Paris to Nice by Train

You could consider Lyon or Avignon. I think it is a great idea, read a few guidebooks and pick the place with the 1 or 2 activities and sights you most would enjoy.

If you would like to see a smaller town along the way, then Avignon comes closer to fitting that bill than does Lyon. Why not plan an overnight in Avignon? That way the train trip is nicely broken into 2.5 hrs and 3 hrs (Avignon to Nice). By taking an early train from Paris, after arriving in Avignon, you could actually take a taxi out & bus back to the Pont du Gard, a stupendous Roman aqueduct and still have time for a pleasant evening in town. Avignon is a medieval city, with lovely streets and little plazas, excellent restaurants...a tiny taste of Provence.

Thank you so much Adam and Roe! Both of your suggestions sound great. Do you have thoughts on Arles versus Avignon? Would you recommend stopping in Arles and then taking the train to Nice? Thanks,
Kelly

When will you be in France? Whether or not you stop somewhere between Paris and Nice, booking train tickets well in advance can get you cheap discount fares (as low as €22 for Paris-Avignon or Paris-Nice and €25 for Avignon-Nice). Compare that to the standard 2nd class fare for Paris-Nice which ranges from €103 to €124.50, depending upon the departure time (off-peak or peak hours). Direct TGVs from Paris to Avignon are non-stop. For detailed timetables that show all intermediate stops (if any) for any route you choose, use the German Rail site.

I like Arles better, but Avignon is more directly enroute to Nice. Both are feasible however.

I second Adam's comments. To go from Arles will mean a change of trains in Marseilles, which isn't a problem really, but from Avignon you can do the TGV direct to Nice with a few stops along the coast.

Hi all--Thanks again for your replies. Definitely sounds like Avignon is more convenient. What's a "must see" there? Also, Tim--not sure when we're going. We're very flexible. We're open to suggestions. Thoughts? Thanks again!

The most important "must-see" is the Pont du Gard, which I mentioned earlier. In Avignon itself, there is the old Papal palacewhich I found dull, but others may disagree. But IMO the essential sight is the town itself. Strolling its medieval lanes and admiring the view across the river is a genuine delight. RS has an excellent walking tour guide in his Provence book, which you ought to pick up as it includes Nice and the coast as well.

Kelly, In 2005 I was in both Paris and Nice in early June. Fine weather! I enjoyed the beach at Antibes and the water was warm enough for swimming. To get discount fare train tickets, book ASAP (up to three months allowed) at tgv-europe.com. To keep the site in English and to avoid being bumped to the Rail Europe site which doesn't offer discount fares, choose Great Britain as your ticket retrieval country. If you're given the option of printing your own tickets, do so. Otherwise you can pick them up at any SNCF station or boutique in France.

Although I agree with Roe about Avignon and the papal palace, it is a charming city and you should consider itself a prime attractionwalking from top to bottom. There are also stunning Roman antiquities a short train ride away in either Nimes, Arles, or Orange. Although probably if those appeal to you you'd be better off bypassing Avignon and stopping in one of those towns, train transfer notwithstanding.