travelling to France with a 3yo- by train!

[Novacane]

Well the debate continues between OH and I, we were thinking about Italy, but whilst out for a walk last night we talked about travelling to the south of France by rail!

Quite obviously we still have 'student traveller' in us, and would love to go on an adventure, the plan would be eurostar to Paris, couple of days in Paris and then down to the south on that overnight train (name escapes me)

We would leave on the 22nd Sept (so we will have to plan last minute too.)

I would love to do it, But will it be a nightmare with a 3yo? OH thinks it will be fine, but i'm not so sure.

Would love to just get up and go for the 10 days or so, but the grown up Mummy in me thinks this might be a tad irresponsible!

We've travelled to the Loire frequently by Eurostar with DS (now 4) to see my folks. I think its a great way to travel with little ones. We've never yet had to buy a seat for him - French trains are rarely overcrowded and always clean and on time. We can generally get table seats and as DS is obsessed with trains its easy to keep him entertained - much easier than it would be in a car.

Not quite the same, but we've just done 2 long ferry crossings with our just-walking 1 yr old and it worked really well. Much better than being trapped in a car for ages. He kept meeting other children and playing with them, seemed to like the motion of the boat and had hours of fun just walking round looking at people. We also took him on a long train journey before he was mobile, so different again but also worked very well.

Go for it! If you're having fun you'll be bettter able to cope with the inevitable sticky moments as well

I think it will be fine. Far better than driving and no airport faff either.

Also if you are planning on stopping off in Paris, no leg of the journey is actually going to take particularly long.

Plan to travel overnight on a "sleeper" and you'll have a great journey. Have done Vienna to Dusseldorf overnight (& return) with DS when he was just 2 and just 3. This very morning we have returned from Italy on a sleeper from Italy (Ancona) to Vienna wih DS who is now nearly 5. He has loved every journey and slept like a log every time (more than can be said for me). Such a great way to travel .

The train to the South of France from Paris takes three hours (to Marseille). Not overnight

Have a look at www.seat61.com/ for fantastic links/advice on european train travel.