Great Rail Journeys
First-Class Côte d'Azur & Nice Carnival
7 daysfrom $2,670
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
First-Class Cannes & the Côte d'Azur
Explore the glamorous resorts of the French Riviera on our escorted rail tour to Nice and Cote d'Azur. Enjoy many excursions including a visit to Monaco.
Day by day
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
