Rail Tour 2005 Part1 - France


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Day1. Briefing and Paris Day Tour

British Midland Airways

The cheap and quick way to go to Paris is often to take a flight. Make sure you book in advance to get better deals.

SNCF Paris-Charles de Gaulle Station

SNCF, the French national rail, is available from the airport. Present your valid Rail Pass at the ticket office, and you will get a free train ticket.

SNCF Gare du Nord Station

The train from the airport brings you to Gare du Nord station where Eurostar departs. You will get a free city map if you ask at the information desk at the station.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Taking a train, I found a station called Notre Dame where is located just next to the Notre Dame Cathedral.

River Seine

The river Seine is the famous river in Paris.

Crape Stall

The crape stall on Avenue des Champs Elysees.

Champs Elysees

Walking to the west, the avenue becomes the famous shopping area, Champs-Élysées.

Arc de Triomphe

At the end, the avenue ends at Arc de Triomphe.

Eiffel Tower

The view of Eiffel Tour from Javel station.

Gare d Austerlitz

We took a night train from Gare d' Austerlitz.

Day2. Nice to Lyon

SNCF Nice Ville Station

We got off the night train at Nice Ville.

Nice

Nice is located in Southern France, so the city looks different.

TGV Train

We got on the TGV came on the other side of the platform to Lyon.

Carrefour in Lyon

We stayed at Fuaj Lyon Sud Youth Hostel, which is located in front of Carrefour superstore.

Day3. Lyon

The Bus in Lyon

Lyon has metro, bus and tram for its local transport.

Cafe in Lyon

Lyon is famous as a gourmet city and you will find delicious cafe and restaurants here.

Lyon Cathedral

Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière is located behind the Lyon Cathedral (Cathedrale Saint-Jean).

River La Saone

The river La Saone goes around Fourviere.

View of Lyon

If you climb up to Fourviere, you will have a wide view of Lyon.

Day3. Beaujolais Day Trip

SNCF Autobus

Beaujolais is located north of Lyon.

Town of Beaujolais

There is almost nothing in the town other than vine farms and wine cellars.

Houses in Beaujolais

You can see nice houses.

Vine Farm

If you walk out the town, you will find the area of farms. If you look carefully, you will be able to find some vines.

The Sign with Grape

Back to the town, we found this sign with a picture of grape pointing the other way.

Bottles

Following the signs, we found the building with bottles.

The Wine Cellar

It was the wine cellar and we had wine tasting in its shop.

Day4. Marlens

Lac d Annecy

Taking 2 hours ride of a bus (Autocar) from Lyon, we went to Annecy.

Marlens

Change to a local bus connecting to Albertville for 40 minutes ride, we arrived at Marlens.

Mountains

Marlens is the area surrounded by mountains.

Stream

They have a nice stream from the lake.

Le Manche

We stayed at Le Manche Bed and Breakfast.

Day5. Annecy Day Trip

Lake Annecy with Flag

Annecy is located near Genève, the border to Switzerland.

Animation Festival

Annecy is also known as the host of the International Animation Film Festival.

Restaurants

You will see lovely cafes and restaurants along the canal.

Palais de l Isle

Palais de l'Isle is the local history museum and one of the Monument historique plaque in France.

Shops in Annecy

You will also find some shops around.

Travel Continues to Part2 in Italy

Trevi Fountain

Click here to continue to Italy.

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