Navigating the French Rail System

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!