The escape to the blue sea, a chronicle of a stationary journey through Provence

The allure of the Mediterranean coast beckons three friends, Régine, Carlène, and Manon, as they embark on a train journey from Geneva to Marseille. This trip marks the beginning of a five-part series by Le Temps that uses train routes to explore the diverse territories and lives across Switzerland and into France.

Departing from Geneva Cornavin station on a Sunday morning, the air on the platform held the light, crisp quality of early hours before the June sun intensified. At 8:34 AM, aboard the TGV Lyria, suitcases were stowed, conversations began to murmur, and distinct laughter filled car 17. For these three friends, all in their early thirties, the journey had technically started earlier, with a wake-up call amidst the humid heat of the Vaud night.

Lausanne had no available seats on this popular Sunday train, necessitating an earlier start and a connection via a regional train to catch this vital link to the Mediterranean coast. The series promises to offer perspectives from the platform, the cabin, and the carriage, painting a picture of Switzerland in motion.

This installment focuses on the departure, setting the scene for the travelers and the initial leg of their journey. The article highlights the anticipation and the practicalities of starting such a trip, from securing tickets to navigating the early morning departure. The narrative aims to capture the essence of travel as a means of discovering both landscapes and personal experiences.