The weather in Avignon was almost too nice to leave behind with clear blue skies and a temperature of a very pleasant 30 degrees. I think a lot of my fellow travellers were thinking the same as I overheard many conversations at the very British Avignon Centre station! Why British? Every Saturday over the summer from around 15.00 onwards the majority of passengers are the station are Brits waiting for the direct Eurostar train back to Blighty! Needless to say the station pub was doing brisk business as fellow travellers quenched their thirst with a last glass of wine or beer, more wine being drunk than beer (does this say something about the clientele of this “Provence Express”?). Having missed lunch earlier in the day I settled down at the café in the station for a very civilised quiche salad and a glass of rose to toast myself for the journey ahead.

Boarding was a little chaotic as everything was a manual process due to the infrequent nature of the train, but in saying that all went smoothly. Check-in opens about an hour and a half before departure and there were no queues when check-in opened, so I recommend getting there early if you don’t like waiting around. There were the usual immigration formalities and the compulsory screening of luggage. Interestingly the French did their passport check at Avignon Centre Station whilst the British check took place on board the train. As I was travelling in 1st class I was greeted by the train staff on the platform and welcomed on board.

Savvy passengers were boarding the train, storing their luggage, then wandering along the platform catching some last minute sun. Those on board were offered glasses of water as they settled down in 1st class. One fellow traveller asked the train crew if they had stayed in Avignon and I was surprised by the answer – they had worked a London to Paris train earlier in the day then travelled south by TGV to Avignon to work the train back. A long day for the crew but I have to say they performed really well, if only every trip on Eurostar had such a motivated crew.

The train departed on time and travelled north out of Avignon passing through the lovely town of Orange before heading onto the High Speed Line where the train runs at its maximum speed of 186 mph. We were halted just before joining the High Speed Line to let a TGV whizz past at full speed, quite an impressive sight. Glimpses of the city of Lyon are offered on the left hand side as the train speeds northwards, clearly identifiable were the Credit Lyonnais Tower (the top floors of which are occupied by the Radisson Hotel, Europe’s tallest hotel) and the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière in Fourvière on the hill overlooking the city.

Once we were travelling at full speed drinks were served with Pringles and olives, there is nothing more civilised than quaffing champagne as you pass through glorious French countryside. Dinner was served from 18.30 and the starter was a mixed salad with dried apricots and hazelnuts, complimented by a very nice olive oil / balsamic vinegar, a lot of passengers struggled to open the small bottle and the crew were very helpful in performing this task! The main course was a choice of a chicken breast with a Provencal sauce or a spinach and ricotta tortellini, luckily this was my preference as the chicken option had run out! Dessert was a delicious apricot and thyme tart. The meal was accompanied by a very smooth red Bordeaux, I must praise Eurostar on their red wines.

The rest of the journey went smoothly but there was an absence of an additional drinks service which on such a long trip really should be offered. The train is advertised as non-stop from Avignon to Ashford but there is a short technical stop in Lille where I assume there is a change of drivers. Arrival into St Pancras was 5 minutes early at 21.05.

Direct Eurostar trains run between London and Avignon on Saturdays during the summer months only. We recommend booking these services well in advance of travel. Alternatively you can travel by train to Avignon all year by taking Eurostar to Paris and Lille and travelling on TGV down to Avignon.

Posted in: Avignon, France | Author: The Railbooker