Seeing the South of France by French Motorail

Traveling to the south of France is a must for any French holiday.  The only problem is that if you’re short on time, it may not be a realistic option.  Driving by car can take days, and if you choose to take a train, you’ll still have to rent a car to get around the picturesque southern part of the country.  One option does exist, though, where you can have the best of both worlds - a high-speed train ride and your own private car.  Enter the French Motorail.  

The French Motorail is basically a train that carries both passengers and vehicles.  Simply board the train with your vehicle (cars, motorbikes, or 4 x 4’s) and you and your family can relax and enjoy a comfortable train ride in your own sleeping compartment.  You also have the luxury of being able to bring as much luggage as you can fit in your vehicle, with no added charge.  Just think of the convenience of not having to carry your luggage from place to place – it all stays with you in your car.  That’s not to mention the wear and tear you save on your car by not having to travel such long distances.  You also arrive relaxed and ready to go upon your French Holiday destination.  

The routes
The French Motorail provides two different routes to the South of France, all originating in the Northern French city of Calais (alongside the English Channel).  The routes include the following stops:  

Route 1 – Calais to Brive, Toulouse, and Narbonne
Route 2 - Calais to Avignon, Frejus, and Nice.

Prices
Prices vary according to final destination, but typically start at 340 for a one-way ticket but can go up to about 590 each way.  That price includes transporting the vehicle and all of its passengers – not a bad deal considering you don’t have to spend any money on lodging, petrol, or toll roads.  

Times of operation
The French Motorail operates from May until September, with trains usually scheduled to run from Calais southward on Fridays and Sundays (during late July through August).  Return trains to Calais usually run on Mondays throughout that same time.  

Take the Paris shuttle from Paris’ three main airports or from Eurodisney and other main attraction spots. 

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