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Rail Escape

French Riviera Tour: Sun & Sea

Nine-day coastal rail tour from Nice to Montpellier via Cannes and Marseille

Illustration of French Riviera Tour: Sun & Sea

Rail Escape's French Riviera Tour spans nine days along the Mediterranean coast of southern France, beginning in Nice and concluding in Montpellier, with first-class rail stops in Cannes and Marseille. The journey balances guided rail travel with unguided city exploration, allowing you to discover each destination at your own pace. Days one and two in Nice invite you to stroll the Promenade des Anglais and browse the flower markets of the Old Town; day three brings a short train ride to Cannes and the famous seaside Promenade de la Croisette. Marseille occupies days four and five, centered on the historic Vieux Port with its museums, churches, and Roman ruins. Your final three nights are based in Montpellier, a southern French city with a grand 14th-century cathedral, botanical gardens, and a distinctive arched aqueduct. Throughout, you stay in four-star hotels near train stations, receive daily breakfast, and enjoy airport transfers. The itinerary suits couples and luxury-seeking travelers who prefer rail comfort to independent hotel-hopping, as well as those interested in regional food, markets, and Provençal towns.

What to know before you look closer

  • Lunch and dinner are not included; you arrange and pay for all meals beyond daily breakfast.
  • Entrance fees to museums, cathedrals, and attractions are not included and must be paid separately.
  • Some regional trains may offer only second-class seating despite the package naming first-class rail travel.
  • No current departure dates are listed; confirm availability and dates directly with Rail Escape before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Nice

    Arrive in Nice

    Welcome to the beautiful French Riviera! After checking into your hotel in Nice for two nights, ypu can spend your afternoon strolling along the iconic Promenade des Anglais and exploring the charming Old Town with its vibrant flower and food markets. [Night in Nice]

  2. Day 2overnight: Nice

    Highlights of Nice

    Today, experience the top attractions in Nice like the Russian Orthodox Cathedral with its ornate onion domes, the grand Place Masséna, and the Cours Saleya markets. You could also visit hilltop gardens like Parc de la Colline du Château for panoramic views over the city and coastline. [Night in Nice]

  3. Day 3railovernight: Cannes

    Travel to Cannes

    After breakfast, depart Nice and take the short train ride to the glamorous city of Cannes. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and spend the afternoon strolling along the iconic seaside Promenade de la Croisette, seeing luxury hotels and the Palais des Festivals where the famous Cannes Film Festival is held. [Night in Cannes]

  4. Day 4railovernight: Marseille

    Journey to Marseille

    Leave Cannes and take the train to the historic port city of Marseille. After checking into your hotel for two nights, get oriented by visiting the lively Vieux Port (Old Port) area and seeing sights like the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde hilltop church. [Night in Marseille]

  5. Day 5overnight: Marseille

    Exploring Marseille

    Today, experience more top attractions in Marseille like the Roman ruins at Le Parc Longchamp, the modern architecture of Le Mucem museum along the Old Port, and the preserved neighborhood of Le Panier. If desired, you could take a day trip to the classic Provençal towns of Arles, Avignon or Aix-en-Provence. [Night in Marseille]

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montpellier

    Travel to Montpellier

    After breakfast, depart Marseille and take the train west to Montpellier. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel for a three-night stay. Spend the afternoon strolling through the historic center of Montpellier and seeing highlights like the 14th century Cathédrale Saint-Pierre. [Night in Montpellier]

  7. Day 7overnight: Montpellier

    Montpellier's Highlights

    Today, further explore the sights of Montpellier, including the grand Place de la Comédie with its ornate opera house, the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens, and the Promenade du Peyrou with its famous arched aqueduct. You may also want to visit local museums like the Musée Fabre. [Night in Montpellier]

  8. Day 8overnight: Montpellier

    More of Montpellier

    With another full day in this southern French city, you can visit any attractions you missed or take a half-day trip to nearby destinations like the charming town of Sète along the Mediterranean coast or the fortified city of Aigues-Mortes. [Night in Montpellier]

  9. Day 9

    Depart Montpellier

    Enjoy your final morning in Montpellier visiting any last sights or simply relaxing at a cafe terrace and soaking in the lively atmosphere before departing the Occitanie region.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Stroll the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and browse the flower and food markets in the Old Town.
  • Day 2Visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and climb to Parc de la Colline du Château for panoramic views of the coast.
  • Day 3Travel by train to Cannes and walk the Promenade de la Croisette past luxury hotels and the Palais des Festivals.
  • Day 4Arrive in Marseille and explore the Vieux Port, then visit the hilltop Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde.
  • Day 8From Montpellier, take a half-day trip to the Mediterranean town of Sète or the walled city of Aigues-Mortes.

Included

  • Welcome Package: Receive a personalized welcome package upon arrival, including travel essentials and detailed itinerary information to ensure a seamless start to your journey.
  • First-Class Rail Travel: Experience the ultimate in comfort and style with first-class rail travel throughout your itinerary. Please note that some regional trains may only offer second-class seating.
  • 4-Star Plus Hotel Accommodation: Enjoy luxurious 4-star-plus accommodations in all cities, conveniently located near train stations for easy access and maximum convenience.
  • Daily Breakfast: Start each day with a delicious full breakfast, provided at all hotel accommodations, offering a variety of local and international options.
  • Airport Transfers: Enjoy hassle-free airport transfers upon arrival and departure, ensuring a smooth and stress-free travel experience.

Not included

  • International Airfare: Flights to and from Europe are not included in the package price. Rail Escape can offer an additional reservation of flights.
  • Excursions Activities and Entrance Fees: Any tours, excursions, or activities are not included and may incur additional costs.
  • Meals Beyond Breakfast: While a full breakfast is provided daily, lunch, dinner, and any additional meals or snacks are not included and are the guest’s responsibility.
  • Local taxes or fees: The packages do not include additional local taxes or fees, such as hotel tourism taxes.
  • Personal Expenses: Personal shopping, souvenirs, and additional hotel services (e.g., minibar, laundry, room service) are not covered.
  • Tips and Gratuities: Gratuities for hotel staff, guides, and drivers are not included and are at the guest’s discretion.
  • Local Transportation: Transportation within cities, such as taxis, buses, and subways, is not included.

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. Rail Escape includes first-class rail travel throughout the itinerary, though some regional trains may only offer second-class seating. Airport transfers are also included.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is provided at your hotel. Lunch, dinner, and other meals are not included and are your responsibility.
Which hotels will I stay in?
Hôtel Nice Excelsior (Nice, 2 nights), Hotel Renoir (Cannes, 1 night), Mercure Marseille Centre Vieux Port (Marseille, 2 nights), and BW Plus Hotel Comedie Saint-Roch (Montpellier, 3 nights). All are 3- or 4-star properties near train stations.
Is this tour guided or independent?
The itinerary is largely unguided; you explore each city on your own. A welcome package and detailed itinerary are provided. Optional day trips from Marseille and Montpellier are suggested but not included.
What is not included in the package?
International airfare, entrance fees to museums and attractions, meals other than breakfast, local transportation within cities (taxis, buses, subways), tips and gratuities, and personal expenses are all separate.

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