Tarascon, Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, Vic-Mireval, Beziers

After staying the night at nearby airport hotel, I'm ready to move forward on my way to Spain

Vitrolles Airport Marseille Provence station

My first stop is at Tarascon station, as I've never been here before

The station is connecting the lines to Marseille, Montpellier and Avignon

There is a bridge over the Rhône River just next to the station; on the other side is the Beaucaire station.

Here is a map of the triangle between PLM line and Tarascon to Sète-Ville

It's Monday morning, but the only trains I see now are the passenger ones

Just as I've left, there is a freight train on the line

Baillargues 

Many TGV's are still using the old line, even though there is a high speed line nearby

The problem with the new line is that the stations are located far away from the central locations

The freight train can also use the new bypass high-speed line, but only if the locomotives are supporting 25kV 50Hz and ERTMS signaling, which for instance, this one does not

At Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, the new and old lines have been merged, so it is possible to view all trains here. There are plans for the bypass high-speed line to continue beyond Montpellier towards Beziers and Nimes, but it is not expected to be built until 2035-2040

View of the classic Tarascon to Sète-Ville, the new Contournement Nîmes to Montpellier (English: "Nîmes – Montpellier Bypass"), and the future LGV Montpellier–Perpignan lines. (https://www.openrailwaymap.org)

A lonely Alstom Prima E37 504 from Europorte

Finally, I can spot a real freight train

427035, SNCF Fret 

This train is coming with high probability from Bettembourg, which is in Luxembourg. I will be visiting Luxembourg later this month and spotted this train approaching to/from France.

Some intermodal cargo continues from Bettembourg further north or east, in this case with Erontrans, to Poland.

While in the other direction, this train continues to Perpignan and further to Spain

Class 27300 is the same as 27000 but intended for passenger services. They were deployed in the Paris region, hauling Transilien trains. Some years ago, they were auctioned to freight operators. 

27301 was sold to Beacon Rail and leased to RegioRail

427095

NPL Denmark-Spain

It is hot today, 30+, so it's essential to stay hydrated

Renfe AVE is back on track now as AVI on the route Lyon-Barcelona

There is no cooperation with SNCF anymore, so tickets can only be purchased on Renfe channels

Tomorrow I will be taking this train to Barcelona

Vic Mireval

A bird is riding on a horse.

427012M

27145M, LINEAS France

E 186 336

Ouigo

26134

E 186 338

I've arrived in Beziers, where I'll stay tonight

Beziers is the 5th largest commune in the Occitanie region

Sunset

View of the railway from above

Béziers is one of the oldest towns in France, with origins dating back to 575 BC. The Romans left a significant mark on the town, building structures that still stand today.

I've been visiting almost all towns along the coast between Avignon and Perpignan, but it looks like Bezier is one of nicer one

I'm celebrating the start of my holidays in France with a glass of champagne

Also, I'm getting reminded that it is not long left until the start of Olympic games in Paris