Nice to Arras
Getting back to where I left off last year
We'd had a holiday as a familiy down in the South of France (walking with donkeys in Mercantour National Park is highly recommended) before the 2019 Via Francigena stint so today's job was to get from Nice to Arras.
Yet again the TGV network in France doesn't let you down. There's a few direct trains daily from Nice to Paris, though because of the terrain it takes longer to get from Nice to Marseilles than from Marseilles to Paris! Once in Paris its onto the metro and over to Gare du Nord for the TGV to Arras. There's plenty of other options too I think e.g. via Lyon. It did take 8 hours or so but was probably quicker than the plane and certainly better for the environment.
Arriving in Arras
It was a great feeling being back and so close to starting up again. Although it was heatwave time! I think it was about 35°C when I arrived early evening so was glad for the airconditioned station to set the bike up in > though this year I was a lot less nervous since I'd been personally carrying the bike from Nice.
The annual “assembling the bike” photo.
Arras was hot.
Overnight: Arras, L'Hotel Particulier
Great little place with big room but I left so early the morning I didn't really get a feel for it. I'd come here again though, hopefully with a bit more time.
