Navigating the French Rail System

Navigating the French Rail System

March 30, 2024 Accomodation France Trains 0

The French rail network is excellent, although often expensive by Australian standards. It can also be very crowded on commuter trains. Today’s trip was slightly challenging – Villefranche-sur-mer to Aigues-Morts requires four separate tickets and takes all day.

First: a local train to Nice-St-Augustin – just three stops to the other side of Nice, the station near the airport. But today is Good Friday, and even though it’s not a public holiday in France the trains are only hourly. Took the 10:04am rather than the 11:04 to be on the safe side.

Next: wait for the 11:27 train to Marseille, first on the platform but last on the train due to waiting at the wrong end of the platform! Standing room only – see my post about when to choose First Class.

Wait for the 15:32 InterCiti at Marseille while dodging the beggars and pickpockets, but the coffee and croissant at a cafe was good.

Caught that train ok but received an email saying the next one was cancelled. A link to the SNCF website indicated there might be a bus.

Arrived at the historic Nimes railway station – Gare de Nimes – and found the ticket office. The very helpful staff said yes, buses were replacing the train, and directed us to a busy bus exchange. Sure enough, a “Special” turned up and took the scenic route on narrow country roads via various villages.

Arrived at “le dit vin secret”, a quirky little hotel in Aigues-Morts, at 7pm – just half an hour behind the original schedule.

Time for a glass of wine, secret or not!

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