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Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Wed 24 Jun 2020 20:48
by alan
Unfortunately, I see the BBC is now reporting:

"Eurostar's direct summer services to Lyon, Avignon and Marseilles, which were meant to start in May, will no longer be run at all in 2020 or 2021. Instead, the rail company will focus on its main routes between London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam".

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Fri 26 Jun 2020 14:48
by nickiwynne
Hello Alan,
Despite Eurostar’s best efforts I managed to find a way to circumvent their desire for us to take a voucher for our cancelled return journey to Avignon next month.
Hidden in the faq pages you can ask for a refund (even on non refundable tickets as long as Eurostar is doing the cancelling). Today I received a message saying the request for a refund had been approved (!) and we should be reimbursed within 10 days. Of course the proof of the pudding etc.
Still waiting for an Easter refund from Ryanair ......
Nicki

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Thu 02 Jul 2020 08:35
by nickiwynne
Just an update....Eurostar refunded the money yesterday and we’d already had the car hire refund last week ( car rentals.co.uk) so a pleasing result!
Still waiting for Ryanair refund for Easter flights but you can’t have everything.....
Nicki

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Thu 02 Jul 2020 12:26
by alan
Hi Nicki

That's good. How are you planning to travel now? We are still hoping to fly Ryanair from Stansted to Perpignan at the end of the month.

By the way, I have been reminded that it used to be possible to travel Eurostar to Lille and change there by simply crossing platforms for a train to the Region, thus avoiding a change of stations in Paris. I don't know if that is still possible. Someone might be able to say.

Alan

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Thu 02 Jul 2020 12:57
by gleber
reply to Alan re Eurostar to Lille.

Yes it is still possible to take Eurostar to Lille and then travel on to Perpignan.
On 3rd March this year we travelled from Dunbar to London then took Eurostar to Lille. As we had set off early from Scotland we stayed overnight at Lille Europe Hotel then took the 0900 train the following morning, Lille Europe to Valance TGV then the 1328 train Valance TGV to Perpignan. It is possible to do this without staying overnight, there is usually a change involved.

We used a Global Interrail Pass and all went to plan, a very pleasant way to travel but then of course Covid 19 hit while we where there but that is another story.

Take care.

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Thu 02 Jul 2020 17:51
by alan
That's very helpful for future reference, thank you.

Alan

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Thu 02 Jul 2020 21:02
by nickiwynne
Yes, we contemplated the train via Lille.
But have decided to drive as it then gives us more flexibility for return dates.
We have bought a fully flexible ferry ticket......
Nicki

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Thu 16 Jul 2020 13:49
by GrahamC
Having suffered the bone jarring, rock hard Eurostar seats to Paris, the thought of having to sit on them all the way to Avignon was too much. Far better to switch to the TGV asap!

Re: Calais to Amélie les Bains!

Posted: Tue 21 Jul 2020 22:32
by nickiwynne
Hello All,
We arrived safely in Amelie last night after a truly fantastic journey by car from Calais.
First time we’d driven in about 20 years and we are so glad we did. Ferry was on time and crossing smooth. Roads were empty, no queues at any peages, Service stations were quiet with impressive covid19 measures in place. A great overnight stop in the beautiful ‘ royal‘ city of Loches.....let’s hope the return leg will be as straightforward. But at least I can fill the car with lovely French goodies!
Take care, everyone.
Nicki

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Wed 22 Jul 2020 08:09
by Kate
Enjoy your stay Nicki.

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Wed 22 Jul 2020 08:36
by nickiwynne
Thank you, Kate.

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Wed 22 Jul 2020 09:20
by Karen
Glad to hear it was such a smooth and positive journey.
We have family coming via the Chunnel on Sunday with an overnight near Bourges and then on to St. Chinian. Hopefully they have a good experience too.

Karen

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Wed 22 Jul 2020 10:18
by nickiwynne
Hi Karen,
I’m sure they will. I think Sunday/ Monday journey helped.
Have a lovely time with your visitors.
Nicki

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Wed 22 Jul 2020 12:26
by Karen
Thanks Niki,
We looking forwards to the drive to St Chinian ( we live in Ille) and of course to see them and did I mention their holiday rental has a pool 😜

Karen

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Wed 22 Jul 2020 12:28
by Karen
Apologies for mis-spelling your name Nicki.

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Wed 22 Jul 2020 20:37
by alan
Hi Nicki

I suspect our journey by Ryanair this Sunday from Stansted to Perpignan will be less pleasant.

Alan

Re: Eurostar to Avignon

Posted: Thu 23 Jul 2020 22:24
by nickiwynne
It should be shorter!
Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for you.
Nicki