Paris to Southern France

Can someone advice us what websites offer info and tickets for booking travel from Paris to Southern France to Barcelona? We%26#39;re wanting to go in July. I%26#39;m also looking for advice on where to go in Southern France, for a couple of nights, before heading to Barcelona. Want somewhere with beaches and with a real French feeling to it.

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www.sncf.com (French railway) will give you the train schedules from Paris to the Spanish border and you can order you tickets directly.

Collioure is a nice place to stop just before the Spanish border.

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Definitely try the sncf-voyages website, there will be lots of good ideas there.

There%26#39;s a TGV that goes from Paris to Montpellier in the south, around 4 hours, about 100 euros return, and Montpellier would be a good city to stop off for a night or two. It%26#39;s a great university town with loads of squares, shopping, cafes, etc and the recently reopened Musee Fabre would be worth a look.

The train then carries onto Sete, Agde, Beziers, Narbonne and Perpignan, then down towards the Spanish border, but not sure about timescales or prices. Most of these towns are within 20 minutes of the beach and are pretty %26#39;French%26#39;, although Perpignan is quite spanish in feel too.

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This page by MorganB will help you with booking SNCF (French rail) tickets. http://tinyurl.com/qpdef

Booking through tickets to Barcelona can be tricky, but it can also be done. Give us another shout if you run into problems.

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%26quot;although Perpignan is quite spanish in feel too.%26quot;

Just curious : what did you find %26quot;Spanish%26quot; in Perpignan as compared to Narbonne, Beziers and other cities in the area?

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Beaches. Why not try Leucate or Gruissan ?

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Have a look at www.languedoc-roussillon.eu.com

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Removed on: 6:17 am, August 30, 2009

Airport transfer - best way?

Hi

We are renting an apartment in Old Town in May, and I was wondering how best to get from the airport to Nice? WOuld it be possible to get the bus and get off at the Gare? We are travelling at %26#39;normal%26#39; times. Also, how long does the bus take?

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The number 98 bus outside the airport terminal will take you near the old town costing 4 euros each (it may have gone up) and takes about 20 minutes, but you will have a short walk. A taxi will cost 25 euros.You can get off the bus at the bus station (gare routiere) just after Hotel Meridien/casino and cross the road to the old town.

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Removed on: 5:16 pm, August 28, 2009

GPS in Croatia

We are renting a car from Venice for 3 weeks and driving mostly Croatia and some Slovenia. GPS is fairly new in Oz - has anyone been able to use it there?

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Hello ann02

Try this question in the Italy and Eastern Europe Forums (Croatia is not in France!) - also you could try on the UK forum as many peeps from there are likely to have travelled in the areas you mention.

In 2004 I did a motorbike tour across Holland, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Czech Republic and back across Germany to France. I don%26#39;t posess GPS on my bike, but others in the group had GPS and I don%26#39;t think they had many problems using it in the areas we went to. Italy, Croatia and Slovenia are further south, but pretty civillised these days!

EW

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Thanks EW not very experienced at this! will try again.

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You can receive the GPS signals almost anywhere (although high buildings, trees, clouds, etc. can cause reception problems). But the GPS unit needs to have the proper (map) software installed, or it is useless.

So, the remaining questions are:

- are there up to date and detailed maps available for your GPS unit? (there are many brands of units, but the map software is made by only a few companies - like Tele Atlas and Navteq).

- if relevant map software exists for the countries you plan to visit, and the brand of unit you will use - will you need to buy it, or will the rental company provide it (for a fee or free)?

Map software for countries like Germany, France, UK, etc., is very detailed and updated at least yearly. But Croatia and Slovenia might be another story - I understand that TeleAtlas and Navteq both don%26#39;t offer any maps for that region (yet). I suggest you ask the rental company.

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Removed on: 5:20 am, August 30, 2009

Cooper Paris Flats (Ile de la Cite) Insights? Experiences?

We%26#39;re planning on staying at the apartment near Notra Dame this summer and would appreciate any input from anyone familiar with this company and/or this specific apartment. Merci!

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Oops! Notre Dame (it%26#39;s still early here)!

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Removed on: 5:23 am, August 30, 2009

Nantes-Bus/Train/weather.

Thinking of a short break to Nantes in early October. A couple of questions. Generally is it still warm in early October? As we will not be renting a car, is there a good bus and train station to take us to surrounding areas? and finally any recommendations?

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Hello,

Weather was warm and sunny in October those past 2 years in Nantes. But it could also be rainy and cold. The weather must be quite similar to that of Dublin.

Concerning public transportation, you have a train which can take you to Saint Nazaire, La Baule and Le Croisic. Nice sea coast.

I know there is a bus taking you to Pornic: nice touristic town along the sea. You can also take a train to Les Sables d%26#39;Olonne. It%26#39;s Vendée. Large sand beaches but not as typical. If you ask the office of tourism once there, I am sure they can help you out.

Recommandations: The Chateau des ducs de Bretagne in Nantes city center. It%26#39;s just been reopened after 5 years of work. Nice. Nantes is changing quickly and it%26#39;s very exciting. There are not that many museum but the city center is very pleasant. You can also take the batobus, little boat with a bus ticket, which will take you on the river erdre (very nice) or to Trentemoult, a small fisherman village right across Loire river. Lovely.

The little town of Clisson is also nice (you can probably get there by bus). www.clisson.com

I hope you%26#39;ll have fun !

Cheers

http://www.nantes-tourisme.com

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Thanks NIEPCE71. I am going to take your advice.

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Removed on: 2:19 am, August 29, 2009

An Artist's Itinerary

If we want to experience an %26quot;artist%26#39;s%26quot; life in Paris, it seems through my research we should spend time in Montmarte.

But does anyone have any suggestions for something out of the oridinary to enhance the experience? Perhaps a way to visit an art school or artist studio? Maybe take an art class where you set up an easel and paint the landscape with instruction? An art supply store that is unique?

I appreciate any insight!

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I am no art specialist, but as far as I know, Montmartre as an artist%26#39;s place is a thing of the past, although you will see little plaques there saying that X had a workshop there. It totally lives off its past glory, and the art sold in the local galleries is mainly stuff for the tourists.

You might instead inquire about the Ecole nationale supréieure des Beaux arts (school of fIne arts) www.ensba.fr.

There are emerging places for contemporary creation like the area around the rue Louise Weiss (13th) and a famous artist squat in former refrigerating warehouses called %26quot;Les frigos%26quot; in the same neighbourhood.

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A lot of people visit the Centre Pompidou, but the %26quot;Atelier Brancusi%26quot; - which is part of the Centre Pompidou - is not as well known. It is not in the actual building, but in a small, nondescript building next to the Centre Pompidou.

Brancusi originally had his atelier in Montparnasse, but after his death it was %26quot;recreated%26quot; by Renzo Piano (architect of the Centre Pompidou) at the rue Rambuteau.

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Removed on: 3:19 pm, August 29, 2009

Romantic but Casual Restaurant in the 8th

My husband and I will be in Paris for our anniversary later this month. I would appreciate recommendations for a restaurant in the 8th, something romantic, small, cozy, and informal. I have searched the forum--a lot of members recommended 1728, but from the pictures on their website, it looks a little too formal. We will not be packing ties or dress jackets. We would like to keep the dinner under 100e. Thanks for your help.

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This price range is a tough one for that district but you might want to try l%26#39;Angle du Faubourg on rue du Faubourg St. Honore. It%26#39;s owned by the same shef/owner as Taillevent but less expensive and less formal. It is modern but also intimate.

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Hello;

You may want to look at Fermette Marbeuf.

Here is their website (English Version)

http://www.fermettemarbeuf.com/en/index.html

Prices moderate. Gorgeous interior, a few blocks from the Champs,

Metro Franklin Roosevelt.

Casual smart dress will do it...intimate.

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This was at the very bottom of the menu. Can someone tell me what it means?

Prix TTC service compris (15% sur le HT)

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Translation: Price including all taxes service included/understood (15% on the HT)

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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt; Prix TTC service compris (15% sur le HT) %26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

Price includes all taxes. Service calculated at 15% on the pre-tax total is included.

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Try Spicy....it%26#39;s quaint, good and not expensive.

Les

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Thank you all for the translation. Is it customary to tip more? I have read that tipping more is considered arrogant.

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Thank you so much for all of your suggestions! I appeciate them immensely.

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Craigmore:

Fermette Marbeuf. looks very interesting. How would you define %26quot;smart casual%26quot;? Wouldn%26#39;t want to show up dressed incorrectly.

Any info appreciated.

Merci.

SoundDiva

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Removed on: 6:21 am, August 30, 2009