Helpful Travel Information for France

Your DuVine Adventure will begin when your guides, dressed in DuVine apparel, meet you at the designated arrival location. After a glass of champagne and a bike fitting you and your fellow travelers will be off on an introductory ride through the French countryside. If your arrival is delayed, please contact your guide as soon as possible. Please see below for the arrival and departure information for all of DuVine’s French tours. IMPORTANT: Train schedules are subject to change. Please make sure to contact your DuVine Travel Coordinator at 888-396-5383 for the most up to date information.

Alsace
Day 1 Arrival Alsace (Mulhouse)
Depart Paris: Paris Est 8:24am Lyria 9211
Arrival Mulhouse: 11:34am

Day 6 Departure Alsace (Strasbourg)
Depart Strasbourg:12:13pm Train 2424
Arrival Paris: 2:34pm

Bordeaux
Day 1 Arrival Bordeaux (Libourne)
Depart Paris: Gare Montparnasse 7:50 AM TGV Atlantic 8411
Arrival Libourne:  10:56 AM

Day 6 Departure Bordeaux (Libourne)
Depart Libourne: 12:27 PM TGV Atlantic 8436
Arrival Paris: Gare Montparnasse 3:50 PM

Burgundy 
Day 1 Arrival Burgundy (Beaune)
Depart Paris: Gare de Lyon TGV South 7659 (only 2nd class) 10:28 AM
Change in Dijon (arrive 12:05 PM) -Take train 91411 departing at 12:18 PM to Beaune
Arrival Beaune:  12:45 PM

Day 6 Departure Burgundy (Beaune)
Depart Beaune: Train 17610 10:05 AM
Change in Dijon (arrive 10:24 AM) -Take TGV train 6714 departing at 10:52 AM to Paris
Arrival Paris: Gare de Lyon   12:37 PM

Loire
Day 1 Arrival Loire (Blois)
Depart Paris: Gare d’Austerlitz 9:21 AM Train 14039
Arrival Blois: 10:57 AM

Day 6 Departure Loire (St. Pierre Des Corps)
Depart St. Pierre Des Corps (Tours): 10:38 AM TGV Atlantic 8420
Arrival Paris: Gare Montparnasse 11:35 AM

Provence Classic
Day 1 Arrival Provence (Avignon)
Depart Paris: Gare de Lyon  7:46 AM   TGV 6171
Arrival Avignon TGV: 10:24 AM

Day 6 Departure Provence (Avignon)
Depart Avignon TGV : 12:38 PM TGV 6074
Arrival Paris: Gare de Lyon  3:19 PM

*Please note the pickup and drop off location is at Avignon TGV station, not Avignon Centre station

Provence Lavender
Day 1 Arrival Provence (Avignon)
Depart Paris: Gare de Lyon  7:46 AM   TGV 6171
Arrival Avignon: 10:24 AM

Day 6 Departure Provence (Aix en Provence)
Depart Aix en Provence TGV: 12:13 PM TGV 6074
Arrival Paris: Gare de Lyon 3:19 PM

*Please note the pickup and drop off location is at Avignon and Aix en Provence TGV station, not the Centre stations

Tour de France Pyrenees to Paris
Day 1 Arrival (Pau)
Depart Paris: CDG Airport 8:40am flight 7776
Arrival Pau: 10:10am

Day 6 Departure (Paris)
At Hotel Bel Ami: 7/11 rue St Benoît, Paris (Saint Germain des Prés)

Tour de France Alps
Day 1 Arrival & Day 6 Departure (Annecy)
Please contact your DuVine Tour Coordinator for specific meeting time and location in Annecy.  It is best to fly into Geneva, Switzerland then take a taxi or transfer to Annecy.

Taking the train
France has a wonderful, reliable and on-time rail system that will get you almost anywhere. If you are not familiar with this transport system, we encourage you to read over the following tips to ensure a smooth trip.

• It is best to arrive at the train station at least 45min minutes before your train is set to depart. This will give you enough time to exchange your electronic tickets for paper tickets and find your quai (track number) without feeling rushed.
• The train number never changes, but the quai can. Therefore, double check your train number with the arrival and departure board before heading to the platform.
• Before getting on your train you must validate your ticket at the designated machines located at the platform entrance.  Simply stick your ticket inside and you will hear your ticket being stamped. Failure to do this can result in a fine on board the train.
• If you have questions about anything regarding your train trip, ask a uniformed attendant. These attendants are usually standing next to a big “i” sign and often speak English.
• If you are riding a regional train, your ticket may not have your departure time listed on them. Therefore, it is important to know the exact time your train is scheduled to depart. The vast majority of trains are on time.
• Do not board your train until 10min before departure in the event that the quai has changed.  
• Most trains have open seating so after boarding simply choose any seat in your designated class of service
• It is important to know exactly what station you are supposed to get off at because trains may not say your destination on their monitor.
• It is also important to know exactly what time you are supposed to depart because the trains do not stop for very long. It is best to set a phone or watch alarm for 10min before your set departure time to give you time to prepare yourself for departure.
• Last, but certainly not least, do not forget your train tickets at home!

Reserving Your Seat On The Train
Reservations are required for all TGV departures and are included in the ticket price.  Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance until just minutes prior to boarding. If you'd like to purchase train tickets before leaving home, call your DuVine Tour Coordinator at 888-396-5383.

Flying to France

No matter where your cycling tour begins, we recommend flying into Paris at least a day prior. This will make sure a flight delay doesn’t disrupt your trip as well as give you time to lose the jet lag before it is time to get on a bike. You can book flights via our Air Consolidator link located on our website under Planning your Trip / Getting There.
If you need assistance with your travel arrangements or transportation in conjunction with your DuVine trip, we will be glad to help you. Please contact your DuVine Travel Coordinator at 888-396-5383.

Transportation tips from Paris Airport to Paris City Center
For details on all transportation options to and from Rossiy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly Airports, please visit  Aéroports de Paris Web site. The site also includes maps of the airports and terminals as well as up-to-date security information.

• By Taxi: The average fare from the Airport to central Paris is about $70 USD Euro; the journey to central Paris takes approximately 50-60 minutes, depending on traffic. Please visit this page for more information on fares, taxi stand locations and taxi companies.
• Private Transfer: We are happy to set up a private transfer for you that includes an English speaking guide who will meet you outside your flight with a sign and welcome packet before transferring you to your hotel. The cost of this service is $132 USD. Please contact your DuVine Tour Coordinator to confirm this transfer service.
• By Train: CDG Airport is connected to Paris by both the RER B suburban route, and the TGV high-speed national rail network.
• By Bus:
   Roissybus provides a link between CDG Airport and Paris city center (Opera Station)
  Bus 350: links CDG Airport and Pars, Gare de l’Est
  Bus 351: links CDG and Paris (Nation)
  Les Cars Air France shuttles are luxury buses that run from  downtown Paris to Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports. Buses are available from Orly Airport to Les Invalides, Gare Montparnasse, and Etoile and from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Etoile, Port Maillot, Gare Montparnasse, and Gare de Lyon. A direct service for transit passengers is also available between the two airports. Although run by Air France, the Les Cars Air France buses may be used by all travelers.
   
• Door-to-door shuttle services: Paris Airport Shuttle and PariShuttle provide service at a fixed price, which is generally $15-$22 per person, depending on how many people are in your group. Reservations are required.  
• Car Rental: Europcar, Hertz, National Citer, Sixt, Avis and Budget provide car rental facilities at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport