Search

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted group tour

Avignon, the Rhône & Provence

Seven-day Provence loop from London via Eurostar, Avignon base.

Illustration of Avignon, the Rhône & Provence

Great Rail Journeys operates this seven-day escorted tour from London to Provence, departing London St Pancras aboard Eurostar and continuing by TGV rail through Lyon to Avignon, where you spend six nights in a four-star hotel. The tour balances guided experiences with free time: you cruise the Rhône to Arles to see the Roman arena and Van Gogh sites, walk through Avignon with a guide to the 12th-century Pont St Bénezet and the Papal Palace, visit the hilltop villages of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Gordes, and spend a morning at the Pont du Gard aqueduct before a wine tasting. Day 6 includes a guided food tour of Avignon's market and artisan producers, sampling local olives, nougat, and Camargue salt toffee. A UK Tour Manager travels with you throughout. This tour suits couples, history enthusiasts, and food-lovers who prefer the structure of a group tour with knowledgeable guides and pre-arranged rail travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • The group size may reach 40 people; confirm the exact size before booking if you prefer a smaller party.
  • Only one lunch is included; most other meals are your own expense.
  • Five of six nights are in one hotel (Avignon); if you prefer more varied accommodation, this tour may not suit you.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Avignon

    London to Avignon: Through France to Provence

    Your holiday begins at London St Pancras where you meet the Tour Manager and the group. Board the Eurostar to Paris, then change trains and continue to Avignon, arriving in the early evening having travelled through verdant fields and hills alongside the Rhône from Lyon. The hotel lies just outside the city walls near the station. Dinner together in the hotel restaurant this evening. Note: For the 17th June departure, accommodation is at the Cloitre St Louis hotel in Avignon.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Avignon

    The art and history of Arles

    After a leisurely breakfast, board a boat for a relaxing cruise down the Rhône. Enjoy lunch on board, sailing through picturesque landscapes past the impressive château at Tarascon. Arrive in Arles for free time to explore: the UNESCO-listed Roman arena (capacity 20,000), Place de la République with its obelisk and Romanesque cathedral, and the Van Gogh Foundation. Alternatively, visit Place du Forum, which inspired van Gogh's 'Café Terrace at Night'. Return by train to Avignon for a free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  3. Day 3overnight: Avignon

    Avignon: The City of Popes

    A walking tour of Avignon with an expert guide, taking in landmarks including the 12th-century Pont St Bénezet. The afternoon is at leisure – you may visit the Palais des Papes (Papal Palace), one of the largest Gothic buildings in Europe, and its pontifical gardens. This evening, explore the restaurants and bars around Place de l'Horloge, Place des Corps Saints and Place Pie.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Avignon

    The beautiful villages of Provence

    After breakfast, visit a nougaterie to learn about the history of nougat and sample some. Then travel to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – the 'Venice of Provence' – for free time to explore its pastel-coloured buildings and canals. Next, visit the hilltop village of Gordes, a labyrinth of cobblestone alleys flanked by rustic buildings, with a 10th-century château at its heart. Return to Avignon in the early evening; dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Avignon

    A day to explore Avignon at leisure

    A free day to soak up the beauty of Avignon at your own pace. Options include exploring the shaded squares and hidden courtyards of the Old Town, browsing boutiques, art galleries and antique shops, visiting Jardin des Doms for views over the Rhône, or strolling along Rue des Teinturiers with its old waterwheels.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Avignon

    Tasting Avignon and the Pont du Gard

    Join a guide to explore Avignon's culinary scene, visiting artisan producers and the food market Les Halles, sampling local olives, sacristain, Camargue salt toffee and callison. Later, visit the Pont du Gard – a first-century AD three-tiered Roman aqueduct standing 160 feet above the Gardon River, UNESCO-listed for its preservation. Enjoy a tasting of Roman-style wines at Les Terrasses restaurant overlooking the monument. Return to Avignon for a final dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    Leave Avignon after breakfast and board the direct train to Paris. In Paris, switch to the Eurostar for the final leg, arriving back at London St Pancras this evening. Farewell to the Tour Manager.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St Pancras, then a TGV continues through verdant fields alongside the Rhône from Lyon to Avignon, arriving in the early evening.
  • Day 2A boat cruise descends the Rhône past the château at Tarascon to Arles, where you visit the UNESCO-listed Roman arena and the Van Gogh Foundation.
  • Day 3A guided walking tour of Avignon covers the 12th-century Pont St Bénezet and other landmarks; the afternoon is free to visit the Palais des Papes at your own pace.
  • Day 4Visit a nougaterie, then explore L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with its canals and pastel buildings, followed by the hilltop village of Gordes with its 10th-century château.
  • Day 6A guided tour visits artisan producers and Les Halles food market in Avignon, sampling local olives and Camargue salt toffee, then the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct and a wine tasting at Les Terrasses.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Standard class travel (First & Standard class rail options available)
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch
  • 2 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is Eurostar and all rail travel included in the price?
Yes. Eurostar Standard class and all rail and coach travel throughout the tour are included. First Class rail upgrades are available as an optional extra.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from London St Pancras to arrival back in London, and leads all guided tours and excursions.
What hotels are included?
You stay six nights in either the Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis or the Novotel Avignon Centre, both four-star properties near Avignon station.
How many meals are included?
Breakfast each day, one lunch (on the Rhône boat on Day 2), and two dinners (one in the hotel on Day 1, one on Day 6).
Is any walking required?
Yes. A walking tour of Avignon is included, and you explore the cobblestone alleys of Gordes and wander freely through other villages and city squares.
When does the tour run?
The operator has not published a detailed departure calendar in this information. Contact Great Rail Journeys directly to confirm available dates.

Similar journeys