Where in France (coastal) by train from London?

[Wiifitmama]

Is this even possible? I am just exploring the idea of a September week away with me, dh and three kids (5, 9, 12). I was looking at the UK as cheaper and we like to take the train somewhere. But I am wondering if we could go to France. Not Paris or a city, but somewhere coastal with a beach preferably (can't be any colder than the south coast of the UK right?!)

Is this possible without nightmarish transfers on trains and really long travel? Where would we go?

Anyone?

How long/far would you be willing to travel?

We recently took the train to the south of France, near st Tropez with our toddler. Travelling took all day but toddler coped well and it was a good experience.

We went to montpelier. Eurostar to Paris then a change. We liked the buffet cars on the French trains. We had one 1 year old and no probs.

South of France is too far I think.

This will give you the best information. South of France can be done in two and a half hours from Paris ( Avignon).

When I say travelling took all day, I mean including from leaving home > st pancras > Paris > across Paris > south of France.

Paris > south of France was about 4 hours but we had to go somewhere specific so you could choose somewhere with a faster train route. Some of the faster routes only run during peak summer months though.

Wow.
Just wow.

Thank you. That link is really helpful.

Not sure what the "wow" was for. It seemed a perfectly ordinary question- exploring possible holiday options.

I think all trains go from Paris. So, it would Eurostar and then anywhere you choose. Bordeaux?

Eurostar has a train that goes direct from London St. Pancras to Avignon (South of France) with no train changes that runs during the summer - last train out is 31 Aug and returns 7 Sept, so that might work if you're thinking of the first week of Sept? We're going on it with 18 month old DD. Think it takes 5 hours from St. Pancras to Avignon.

Coast from calais all the way down to Brittany is lovely but not sure what connections would be like, you might have to get bus to resort.

I might one day get a train to la rochelle (about 3 hours from paris) and then a local bus to the ile de re. Coastal, weather should be good, not too far!