Societé Nationale de Chemins de Fer (SNCF) (tel: 0892 353 535; website: www.sncf.fr) is the national rail carrier. Avignon belongs to the regional network, Transports Express Régionaux (TER) (tel: 0891 7030 000; website: www.ter-sncf.com), of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The standard of service varies - some trains are excellent, while others, even in first class, are of poor quality. Generally, trains are punctual.

The high-speed train station, La Gare TGV, is located 4km (2.5 miles) to the south of the city centre and linked to central Avignon via shuttle buses, which stop in front of the post office. This service brings Paris within 2 hours and 40 minutes of Avignon. Some of the high-speed trains also travel on to Avignon's Central Station, boulevard St Roch (tel: (04) 9027 8163). Facilities at both stations include left luggage, a cafe, newsagent and ticket reservations service. Bilingual signs and multilingual announcements ease the way for foreign visitors. As throughout France, train tickets must be validated prior to boarding.

Rail services: There are direct links to Paris (journey time - 2 hours 40 minutes) from where services connect to Lille, Nantes, Rouen, Brussels and Geneva. Eurostar (tel: 0870 518 6186 or (01233) 617 575 (from outside the UK); website: www.eurostar.com) offers a weekly direct London St Pancras-Avignon service from early July to early September (journey time - around 6 hours).

Transport to the city: A shuttle service operates from La Gare TGV to the city centre (journey time - 15 minutes). Avignon Central Station is linked to all major bus routes. Both stations have taxi ranks.