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Cox & Kings · Tailor-Made Journey

Champagne, Lorraine & Burgundy by Rail

Eight-day French rail journey through Champagne, Lorraine, and Burgundy from Reims to Dijon

Illustration of Champagne, Lorraine & Burgundy by Rail

Cox & Kings' eight-day Champagne, Lorraine & Burgundy by Rail is a tailor-made journey that departs London St Pancras entirely by train. The route travels through three distinct French regions, beginning in Reims, the capital of Champagne and home to the cathedral where French kings were crowned. You spend two days in Reims, then continue by rail and road to Épernay for champagne tasting, followed by Nancy with its grand 18th-century squares and historic architecture. The journey concludes in Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, where you tour a vineyard and visit one of France's oldest mustard producers. The pace is relaxed, with two to three nights in each city and days at leisure to explore museums, cathedrals, and local specialties. It suits food-and-wine lovers and history enthusiasts comfortable with multi-leg rail travel from the UK.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 5 includes a transfer to Dijon (not specified as rail or coach); confirm transport mode with Cox & Kings.
  • Hotels are listed by name but marked with local names; final accommodation may depend on availability or tier selected in the tailor-made booking process.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Reims

    Arrive Reims, France.

    Depart London St Pancras by rail for Reims via Paris. Check in at Grand Hotel des Templiers for 2 nights.

  2. Day 2overnight: Reims

    Reims

    Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Reims, the capital of the Champagne region and renowned as the coronation site of France's kings. Visit the city's cathedral and the adjacent Palace of Tau, which retains regalia that survived a series of revolutions in the 18th and 19th centuries. In terms of gastronomy, Reims' rose biscuits – often served with champagne – are a particular speciality.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Nancy

    Epernay

    This afternoon, depart Reims for Epernay, renowned for its champagne production. Visit a local vineyard followed by wine tasting. Transfer with your driver to Châlons-en-Champange where you will continue by train to Nancy. Check in at Hotel d'Haussonville for 2 nights.

  4. Day 4overnight: Nancy

    Nancy

    Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the historic centre of Nancy. Highlights include the 18th-century square of Place Stanislas; the Arc Héré, built to honour Louis XV; and the medieval Porte de la Craffe, a remnant of the city's historic fortifications.

  5. Day 5overnight: Dijon

    Dijon

    Depart Nancy and transfer to Dijon, pausing en route to visit Domrémy-la-Pucelle and the home of Joan of Arc, who was born in the village in 1412. Check in at Maison Philippe le Bon for 3 nights.

  6. Day 6overnight: Dijon

    Dijon

    Spend a day at leisure exploring the city of Dijon, capital of Burgundy. Suggested visits include the Palace of the Dukes, which today also houses the Museum of Beaux-Arts, and the city's cathedral with its impressive rose windows.

  7. Day 7overnight: Dijon

    Dijon

    Visit a local vineyard and sample one of Burgundy's most prized products: wine. Return to Dijon and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Before departing the city, visit the boutique of La Maison Maille – one of the oldest mustard producers in Dijon – where an array of enticing, traditional condiments line the shelves.

  8. Day 8rail

    Return to the UK.

    Depart Dijon by rail for London St Pancras via Paris.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Explore Reims' gothic cathedral, the coronation site of France's kings, and the adjacent Palace of Tau with its preserved royal regalia.
  • Day 3Visit a local vineyard in Épernay for champagne tasting in the heart of the Champagne region.
  • Day 5Stop at Domrémy-la-Pucelle to visit the birthplace of Joan of Arc, born in the village in 1412.
  • Day 7Sample Burgundy wine at a local vineyard, then visit La Maison Maille, one of Dijon's oldest mustard producers, founded centuries ago.

Included

  • Accommodation, itinerary & meal basis as described
  • International standard class train tickets to/from London and domestic rail travel
  • Local Transfers in a private chauffeur-driven vehicle, where specified
  • Local guides & entrance fees where applicable

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Cox & Kings includes international standard-class rail tickets from London St Pancras to Reims and return, plus domestic rail between cities (Châlons-en-Champagne to Nancy and Nancy to Dijon return).
Is this an escorted tour or self-guided?
It is a tailor-made journey with local guides at selected sites and private chauffeur-driven transfers where specified; some days are at leisure to explore independently.
What hotels are included?
The Grand Hotel des Templiers in Reims for 2 nights, Hotel d'Haussonville in Nancy for 2 nights, and Maison Philippe le Bon in Dijon for 3 nights.
When does this trip run?
Cox & Kings shows departures in April starting at £2,795 and July starting at £2,995. Confirm availability for other dates when booking.
What meals are included?
Accommodation and meal basis are described as part of the itinerary; contact Cox & Kings for the exact meal plan and any upgrades.
How much walking is involved?
Activity level is marked Moderate. Days include city exploration on foot (cathedrals, museums, historic squares) and vineyard visits, but no strenuous hikes.

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