High speed train travel across France — Intro — French Travel Service Paris & France including Corsica 2008 online holiday brochure

French Travel Service High speed train across France EurOSTAr And TGv THE SMArT WAY TO TrAvEl Offering you fast, comfortable train travel to your French holiday destination. You will be whisked across the Channel to Paris or lille on the sleek, stylish services of Eurostar. From there the rest of France is within easy reach via the TGv (Train a Grande vitesse) network, which also features ` state-of-the-art, high-speed trains. When travelling via lille, in most cases, there is just one simple change of train (often across the platform) to reach your final destination. via Paris, all trains terminate at Gare du nord where its a quick metro or taxi ride to your chosen departure point. For really relaxed travel why not stop over in lille or Paris for the night? Our friendly consultants can book your room and let you make the most of your French getaway. The fast fleet St Pancras International to Paris in just 2 hours 15 minutes, Lille in 1 hour 20 minutes. With speeds of up to 186mph, your journey will fly by. And if you travel from Ebbsfleet or Ashford International in Kent, your travelling time will be 15 or 25 minutes shorter. City centre to city centre With Eurostar and TGV you travel directly from city centre to city centre. And that means no traffic jams and no airport hassles such as queues at check-in, delays in the baggage hall or long and expensive transfers into the town centre. Instead you arrive right in the heart of your destination, relaxed and refreshed and ready to make the most of your holiday. state-of-the-art trains. The latest design and technology ensures your journey is both fast and smooth. Most trains feature a buffet bar serving hot meals, snacks and drinks as well as air-conditioning and dimmed lighting for extra comfort and relaxation. Many TGV trains from Paris, and some from Lille, to Languedoc, Provence, and the Riviera destinations are on two levels (duplex) so if you do not wish to be booked on the top level tell us, as although the view is much better, luggage does have to be taken upstairs with you. why not treat yourself to larger, more comfortable seats with the addition of meals and drinks appropriate to the time of day on Eurostar. Two centre or Multi Centre holidays Many destinations go easily together but FTS now has the facility to completely tailor-make your itinerary. on TGV services can be restricted during certain French public holidays especially over the New Year period and at the end of July and the beginning and end of August. Travel tips We do not provide timetables in the brochure as each itinerary is, as much as possible, tailor-made, however as a general rule the further afield you are going in France then the earlier the departure will be from St Pancras. For this reason those who have to travel some distance to join Eurostar often take advantage of a stopover in Lille or Paris on the way. A really relaxing way to start your holiday. The return journey to your home station can generally be made in a day. Off Peak and Peak Travel With the vastly increased popularity of train travel the importance of booking early cannot be overstated, as graded supplements on the Eurostar leg of your travel will apply as trains fill up (see page 48, back page). Generally speaking it is likely that Eurostar services to Paris on a Friday, returning on a Sunday will cost more. Availability A touch of class Whatever your final destination, youll have a choice of first (called Leisure Select on Eurostar) or standard class travel. Youll be surprised how little extra it can cost to enjoy the added comforts of first class in both Eurostar and TGV so State-of-the-art trains With both Eurostar and TGV services you will travel in real style on www.F-T-S.co.uk 0844 84 888 43 5

Intro contd… High speed train travel across France