SEPTEMBER 2022 : FRANCE : Toulon - Lyon

And now to Francia..

Alcudia - Toulon



Corsica ferry - €25 pp - 15 hours

First impressions - large and modern

Lots of passengers travelling with cars and motorbikes



And dogs - where will they sleep and do their business!

Swish reception and fittings

A real cruise feel



And a dog zone … encouraging..



This is going to shock many of you - but may not surprise some, knowing our 50 years of budget backpacking..

I booked the basic fare - options for a range of cabins available, which of course was where  most people stayed.

We were directed to Level 8 where all the conference rooms are - a bit more upmarket than expected - armchairs, couches, reclining seats maybe we thought..

Then we opened one door, peering into the darkness, and found a huge empty space with people camped on the carpeted floor .. and with a few dogs! Dogs stayed in all the cabins or wherever their owners had booked.

We found a space with power point to re-charge our phones and slept amazingly well. Loos close by. Everyone slept soundly and only one minor yelp during the night.

Sunrise

First in line for fresh pastries and coffee

Cruising..

Another bonus - due to bad weather overnight our arrival in Toulon has been delayed to 3.30pm, which means only an hour wait for our train.

Spectacular day on the Med - 27o

Preparing to disem-bark!

Views of the harbour and a quick run through Toulon to the station (20 mins)

Piano for public use at the station

Express train to Lyon - 2 hours

So pleased we pre-booked on-line - 8 double decker carriages fully booked.

Lacklustre budget hotel in Lyon but it’s central and has a kitchen and plenty of space. In the centre of restaurant district and we’ll see what else tomorrow! This is only a transit stop before travelling to Le Puy on Wednesday and beginning the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail on Thursday.

Italian meal around the corner

Now for a good night’s sleep!

M&M