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Land Travel to the South of France
(as of August 2009)
Itinerary: 5 Days/ 4 Nights
Geneva/ Carcasson/Toulouse/ Lourdes/Arles/ Cannes/ Monaco/ Grasse/ Avignon/ Chateauneuf- du- Pape/ Geneva
Travel Arrangements
1. Five-day Rental of 9-seater van at Sixt Rentals (CHF 1190) without tax
a. Pick-up at 7:30 am on Friday, Return at 7:30 am on Wednesday,
b. Ford Transit (9 seater), diesel, manual, with A/C
c. Van is with huge luggage compartment
d. Unlimited mileage
e. Full coverage of insurance with CHF 400 franchise. There is no insurance package with full coverage without franchise.
f. Note: It is important to ask for the height dimension of the vehicle for purposes of parking.
2. Proposed budget
a. Toll expenses : approximately Euro 200 roundtrip
b. Gasoline: 3-4 full tank/ approximately Euro 250
c. Parking: approximately Euro 50
3. TIP: It is best that you bring sufficient supply of bottled drinking water for your own consumption. A 50cl of Evian Bottled Water will cost you not lower than Euro 1.50 to a high of Euro 2.50. Supermarket (Aligro) price is only about CHF 18.20 per case of 24 bottles of 50 cl.
4. Buying ice (glacons) is a problem during the trip as they are not available in most gasoline stops nor grocery stores. In Geneva, 5 kg ice is available at Aligros at CHF 9.90 per bag.
5. Checking of passport and visa is done upon exit of Geneva and return.
Hotel Arrangements
In Toulouse, France
1. In Toulouse, we stayed for two nights at the small bed and breakfast owned and operated by Ms. Bing Alberto (former Philippine Agriculture Attaché in Geneva):
Champigite en Montjoire
(approximately 30 kilometers from Toulouse City)
Operated by Philippe and Maria (Bing) Chau-Huu and 3 year-old son, Vincent (with pets Gabay (dog) and Bulan (cat))
Tel. 33 561846178
33 561849967
33 631021459
2. Reservation is necessary as the facility has only 5 rooms. One room is an apartment that can accommodate 5 persons. It has its own kitchen, dining facilities and barbecue facilities.
3. Room rates including continental breakfast (no credit cards)
a. Double room (2 persons) – Euro 65 per night
b. Additional bed/ person – additional Euro 10 per night
4. Private barbecue facilities are available. You can order lamb meat for grilling at Euro 50 for approximately 3 kilos. Advance notice is necessary. Bring your own paper plates, cups and plastic utensils and barbecue tongs. You can ask Bing for use of her kitchen and part of her refrigerator to cool your wine. Ice cubes are available on limited quantity. If you expect to need large amount of ice, it is suggested to ask Bing to purchase in advance for you and perhaps keep them in the farm refrigeration facility for a while.
5. Sufficient and safe parking area.
6. Rooms have no A/C or electric fans. No TV or telephones in the rooms but wireless internet is accessible. There is swimming pool. Donkey and horseback rides for children can be arranged. Facility is with fireplace at the common area (sala). Note: bring insect repellent as bugs and bees can go into your room when windows are open.
7. Close-by supermarket closes at 7 pm.
In Cannes
1. Hotel bookings were done in advance through http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr which provides a good selection of hotels with no commission fees. Each hotel will have their own reservation policy but most will need a credit card to guarantee your booking. In doing your reservation on-line, make sure you check on the hotel cancellation or re-booking policies.
2. We stayed two nights at
a. Ibis Cannes Center
8 Rue Marceau
Cannes, 06400
France
Tel: +33 (0)4 9298 9696
Fax: +33 4928 0568
b. Hotel is at the Center of the commercial district and within walking distance to the main shopping district (2 minutes), the beach (10 minutes) , and the International Film Center (15 minutes).
c. Basement parking is for small cars only but hotel recommends other paid parking areas around the hotel. Gare parking (5 minutes walk) is available too for big vehicles (approx Euro 13 for overnight parking). Good eateries (French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, etc.) surround the hotel.
d. Room are clean and have ACs and telephones. Internet facilities are available at the lobby for a token fee. Optional breakfast is Euro 8 per person.
e. Room rates
i. Double room (2 persons) – Euro 80 per night
ii. Triple rooms are available
f. Receptionists are English speaking.
g. Credit cards are acceptable.
Geneva to Carcassone (5.18 hours or 591 km from Geneva)
1. Speed limit is 110 to 130 km.
2. Brief stop at Montilemar for Nougat shopping.
3. Lots of tolls.
4. Open air paid-parking facilities are available around the Cathar Castles in Carcassonne.
5. You need at least 2 hours to move around the castles/ medieval village.
6. Giant Casino supermarket is within the area (near the entrance from the auto route)
Carcassone to Montjiore (1.05 hour/ 99.2 km)
1. Travel time may be more since speed limit within the Toulouse area is only 90 km.
2. You may have problems putting the exact address of the hotel in your GPS. Best to call Bing for guide.
Montjiore to Lourdes, France and back (1.46 hrs/ 176 km – one way)
1. Speed limit at Toulouse area is only 90 km. Beyond is 110 to 130 km.
2. Parking at Gare area.
3. Check on website of Lourdes for any scheduled activities as place might be very crowded with heavy traffic. Also check on schedule of “bath” facilities (10am to 12 noon and 2 to 4 pm).
Montjiore to Arles (2.56 hrs/ 316 km)
1. Arles is famous its roman arena (which they still use for festivals and bull fights) and for Van Gogh paintings.
2. Mini train tour available at Euro 6 per person/ 45 minutes
3. Visit the Arena, the Roman Theatre, Republic Square, Saint Trophime Church, and Van Gogh’s actual site of “Café in the evening – September 1888).
Arles to Cannes (approximately 2 hours)
1. Visit the shopping district and the night market
2. Walk to the beach front and pass by the International Film Center
3. Bars and restaurants abound the beach area.
Cannes to Monaco (41 minutes/ 51.6 km)
1. Side casino is open to visitors --- slot machines, game tables, etc.
2. Main casino has limited operating hours.
3. Bus ride to Palace is Euro 1 per person (good for one hour)
4. Parking fee is approximately Euro 9 for four hours
5. Panini sandwich cost approximately Euro 4.50 and drinks at Euro 2.20.
6. Purchase your Monaco souvenirs at the shop behind the church as they are cheaper than the rest.
7. Visit the garden fronting the church too.
Monaco to Grasse (1.10 hours/ 73 Km)
1. Visit to Fragonard Perfumery
2. Buy your perfume and other cosmetic products here. Take note there may be 10% discount coupons from your hotel or in the store itself.
3. Tour of museum is free.
Grasse to Cannes (26 minutes/ 19.9 km)
Cannes to Avignon (2.17 hours/ 232 km)
1. Visit the Pope’s Castle (English guided tour is Euro 13 per person)
2. Mini train ride is available at Euro 6
3. Best to buy your Pate and Marseille perfumed soap here
Avignon to Chateauneuf-du-Pape (23 minutes/17.9 km)
1. Wine tasting (at least 1 hour) with JB. Cave can accommodate group of 10 to 35 persons for wine tasting with prior booking.
Cave du Verger des Papes
2, rue du Chatearu
84230 Chateauneuf-du-Pape
11 am to 7 pm
Tel 04 90 83 50 94
Fax 04 90 83 79 93
2. Bottle of wine starts at Euro 24.
Chateauneuf to Geneva (3.23 hours/ 358 km)
1. Check your GPS navigator for route to Geneva as there are new highways opened. Small highway is not recommended for evening travel as there are very few stops or gasoline stations (but no tolls).
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