat and Arles by train won't be a problem. However, speaking from experience from our time staying in Sarlat, without a car, it is very difficult to get to places of interest in the area.

Posted by
4132 posts

The trip from deGaulle is about 7 hours. Given that you will be at the airport already, I'd fly, probably to Toulouse. And it's really worth having a car in that part of France.

The trip from there to Arles is even longer. If you rent a car in Sarlat, though, you can return it at the train station in Toulouse and save a little time.

Given that you have two long legs in this trip, I would think about eliminating one of them. Fly to Toulouse or Bordeaux, skipping the 7-hour leg.

Posted by
2 posts

I just want to thank everyone again for all of the great tips and advice! Your collective knowledge has made planning so much easier. Kind regards and safe travels--