Visiting France

TGV from Lyon to Marseille

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TGV trains from Lyon to Marseille are the most convenient way to get from the French food capital to its second largest city. Going from the heart of one city to the heart of the other, transport time from Lyon to Marseille is minimized.

TGV trains run regularly from Lyon Saint Exupery train station to Marseille St Charles train station.

The train from Lyon to Marseille takes 1h30m-1h45m each way, and there are 8 TGV trains from Lyon to Marseille a day.

TGV from Paris to Marseille

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TGV to Paris

TGV trains from Paris to Marseille are the most convenient way to get from the French capital to its second largest city. Going from the heart of one city to the heart of the other, transport time from Paris to Marseille is minimized.

TGV trains run regularly from Paris Gare de Lyon train station to Marseille St Charles train station.

The train from Paris to Marseille takes 3 hours each way, and there are 12 TGV trains from Paris to Marseille a day.

How to Get from Aix TGV Station to Aix City Center

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paysage-urbain-40

To get from the Aix en Provence TGV train station to the Aix city center, your two best options are taxis and buses. The Aix TGV station is situated 13km from the Aix city centre and 11km from Marseille airport, and it takes around 15 minutes to drive from the TGV station to Aix.

Taxis are most useful for visitors short on time to get from the Aix en Provence TGV train station to the Aix city center, while buses are most useful for those on a budget.

The Navette bus from the Aix TGV station to the Aix city center leaves from the lower level outside the station. The bus trip to the Aix city center takes 15 minutes and costs 3.80 EUR. Buses leave every 15 minutes.

Additionally, city buses #2, #14, #19, #21, and #23 run from the Aix TGV station to the Aix city center.

There is a taxi stand outside the Aix TGV train station. Taxis from the station to Aix city center take 15 minutes. Agree on a price up front or make sure the taxi is metered.

How to Get from Aix en Provence to Marseille Airport

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Aix-en-Provence

To get from Aix en Provence to Marseille airport, your two best options are taxis and buses.

Taxis are most useful for visitors short on time to get from Aix to Marseille airport, while buses are most useful for those on a budget.

Taxis from Aix to Marseille Airport

Buses from Aix to Marseille Airport

How to get from Marseille Airport to Aix en Provence

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mp2 airport

To get from Marseille airport to Aix en Provence, your two best options are taxis and buses.

Taxis are most useful for visitors short on time or in need of door-to-door transport from the airport to Aix, while buses are most useful for those on a budget.

Taxis from Marseille airport to Aix

Buses from Marseille airport to Aix

Taxis from Aix en Provence to Marseille Airport

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Yellow Cab

The fastest way to get from Aix-en-Provence to Marseille Airport (MRS) is to take a taxi.

Taxis from Aix en Provence to Marseille Airport take 20 minutes and cost 45 EUR one way during the day and 55 EUR one way at night.

There is a taxi stand at the Aix en Provence bus station (gare routiere) and one at the Aix en Provence SNCF train station (gare SNCF). Make sure to agree on a price with the driver before you get into the taxi unless the taxi is metered.

Taxis are scarce in Aix en Provence, so it is a good idea to book one in advance if you are traveling at off-peak times or on Sundays or holidays.

Taxis from Marseille Airport to Aix en Provence

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The fastest way to get from Marseille Airport (MRS) to Aix-en-Provence is to take a taxi.

Taxis from Marseille Airport to Aix en Provence take 20 minutes and cost 45 EUR one way during the day and 55 EUR one way at night.

There is a taxi stand at Marseille Airport just outside Hall 1. Make sure to agree on a price with the driver before you get into the taxi unless the taxi is metered.

Taxis are scarce in Aix en Provence, so if you know you will need to get directly to your hotel in Aix, a taxi is a good way to get from Marseille Airport to the town.

Buses from Aix TGV Station to Marseille Airport

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RTM Bus - Marseille

Aix en Provence has its own TGV train station. The Aix TGV station is situated 13km from the Aix city centre and 11km from Marseille airport.

The best way to get from the Aix TGV station to Marseille airport is to take the bus.

The Navette bus from the Aix TGV station to Marseille airport leaves from the lower level outside the station.

The bus trip to Marseille airport takes 15 minutes and costs 3.80 EUR. Buses leave every 15 minutes.

Buses from Aix TGV Station to Aix City Center

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040 - On My Walk - Aix en Bus 01

Aix en Provence has its own TGV train station. The Aix TGV station is situated 13km from the Aix city centre and 11km from Marseille airport.

The best way to get from the Aix TGV station to the Aix city center is to take the bus.

The Navette bus from the Aix TGV station to the Aix city center leaves from the lower level outside the station.

The bus trip to the Aix city center takes 15 minutes and costs 3.80 EUR. Buses leave every 15 minutes.

TGV Trains to Aix en Provence, France

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Gare de l'Arbois - Aix TGV

Aix en Provence has its own TGV train station, so it's easy to get to Aix from other French and international cities. The Aix en Provence TGV station is situated 13km from the Aix city centre and 11km from Marseille airport.

TGV trains to Aix come from Marseille and Nice in the south, with connections to other southern cities.

TGV trains to Aix come from Paris in the north. There are nine daily TGV train from Paris to Aix. The journey takes around 2h57m one way.

TGV trains to Aix also operate internationally, with direct trains to Aix from Brussels and connecting trains to Aix from Amsterdam, Cologne, Geneva, London, and Milan.

To get from the TGV train station in Aix to the Aix city center or Marseille airport, take a Navette bus.

Flights to Marseille France

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Airport Marseille-Provence

The following countries have flights to Marseille Airport (MRS):

Flights to Marseille from the UK:

British Airways has flights to Marseille from London
EasyJet has flights to Marseille from Bristol and London
Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Birmingham, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester

Flights to Marseille from Ireland:

Aer Lingus has flights to Marseille from Dublin
Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Dublin

Flights to Marseille from Belgium:

Brussels Airlines has flights to Marseille from Brussels
Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Brussels

Flights to Marseille from Canada:

Air Transat has flights to Marseille from Montreal

Flights to Marseille from the Czech Republic:

Czech Airlines has flights to Marseille from Prague

Flights to Marseille from Other French Cities:

Air France has flights to Marseille from Ajaccio, Bastia, Lyon, and Paris
Twin Jet has flights to Marseille from Metz-Nancy
Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Biarritz, Brest, Nantes, Paris, and Tours

Flights to Marseille from Germany:

Lufthansa has flights to Marseille from Frankfurt and Munich
Germanwings has flights to Marseille from Cologne

Flights to Marseille from Israel:

El Al has flights to Marseille from Tel Aviv
New Axis Airways has flights to Marseille from Tel Aviv

Flights to Marseille from Italy:

Air France has flights to Marseille from Rome
Twin Jet has flights to Marseille from Milan-Malpensa
Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Cagliari

Flights to Marseille from The Netherlands:

KLM has flights to Marseille from Amsterdam
Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Eindhoven

Flights to Marseille from Malta:

Air Malta has flights to Marseille from Malta

Flights to Marseille from Norway:

Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Oslo

Flights to Marseille from Morocco:

Atlas Blue has flights to Marseille from Fez, Marrakech, and Oujda
Royal Air Maroc has flights to Marseille from Casablanca
Jet4you has flights to Marseille from Casablanca
Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Agadir, Fez, Marrakech, Nador, and Tangier

Flights to Marseille from Portugal:

TAP Portugal has flights to Marseille from Lisbon
Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Porto

Flights to Marseille from Spain:

Iberia has flights to Marseille from Barcelona, Madrid
Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Madrid and Malaga

Flights to Marseille from Sweden:

Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Gothenburg and Stockholm

Flights to Marseille from Switzerland:

Twin Jet has flights to Marseille from Basel/Mulhouse
Ryanair has flights to Marseille from Basel/Mulhouse

Cheap flights to Marseille

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Marseille Airport, France, Sept. 2008

Finding cheap flights to Marseille from other cities is easy. Low-cost carriers like easyJet and Ryanair offer plenty of cheap flights to Marseille, often with fares as cheap as 0.01 EUR!

Cheap Flights to Marseille from the UK:

EasyJet has cheap flights to Marseille from London and Bristol

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Birmingham, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester

Cheap Flights to Marseille from Belgium:

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Brussels

Cheap Flights to Marseille from other cities in France:

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Biarritz, Brest, Lille, Nantes, Paris, and Tours

Cheap Flights to Marseille from Germany:

Germanwings has cheap flights to Marseille from Cologne

Cheap Flights to Marseille from Italy:

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Cagliari

Cheap Flights to Marseille from Ireland:

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Dublin

Cheap Flights to Marseille from Morocco:

Jet4you has cheap flights to Marseille from Casablanca

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Agadir, Fez, Marrakech, Nador, and Tangier

Cheap Flights to Marseille from The Netherlands:

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Eindhoven

Cheap Flights to Marseille from Norway:

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Oslo

Cheap Flights to Marseille from Portugal:

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Porto

Cheap Flights to Marseille from Spain:

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Madrid and Malaga

Cheap Flights to Marseille from Sweden:

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Stockholm and Gothenburg

Cheap Flights to Marseille from Switzerland:

Ryanair has cheap flights to Marseille from Basel/Mulhouse

Buses from Aix en Provence to Marseille Airport

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Crazy bus decor

The easiest and least expensive way to get from Aix-en-Provence to Marseille Airport (MRS) is to take the bus.

Called the Navette, the bus from Aix to Marseille Airport takes 30 minutes (less if no traffic) and costs 7.80 EUR one way. Buses leave Aix for Marseille Airport every 30 minutes at 10 and 40 minutes past the hour until 10:40pm, and then once more at 11:25pm.

The Navette bus leaves from the bus station (gare routiere) in Aix and stops at the Aix-en-Provence TGV station before arriving at Marseille Airport. The bus stops first at the low-cost airline terminal, then Hall 1, then the other halls at the Marseille Airport.

Buses from Marseille Airport to Aix-en-Provence

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Centre national de la Danse, Aix-en-Provence

The easiest and least expensive way to get from Marseille Airport (MRS) to Aix-en-Provence is to take the bus.

Called the Navette, the bus from Marseille Airport to Aix takes 30 minutes (less if no traffic) and costs 7.80 EUR one way. Buses leave Marseille Airport for Aix every 30 minutes on the hour and the half hour until 11:30pm, and then once more at 12:15am.

The Navette bus leaves from Hall 1 at Marseille Airport and stops at the Aix-en-Provence TGV station before arriving at the bus station (gare routiere) in Aix. From there it is a short walk to Cours Mirabeau, the train station, and the old town.

Taxis are available from the bus station in Aix-en-Provence during the day, but are scarce at night and on Sundays when the bus station is closed. Call ahead to book a taxi if you know you will need one.

Best Shopping in Aix en Provence France

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Fountain at Aix en Provence

There is no shortage of shopping in Aix-en-Provence, France. The old town is bursting with shops from high-fashion houses to tiny boutiques, and sometimes it's hard to know which ones are the best.

We've done our research, and you can benefit from our first-hand experience of Aix-en-Provence shopping. Here is our list of the best shopping in Aix:

5) Bechard

Right on the Cours Mirabeau, Bechard is the perfect place to pick up freshly made calissons, the pastries for which Aix-en-Provence is famous.

4) Blanc Bleu

Beloved French nautical-themed shopping locale Blanc Bleu has a boutique in the heart of Aix. A must for those headed south for yachting.

3) Antoine et Lili

The fabulous Parisian boutique has an outlet in Aix, and any shopping lover should beat a path straight for the colorful silk-filled boutique upon arrival.

2) Hediard

A gourmet food shop to rival the best in Paris (and there is one of these in Paris), Hediard is the perfect place to pick up aromatic teas, great Provencal wines, macarons, and other specialties.

1) Becks and Posh

Like the chi chi name implies, this Aix boutique is perfect for shopping for Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, and other beloved labels.

Best Cafes in Aix-en-Provence, France

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in Aix

There is no shortage of cafes in Aix-en-Provence, France. The old town is bursting with them and sometimes it's hard to know which ones are the best.

We've done our research, and you can benefit from our first-hand experience of Aix-en-Provence cafes. Here is our list of the best cafes in Aix:

5) La Belle Epoque

Right on the Cours Mirabeau and offering great happy-hour specials, La Belle Epoque is a great cafe for people-watching the afternoon away in Aix.

4) Les Deux Garcons

Always a favorite, Les Deux Garcons is essential to any cafe crawl in Aix-en-Provence.

3) Le Bouddoir

Set back from the main drag on picturesque Place des Tanneurs, Le Bouddoir is the perfect place for a coffee or a pre-dinner drink in Aix.

2) Jacob's

Dotted throughout Aix, Jacob's cafes are bursting with baked goods of all kinds. Get an outdoor table and much away in buttery bliss.

1) Riederer

With two locations in Aix, this cafe / patisserie is the best cafe in Aix for afternoon tea or coffee with pastries.

Best Restaurants in Aix-en-Provence, France

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Provence2007 1215

There is no shortage of restaurants in Aix-en-Provence, France. The old town is bursting with cafes, brasseries, and other eateries, and sometimes it's hard to know which ones are the best.

We've done our research, and you can benefit from our first-hand experience of Aix-en-Provence restaurants. Here is our list of the best restaurants in Aix:

5) La Chimere

Chef Stéphane Marie serves up excellent food at great prices at La Chimere in Aix. Try the foie gras with chutney or the baked rabbit.

4) Le Poivre d'Ame

Don't let its location amongst a myriad of other restaurants in the Place des Cardeurs fool you. Le Poivre d'Ame serves up great food and has a solid wine list.

3) Les Deux Garcons

Yes, Les Deux Garcons is two centuries old and may seem like a tourist trap, but the food is actually really good. So are the drinks. And the desserts. Just go!

2) La Tomate Verte

Simple food and a great wine list define this gem of a restaurant on Rue des Tanneurs in Aix's old town. Try the Daube Provencal for a main course.

1) Le Clos de la Violette

Michelin stars say it all for Le Clos de la Violette. It's the best restaurant in Aix by far.

Le Clos de la Violette, Aix-en-Provence

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Amuse Bouches

Le Clos de la Violette
Address: 10, Avenue de la Violette, 13100, Aix-en-Provence, France
Phone: +33 4 42 23 30 71
Closed Sunday and Monday

Michelin starred and lovely, Le Clos de la Violette restaurant in Aix-en-Provence, France is indisputably the best restaurant in Aix.

Located just north of the old city on a residential road, Le Clos de la Violette is easy to miss if you aren't careful to look for it. But that just adds to the cache of the amazing culinary experience.

Start your meal with a glass of Champagne and amuse bouches on the terrace.

Follow the bubbly with one of several tasting menus, which you can enjoy from a garden-front table in the dining room. On offer are delicious plates of duck, anchovies, foie gras, and much more.

Finish off your meal at Le Clos de la Violette with dessert and petit fours if you still have room after all you've eaten. Don't forget to enjoy the views of the garden and savor every sip of the wine you ordered from the massive and globally sourced wine list.

A meal at Le Clos de la Violette in Aix isn't inexpensive, but if you want to have one memorable lunch or dinner while you're in town, this should definitely be it!

Les Deux Garcons, Aix-en-Provence

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Les Deux Garcons

Lex Deux Garcons
Address: 53 cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence, France
Phone: +33 4 42 26 00 51

Les Deux Garcons is a must-visit in Aix-en-Provence, France. Located right on the Cours Mirabeau, Aix's main street, Les Deux Garcons is the ideal place to sit and watch the world go by.

Dating back to the 1790's Les Deux Garcons has been an establishment in Aix for more than two centuries. While the cuisine and clientele have changed over the decades, the spirit of Les Deux Garcons remains the same.

With great hot drinks (cappuccino with Chantilly, for one) and delicious food (the croque monsier is our favorite), Les Deux Garcons is a perennial hotspot in Aix's cafe scene. Don't miss the dessert display, which will make you hungry even if you just finished lunch!

Hotel Aquabella, Aix-en-Provence

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Fountain Rue Espariat, Aix

Hotel Aquabella
Address: 2, rue des étuves, 13100, Aix-en-Provence, France
Phone: +33 4 42 99 15 00

Hotel Aquabella in Aix-en-Provence is one of the top hotels in Aix. Friendly staff and rooms with views are just two of the best qualities of the hotel.

Located right in the old town, Hotel Aquabella is ideally situated near the Hotel de Ville, Place des Cardeurs, and Place des Matyrs de la Resistance.

From comfortable rooms that offer all the amenities to four restaurants, a bar, and a well-known spa, Hotel Aquabella is a great choice for a holiday in Aix.

Hotel Aquabella also has an outdoor swimming pool right under the old Roman wall as well as a beautiful garden, a hammam, and access to the Thermes Sextius spa, which is unique among Aix hotels.

Double rooms at Hotel Aquabella cost around 149 EUR/night.

Free Bike Rentals in Aix en Provence

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V'hello à Aix en Provence

Like Velib' in Paris, Aix-en-Provence has a free bike rental service!

V'hello has bikes throughout Aix that people visiting Aix can take for the day and return when they are finished.

With locations on the ring road that circles the old town in Aix, V'hello free bike rentals are conveniently located and easy to use.

Aix en Provence, France

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Aix-en-Provence - Saint-Sauveur

Aix-en-Provence, a small town of Roman origin in southern France, is one of the most beautiful towns in Provence.

Located less than 30 minutes north of Marseille and less than two hours northwest of Nice, Aix-en-Provence is easily accessible. It is worth spending at least a day exploring the old town with its many shops, restaurants, cafes, museums, and churches.

Aix-en-Provence, which was originally a Roman spa town, is famous for its fountains. They are dotted throughout the old town in picturesque squares and even on the main road, Cours Mirabeau.

Best Restaurants in Aix

Free Bike Rentals in Aix

Buses from Marseille to Aix

Buses from Aix to Marseille

Buses from Aix TGV Station to Aix

Buses from Aix TGV Station to Marseille Airport

Taxis from Marseille to Aix

Taxis from Aix to Marseille

Top 5 Chateaux in the Loire Valley

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Le château de Chambord, Chambord France 2008

The Loire Valley has been known for its beautiful chateaux since the 15th century. Kings, queens, and wealthy aristocrats outdid one another over and over again for two centuries, leaving us the legacy of their lavish estates.

Today many of the chateaux in the Loire Valley can be visited, and they are well worth a day trip from Paris to do so. Here are our top 5 chateaux in the Loire region:

5. Villandry

Villandry, a box-like chateau, is better known for its stunning gardens than its interiors. After touring the chateau, don't miss the potager and the formal French gardens.

4. Amboise

A royal residence of Charles VIII and Francois I, Amboise is a stunning medieval chateau right on the banks of the Loire.

3. Chaumont

Not far from Chambord, the chateau of Chaumont sits high over the river and has lovely views of the valley below.

2. Chambord

The largest and perhaps the most famous Loire Valley chateau, Chambord was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. A tour through the huge castle and a stroll through the hunting grounds are enough to exhaust even the most fit traveler.

1. Chenonceau

Situated on the Cher river, this gorgeous castle literally sits on top of the water. Stroll through the rooms, then rent a boat and paddle along the river.

Cannes Film Festival

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Cannes film festival

Cannes Film Festival 2010: May 12-23, 2010

Each spring the southern French city of Cannes comes alive with the buzz and energy of the Cannes Film Festival. The festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious of all film festivals, and attracts crowds of visitors accordingly.

Directors, producers, stars and the starstruck all gather on the French Riviera during the festival. The lucky few watch screenings and wait with baited breath to see which film wins the Cannes Film Festival's most prestigious award, the Palme d'Or.

If you plan to be visiting Cannes during the Cannes Film Festival, make sure to book your holiday well in advance. Hotels, flights, and transport for the Cannes Film Festival book up early and prices can be expensive, so consider staying in a nearby town or city if you want to find a deal.

Driving from Paris to Versailles

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galerie des glaces

To drive from Paris to Versailles, take the ring road that runs around the periphery of Paris (aka the périphérique), then take the A13 autoroute toward Rouen and follow the signs to Versailles.

The drive from Paris to Versailles takes around 30min each way.

There is a pay car park at the Palace of Versailles.

Information about the Palace of Versailles, tickets, and discounts

Versailles: Day Trip from Paris

Versailles Tickets and Discounts

Best Short Trips from Paris