Train Travel In UK

Eure (department number 27) is located in the region of Haute-Normandie and has an estimated population of 541,054.

The department is a largely wooded plateau cut by the valleys of the Seine River and its tributaries.

Why you should visit Eure for your next holiday in France: Ancient ramparts and gothic architecture combine with lush green countryside, orchards and flowing water to make this department something quite special. Visit this delightful area and see for yourself what inspired the impressionists. Plenty of things to see and do for either a long holiday or short break. The department enjoys a similar climate to the UK but its location means it is slightly milder year round. As with England, summers are warm with temperatures in the mid 20C and in the height of the season, temperatures can reach into the 30’s.

What to see in Eure

The Seine-Maritime (department number 76) is located in the region of Haute-Normandie and has an estimated population of 1,245,457 (approximate in 2004). The department was originally known as Seine-Inférieure (Lower Seine) until 1955 when it changed to its current name Seine-Maritime (Coastal-Seine) because Inférieure was regarded as derogatory by the inhabitants of the department.

The capital of the department is the city of Rouen, with the coastal towns of Dieppe and Le Hâvre also featuring within the immediate area.

The landscape of the department is typically coastal as you would expect with historic ruins and Norman castles dotting the landscape. Along the coastline is stunning cliff scenery and half-timbered villages.

In addition to the gastronomy offerings you would expect in Normandy, namely the cider, fish, meat and cheeses other delectable delights specific of the department include Bénédictine liqueur and apple sugars from Rouen.

Why you should visit Seine-Maritime for your next holiday in France If you enjoy sightseeing and places with an interesting historic past then you need go no further than Seine-Maritime. Teamed with its magnificent beaches, divine gastronomy and its close proximity to the UK, this department is a perfect destination for a long holiday or short break.

The department enjoys a similar climate to the UK but its location means it is slightly milder year round. As with England, summers are warm with temperatures in the mid 20C and in the height of the season, temperatures can reach into the 30’s.

What to see in the Seine-Maritime:Rouen

Rouen is brimming with monuments, medieval streets and churches. The city is particularly famed for the Place du Vieux Marché, where Joan of Arc was martyred. The town’s gothic cathedral was a favourite of Claude Monet and he famously painted the cathedral’s facade at almost every moment of the day.

One of these priceless pieces of art is on show today at the Musée des Beaux Arts.

The main routes through the city may be less picturesque but they do keep traffic away from the prettier, medieval pedestrianised centre.

Places of particular interest include:

Anyone who is considering upping sticks and moving abroad, has probably at least considered France as their new home. But what are the plusses and minusses?

The popular subjects which come up for discussion amongst the people I meet are generally: Lifestyle, food and wine, cost of living, health service, transport infrastructure and work.

So lets look at the fors and againsts:Lifestyle

We all have our own ideal for a wished for lifestyle, but what is that appeals with regard to France? I would say it is the feeling one gets when living here that nothing matters too much if it’s a bit late! (Except maybe your income tax payments). For example, many shops don’t open until 9.30am – then they close again at mid-day! So, you set out at 11.50am after your laid back breakfast of coffee and croissants, and after you have finished reading your newspaper, to go get some supplies for your planned evening meal with your delightful new french neighbours – only to arrive at “les magasins” just as the shutters go down for the lunch break.

Never mind, you can hang around a bit, maybe play a game of Petanque or Boules with the locals, whilst sipping a cold beer fom “le bar” – the shops will soon be open again, won’t they. The prompt ones maybe, but around our way the smaller village shops don’t bother to open again until the kids come out of school at about 3.30pm. By this time you are so laid back that you’ve completely forgotten what you came out for.

But at least you met a useful guy while you were waiting, Monsieur Artisan, who says he will come round tomorrow, “pas de probleme” and fix your falling down wall, and clear out your blocked “fosse septique” (septic tank). Except of course, you don’t see him for days, and the next time you do, it’s outside the bar having “pastis” while you wait for the bloody shop to oen again, because you got up leat again. But he says he’ll come tomorrow. Food and Wine

We’ve already touched on this above briefly above, in so far as it is really insperable from “Lifestyle” in France. The first thing you notice is that the plonk is cheap. And not only is it cheaper than the UK for recognisable brands, but there are even cheaper substance on sale, that are still quite drinkable. In fact if you study the supemarket shelves in France, you will notice that the largest are is taken with “vin de table” often at around 75centimes a litre!

I certainly wouldn’t call myself an expert, but some of this stuff ain’t half bad. In fact one evening last summer, we had a couple of gusets staying in our Chambre d’Hote, who nexpectedly asked if could provide a meal We don’t do this routinely, but agreed to rustle up something for them. Now, we are not “great” drinkers ourselves, and barely know our Bordeaux from our Bourgogne, but this particular evening all we had in the house was a couple of bottles of “Pays d’Ardeche” which cost less than a one and half Euros for a 1ltr bottle! We quickly decanted some to a carrafe and proudly served it up. Halfway through the meal, the guests call for more wine, “what is it” they ask, “it’s very good.” I told them it was Pays d’Ardeche, and hoped that sounded impressive enough and they that they hadn’t sen it in the supermarket. Anyway they certainly liked it, and next time we went to the supermarket we picked up another 6 bottles.

As for food, personally I cannot really comment on whether French food is better than that of other countries, as I haven’t travelled that much – but the French certainly seem to think so! What one does notice is that the French place a lot of importance on fresh food – you only have to take a look at their markets. Fresh produce abounds, from small stall holders with a couple of boxes of spuds (sorry, pommes de terre, or indeed, “potates” as they are known in the local patois) to magnifique spreads of all the fruit and veg, in all possible colours you could imagine. But, don’t think that you will be buying cheap at the markets. Oh no, the french spen a large propertion of their household budget on food and you can see why when you see the market prices.

Some say it that, in comparison, your weekly shopping costs much more in France, but we soon learnt that if you buy what the French buy, and don’t try to use your UK shopping list, then in fact, you should save considerably. (Appologies to readers from other than the UK).

As for eating out, I try not to recommend particular restaurants, as one never knows when the regular chef might be on his holidays and his mother has been propped up in the cuisine with her zimmer frame and slippers to cover for him – it has been known – really! But a quick tour around any reasonable centre will reveal a host of establishments offering pretty good fare, from around just 10 Euros a head upwards and, as with the wine, don’t asume cheap means poor quality. Certainly for 15 euros you can eat a very good three course meal with a glass of wine. Cost of living

Oops, think we just covered most of this, although arguments continue to rage over the level of utility bills which can vary considerably between areas, notably for your water supply. As for heating bills, it is said that a large majority of French houses (in rural France anyway) are heated using wood stoves fed with wood which doesn’t appear on any invoices or busines accounts anywhere! Ask the locals and watch out for trees being felled, you won’t need to look far! Health service

Touchy subject this one in light of recent changes to French rules on state health cover. What I believe is not in doubt, is that France offers one of the best healthcare services in the world. However, what is also pretty obvious if one follows the press here, is that France can’t afford it! As for comparing costs to the individual, it is pretty near impossible to make a comparison, as every ones case is different, with a diverse set of social security contribution calculation methods, for differing categories of individual. Then there is the optional “top up” private insurance which covers the differece between the amount paid by the state, and the actual cost of treatment or medication. These policies however, are nothing like conventional medical insurance, requiring no medical examination, and in fact being pretty reasonably priced. As with all insurance the catch is in knowing which level of cover to buy.Transport Infrastructure.

Again, here I would say that France has much of the world and certainly the UK (where I hail from, in case you hadn’t guessed) comletely beaten. The roads are first class and mainly empty. Fuel is still significantly cheaper than the UK (at time of writing March 2008). Car users only have to pay a “road licence fee” when they buy or change a car, not annually. And before enyone mentions the cost of autoroute tolls, they are not compulsory, are they? We only pay motorway tolls when we have along distance to cover ie when taking our holidays, and on the whole the non motorway major routes are so good

that one can still travel great distances with few, if any, delays and arrive at the planned time.

The rail links for most of the country are excellent, especially the TGV routes, and although I don’t use them much, I believe that they pretty much run on time. Only buses come in for a bit of stick. Because if you happen to be in a rural location, as many French houses, or indeed, holiday properties are, there are no buses! If you see a bus shelter, don’t bother to wait in it, unles you are prepared to wait for the “l’autobus de l’ecole” or school bus – which is the only time you are likely to see one!Work / Jobs

Tricky one, this. The French employment situation is pretty poor really. So if you are thinking o coming to France to live and work – think hard and do your homework. There are jobs for skilled workers, particularly, I gather, in I.T. In fact I heard somewhere recently that if you have rally good computer skils you can get a job o the “Airbus” project in Toulouse, even if you don’t speak French!

Speaking reasonable French is a must if you expect to get anywhere in the jobs market, it goes without saying, but in spite of the notoriously dense maze

of rules and beuracracy one has too wade through, there are many posiblities for non-French to set up in business on their own. Probably the most popular occupation for incomers is to run some sort of holiday accommodation, such as self catering cottages, or “gites” as they are known in France, wit Bed and Breakfast, or “Chambre d’Hotes”, coming close behind.

Anyone with good language skills shouldn’t have too much problem setting up some sort of advisory/translation type business, as there are plenty of non-French residents here that don’t speak the lingo very well, if at all!

Finally, my advice is, if you are thinking of moving to France – and having done it myself rather on impulse – spend some time here looking at all the aspects first. Maybe take a couple of weeks at least on “research” holidays (vacations to you US guys!) or even better spend a couple of months by taking a long winter let somewhere. There are plenty of English speakers and ex-pats renting out cottages, appartements or even farmhouses who, will be only too glad to give you the benefit of their experiences at the same time.

SNCF, the French national train operator, seem to have taken a leaf out of the book of the UK railway companies in having a pricing structure that is almost incomprehensible, even to the French!

Does it make sense to book at the last minute, or is it best to book well in advance? Would if be cheaper to buy a rail pass, or simply travel using promotional offers?

You can never be quite sure, although the general principle to apply is that the best offers can be found by paying in advance. However, as SNCF seek to optimise the number of passengers on each train, you also need to take into account the time and day of your departure.

To help you through the maze of tariffs and cards, here is a brief explanation of just what there is available.

Tarif Loisir

This is that standard SNCF ticket tariff that applies irrespective of age.

The tickets can be purchased 90 days in advance, or right at the last moment.

They are also fully reimbursable right to the day of departure, although there is a charge of €10 per ticket (or 50% of ticket price if less than €20) if you seek reimbursement on the day of departure itself.

The nearer the date of departure, the more expensive the tickets become, in some case up to 50% more expensive for those tickets purchased at least one month in advance.

‘Les Prem’s’

These are tickets purchased in advance for departure on a particular date, at a particular time.

They offer a reduction in price on the Tariffs Loisir of up to 70%.

They are not always available to all destinations in France, but most are direct trains.

There are different types of Prem’s:

i. Standard Prem’s – These tickets are available between 3 months and 14 days before departure, costing between €22 and €33 for journeys throughout France. Around 10% of all seats on French trains are reserved for such tickets.

ii. Prem’s Weekend – Provided you are happy to arrive around 0100 hours at your destination and arrival points, these tickets are also very good value. The cost is between €25 and €45 per ticket.

iii. Prem’s Dernier Minute – Last minute tickets sold only over the Internet, provided places are available, up to 60% cheaper than the standard rate. They are normally available three to ten days prior to departure.

iv.Prem’s Vente Flash – These are promotional tickets that are available from time to time.

iDTGV

The iDTGV is a low cost high speed train tariff, aimed mainly at young people, but available to anyone!

The main aim of the tariff is to compete with the low cost airlines.

The service offers a choice of comfort, whether in a coach for relaxation, or one for disco dancing!

There are also DVD rentals and other high tec offers available.

The train takes the same routes as the normal TGVs, and, indeed, most are part of the regular TGV service.

There are both day and night trains, with departures from most main stations in France.

Tickets can be had for a little as €15 one way for many journeys between the major cities of France. A return train ticket to Paris from Bordeaux can be purchased for €38! The earlier you book, and the more flexible you are on the times and dates, the cheaper is the ticket.

Tickets can be booked up to six months in advance, and go on sale from a specified date every three months.

The tickets are non-reimbursable, although they can be exchanged.

The tickets can only be purchased and printed on-line on the site of iDTGV.

French Rail Passes

There are a range of different rail passes available that offer price reductions of a minimum of 25% on standard fares.

They are normally valid for a year, and the tickets are reimbursable.

The cards also offer ‘S Miles’ that are convertible into tickets or presents.

i. Carte 12-25 – The most interesting of all the cards, offering reductions of up to 60% off the standard fare. The card costs €49.

ii. Carte Enfant + – Available for children under 12 years old with one card that offers price reductions for up to four other people accompanying the child. Price reductions of a minimum of 25% on the standard fare are offered. The cost of the card is €70 per year.

iii. Carte Senior – Available to those aged 60+ it costs €56 and offers price reductions of up to 50% on the standard fare.

iv. Carte Escapades – Available to those aged 26-59 it costs €85 per year and offers reductions of up to 40% for return tickets, which must include a Saturday night.

v. Forfait Bambin – A child under 4 years old can travel free of charge on the lap of an adult on a French train, but by using this card they get their own seat. The cost is €8.20.

vi. Carte Familles Nombreuses – Available to families with at least three children. It costs €18 and offers reductions of between 30% and 75%.

Buying Tickets for Trains in France

Tickets for trains can be purchased either from a local SNCF rail or travel office, or over the internet at www.voyages-sncf.com

Colour coding of the tickets gives you an idea of the price range: the orange band is the cheapest, with blue for normal, and grey for the most expensive.

Remember, however, that iDTGV trains need to be purchased direct from their site.

In addition, there are other sites where you can buy unwanted tickets, or where you can sell your own.

The main sites are KelBillet.com, Trocdestrains.com and Zepass.com

Enjoy your journey!

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