Day1. Briefing and Paris Day Tour
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, 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.
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.
Taking a train, I found a station called Notre Dame where is located just next to the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The river Seine is the famous river in Paris.
The crape stall on Avenue des Champs Elysees.
Walking to the west, the avenue becomes the famous shopping area, Champs-Élysées.
At the end, the avenue ends at Arc de Triomphe.
The view of Eiffel Tour from Javel station.
We took a night train from Gare d' Austerlitz.
Day2. Nice to Lyon
We got off the night train at Nice Ville.
Nice is located in Southern France, so the city looks different.
We got on the TGV came on the other side of the platform to Lyon.
We stayed at Fuaj Lyon Sud Youth Hostel, which is located in front of Carrefour superstore.
Day3. Lyon
Lyon has metro, bus and tram for its local transport.
Lyon is famous as a gourmet city and you will find delicious cafe and restaurants here.
Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière is located behind the Lyon Cathedral (Cathedrale Saint-Jean).
The river La Saone goes around Fourviere.
If you climb up to Fourviere, you will have a wide view of Lyon.
Day3. Beaujolais Day Trip
Beaujolais is located north of Lyon.
There is almost nothing in the town other than vine farms and wine cellars.
You can see nice houses.
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.
Back to the town, we found this sign with a picture of grape pointing the other way.
Following the signs, we found the building with bottles.
It was the wine cellar and we had wine tasting in its shop.
Day4. Marlens
Taking 2 hours ride of a bus (Autocar) from Lyon, we went to Annecy.
Change to a local bus connecting to Albertville for 40 minutes ride, we arrived at Marlens.
Marlens is the area surrounded by mountains.
They have a nice stream from the lake.
We stayed at Le Manche Bed and Breakfast.
Day5. Annecy Day Trip
Annecy is located near Genève, the border to Switzerland.
Annecy is also known as the host of the International Animation Film Festival.
You will see lovely cafes and restaurants along the canal.
Palais de l'Isle is the local history museum and one of the Monument historique plaque in France.
You will also find some shops around.
Travel Continues to Part2 in Italy
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