France

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Jun 19, 2013 8:58 AM
Journeymutt

last reply
Jun 20, 2013 12:04 AM
wandering360

6 replies
151 views
location: France

Paris, Rome and the stuff in between

Hello Lonely Planet,

I am a frequent domestic business traveler who has saved up his points for a trip to Europe. I have my sights set on Paris and Rome as my two main destinations. The trip spans April 24- May 6 2014 (11 days not including travel days). Travel between the cities is to be by train, probably the Thello overnight.

The advice I seek is how to maximize the trip without ruining it. Possible itineraries include:

Paris-Rome with a slice of Swiss
Thur: Fly to CDG
Fri-Sun: Paris
Mon: Morning train to Switzerland (Geneva? Lucerne? Bern? Zermatt? Grindelwald?) Evening in CH
Tue: Morning in CH, evening train to Rome
Wed-Sat: Rome
Sun: Thello overnight to Paris
Mon: Last day in Paris
Tue: Fly home

Paris-Rome with jolly good day excursions
Thur: Fly to CDG
Fri-Sun: Paris
Mo... more »

Jun 19, 2013 3:12 AM
Helen0104

last reply
Jun 20, 2013 2:12 AM
meckerdv

5 replies
99 views
location: France

Seat selection on ferry to Corsica

I want to book seats on the ferry from Nice to Corsica (Bastia or Calvi) and it gives me the option of 'pullman' or no seat. If I pick the no seat option, does that mean that it's sit anywhere on the deck outside? That would be fine with us as we both get seasick and prefer to be outside anyway but would like to be inside if the weather is poor.

Also, one of the options is a 7am departure. Does anyone know how far in advance we'd need to be at the ferry port?

Proposing to use Corsica Ferries as they are the only ones I've found with ferries from Nice but please let me know if there is another service.

Travelling September.

Thanks!

Jun 19, 2013 2:11 AM
sbone_be

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 3:10 AM
regards

1 replies
44 views
location: France

Where to go in the Toulon - Marseilles area?

Bonjour!

I will be travelling (with wife and baby) from Nice to Avignon t the end of August, and have a spare night to spend somewhere in between.

Any recommendations? I know the area around (esp. North and East of) Nice very well, but much less the Western part of the Cote d'Azur and Provence.

We'll probably be travelling by car (but possibly train).

Thanks!

Jun 18, 2013 3:41 PM
JHTraveller

last reply
Jun 18, 2013 5:20 PM
JHTraveller

2 replies
92 views
location: France

Storing Luggage at Gare de Lyon

Is it possible to store a suitcase at Gare de Lyon? Would love to leave my larger suitcase behind and take a smaller bag with me on the train from paris - grenoble. My hope would be to check the bag for several days and pick up upon my return.

Thanks much!

Edited by: JHTraveller

Jun 18, 2013 7:47 AM
kaz

last reply
Jun 18, 2013 11:16 AM
ZuidWest

4 replies
131 views
location: France

Breathalysers and hi-vis vests

We're about to head south on the motorbike to look for some decent weather in France and are not sure if we need to buy a breathalyser or not.
The most recent info I can find is from March, and says that although you should have one with you, you do not get fined if you don't - so what happens? If we do need one, do they sell them on the channel ferries? (Travelling on one of the ex Sea France ships).

Also, do motorcyclists now need to wear hi-vis vests at all times? We carry them with us, but usually only wear them if visibility is bad, as they flap about annoyingly...

Thanks for any advice!

Jun 17, 2013 4:24 PM
hlai7233

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 8:35 PM
InBiarritz

4 replies
127 views
location: France

Getting from Geneva Airport to Chamonix economically

Hi there

I wonder what the public transport options are to get from Geneva Airport to Chamonix towards the end of this month (June 2013). Since I am not pressed for time, economical options are preferred.

Thank you in advance!!

Jun 17, 2013 3:56 PM
tananw2

last reply
Jun 18, 2013 5:05 PM
sfgirl42

7 replies
239 views
location: France

Mystery in Paris

Does anyone have any idea where this is?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97632304@N05/9071857606/

I know it is Paris, and I think it is in a Church. Any help would be wonderful. Thank You.

Tannan

Jun 17, 2013 2:31 PM
JoyVee

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 3:39 PM
PoppyG

10 replies
260 views
location: France

Scams at Gare du Nord with SIM and train tickets

"Think I must have left my brains in Bangkok where I just pay for a SIM for my mobile phone and it works straight away. Unless you go direct to an Orange shop, large not small agency, you cannot activate your card immediately and this means providing ID details. There may be other phone carriers who simplify this process.
Last time I bought a SIM I think I went to the tabac or Relay store where some helpful person explained it to me.
This time I made a mistake when I got off the Thzlys and headed straight to a PARIS souvenir shop. Mistake was to trust this shopkeeper. He told me that my phone was locked,despite my assertion that it worked OK in BKK while I lived in Australia. He then told me that I needed a simple phone and new card with 20 Euros. worth of callswhich he could sell me for fifty euros. Sounded good as I needed to ring my host. Continued inside.

Jun 16, 2013 2:31 AM
Victorialouise

last reply
Jun 18, 2013 5:32 AM
Kerouac2

3 replies
109 views
location: France

Driving and camping Calais to Bergerac in August

Hello

I am taking my family to stay in Bergerac in August - we want to drive and camp and take around 4/5 nights to do so. Any suggestions of routes and campsites?

Thank you.

Jun 16, 2013 12:46 AM
dr_mrow

last reply
Jun 17, 2013 5:38 AM
InBiarritz

3 replies
108 views
location: France

Evenings in Haut Savoie

I've got a business trip taking me to Haut Savoie next month, and will be staying in the small town of Saint-Jeoire. I'm probably working till 7 most nights, but I'll have a rental car, a pair of hiking boots, and want to do something more than work, eat and sleep. Suggestions?

Jun 15, 2013 1:31 PM
islander_80

last reply
Jun 17, 2013 10:28 PM
Kerouac2

13 replies
396 views
location: France

Visa Run / France

Is it possible to stay in France for less than 90 days, then fly to a country outside the Schengen region and stay for a few days, then come back for a new 90 tourist visa?

Jun 15, 2013 1:37 AM
Baa_Baa_Bruce_S...

last reply
Jun 17, 2013 5:33 AM
InBiarritz

11 replies
268 views
location: France

Biarritz weather

Hello does anyone know what the weather/surf is usually like in mid to late August?

Also can anyone recommend any backpackers hostels? I found one but its £30 a night which seems a bit steep to me!

Jun 14, 2013 6:59 PM
berrys99

last reply
Jun 15, 2013 12:07 AM
regards

1 replies
74 views
location: France

Calvi accommodation

Can anyone give me some recommendations for budget accomodation in Calvi beginning of September prior to walking the GR20. I believe some hotels start closing round this time. Most I've seen on the web are pretty pricey.
Thanks

Jun 14, 2013 4:01 AM
islander_80

last reply
Jun 15, 2013 11:41 AM
Kerouac2

9 replies
385 views
location: France

Living Expenses in Paris

I'm thinking of attending Le Cordon Bleu in Paris this Fall and I have some general questions about living in Paris. I've also never been to France.

1. I don't speak a word of French, how much of a problem will this be? I plan to study a little before I go, but I don't think it will be up to level for daily use. (The classes at the school are translated into English btw)

2. What are housing expenses like? A private room in a hostel? Other options? I'm 32 years old so I'm looking for somewhere quiet and social enough, but probably not a multi-bed situation with hordes of backpackers.

3. What are grocery or cheap dining expenses like?

4. How much would I need roughly for public transportation expenses?

—American from Guam living in South Korea

Jun 13, 2013 4:36 AM
Moselle

last reply
Jun 14, 2013 4:24 AM
Moselle

2 replies
74 views
location: France

Lyon Airport - Tignes transfers in August

Hello

Can anyone tell me how easy/difficult getting from Lyon Airport to Tignes in August is? I believe there are no buses during the summer, so my only option would be taking the SNCF to Bourg St Maurice and taking a bus from there

Is this correct? On the return (5th August) I could only find one bus in the afternoon back to Bourg St Maurice which wouldn't work for getting to Lyon Airport by 14.00 - does this sound right? If I had to take a taxi from Tignes to Bourg St Maurice would it cost a fortune?

Many thanks
M

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