South of France

Kynthia

I'm looking to visit the South of France in the first week of October for a late summer holiday. We'll be travelling by train with a baby and a toddler so will be looking to keep the train journey as short and simple as possible.

Can anyone recommend a nice beach town on the South coast, perhaps near Montpellier or Marseille? Does anyone know if many places will be very quiet or closed in Early October?

richardw

It'd be an Autumn holiday, summer will have gone.
Pick the third week in September and you'll have better weather and places will still be open.
If you can only go in October look at places such Arles, Aigues Mortes and Cassis.

theonlywayisup

It is a long journey and will feel longer with a baby and a toddler. Is there a particular reason you wanted the South of France and to go by train?

Have a read here for some info https://www.seat61.com/eurostar-to-lyon-avignon-marseille.htm

Kynthia

We're having to go by train somewhere because my OH won't fly. I think the earliest we can go is the last week in September due to other commitments.

I'm not a fan of the heat but I am hoping the weather will be pleasant enough to take the children to the beach.

richardw

For the last week in September I really think you need to go further south for a Summer holiday.
Consider getting the ferry from Marseille to Corsica or the fast trains to the coast near Barcelona.

jimd-f

why not look at a coach holiday to spain. weather should be ok and a lot less hassle than going by train and could work out a lot cheaper
have a look at
http://www.ferriscoachholidays.co.uk/aspx/coachSearch.aspx

martindow

theonlywayisup wrote: »

It is a long journey and will feel longer with a baby and a toddler. Is there a particular reason you wanted the South of France and to go by train?

Have a read here for some info https://www.seat61.com/eurostar-to-lyon-avignon-marseille.htm

I've taken the train to the south of France several times and it's a pleasant journey, particularly if you change at Lille to avoid having to cross Paris. Going by plane or train both seem to take up a whole day.

Kynthia

martindow wrote: »

I've taken the train to the south of France several times and it's a pleasant journey, particularly if you change at Lille to avoid having to cross Paris. Going by plane or train both seem to take up a whole day.

It's handy to know Lille is a better change point.

Before the children we went to Antibes (Juan Les Pains) by train and it was very pleasent. However 7 hours in a seat trying to entertain a 3 year old and deal with a baby that wants to crawl ALL the time and screams when tired but resists actually napping, while not disturbing everyone sat around us is not something I'm looking forward to. At least with flying there will be movement, changing environments, distractions, and onky a couple of hours restricted to a seat and therefore less people disturbed.

I'm even wondering whether to fly myself down with either both of the children or just the baby, and meet my OH at the holiday rental.

richardw

If you change at Lille on the return journey, don't forget to allow lots of time for passport control at Lille to avoid missing your train.

martindow

richardw wrote: »

If you change at Lille on the return journey, don't forget to allow lots of time for passport control at Lille to avoid missing your train.

Yes, and the same of course applies at the Gare du Nord if you travel via Paris.

You need to book tickets so that you have CIV protection in case of missed connections. For this you need to allow adequate time for Eurostar check in and time to travel between stations. Details on the excellent seat61 site mentioned earlier.

Keep_pedalling

Might be a bit chilly in the evening but average daytime temperatures and normally very pleasant end Sept beg Aug.

There is a direct Eurostar service to Marseille still running at that time of year as well.