Train Travel

Take the TGV to explore the French Riviera

Arrive refreshed to explore the mediaeval villages of Provence, or to revel in the party atmosphere of Nice.

Travel by train has dramatically changed in the 21st century. Journeys by rail no longer take days and you arrive feeling totally relaxed. If you board Eurostar at London, Waterloo at 8.30 am then you will arrive late afternoon in Provence. Instead of the wait for luggage and a taxi into the town if you had flown, you can walk straight out of the train station to find your hotel.

As you pass through the countryside and see the amazing scenery you are also likely to see a variety of weather. It is possible to travel through storms and then emerge into the sunshine. It makes you aware of how localised the weather is and how fast the TGV travels. It is necessary to change train at Lille and you may have to wait a short time for your connection. The slowest part of the journey is the final section from Marseille, this is where the track has not yet been modernised to take highspeed trains. This, however, is a highlight of the journey as it enables
you to glimpse the blue of the Mediterranean as it washes on to the beaches.

First impressions of Nice, are that it is busy and as you find your way on to the Promenade des Anglais you may think it is full of tourists, all hot, sweating and in search of a drink. By evening Nice turns into a city of sophistication if you leave the promenade and head for the old town you enter a different world where you can enjoy the party atmosphere of the local squares or the intimate feel you get from wandering through the maze of narrow streets. Be aware that the hotel staff may inform you that Nice has no nightlife this is because most of the restaurants close by 2 am.

From Nice you can then discover other towns and villages along the coast. On the outskirts or Cannes is a resort called Le Mas Candille, it is on a hilltop in Mougins. The resort is cleverly designed so that you feel as if you are in the hills of Provence. Although classed as a resort it is a place of tranquility. Parents are dissuaded from allowing their children near the main oval pool which overlooks hills. There is another pool for children away from the main one. There is a variety of accomodation to choose from: cottages which have been altered from an 18th century farmhouse, they have trellises and shutters. They are cheaper and have more character than the larger apartments in the new wing. The more expensive accomodation is next to the Shiseido spa, the jacuzzis and a small but very well equipped gym. The rustic accomodation is nearer to the more French past times such as petanque and ping pong.

Whilst staying here you must experience a meal at the Restaurant Candille. The food is fabulous and it must be one of the only restaurants in France where they cater for vegetarians. Whilst enjoying your meal you can also take delight in the wonderful views of the lights sparkling over the town of Grasse.

If you venture out into the town of Mougins for a meal be prepared as the reataurants are very expensive. There are lots of restaurants all very busy so it is a good idea to book.

If when in Nice you decide to travel towards the east you can discover the small but delightful Principality of Monaco. A small but wonderful tiny country that is only size of Hyde Park. Arrival at the station, deep underground, is like entering a different world. You can walk to the harbour, the casino of Monte Carlo all within a 10 minute walk of the station. Well worth exploring.