How much does it cost?

From £2,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,105 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Plus class from London to Paris and First Class TGV from Paris to Toulouse, both ways.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

It is an escorted tour with a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, in groups of up to 30.

Which trains are used?

The Eurostar (London St Pancras to Paris, Plus class) and the TGV (Paris to Toulouse, First Class).

The 5-star Hotel du Roi & Spa by Sowell in Carcassonne, on the banks of the River Aude, for all 6 nights.

Departures run from April through October across 2026 and 2027.

What is not included?

Cancellation and travel insurance, and door-to-door luggage service, which is an optional extra.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Treasures of Carcassonne

First Class rail escorted tour based in Carcassonne, France

Great Rail Journeys operates this 7-day escorted tour from London to Carcassonne, with a UK Tour Manager travelling with the group throughout. The outbound journey combines the Eurostar to Paris in Plus class with First Class TGV travel south to Toulouse, then a coach transfer to Carcassonne, where the group stays for all 6 nights at the 5-star Hotel du Roi & Spa. From this single base, guided days out cover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed citadel of Carcassonne, the Cathar fortresses of Châteaux de Lastours, historic Narbonne, and the weekly market at Mirepoix. A highlight is a private tour and wine tasting at the 17th-century Château de Pennautier, with lunch served in a converted sheepfold restaurant. It suits travellers who want a single-base holiday in southern France built around castles, markets, and wine, reached by First Class rail rather than by air.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £600 since 4 Jul, to £2,299.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

The single price (GBP 2,799) is well above half the twin-share price (GBP 1,699), so solo travellers pay a significant single supplement.
Door-to-door luggage service is listed as an optional extra rather than included, so plan to handle your own luggage unless you add it.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Carcassonne
First Class journey to Carcassonne
Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras for the Eurostar to Paris, then continue in First Class by high-speed rail to Toulouse before a coach transfer to Carcassonne and the Hotel du Roi & Spa by Sowell on the River Aude.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal
Day 2overnight: Carcassonne
Exploring the walled medieval city of Carcassonne
A guided tour of the walled citadel of Carcassonne, including entrance to Château Comtal, with the rest of the day free to explore the Saint-Nazaire Basilica, the ramparts or the Canal du Midi.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3overnight: Carcassonne
Uncovering the sights of historic Narbonne
A coach journey to Narbonne for a tour taking in the unfinished Gothic cathedral, Les Halles food market, the Canal de la Robine and the Archbishop's Palace, returning to Carcassonne for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4overnight: Carcassonne
Explore the Châteaux de Lastours area
Visit the Belvedere viewpoint for panoramas of four Cathar fortresses, with the option to walk to the ruined castles, followed by a four-course lunch with local wine at a traditional auberge in the Minervois wine region.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5overnight: Carcassonne
Market day in medieval Mirepoix
A coach journey into the Pyrenean foothills for Mirepoix's celebrated weekly market, with free time to explore the Cathedral of Saint Maurice and the Porte d'Aval, returning via scenic countryside for dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6overnight: Carcassonne
A private wine tasting and lunch at Château de Pennautier
A guided tour of the 17th-century Château de Pennautier and its wine cellar, followed by a three-course lunch with wine pairings in a converted sheepfold restaurant, with the afternoon free in Carcassonne.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7rail
Homeward bound
Transfer to Toulouse by coach and continue by First Class train to Paris, joining the Eurostar in Plus class back to London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1After the Eurostar to Paris, First Class TGV travel continues south through the French countryside to Toulouse, then on by coach to Carcassonne.
Day 2A guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed citadel of Carcassonne includes entrance to Château Comtal, the hilltop castle housing a museum.
Day 4The Belvedere viewpoint over the four Cathar fortresses of Châteaux de Lastours is followed by a four-course lunch with local wine at a traditional auberge in the Minervois wine region.
Day 6A private tour of the 17th-century Château de Pennautier includes the wine cellar and a tasting, followed by a three-course lunch with wine pairings from the château's vineyards.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
6 nights' 5-Star hotel accommodation
Eurostar Plus First Class rail travel; all rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Eurostar Light Meals
Breakfast each day, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,105 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Plus class from London to Paris and First Class TGV from Paris to Toulouse, both ways.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: It is an escorted tour with a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, in groups of up to 30.
Which trains are used?: The Eurostar (London St Pancras to Paris, Plus class) and the TGV (Paris to Toulouse, First Class).
What hotel is used?: The 5-star Hotel du Roi & Spa by Sowell in Carcassonne, on the banks of the River Aude, for all 6 nights.
When does it run?: Departures run from April through October across 2026 and 2027.
What is not included?: Cancellation and travel insurance, and door-to-door luggage service, which is an optional extra.