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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

First-Class Cannes & the Côte d'Azur

Seven-day escorted rail tour from London to Cannes via Eurostar and TGV First Class

Illustration of First-Class Cannes & the Côte d'Azur

Great Rail Journeys operates this 7-day escorted tour from London to the French Riviera, departing London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus and arriving in Cannes via TGV First Class. The tour is based in Cannes at the 4-star Hotel Cavendish for six nights, providing a home base for exploring the glamorous coast and Provençal hinterland. Each day combines guided excursions and free time: you will visit Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, where tea is served in an ornate room overlooking manicured gardens; witness the Changing of the Guards ceremony in Monaco; learn pétanque in the medieval village of St-Paul-de-Vence; and tour the Fragonard perfumery in Grasse. Days 4 and 6 are at leisure, with options to take a short train to Nice, ferry to St Tropez, or explore the Lérins Islands. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group throughout, guiding all major outings while leaving scope for independent exploration. The tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking comfort and guidance, couples looking for a romantic base, and food-and-wine enthusiasts drawn to Provençal culture.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement of £700 (GBP 2699 minus half of GBP 1999) is substantial; check with Great Rail Journeys on single-room availability
  • Hotel Cavendish is described as elegant but only by the operator; confirm specific amenities before booking
  • Four of six days are partially or fully unguided; Day 4 and Day 6 are entirely free to explore independently
  • Maximum group size is 30 travellers; confirm current party size with the operator

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cannes

    Riviera bound: London to Cannes

    Meeting the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar service to Paris travelling in Eurostar Plus with a light meal served at seats. In Paris, change trains for the First Class TGV service to Cannes, arriving on the French Riviera in the evening. Check in to an elegant Belle Époque hotel on the edge of Cannes Old Town, then head out to a local restaurant for the first dinner together.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Cannes

    Exploring Cannes and Villa Ephrussi

    A two-hour guided tour of Cannes, including the cobbled streets of hilltop Le Suquet, the palm-lined Croisette boulevard and golden sand beaches. Free time over lunch. In the afternoon, visit Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a pink-hued Belle Époque mansion surrounded by nine manicured gardens. Explore the gardens and villa interior before enjoying tea and a pastry in the ornate Tea Room with views over the Bay of Villefranche towards Nice. Return to Cannes for complimentary drinks and a light snack at the hotel (6.30pm–8.30pm). Dinner independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Cannes

    The Lower Corniche Road to glamorous Monaco

    Coach journey to Monaco along the Lower Corniche Road with coastal cliff views. Guided tour of Monaco including the Monte-Carlo Casino and the Changing of the Guards at the Palais du Prince. Free time to explore Monaco independently, perhaps visit the casino or enjoy a drink at Café de Paris. Stop at Èze, a medieval hilltop village with labyrinthine lanes, a ruined castle and cactus garden with panoramic Côte d'Azur views. Return to Cannes for dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Cannes

    A free day to explore the French Riviera

    Day at leisure. Options include a 40-minute train ride to Nice to explore the Old Town and Cours Saleya food market, or visit the Chagall and Matisse museums in Cimiez. Alternatively, take the ferry to St Tropez (just over an hour each way) to explore its ochre-hued streets and harbour. Complimentary drinks at the hotel this evening; dinner independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Cannes

    The Provençal towns of Grasse and St-Paul-de-Vence

    Coach to Grasse, the 'perfume capital of the world', for a tour of the Fragonard perfumery. Continue to St-Paul-de-Vence for free time to explore the medieval walls, shaded squares, galleries, craft stores and eateries. Meet a local pétanque player for a lesson and game under the shade of plane trees beside the ancient walls. Return to Cannes.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Cannes

    Cannes at leisure

    Free day to explore at own pace. Options include Le Suquet, the Church of Notre Dame d'Espérance, Juan-les-Pins, the medieval port of Antibes and the Picasso Museum, or a ferry to the Lérins Islands (Île Sainte-Marguerite with Fort Royal, or Île Saint-Honorat with the Lérins Abbey). Final dinner together at a local restaurant this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    Leave Cannes and travel to Paris in First Class. Board the Eurostar in Plus class for the return journey to London, with a light meal served en route. Arrive back in London this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras to Paris, then travel First Class on the TGV to arrive on the French Riviera in the evening
  • Day 2Explore Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a pink Belle Époque mansion with nine manicured gardens, then take tea and pastry in the ornate Tea Room
  • Day 3Travel the Lower Corniche Road to Monaco with coastal cliff views, then visit the Monte-Carlo Casino and watch the Changing of the Guards at the Palais du Prince
  • Day 5Learn to play pétanque with a local player in the medieval town of St-Paul-de-Vence, then visit Grasse to tour the Fragonard perfumery

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel
  • First Class rail travel on TGV
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
  • Breakfast each day
  • 3 dinners
  • Beer, wine and soft drinks each day between 6.30pm–8.30pm in Cannes
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of £1999 includes all Eurostar Plus and TGV First Class rail travel, plus all coach transfers throughout the tour.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an escorted tour. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from London through to the end, and all major excursions are guided. However, Days 4 and Day 6 are free to explore at your own pace.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras to Paris on Days 1 and 7; TGV First Class from Paris to Cannes on Day 1 and Cannes to Paris on Day 7.
What is the accommodation?
Six nights at the Hotel Cavendish in Cannes, a 4-star Belle Époque hotel on the edge of Cannes Old Town. An upgrade to an executive twin room is available as an optional extra.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers six departures: April 2027, May 2027, June 2027, August 2026, September 2026, and September 2027.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily, Eurostar light meals on outbound and return days, three dinners at local restaurants, and complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks each evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in Cannes. Lunch and some dinners are your own expense.

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