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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

First Class Rail: Barcelona to Paris

First Class rail journey Barcelona to Paris via Spanish cities and wine regions

Illustration of First Class Rail: Barcelona to Paris

Vacations By Rail operates this 10-day escorted tour from Barcelona to Paris, with a Tour Manager accompanying the group throughout. The journey loops through Spain and France, departing Barcelona and traveling by First Class rail, coach, and river cruise through Zaragoza, the Pyrenees mountain town of Canfranc, Bilbao, Biarritz, Bordeaux, and St Emilion before arriving in Paris. The itinerary balances guided activities with free time: you tour Gaudi's masterworks and the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, stay two nights in the five-star Hotel Canfranc-Estacion, a converted grand railway station in the mountains, taste wines in La Rioja and St Emilion, visit the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, cruise the Garonne River, and dine at Madame Brasserie inside the Eiffel Tower. Hotel accommodation is 4 and 5-star throughout, breakfast and most dinners are included, and all guided tours and transport between cities are covered. This tour suits couples and experienced rail travellers who enjoy wine, food, art, and cities, and who prefer the structure of an escorted group with expert guidance.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; you arrange your own arrival in Barcelona and departure from Paris
  • The from-price covers the package and rail fares; confirm current availability and any seasonal pricing with Vacations By Rail

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Barcelona

    Arrival in historic Barcelona

    Arrive independently at the hotel in Barcelona's business district, then an afternoon guided tour of Gaudi's Casa Batllo and the Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter, followed by a welcome drink and a 3-course dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Canfranc Estacion

    From historic Zaragoza to an Art Deco hotel

    Train to Zaragoza for a guided tour of the Old Town (Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, La Seo Cathedral, the Roman Forum remains), then onward by rail to Canfranc to check into the five-star Art Deco Hotel Canfranc-Estacion, a former grand railway station.

  3. Day 3overnight: Canfranc Estacion

    A journey back in time at Canfranc Estacion

    Guided history tour of the hotel covering its role as a major trade route and wartime espionage site, with free time to explore Canfranc Pueblo or use the hotel's spa, gym, pool and hydrotherapy area (payable locally). Dinner at leisure.

  4. Day 4overnight: Bilbao

    Wine tasting in Rioja & pintxos tour of Bilbao

    Coach to Logrono for free time and a guided Rioja vineyard tour and wine tasting, then continue to Bilbao for an evening guided walking pintxos tour of the Old Town.

  5. Day 5overnight: Bilbao

    Discovering modern art at Bilbao's Guggenheim

    Private guided tour of the Guggenheim Museum, then a guided city tour including the Old Town and the Ribera Market, with the rest of the day free.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Bordeaux

    Belle Epoque Biarritz & scenic cruise through Bordeaux

    Coach to Biarritz for lunch and free time along the Grand Plage, then rail to Bordeaux for a scenic cruise along the Garonne past the Pont de Pierre and Pont d'Aquitaine, tasting canele on board.

  7. Day 7overnight: Bordeaux

    Bordeaux food tour & St Emilion wine tasting

    Morning food tour of Bordeaux sampling local specialties, then an afternoon coach trip to the medieval village of St Emilion for a wine tasting at a local chateau, returning to Bordeaux for dinner together.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Paris

    To the French capital

    Direct train to Paris, checking into a hotel in the Marais district with free time to explore independently; dinner on your own.

  9. Day 9overnight: Paris

    Sightseeing & a night above Paris

    Guided sightseeing tour of Paris taking in the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Champs-Elysees, with free time after, followed by dinner at Madame Brasserie on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.

  10. Day 10

    Traveling home

    After breakfast, the vacation concludes; transfer to Paris airport for your flight home or continue exploring independently.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Afternoon guided tour of Gaudi's Casa Batllo and Sagrada Familia in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, followed by a welcome drink and 3-course dinner
  • Day 2Rail journey to Zaragoza to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar and La Seo Cathedral, then onward by train to the five-star Hotel Canfranc-Estacion, a former grand railway station
  • Day 5Private guided tour of Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum and guided city tour including the Old Town and Ribera Market
  • Day 6Scenic river cruise through Bordeaux past the Pont de Pierre and Pont d'Aquitaine, tasting canele on board
  • Day 9Guided Paris sightseeing tour of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, followed by dinner at Madame Brasserie on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 9 nights' 4 & 5-star hotel accommodation
  • First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Flights and Airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class and Standard Class rail travel throughout, including trains to Zaragoza and Canfranc, and the TGV from Bordeaux to Paris. Coach and a river cruise along the Garonne are also included.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. A Tour Manager travels with the group from start to finish, providing expertise and organizing all guided tours and excursions.
What hotels are included?
The tour stays in 4 and 5-star hotels: AC Hotel Diagonal L'Illa in Barcelona (1 night), the five-star Hotel Canfranc-Estacion (2 nights), Catalonia Gran Via in Bilbao (2 nights), Mercure Chateau Chartrons in Bordeaux (2 nights), and Hotel Les Jardins du Marais in Paris (2 nights).
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. Dinners are included on 5 nights: a welcome dinner in Barcelona, dinners in Bordeaux (one with a local restaurant meal as part of the food tour), and dinner at Madame Brasserie in the Eiffel Tower in Paris. One lunch is included as part of the Rioja vineyard tour. Other meals are on your own.
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating of 2, which includes city walking tours, guided excursions, and stairs. There is free time to explore independently in several cities.
What is the price and what does it cover?
The tour is priced from USD 5,899 for the 10-day package. This includes 9 nights' hotel accommodation, breakfast daily, 5 dinners, all rail, coach, and cruise travel, and all guided tours and excursions. Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, and other meals are not included.

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