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Eurostar direct services to Avignon for the summer holidays on sale 23 December 2008

-- Weekly direct Saturday service to run from 11 July to 5 September 2009
-- Return tickets available from £99 in standard; £249 in Leisure Select – prices unchanged from summer 2008
-- A greener way to travel with carbon neutral journeys

Eurostar, the high speed passenger train service linking UK with the continent, has today (11 December 2008) announced that tickets for its direct weekly summer services to Avignon -located in the heart of the popular Provence region in Southern France- will go on sale on Tuesday 23 December 2008. Tickets are available from £99 return in standard and £249 in Leisure Select, the same prices as in summer 2008.

The direct service will run every Saturday from London St Pancras International and Ashford International from 11 July to 5 September 2009.

The journey from London St Pancras International takes less than six hours (and less than 5h30 minutes from Ashford International) and delivers travellers within a short walk from the ancient city’s walls, surrounding the heart of the historic city.

Situated on the banks of the Rhône river, Avignon is the perfect destination for a rural hideaway and provides a chance to escape to the chateaux, lavenders fields, mountains of Provence, and vineyards. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the Festival d’Avignon (Avignon’s world renowned Theatre Festival) – the oldest and largest in France- which attracts thousands of visitors every year to see its many performances. The city is also steeped in medieval architecture, boasting amongst other things the stunning 14th century Palais des Papes (Popes Palace) and the famous Pont d’Avignon (Avignon Bridge).

If delectable food and drink is your thing, Provence is definitely for you, as both hold a place of honour in the heart of the locals! From gastronomic restaurants to the various brasseries and bars clustered around Place de l’Horloge, the city offers a wide range of options catering for all tastes and budgets.

Taking the Eurostar to Provence is the most relaxing and enjoyable way of travelling, with the benefit that all Eurostar journeys are carbon neutral, at no extra cost for the traveller. A Eurostar journey is much greener than going by air, generating around one-tenth of the amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

Eurostar’s Director of Communications Simon Montague commented: “This service is very popular year on year as our travellers greatly appreciate the seamless, comfortable and environmentally friendly journey to Provence. Our fares are unchanged since summer 2008 and there are no hidden costs such as surcharges and taxes.”

Avignon and over 60 other French destinations are also available all year round by combining a Eurostar journey to Paris and Lille and an onward journey on a French TGV service.

Check-in:
The recommended check-in time for the direct Eurostar to Avignon is 60 minutes before departure.

Timetable (all times are local):

Outbound*		Inbound**
St Pancras International	07h19	Avignon Centre	16h24
Ashford International	07h55	Ashford International	20h33
Avignon Centre	14h12	St Pancras International	21h10

* From Saturday 11 July to Saturday 5 September 2009
** From Saturday 18 July to Saturday 12 September 2009

Avignon train stations
Avignon Centre Station is the city station and is distinct from Avignon TGV station, which is on the TGV Med high-speed line. A shuttle bus operates between the two stations, which runs about every 20 minutes and takes approximately 10 minutes. Cost is approximately 3 euros for a single journey.

Tickets for the Avignon direct summer service and for connecting services all year round are available from www.eurostar.com, by calling 08705 186 186, at Eurostar stations or from travel agents.

***ENDS***

Notes to Editors:

1. Eurostar is the high-speed train service linking St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Avignon and the French Alps.

2. Eurostar offers through fares to the Continent with First Great Western, National Express East Anglia, First Capital Connect, Virgin Trains, National Express East Coast, East Midlands Trains, London Midland, Chiltern Railways and Hull Trains.

3. Ebbsfleet International in north Kent is close to junction 2 of the M25 and Bluewater shopping centre, serving 10 million people across southern and eastern England. It offers frequent services to Brussels and Paris, with ample parking and taxi and Avis car hire facilities.

4. Ashford International in Kent provides three services a day to Paris, a daily service to Disneyland Resort Paris and seasonal weekly services to the French Alps and Avignon.

5. Eurostar is the world’s first train operator to make all journeys carbon neutral. Independent research has shown that a Eurostar journey between London and Paris generates one-tenth of the carbon dioxide produced by an equivalent flight. Under its Tread Lightly initiative, Eurostar has set a target of further reducing its CO₂ emissions by 25% per traveller journey by 2012.

6. Eurostar and Friends of the Earth are working together in the UK on Eurostar’s Tread Lightly initiative and The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth’s climate campaign. To find out more about Friends of the Earth visit www.friendsoftheearth.co.uk.

7. Eurostar is a founder member of Railteam, a partnership between Europe’s leading high-speed train operators that is developing simpler ways to book and travel on the fast-expanding, European high-speed rail network.

8. Eurostar and Eurotunnel are entirely separate companies. Eurostar operates high-speed passenger trains, while Eurotunnel operates vehicle shuttle services and the Channel tunnel itself. Eurostar is Eurotunnel’s biggest customer.

9. To book through fares via Eurostar, or to find out more information, go to www.eurostar.com or call 08705 186 186.

For more information:
Eurostar Press Office
+44 (0)20 7843 5500
press.office@eurostar.co.uk

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