
Great Rail Journeys
Biarritz & Bordeaux Cruise
Ten-day escorted French trip pairing rail travel with a Bordeaux river cruise
Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

Travel in style to Aix-en-Provence by first-class rail and discover elegant boulevards, historic charm and the beauty of Provence.
Start your journey through the fabulously restored London St. Pancras International station, admiring the arched cast iron and glass roof repainted in its former Victorian sky blue, before boarding the Eurostar service to Lille Europe. Recline in the comfort of your Standard Premier Class seat and enjoy the complimentary light meal and drinks served at your seat. On arrival at Lille Europe walk to the French TGV platforms and continue your journey by TGV through the French countryside to Aix-en-Provence. On arrival make your own way by taxi or public transport (payable locally) to your hotel for the next 4 nights, the comfortable, highly-rated Grand Hotel Roi Rene, a 4 star hotel perfectly located in the centre of Aix.
Three full days to explore the pretty town of Aix-en-Provence. Discover the Quartier Mazarin south of the Cours Mirabeau, an area of 17th-century town houses built in 1646-51 by the Archbishop Mazarin, with the Granet Museum, the Paul Arbaud Museum and the 13th-century St-Jean-de-Malte church, or simply relax in the hotel gardens and enjoy the Provençal sunshine. Venture further afield into the charming Provençal countryside, perhaps to Avignon, Arles, Nîmes or Les Baux de Provence. For a different cultural feel head for Marseille, the cosmopolitan port: walk the Canebière to the pretty Vieux Port or climb to Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica for wonderful views of the city and the Mediterranean. You could also head east towards Cassis and the pretty Calanques or west to the unspoiled nature reserve of the Camargue.
Three full days to explore the pretty town of Aix-en-Provence. Discover the Quartier Mazarin south of the Cours Mirabeau, an area of 17th-century town houses built in 1646-51 by the Archbishop Mazarin, with the Granet Museum, the Paul Arbaud Museum and the 13th-century St-Jean-de-Malte church, or simply relax in the hotel gardens and enjoy the Provençal sunshine. Venture further afield into the charming Provençal countryside, perhaps to Avignon, Arles, Nîmes or Les Baux de Provence. For a different cultural feel head for Marseille, the cosmopolitan port: walk the Canebière to the pretty Vieux Port or climb to Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica for wonderful views of the city and the Mediterranean. You could also head east towards Cassis and the pretty Calanques or west to the unspoiled nature reserve of the Camargue.
Three full days to explore the pretty town of Aix-en-Provence. Discover the Quartier Mazarin south of the Cours Mirabeau, an area of 17th-century town houses built in 1646-51 by the Archbishop Mazarin, with the Granet Museum, the Paul Arbaud Museum and the 13th-century St-Jean-de-Malte church, or simply relax in the hotel gardens and enjoy the Provençal sunshine. Venture further afield into the charming Provençal countryside, perhaps to Avignon, Arles, Nîmes or Les Baux de Provence. For a different cultural feel head for Marseille, the cosmopolitan port: walk the Canebière to the pretty Vieux Port or climb to Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica for wonderful views of the city and the Mediterranean. You could also head east towards Cassis and the pretty Calanques or west to the unspoiled nature reserve of the Camargue.
This morning after a leisurely breakfast it is time to bid farewell to Aix-en-Provence as you make your way back to the station. Relax as your high-speed train whisks you north through France to Lille Europe, where you join the connecting Eurostar service for the last part of your journey through France and into England. Your at-seat meal and drinks are an ideal accompaniment to an afternoon of watching the countryside fly by before you return to London St. Pancras International for the final stage of your trip home.

Great Rail Journeys
Ten-day escorted French trip pairing rail travel with a Bordeaux river cruise

Leger Holidays

Planet Rail

Planet Rail