Tag: train travel in France

Into Toulouse

June 13

Dear Liza,

We had a long travel day getting from Montpellier to Toulouse. Our 1:05 train was delayed, then delayed again, then finally cancelled and a new one installed.

When the train finally arrived, it was old…I haven’t found a picture of it online to get a date, but it had been sitting outside for a while. The seats and tray tables were real metal, and the windows had curtains. There were only a few electrical outlets in each car, rather than one-at-each-seat in modern trains. And there was a definite wobble which pitched us back and forth as we walked up the aisle. This was vintage French train travel.

BUT we got free boxed dinners, since we had been delayed through dinnertime, and we got where we were going. We rode west from Montpellier along the coast, then cut into the hills past Carcassone, across the Canal du Midi, and into Toulouse.

The weather was cooler, which was a blessed relief, and we all felt a sense of “I’m gonna like it here!”

As we walked up the Rue Jean Jaurès towards our apartment, we passed neighborhood parties, fountains dedicated to Occitanie poets, shade trees, and gardens.

And by the time we had a salad and milkshake at the Café Albert and made our way up yet another antique stairway to our rented apartment, we were ready to be Home Sweet Home.

Another Adventure tomorrow, I guarantee it!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Day Trip to the Romans Part 1

June 8

Dear Liza,

Another transit adventure! “Since we’ve come all this way,” as Bridgett is fond of saying, we decided to take a day trip from Montpellier to Arles. It only takes an hour or so, and since we were traveling without our giant luggage, we had a quick, easy trip.

Just kidding!

Our train from Montpellier was so late getting to Avignon that we missed our connection and had to wait for the next train, an hour later. Well, heck.

Except that the medieval wall of Avignon was DIRECTLY across the street from the train station! So, off we went.

Just inside, we found a cathedral (which was being used as the Tourism Office) and the connected botanical garden, which was being watered and cared for in the rapidly rising temperatures.

We enjoyed a stroll under the big leafy plane trees (which, I’m discovering, make every city more livable), some art I still need to research, and then it was time to head back to the station. Arles was just one stop down the line.

More tomorrow!

Love,

Grandma Judy