We will be in France the first two weeks of October.
We will fly into Paris, take the high speed train into Epinal area, where we will meet with friends and spend several days. From there, I am searching for information on the best way to travel to Villefranche Sur Mer, between Nice and Monaco.
I have learned by locals in the area, that our return to Paris from the coast should be by a one hour flight from Nice to Paris, because the train could take around 7 hours.
What do you recommend for the transportation from Epinal to either Nice or Monaco, and approximate time and cost? Villefranche Sur Mer is 15 minutes by train from either town.
We would also appreciate any hotel and restaurant recommendations in Villefranche Sur Mer. We enjoy the smaller places, away from the tourist areas, and
focus our time seeing the sites and spending time with locals. Does anyone know where we can charter a sailboat?
My main question is the train from Epinal to either Nice or Monaco.
I appreciate any and all suggestions.
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Epinal is in one of those - can%26#39;t easily get there from here deals going to the Cote D%26#39;Azur - my recomendation would be to take the Train back to Paris, or get to Geneva and take easyJet to Nice. I would then either rent a car or take a taxi to Villefranche. From there you can use the local train or buses to get around, if you do not want to drive. Though a car makes many places more accessible.
Nice thing about Villerfranche is that you are not in the height of tourist area(unless you include the loading and unlaoding of the cruise ships). There are a load of great restaurants in Villefranche - be sure not to only eat along the Quai - up in the village are some great and not real expensive restaurants.
Be sure to got to Cap Ferrat(the peninsula right accross from Villefranche), and up the hill to the comunities on the corniche roads -- specifially Eze and La Turbie.
www.darkpelican.com is a boat rental place -- a very good one - right in Villefranche, also you can rent in Nice. Be aware that for certain level of boats you will need a liscence - not sure about sail boats, but for powerboats you need a class 2 in order to really rent one.
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this thread has some rental info about small sailboats in the villefranche area
http://tinyurl.com/lxjdvd
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Except by going back to Paris and changing stations for a TGV to Nice, the train journey from Epinal to Nice is complicated. Another option wold be to use Metz Nancy Lorraine Airport. Air France have several flights a day from there to Nice. You will have to check with Air France for fares. To get there you would catch a local train from Epinal to Nancy from where there are buses to the airport.
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Thanks so much for your reply. I had a feeling getting from Vosges mountains to the south would be a puzzle to piece together!
I%26#39;ll contact the boating link....thanks again.
I have been told a train between Nice and Paris could be 7 hours long because the highspeed does not run all the way south. Is there a local airline that flies frequently between the two, and what is the approximate cost?
Appreciate your help.......
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We spent a week in Villefranche Sur Mer in May and it is a magical place. We took the flight from Nice to Paris home and it is about an hour and 20 minute flight. The Nice airport is very easy to maneuver. We ate at some of the restaurants on the seaport and they were all great. We went to Beaulieu for dinner one night to Les Agaves - one our favorites. It had been featured in Bon Appetit a few years ago. Great chef.
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I appreciate everyone%26#39;s help.
It seems Hotel de la Darse has no rooms available for the 5 nights we will be there (our first choice). Does anyone have experience with Hotel la Flore, Hotel le Provencal, orHotel Villa Vauban? Any other suggestions for a nice 2 or 3 star without a huge price......we spend little time in the room but would like something clean and safe.
Someone had mentioned a train from the northern part of France where we will come from, Epinal train station area, and take the train that goes through Switzerland down to Nice. Any help with this information appreciated.
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Regarding your question about the length of the train journey... Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice Ville is about 5 hours 30 minutes.
After roughly Aix en Provence the train has to slow down due to old tracks.
It can still be as quick as flying though when you take into account getting to the airport, being an hour or more early for check in/security, flight time, exiting terminal and then travel from airport to final destination. I certainly find the train a more relaxed way to travel.
Rob
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I agree with you........we would miss all the scenery on a flight, and the 5-6 hr train ride would be more enjoyable.
Can you tell me which website I should look at to try and plan our trip? I think the one through Switzerland is the one I want to work on. Any thoughts?
thanks!
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Hi, I have just booked Paris - Nice on this site
http://www.raileurope.co.uk/
You can get the TGV direct from Nancy to Nice (8hr 40 min journey)but looks like only 1 direct service a day at 06.51, 05.00 connexion from Epinal if you can%26#39;t get a lift.
More services via Paris and its quicker but you need to change main line stations in Paris.
I can%26#39;t see Swiss option being quicker.
Try this site, I have not used it but you can ask for personalised journey details.
http://www.alleuroperail.com/
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Hello again, I meant to say I have just booked hotel in Villefranche. Its not on the seafront but has great views and reviews as it is No 1 on tripadvisor. 100 euro per double room in October.
http://www.fianceedupirate.com/index_uk.html
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