Navigating France by Train, Car, and Bus

How do you plan a smooth and memorable trip across France using trains, rental cars, and buses? In this episode of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast, titled Navigating France by Train, Car, and Bus, host Annie Sargent chats with Stephen Nicholson about his 24-day journey through France. Stephen and his wife combined different types of transportation to explore big cities, small towns, and hidden gems—without joining a tour group.

They started in Paris and used the OuiGo high-speed train to reach Avignon, then added regional trains, rental cars, and local buses to visit places like Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Carcassonne, Sarlat-la-Canéda, and Amboise. Stephen shares practical advice on booking train tickets, rebooking car rentals to save money, and using travel apps to avoid stress.

Annie and Stephen also talk about how to find the best parking in small villages, how to use luggage storage services, and why it’s smart to plan around French public holidays. They touch on lesser-known challenges like fuel station card holds and using Wise debit cards in Europe.

Whether you're planning to travel light, visit Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, or simply get the most out of your trip without overpacking your schedule, this episode is full of useful, real-world tips.

Subscribe to Join Us in France for more smart travel advice, inspiring guest stories, and honest discussions about what it’s really like to explore France at your own pace.

Table of Contents for this Episode

• [00:00:15] Introduction and Trip Overview —
• [00:00:31] Today on the podcast —
• [00:00:56] Podcast supporters —
• [00:02:06] The Magazine segment —
• [00:02:37] Steven and Annie about  ”Navigating France by Train, Car, and Bus” —
  • [00:04:01] First Impressions and Travel Logistics —
  • [00:08:07] Exploring Avignon and Surroundings —
  • [00:09:26] Navigating Car Rentals and Local Markets —
  • [00:11:53] Journey to Carcassonne and Toulouse —
  • [00:14:15] Favorite Things in the Luberon —
  • [00:18:54] Wise Card —
  • [00:21:29] Carcassonne —
  • [00:24:12] Toulouse:Take Elyse’s VoiceMap tour! —
  • [00:24:38] Encountering a French Labor Day Parade —
  • [00:25:22] Labor Day in France vs US —
  • [00:26:46] Exploring Toulouse and Surrounding Areas —
  • [00:27:45] Journey to Cahors and Car Rentals in France —
  • [00:30:02] France for Non-Foodies —
  • [00:31:00] Renting a Car in Brive-la-Gaillarde —
  • [00:33:54] Adventures in the Dordogne —
  • [00:38:42] Navigating the Loire Valley —
  • [00:40:53] Should You Worry About French People Not Liking Americans? —
• [00:43:21] Thank you Patrons —
  • [00:44:36] Discounts for Podcast Listeners —
• [00:45:57] Car-Free Paris? —
  • [00:49:00] Next week on the podcast —
  • [00:49:40] Copyright —