Great Rail Journeys
Biarritz & Bordeaux Cruise
Ten-day escorted French trip pairing rail travel with a Bordeaux river cruise
10 daysfrom $4,005
40% rail
Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday
Grand 'Tour de France' by First Class rail
Discover the highlights of France on a first-class rail tour, from Paris and Provence to the Riviera and Bordeaux.
Day by day
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
