Great Rail Journeys
First-Class Carcassonne, Châteaux & Vineyards
First Class rail escorted tour based in Carcassonne, France
7 daysfrom $2,269
29% rail
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Flavours of the Dordogne
Enjoy the gastronomy, culture and history of one of France's most cherished regions, with visits to Lascaux Caves, Sarlat and wine-tastings
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Les Eyzies
To France by First Class rail
Your holiday begins at London St Pancras where you meet the Tour Manager and board the Eurostar in Plus class, enjoying a light meal en route to Paris. In Paris, you transfer across the city to Gare Montparnasse and catch the high-speed TGV in First Class to Angoulême, then continue by coach to Les Eyzies. The four-star hotel is in the centre of the village, owned by a chef and a wine expert. After checking in, you enjoy your first dinner together in the hotel's bistro with an expertly curated wine pairing.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
- Day 2overnight: Les Eyzies
Marqueyssac Gardens & La Roque-Gageac
After breakfast, visit the Marqueyssac Gardens, standing 450 feet above the Dordogne River and surrounding a picturesque 19th-century château with around 150,000 beautifully pruned boxwood trees. Enjoy lunch at the gardens. Then travel to La Roque-Gageac, one of the most beautiful villages in France, and board a traditional flat-bottomed gabare boat to sail along the Dordogne past châteaux, forests and cliffs. Free time to explore La Roque-Gageac before returning to Les Eyzies to dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 3railovernight: Les Eyzies
Free time to explore the Dordogne
A day at leisure coinciding with market day in Sarlat, one of the region's most important and historic towns. Sarlat's Old Town is virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. The market is famed throughout the region with local producers selling duck, goose, walnuts, cheese and fresh produce. Alternatively, a regular train service connects Les Eyzies with Périgueux, the historic capital of the Périgord region. Return to Les Eyzies for dinner in the hotel's bistro with wine pairing.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Les Eyzies
Wine-tasting experience at Château Feely
Free time this morning to explore Les Eyzies, where Cro-Magnons were discovered in 1868. The village and Vézère Valley offer attractions including a Cro-Magnon shelter dating from 40,000 BC, the Prehistory Interpretation Centre and National Museum of Prehistory. In the afternoon, head by coach to the Feely wine estate for a tour of the organic vineyard and a wine-tasting of natural wines. Return to Les Eyzies and dine independently this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5railovernight: Les Eyzies
Beynac & Truffadou steam train
After breakfast, travel by coach to Beynac-et-Cazenac, one of the Dordogne's most beautiful villages with ochre-hued stone cottages lining cobbled streets. Free time to explore, including the option to walk up to the imposing 11th-century château. Later, travel to Martel for a journey on the Truffadou steam train, an eight-mile round trip to Saint Denis on a route carved into the cliffs above the river, with open carriages offering excellent views. Return to Les Eyzies and dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6overnight: Les Eyzies
Lascaux Caves & Rocamadour
Visit the Lascaux Caves (Lascaux IV replica), discovered by four teenagers in 1940 and considered among the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, featuring detailed colourful renderings of animals dating back 17,000–20,000 years. Continue to Rocamadour, a UNESCO-listed village cascading down a huge cliff and an important pilgrimage site, with the Sanctuary of Rocamadour featuring seven chapels and churches. Return to Les Eyzies for a farewell dinner with wine package in the hotel's Gastronomique restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7rail
Homeward bound
Leave Les Eyzies after breakfast and transfer by coach to Angoulême to catch the First Class TGV to Paris. In Paris, board the Eurostar in Plus class, enjoying a light meal at your seat on the way back to London St Pancras, where the holiday concludes.
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 (light meals included)
- First Class TGV rail travel
- All rail, boat and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast each day
- 1 lunch (at Marqueyssac Gardens)
- 3 dinners with wine pairing at the hotel
- All guided tours and excursions
- Wine-tasting at Château Feely vineyard
- Gabare boat cruise on the Dordogne
- Truffadou steam train journey
Not included
- Some evening meals (dine independently on days 2, 4 and 5)
- Optional London hotel stays
- UK rail connections to London St Pancras
- Personal expenses
