Grand Tour of France by Rail
- 21
- £2,699
- France
- Take a comprehensive tour of la Belle France using high-speed TGVs and regional trains
- Visit the celebrated wine capitals Tours and and Bordeaux
- Take in the Côte d’Azur and Provence
- Finish up in Paris, the City of Light
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade your trains and hotels
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- All rail journeys, in standard class
- Seat reservations where required
- 20 nights’ hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email
- Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions
Suggested Itinerary
Head to St Pancras today from your local station and catch a Eurostar bound for Lille. After an easy change here, it’s on to Strasbourg in the southeastern corner of France for your first stop. Check in at the BW Plus Monopole Metropole (or similar) for a 3-night stay.
It’s the unique blend of French and German influences that gives Strasbourg its distinctive character. Wander the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-listed Grande Île, admire the soaring Gothic cathedral and explore the picturesque canals and half-timbered houses of the Petite France district. You might also like to browse the boutiques and cafés around Place Kléber or enjoy a leisurely boat cruise before sampling Alsatian specialities, accompanied by a crisp local Riesling.
Your train journey from Strasbourg to Lyon takes just under 4 hours. On arrival here, make your way to the Grand Hotel des Terreaux (or similar) where you have a 3-night stay.
With two days to explore, you’ll have plenty of time to experience France’s gastronomic capital. Stroll through the Renaissance streets of Vieux Lyon, discover the city’s traboules (secret covered passageways) and admire panoramic views from the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Browse the vibrant food markets or relax along the banks of the Rhône and Saône. In the evenings, don’t miss the opportunity to savour traditional cuisine in one of the city’s famous bouchons. This Lyonnaise institution dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries and comes from the old French word for a bundle of straw, which innkeepers once tied to their doors to advertise that they served food and wine.
Continue south to the coast and arrive in Cannes for your 3-night stay at the OKKO Hotel Cannes Centre (or similar).
Discover the sights of glamorous French Riviera, with its golden beaches, elegant boulevards and sparkling Mediterranean views. Stroll along the iconic Promenade de la Croisette, explore the charming old quarter of Le Suquet and browse the colourful stalls of the Marché Forville. You can also take a boat trip to the tranquil Île Sainte-Marguerite, famous for its fortress where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned or take a regional train to Nice, Monte Carlo, Grasse or Antibes.
Your next stop is the historic Provençal city of Avignon where you have a 2-night stay at the Novotel Avignon Centre (or similar).
Visit the magnificent Palais des Papes, stroll across the famous Pont d’Avignon and wander the atmospheric streets enclosed by the city’s medieval walls. Browse bustling markets, relax in shady squares and discover the flavours of Provence, from fragrant herbs and olive oil to the region’s celebrated Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. You also have the option to take a day trip by train to other locations in Provence like Aix or Orange.
It’s time to continue north with a stop in the medieval city of Carcassonne, where you have 2 nights at the SOWELL HÔTELS Les Chevaliers (or similar).
You’ll have a free day at leisure to explore the fairy-tale fortress of La Cité, complete with its towering ramparts, turrets and cobbled lanes, before venturing into the lively lower town. Visit the impressive Château Comtal, stroll beside the Canal du Midi or sample hearty regional dishes such as cassoulet in one of the city’s welcoming restaurants.
Your journey continues north, as you travel by train up to the elegant city of Bordeaux, where you have 2 nights at the Mercure Bordeaux Gare Atlantique (or similar). Admire the grand architecture of Place de la Bourse, wander through the historic centre and browse the lively cafés and boutiques that line its handsome streets. This is a wine lovers’ paradise with plenty of opportunities to sample regional varieties at La Cité du Vin or with a day trip to the surrounding vineyards. Evenings are best spent enjoying superb local cuisine.
Perfectly placed in the heart of the Loire Valley, Tours is an ideal base for exploring France’s most magnificent châteaux. You’ll have 2 nights here at the Best Western Plus L’Artist Hotel (or similar).
Nearby famous chateaux include Chenonceau, Amboise or Villandry and you can also visit famous wineries in the Loire region. In Tours itself, you can wander through the charming old town with its colourful half-timbered houses, relax in lively Place Plumereau and visit the impressive cathedral before rounding off each day with delicious regional cuisine and a glass of Loire Valley wine.
Round off your Grand Tour of France with a 2-night stay at the Observatoire Luxembourg (or similar) in one of the world’s most captivating cities. Visit iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and the Arc de Triomphe, admire masterpieces at the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay, and stroll along the banks of the Seine. Browse elegant boutiques, relax in traditional cafés and celebrate the final evening of your tour in the City of Light.
Leave your hotel this afternoon and make your way back to the Gare du Nord for your return journey to London and on to your local station.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Strasbourg
The BW Plus Monopole Métropole is conveniently located for the train station and the centre of the city. Bedrooms are furnished in a bright, contemporary style with free Wi-Fi access, air conditioning and tea & coffee making facilities. Breakfast is served in the grand Alsatian-style breakfast room and there’s also a comfortable bar where you can relax with a drink after a day of sightseeing.
Lyon
Within walking distance of the Place Bellecour, the river and Lyon’s pretty Old Town area, the Grand Hotel des Terreaux is a great base in the heart of the city. You can enjoy comfortable, modern accommodation with individually decorated air-conditioned bedrooms, a stylish bar and an indoor swimming pool. When it comes to eating out, you will be spoiled for choice with options in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.
Cannes
The OKKO Cannes Central is a new hotel, situated adjacent to the main station. It’s also just 5 minutes’ walk from the famous Boulevard de la Croisette. The air-conditioned rooms are decorated in a classic, modern style with flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. There is also an on-site restaurant and bar.
Avignon
Located next to Avignon Centre Station, the Novotel Avignon Centre is the perfect place for an overnight stay in the city. Bedrooms are furnished in a contemporary style with free Wi-Fi internet access, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV and minbar. In warm weather, you can enjoy breakfast on the terrace overlooking the outdoor swimming pool.
Bordeaux
Mercure Bordeaux Gare Atlantic is located within easy reach of the Gare St Jean. The hotel offers modern bedrooms with free Wi-Fi internet access, air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, tea & coffee making facilities and an en suite bathroom. There is also an on-site restaurant and a bar where you can enjoy local wines.
Paris
Hotel Observatoire Luxembourg is ideally situated opposite the Luxembourg Gardens and a short walk from the Saint-Germain district. The air-conditioned bedrooms are furnished in a contemporary style with free Wi-Fi internet access, cable TV, minibar and en suite bathroom. There is also a traditional Parisian brasserie on-site with a summer terrace.
Upgrade your accommodation
Strasbourg
Situated in the centre of Strasbourg, the Hôtel Régent Petite France & Spa occupies a converted 17th-century mill. Bedrooms are furnished in a contemporary style with air-conditioning, mini bar and satellite TV. Facilities include a Champagne bar, restaurant and wellness centre.
Lyon
Located in the centre of Lyon on the Place Bellecour, Hotel Le Royal has been welcoming guests since 1912. The hotel offers 72 bedrooms and suites, including 10 suites, with classic décor and luxury amenities. Enjoy a delicious breakfast at Côté Cuisine, a dinner prepared by chefs from the well-known Paul Bocuse Institute for dinner and a signature cocktail to round off the day at the Côté Bellecour bar.
Cannes
The Hotel Martinez – in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt is located along the famous Croisette in Cannes. Bedrooms are decorated in an Art Deco style with air-conditioning, marble bathrooms and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. There’s also a restaurant with an outdoor terrace and a Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant. Spa services such as massages, body treatments and facials are available.
Avignon
The boutique Hotel La Mirande is situated in the heart of Avignon, with bedrooms overlooking the Palais des Papes. This historic hotel features 27 air-conditioned bedrooms with oak-wood parquet flooring and silk-lined curtains. Afternoon tea can be enjoyed on the hotel’s quiet terrace and in the evening, the Michelin starred restaurant offers gourmet dining in a beautiful setting.
Bordeaux
Located within the so called ‘Golden Triangle’ in central Bordeaux, the Intercontinental Le Grand occupies a lovely neoclassical building directly opposite the impressive Grand Théâtre. Bedrooms are decorated in an opulent French style and come with modern amenities such as LCD flat-screen TVs and a BOSE wave radio system. The hotel also features a gourmet restaurant, brasserie, rooftop bar and a fitness centre with an indoor swimming pool.
Paris
Occupying a central location just a short walk from the Place de la Corcorde and the Palais du Louvre, the Sofitel le Fabourg is a luxurious hotel with classically furnished guestrooms. The elegant bar with its pavement terrace is the perfect place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing.
