Travel to Versailles and Paris, France

Travel to Versailles and Paris in  France

                   (April 2011)

Hall of Mirrors in Versailles

The Basilica of Sacred Heart in Paris

Abbi and Gella

Abbi, Gella & Pinkie

Itinerary: 3 days/ 2 night by Train (TGV)

          Day 1:                   Geneva/ Paris                  

Geneva – Lyon        6:41 am/ 8:26am

Lyon-Paris              9:00am/10:57am

          Day 2           Paris

          Day 4           Paris/Geneva                   

Paris-Lyon              12:54 pm/ 2:51 pm

                             3:30 pm/ 5:14 pm

                                                                  

Travel Arrangements

1.                 Travel arrangements on TGV were done on-line. Roundtrip tickets for two cost Euro 180 (second class)  but reservations need to be done months ahead to avail of the promo rates.

2.                 Travel from Geneva to Lyon thence to Paris is smooth and easy. Train station in Lyon is huge and crowded.

3.                 As expected, due to the travel season, there are lots of travelers.  Try to be at the train station early enough to identify the gate and train coach that you will take.

4.                 Travel light if possible.

                  

Hotel Arrangements

1.     Marriott Courtyard

58, Boulevard Victor Hugo

F-92200 Neully sur Seine

Tel. +33 (0) 1.55.63.64.65

Fax +33 (0) 1.55.63.64.66

mailto:reservations@courtyard.com

www.courtyard.comm

2.     Hotel

·        Check-n at 15:00; check-out at 12:00 noon (concierge available for left-luggage)

·        Rate for a double room is Euro 102 (family rate) per night including tax but without breakfast. Regular published rate for the same room is Euro 420 per night. Breakfast is Euro 18-20 extra per person.  Hotel is very clean and is located in a very quiet residential neighborhood. Facilities include:

o       Queen-size beds (but you have to request for it ahead)

o       TV, Ref. aircon,

o       Large toilet with tub

o       Ice maker machine on the same floor

o       With small kitchenette with second ref, microwave and kitchen sink

·        Underground parking available at Euro 17 daily

·        Hotel has good facilities (restaurants, bar, large lobby, business center with internet, wireless internet facilities in room (for a fee)

·        Payment is done upon check out. Credit cards accepted.

·        Hotel is quit a distance to the center of the city (about 15 metro stops from Gare de Lyon on yellow line).

·        There are good restaurants within walking distance from the hotel.  As the concierge for directions and maps (Restaurants du Quartier)

o       For good Japanese restaurant, try YOKO at 31 r Voltair 92300 Levallois Perret (01 40 89 33 54). Good variety of food including sashimi and sushi plates at reasonable prices. Average dinner per person is Euro 20. About 10 minutes walk from the hotel.

City Travel

1.      Purchase “Paris Viste” ticket (for three days at Euro 20.70 for zones 1 to 3 only) upon arrival at Gare de Lyon in Paris.  “Paris Visite” is valid for a number of days specified in the ticket (choice of 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days). Passengers benefit from unlimited travel on all OPTILE networks where the carte orange season-ticket is valid, and on RATP and SNCF bus, coach, metro and RER networks, as well as SNCF Transilien trains.

·        “Paris Viste” consists of a card bearing your name and a travel coupon.  Before use, you have to write your surname and first name on the card and copy the card number onto the travel coupon and enter the date of first use there.  The card and coupon must be used together.

·        “Paris Visite” is only available from ticket offices and not from ticket machines.

·        Reduce prices are available to children aged 4 to under 12.

·        Don’t forget to validate your ticket in the machines provided on buses and at train metro stations.

·        Ticket is for personal use only and is not transferable.

·        The “Paris Viste” will save you on travel costs since the regular metro ticket is Euro 3.00 per person per ride which is valid only for one hour.

Travel to Versailles

1.        The Palace of Versailles and its gardens form one of the most famous world heritage monuments and stands out as the finest and most complete achievement of French art in the 17^th century. This site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site which recognizes the universal and exceptional value of cultural and natural heritage that may be preserved for the benefit of Humanity.

Establissment Public du Musee et du Domaine

National de Versailles

RP 834 – 78008 Versailles Cedex

Informations and reservations: 01 30 83 78 00

www.chateauversailles.fr

2.        How to go there. Versailles is just less than 30-minute away by train ride from Paris.  Since your “Paris Viste” ticket is just good for zones 1-3 you need to purchase additional roundtrip ticket to Versailles at Euro 6.10 per person (second class).  You can purchase this ticket from any ticket office or from Gare de Lyon where you purchased your “Paris Visite.”

3.        Palace Schedule. The Palace is open daily, except on Monday, some French public holidays and during official ceremonies:

a.      High season: from 9am to 6:30 pm (last admission at 6pm)

b.     Low season: from 9am to 5:50pm (last admission at 5pm)

4.        Schedule of the Park and Gardens. The Park and Gardens of Versailles are open everyday from 7am or 8am until 6pm or 8:30 pm depending on the season.  Opening times are posted on the gates.

5.        Tickets to the Palace de Versailles are sold at the ticket desks onsite or at the Tourism Office just before the Palace gates. Advance tickets may also be purchased online on www.chateauversailles.fr

a.      Tickets to Palace is at Euro 15 per person which entitles you to free audioguide in 10 languages.

b.     Ticket to the Garden is sold separately at Euro 8 per person.  This ticket allows you access to the Grand Musical Fountain display and the Musical Gardens.

6.        Tour of the Gardens. 

a.      The Park and Gardens cover about 800 hectares.  The Parc is an exceptional open air museum comprising of:

                                                                          i.      The Gardens – which stretches from the Chateau to the Grand Canal;

                                                                        ii.      The Park – crossed by its spacious alleys,

                                                                    iii.      The Trianon Gardens and Museums, Marie Antonette’s Hamlet.

b.     Try getting the mini trains in the park of Versailles at Euro 6 per person (www.train-versialles.com). Purchase your mini-train ticket at the ticket counter where the trains are parked.   The mini train allows you to get off at any of its three stops for a visit and take the next train again using the same ticket, which is valid in both directions.

7.        Restaurants and Souvenir Shops

a.      There are lots of restaurants , eateries and souvenir shops on the way to the Palace from the train station.  Just affront of the train station is McDonalds.

b.     There are also restaurants and souvenir shops inside the Palace and its grounds.

8.       Security

a.      There may be long (but fast) lines at the main entrance to the Palace due to security screening.  Bags pass through x-ray machines and people go through the metal detector.  Food items are not allowed inside.

While in Paris, try visiting:

1.     Le Marche aux PUCES (The Flea Market) for second hand furniture and antique products (www.st-ouen-tourisme.com or www.parispuces.com)

·        Flea market hours: Saturday (9 to 6pm), Sunday (10 to 6pm) , Monday (11 to 5pm).

·        Access by public transport (Metro: Porte de Clignancourt – line 4 or Garibaldi – line 13; by bus: take bus 56-60-85-95-137-166-255-PC3).

2.     Basilique du Sacre-Coeur (The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) in Paris, France

·        The Basilica is a roman catholic church and a minor basilica (1919) dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Paris, France.  A popular landmark, the Basilca is located at the summit  of the butte Montmartre, the hightest point in the city.

·        Access the Basilica by foot using the steps but it is recommended that you use the funicular which take you to the summit in 5 minutes.  You can use your “Paris Visite” ticket in the funicular.

·        The place is full of tourists with lots of shops and eateries.

·        The place is also known for its retail of French textile products with very good designs at bargain prices.

·        Place is accessible by public transpo (bus 163).

Good Eats in Paris

1.     Café-Brasserie Le Bailli de Suffen

7. Avenue du Suffren

75007 Paris

Tel. 01 45 66 59 71

(for good coffee and snacks) just in the area of Eiffel Tower and off the Metro Station.  Try their Assiet Charcuterie (Euro 12) for good selection of French sliced meat/ sausages with a slice of pate).

Train (Eurail) Travel to Paris and Lourdes, France (Oct. 2009)

Manuel with daughters Abigail and Angeline

Itinerary:  2 days/ 1 night

          Day 1:  Geneva / Paris (Gare de Lyon)             0717 / 1051  TGV

                     Paris (Gare de Austerlitz/ Lourdes        2310/ 0746    Night train

          Day 2:  Lourdes/ Toulouse                             1405/ 1553   Local train

                     Toulouse/ Lyon                                  1610/2020    TGV

                     Lyon/ Geneva                                    2056/2233    TGV

Manuel with (L-R) Nini, Joji Quijano and Willie

              

Travel Arrangements

1.     Advance travel booking is necessary if your are traveling using a Eurail Pass.  Reservation fees apply as follows:

a.      Geneva/ Paris                        CHF    14.00

b.     Paris/ Lourdes                                 29.00

c.      Lourdes/ Toulouse                          no reservation needed

d.     Toulouse/ Lyon                               5.00

e.      Lyon/ Geneva                                 5.00

2.     Gare de Austerlitz is the train connection to Lourdes from Paris Gare de Lyon. Austerlitz is about 10 minutes easy walk from Gare de Lyon through a connecting bridge. There is no direct train connection between these two train stations.  If you have a load, you can consider taking a taxi which is available from Gare de Lyon.

Tips:  The area of Gare de Lyon offers better selection of restaurants.  However there are small restaurants right inside Gare de Austerlitz. 

There are lockers at this station.

Gare de Austrelitz has a nice toilet and bath facility.  For Euro 6 you can have your own private room with clean toilet, lavatory and  bath --- with towels and soap plus a spacious dressing area within the room.  You may wish to consider using this before boarding your night train to Lourdes.

3.     Night Train comes in compartments of either four or six persons. The above reservation rate (CHF 29) is for six. Expect other passengers (male or female)  to join your compartment.  While you can lock the compartment door, you are expected to take care of your own  things and valuable during your travel. There is no restaurant in this train and no breakfast is served. Train provides bed sheet, blanket and pillow for each passenger.

Train tickets are checked at the train terminal just before boarding the night train.

Train ride from Paris to Lourdes is 8.36 hours.

Sight Seeing

In Paris

1.     Since we have limited time to move around Paris, we decided to take a whole Day’s metro ticket which cost EURO 6.  We moved around Paris through the traffic-free metro:

a.      Stop 1: Notre Dame Church (from Gare de Lyon, take the line 14/ purple line dirction Saint Lazare to CHATELET METRO; transfer to line 1/ yellow direction Chateau Vincennes to HOTEL DE VILLE.

b.     Stop 2: Louvre Musem (From Hotel de Ville Metro take line 1/yellow direction La Defense to LOUVRE RIVOLI)

                                                                          i.      You can walk through Royal Palace, Tuileries and Palace Concord.

c.      Stop 3: Arc de Truimph (from Place Concorde Metro take line 1/yellow direction La Defense to GEORGE V METRO)

d.     Stop 4: Eifel Tower  (From Charles de Gaulle-Etoile Metro (arc de triumph) take line 6/green direction Nation to TROCADERO METRO.

e.     Stop 5: Gare de Austerlitz. (From Eifel Tower, walk  10-15 minutes to Bir-Hakeim and get green line direction Nation to La Motte Piquet and transfer to line 10/orange to Gare de Austerlitz.

In Lourdes

1.     There are no lockers at this station.

2.     Six hours to move around  Lourdes is sufficient.

3.     TGV trains from Toulouse are great.

Other Notes

1.     Return train ticket from Paris to Geneva on 2^nd Class TGV is CHF 120.

2.     Holiday Inn at Lyon Gare is three minutes away from the train station.

3.     Two-day tourist bus (Hip-hop – Open Bus Tour) is Euro 34. One day is Euro 28.  In riding the Hip Hop bus make sure you check on the color code of the bus as there are four different routes. Green route can take you to Notre Dame,  Eifel Tower, Arm du Triumph and Lourve.

4.     Take note of last trip schedule of the Open Tour bus from the point you are in.

Travel to the South of France

Manuel at Pond du Gard in France

Never miss this. . .at Avignon

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

http://www.champigite.fr

(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))

          philippe@champigite.fr

          bing@champigite.fr

          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

www.caveduverger.com

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).

         

Day Travel to Marseilles, France

Day Visit to Marseilles, France

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Itinerary:

                Geneva/ Marseilles (St. Charles)                              0658H/1047H     Change train in Lyon (Regional Express

                                                                                                                                and TGV from Lyon)

                Marseilles/ Geneva                                        1907H/2233H     No train change (TGV)

1.        Travel to Marseilles from Geneva  takes about 4 hours of travel time.  Train arrives in Lyon-Part-Dieu at 08:47 and your next train for Marseilles departs at 09:07.

a.       Train from Geneva to Lyon has no restaurant facilities. First class cabin have limited seats.

b.      There are restaurant facilities from Lyon to Marseilles though food and drinks may be expensive.  For example soft drink will cost Euro 3.50 per bottle while you can buy the same at Euro 2 per bottle at the station or Euro 1 from the supermarket or Tabac.

2.       Travel from Marseilles to Geneva takes about  3:46 minutes via TGV.  Train will have 5 brief stops, including Lyon, but there is no need to change train.

a.       Restaurant facilities are available

3.       There are other trains ( on each hour) that go to Marseilles from Geneva and back but many would require  more than one train change and travel time may be longer.

Travel Arrangements

1.        Eurail Pass holders need to reserve seats but there is no reservation required for onward travel from Geneva to Lyon .

2.       Reservation costs are as follows:

a.       Lyon Par Dieu to Marseilles (on TGV)             : CHF 5.00 (First Class)

b.      Marseilles to Geneva (on TGV)                          : CHF 10.00 (First Class)

3.        TIP:  Make sure you are able to reserve your seat ahead as there are limited number of seats reserved for Eurail Pass holders.               

4.       Checking of visa is upon entry to the TGV platform at Gare and also upon return also at Gare. 

5.       NOTE:  European residents are not allowed to use Eurail Pass.

6.       Gare station at Lyon is very busy and have lots of travelers moving around.  It is best that you inquire  from Geneva ahead of time on your arrival and departure gates in Lyon.

Arrival at Marseilles St. Charles

1.       Marseilles Gare is also a busy station.  Information Office have long lines and does not give tourism information (but they have maps available if you request).  There are, however, train representatives in uniform that are moving around the waiting area whom you can approach for assistance on train matters.

2.       There is a Metro Station at the lower level of the Gare Station.

3.        There is McDo at the Gare Station and other good restaurant. There is also a bookstore and magazine store.

Moving Around Marseilles

1.       We walked from the train station to the Old Port  (Vieux Port) which took us just 15 minutes.

2.       At the Old Port you will see the Tourism Office (which had long lines) and rows of restaurants (including Mr. Quick and McDo) around the Port.  Being a Sunday, there was the usual fresh fish stalls and flea market that sold local products (Marseilles soaps, Avignon table cloths, lavender products, local delicacies, art works and souvenir stalls).

3.       There are basically two activities at the Port:

a.       A boat ride to see Islands (ticket office was very crowded) including the famous Chateau d’If (which you can see from the Old Port itself).

b.      Little Train Tour with choice of two routes --- one cost Euro 7 per person and the other Euro 6 per person. Children pay Euro 4 for either trains.  These Little Trains  run every hour or less depending on the number of passengers waiting.  Each tour takes at least an hour. Check schedule for the season as they may change (www.petit-train-marseille.com) .

Where and What to Eat

1.        Eating may be expensive if you go to the usual restaurants for tourists though some serve the Italian Panini and Pizza.  There are several restaurants in the Old Port area that serve Mediterranean cuisine to include kebab, shawarma sandwiches and greek salad.

2.       Or, you can go the usual burgers offered by McDo or Mr. Quick.

3.       Try the world famous Bouillabaisse soup (seafood meal), whose origin is Marseilles.  Make sure you get the authentic one which will cost you Euro 16 to 21.