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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Grand 'Tour de France' by First Class rail

First-Class rail loop from London through five French cities in twelve days

Illustration of Grand 'Tour de France' by First Class rail

Planet Rail's Grand Tour de France is a 12-day self-guided rail holiday for travellers who want to explore France's most compelling cities without joining a group. You depart London St Pancras on Eurostar in Standard Premier service, arriving in Lille to spend your first night in the four-star L'Hermitage Gantois, a short walk from the Grand Place. From there, the journey unfolds over five TGV First Class rail legs: south to Lyon, where you spend three nights sampling the restaurants of France's gastronomic capital; further south to Marseille on the Mediterranean, with time to visit the Vieux Port and the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde; west to Bordeaux, where the UNESCO World Heritage old town and regenerated riverfront occupy your three nights; and finally north to Paris for a last night near the Canal Saint-Martin before Eurostar carries you home. All hotels are four-star properties. Because Planet Rail runs this as an independent package, you plan your own museum visits, walking routes, and dining. The pace is relaxed, with three consecutive nights in each major city, giving you genuine time to move at your own tempo.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a self-guided tour with no escorted group activities or local guides. You arrange your own daily itineraries in each city and cover entrance fees separately.
  • The from-price of GBP 1,695 is per person based on low season (November to February) and assumes two people travelling together. Single occupancy and high-season dates will cost significantly more.
  • Day 7 mentions an optional excursion to Cassis and the Calanques; this requires arranging your own transport locally and is not included in the package.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lille

    London to Lille

    From London St Pancras International travel by Eurostar to Lille at speeds of up to 186mph, with a light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier service. Make your own way to the Hotel l'Hermitage Gantois, a 5-minute walk from La Grande Place, then explore Lille's old town: the Palais Rihour, the Vieille Bourse, the Cathedral Notre-Dame de la Treille and the Hospice Comtesse.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lyon

    Lille to Lyon

    After breakfast return to Lille Europe station and continue by TGV south through France to Lyon. Check in for 3 nights at the Grand Hotel des Terreaux, located between the Rhone and the Saone. This evening choose from the high quality restaurants of France's capital of gastronomy.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lyon

    Lyon

    Visit the Old Town and the Croix-Rousse quarter, now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and uncover its narrow cobbled streets and trademark traboules, alleyways used by silk workers and, later on, the Resistance during World War II.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lyon

    Lyon

    Further explore Lyon: perhaps the huge 16th-century Gothic cathedral and astrological clock on Place St. Jean, the funicular to the landmark Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere, or museums including the Centre d'Histoire de la Resistance et de la Deportation.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Marseille

    Lyon to Marseille

    From Lyon Part-Dieu station take the TGV service to Marseille, France's oldest city on the Mediterranean. Make your own way to the Grand Hotel Beauvau, a charming and elegant hotel in the heart of Marseille on the Vieux Port, for a 3 night stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Marseille

    Marseille

    Wander around the Vieux Port area, Marseille's focal point since roughly 600 BC, and the Panier (Old Town), a warren of a district claiming to be the oldest urban quartier in France. The striking Byzantine Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde offers panoramic views along the coastline and out to sea.

  7. Day 7overnight: Marseille

    Marseille

    Venture further afield along the coastline to Cassis, a small picture-postcard fishing village, and the Calanques, fjord-like limestone formations famous for their crystal-clear waters, hidden beaches and grottos. In the evening sample the famous bouillabaisse at one of Marseille's seafood restaurants.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Bordeaux

    Marseille to Bordeaux

    From the Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles join the TGV service west to the Atlantic coast and Bordeaux. The page's itinerary names the Grand Hotel de Bordeaux and Spa for the 3 night stay; this evening stroll the old town or dine in the hotel restaurant Le Pressoir d'Argent.

  9. Day 9overnight: Bordeaux

    Bordeaux

    Discover the UNESCO World Heritage old town, renowned as an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble of the 18th century, and the regenerated Riverfront where old warehouses have become jaunty bars and cafes, leading to the Pont de Pierre with spectacular views across the river at dusk.

  10. Day 10overnight: Bordeaux

    Bordeaux

    From the Place de la Bourse at the heart of the old town centre, stroll ancient streets of bistros, boutiques and vintage shops. The Musee d'Aquitaine and Musee des Beaux Arts cover the city's history and European art, or relax in the Jardin Public with its botanical garden.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Paris

    Bordeaux to Paris

    Travel north on the superfast TGV to the Gare de Lyon, where a private taxi transfers you to the Hotel Le Mareuil, an eco-friendly hotel near the Canal Saint-Martin. This evening explore along the Seine past the Ile St. Louis to the Rive Gauche, or visit the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, the Centre Pompidou or the Marais.

  12. Day 12rail

    Free time in Paris and homeward bound

    After breakfast perhaps take a trip up the Eiffel Tower or along the Seine aboard one of the Bateaux Mouches (payable locally). Your private transfer to the Gare du Nord heralds the journey home by Eurostar to London St Pancras, with a light meal and drinks on board.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St Pancras at speeds up to 186 mph, arriving in Lille with light meal and drinks in Standard Premier service.
  • Day 3Explore Lyon's Croix-Rousse quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its narrow cobbled streets and traboules, the alleyways used by silk workers and Resistance fighters during World War II.
  • Day 6Wander Marseille's Vieux Port, the focal point of France's oldest city since roughly 600 BC, and visit the striking Byzantine Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde for panoramic views along the coastline.
  • Day 8Board the TGV west from Marseille to Bordeaux on the Atlantic coast, then stroll the UNESCO World Heritage old town or dine in the hotel restaurant Le Pressoir d'Argent.
  • Day 11Travel north on the superfast TGV to Paris, where a private taxi transfers you to the eco-friendly Hotel Le Mareuil near Canal Saint-Martin.

Included

  • First Class rail travel throughout, on daytime trains
  • Eurostar Standard Premier between London and France with light meal and drinks served on board
  • 11 nights hotel accommodation: 1 night Lille, 3 nights Lyon, 3 nights Marseille, 3 nights Bordeaux, 1 night Paris
  • Private taxi transfers in Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. All First Class rail fares on TGV trains within France are included, as is Eurostar Standard Premier from London St Pancras to Lille and return from Paris to London.
Which hotels are included?
Planet Rail books four-star hotels: L'Hermitage Gantois in Lille (1 night), Grand Hotel des Terreaux in Lyon (3 nights), Grand Hotel Beauvau in Marseille (3 nights), Best Western Premier Hotel Bayonne Etche Ona in Bordeaux (3 nights), and Hotel Le Mareuil in Paris (1 night).
Is this an escorted tour?
No. Planet Rail describes this as independent and self-guided. You make your own way to hotels on arrival (except Paris, where a private taxi transfer is provided) and plan your own daily activities in each city.
How much time do I spend in each city?
One night in Lille, three nights each in Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux, and one night in Paris. Travel days include train departures and afternoon or evening arrivals.
What is not included in the price?
Museum and attraction entrance fees, meals outside the hotel (except light refreshments on Eurostar), local transport, and optional activities such as the Calanques excursion are not included.
When does the tour run?
Planet Rail advertises low-season pricing from November to February. Check their website for departure dates and pricing in other seasons.

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