qazwsx
Traveller
1 comments
Posted 7 years ago
Hi,
It\'s my first Interrail. I have only four nights to visit France. I will start my travel from Lyon where I will stay a night and i have to arrive to Dunkirk 3 night after. I don\'t know where to go. I\'m looking for cheap accomodation.
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi and welcome to railcc!
From Lyon you should head towards the north (west); you could go to Orleans/Tours/Angers and travel along the Loire valley. Then travel via Chartres to Paris and finally take a train from Paris via Amiens and Boulogne to Dunkirk. This would be all possible with regional/Intercity trains without paying extra for reservations (no TGV high speed trains).
For accomodation look at [ux]https://rail.shop/bookingcom[/ux] or [ux]https://rail.shop/hostelworld[/ux]; if you already have couchsurfing experiences you could also try that.
Flo
qazwsx
Traveller
1 comments
I have read that there are very little of train in the loire vally, and it\'s difficult arrive at the castle without a car. It is true?
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
You can select timetable for the ligne Orleans - Blois - Tours - Angers and Tours - Vierzon (Cher valley) here: [ux]https://www.ter.sncf.com/centre-val-de-loire/depliant/recherche[/ux]
Cities with good train connection (and castle) are Blois, Amboise,... Have a look at the map here [ux]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Ch%C3%A2teaux_de_la_Loire_-_Karte.jpg[/ux] and you can find out if you find a castle that would fit your plans and is accessible by train. :)
Pleasexplain
Traveller
24 comments
You also have a few long distance TER connection s each day from Lyon to Paris Bercy over the old PLM line. It takes five hours compared to the less than two on the TGV but it goes at a pace to enjoy the scenery with the nice traditional Corail cars with compartments. Take a picnic, some wine and enjoy the ride!
As Flo says to get up to Dunkerque, I heartily recommend taking one of the Corail Intercitiés trains from le Gare du Nord up to Boulogne Ville for a TER to Calais Ville. Again, a nice journey and reservation free, stop off and have a look around Calais on the way . It has sadly got some bad press in recent years with the migrant crisis but it is a nice town and the locals are friendly. You can then take a another TER onto Dunkerque.
Living in London, Calais is the closest point on mainland Europe for us so I visit the town and the wider NPdC region fairly regularly throughout the year. If you want to know more about the area and train travel across France I\'m happy to answer!
I also very much recommend that you download the interrail rail planner app for android / iPhone, it is a fantastic resource on the move.
Bon voyage! ???? ????????