Paris Post-Trip Day 4

Day 4 - Thursday, April 25, 2013 - Paris to Cannes by TGV Train; Hotel Check-in; Day at Leisure

Today was a travel day! We got up at 7:00, packed our bags, and had breakfast in Paris one last time. We made sure we connected with Thomas and thanked him for all of his help on the first leg of our journey.

We had practiced the way to the train station a few days ago so we felt confident that we were prepared to wear our backpacks, pull our 50 pound bags, and negotiate the steep steps down into the subway.

So far, so good - we made it from the hotel to the Metro stop and to the first set of steps. A very polite young French man whisked up Gennie's bag and carried it down the stairs for her. The trains were super crowded at 9:15. We waited for two trains to pass until one came by with a little more room.

As Gennie was going through the door one of her shoes slipped off and fell between the train and the platform. We backed out of the door and as the train passed, there was her shoe lying close to the third rail - not good!!!

While Gennie waited with the bags Vic went to see if the station manager could help. He came back just a few minutes later; he laughed at the crazy American tourist and looked down at my shoe. Vic knew he could easily retrieve it, but the agent waved his finger, "no, no – règlements (regulations)!"

He used the emergency phone, got permission from the President of France, and only then did he use his long pole to grab my shoe. He had obviously done this before! We thanked him again and got on the next train. Whew - high drama under the city of Paris...

The rest of the subway ride went smoothly. We made the transfer to the final subway line and found the Grande Trains at Gare de Lyon. We were more than an hour early, time for Vic to take a few photos and to check with the Information Officers to make sure we were in the right place.

Twenty minutes before the TGV train was to leave, the schedule board showed the hall and the platform for departure. Our train to Cannes left from Hall #1, Platform A, at 10:49. There were three trains leaving at the same time making it a bit crowded but we easily found our Car #12 and seats 83 and 84.

We stored our big luggage inside the doorway and there was plenty of room overhead for backpacks and our carry-on bag. The train left the station at 10:49.35. Never were we asked for our tickets or passports nor were our bags or belongings searched.

The ride on the train was very comfortable. Other passengers were extremely polite and very quiet. Some people read, a few whispered quietly, many rested, Vic took pictures, and Gennie typed the journal. In our rail car we also had two dogs and one cat.

The countryside was gorgeous with the trees leafing out, green pastures speckled with white sheep, bright yellow fields of rapeseed, flowering fruit trees, and hedge rows dividing the small farms and fields. There must have been a hundred shades of green!

At noon everyone got out their wine, cheese, and bread. We had thought ahead and brought sandwiches, fruit, and water with us. Our picnic lunch on the train was perfect - we felt so French!

When we passed by the city of Lyon, the train agent walked by with his scanner and checked our tickets. Vic had done all of the transactions online before we left. Our e-tickets were printed already making it very convenient. However, it is possible to purchase tickets at the last minute at the station.

After the city of Marseilles we could see glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea. Beautiful limestone villas tucked in the hills, tall stately cypress trees, and turquoise swimming pools told us we were on the French Riviera.

There were small vineyards, lilacs in full bloom, and an occasional palm tree. The closer we got to the sea, the more boats and marinas we saw. We arrived at the station in Cannes right on time. Our top speed was 191 mph and the whole trip took 5 hours and 4 minutes.

There was construction at the terminal; no escalators were in service, so we bounced our luggage up and down the stairs. Our hotel was within walking distance from the train station. We climbed the hill and found the Suite Novotel without any trouble.

Vanessa, the clerk at the front desk was so helpful. She gave us some suggestions for places to see and where to eat. She showed us to our room and helped us open the windows because it is too early for the central air-conditioning to be turned on.

We unpacked our bags as we will be here for three nights and got the computers out and connected. After we connected with our son and checked our e-mails, we went out to explore Cannes.

We walked down to the marina through the back streets – it was about time for the shops to close. Vic took photos and we decided to eat pizza and chose the busiest place, La Pizza Cresci.

Sharing half of a pizza, coke, and wine was 26€, a bit more expensive than Paris! We walked back to the hotel at 8:30 noticing that almost all of the shops were now closed. We posted the journal and got to bed at 10:00.

Accommodations: Suite Novotel Cannes Centre - - - Meal: B - - Rating: A

Yes, you two are world travelers...what an adventure..I could visualize Gennie going on with one shoe till destination. PICTURES superb!

Sounds so wonderful! The pictures are great and Gennie you look awesome. I guess traveling agrees with you. Thanks for sharing. Love you.

It's good to know somebody that knows the President ;-)

We loved Cannes. We had a wonderful lunch by the sea and walked the city. It's a great place from which to take day trips. Monaco,Nice and Antibes were also fun. The yachts in Antibes will make you wonder where all the money for them comes from! Enjoy all their wonderful food!

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