My 87-yr-old mother and I will arrive at CDG around 10.30 am next October [yes, I like planning ahead]. We will both be jetlagged and fairly stupid. We are planning to head directly to either the Loire to see chateaux or perhaps Burgundy first and then the Loire. I know there's a direct TGV to St Pierre des Corps, which would be easy; is there a direct train from CDG to somewhere in Burgundy? We'll be renting a car after we get out of Paris, but I don't want to try to drive after a night flight; better to snooze on the train for a few hours and then have just a short drive to our final destination. Thanks for any suggestions; Helpliners are great!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I don't think there are ANY direct trains from CDG to Burgundy. You have to go through Paris.
However, the direct options to St. Pierre des Corps are very limited, and arguably you would be better off going through Paris anyway whichever you decide.
(Here's what I mean by that. There's as 8:20 direct to the Loire, but if you miss that you must sit around for 2 hours for the next one. Not fun to do while jet lagged!)
There is or at least was a lone direct train from Dijon to CDG early morning, which makes it a candidate for ending the trip there, if you are not going to do so in Paris.
I do not blame you for not wanting to drive under those circumstances. However, I would never plan to sleep on arrival, it will delay your recovery from jet lag.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Another possibility might be to get one of the several daily direct trains from CDG to Lyon and then head back north by train or hire car into Burgundy. I know some people don't like retracing their steps, but sometimes it's quicker if high speed trains are involved.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4085 posts
Kathleen, if you are flying trans-Atlantic, you likely could connect with a Lyon flight. That would give you part of a day to relax in a very worthwhile city, revive with a good night's sleep, and then the next day set out by road to whichever wine district is tickling your palette. You might fly home from Paris; it won't cost much more than a simple round-trip.
I love French trains but getting to the CdG train station will require a fair amount of walking for a tired and very senior citizen. I found one TGV direct, to Dijon, on the edge of Burgundy. The direct service to Lyon runs every couple of hours.
There will be some walking for air connections too; you would probably have to make at least one change. Amsterdam airport would be easier than CdG. Much depends on your US departure point.
If you need help with websites for your research, just post again.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
If I were an 87 year-old, and I hope to be one some day, I would not fancy taking a train after a transatlantic flight during which I probably have not slept, and after which I have to stand in line interminably at passport control, pick up my baggage and then hustle off to the train station. This needs a re-think.
Posted by
OP
Reston, VA, USA
810 posts
Belated thanks to all for your advice. (I forgot that in the new system I needed to check my post for replies.) Anyway, your replies confirm my thinking; I decided that we will just spend that first night in Roissy so Mom and I can relax. We might grab a quick nap on arrival, or just wander around in the town trying to absorb sunshine. Then an early night, a good sleep, and we can zip back to CDG the next morning, refreshed and ready to drive.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10556 posts
That is a plan, but you may want to think about Plan B. Renting a car in the morning at CDG, which is north of the city, and going to a destination south of the city means you'll have traffic jams for somewhere between fifty and a hundred miles. You have other options: the next day catch that early morning CDG-Dijon TGV and rent your car in Dijon, or take a taxi to a hotel next to the Gare de Lyon upon arrival and take the train to Dijon the next day, or let the Air France bus take you from CDG to Orly the next day and pick your car up there. At least you won't be the one driving in the morning jams.