Authentic Europe · Self-guided tour

Grand Tour of France by Train

Self-guided rail circuit through Paris, Bordeaux, the Riviera and Alsace

Grand Tour of France by Train, a rail journey with Authentic Europe

Authentic Europe runs this 15-day, self-guided rail trip in a loop from Paris through six more French cities before returning to Paris to end. After two days in the capital, the trip heads by train to Bordeaux for a day exploring the vineyards, then continues by rail along the Mediterranean coast to Marseille and Nice, with a day free to explore the French Riviera. From Nice the route turns inland to Avignon in Provence, then to Lyon, described in the itinerary as France's capital of gastronomy, and on to Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, before the final train ride back to Paris on day 14. Every city change is by train with a reserved seat included, and most stops include two nights, so travelers settle in before moving on. Because the trip is self-guided, there is no tour escort; travelers manage their own days and connections. This suits independent travelers who want to see a wide cross-section of France by rail without following a group schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • Tourist taxes are not included in the price and must be paid locally.
  • The evidence names hotels only in Nice (Hotel Nice Beau Rivage) and one further hotel (Hotel du Simplon) whose city is not stated; hotels for the rest of the seven-city circuit are not specified.
  • This is a self-guided trip: there is no tour escort, and travelers navigate all seven train changes and hotel check-ins on their own.
  • The evidence pack does not list specific departure dates; confirm scheduling with Authentic Europe before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Arrival in Paris, the capital of France

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Day at leisure in Paris

  3. Day 3railovernight: Bordeaux

    Train from Paris to Bordeaux

  4. Day 4overnight: Bordeaux

    Explore Bordeaux and the vineyards

  5. Day 5railovernight: Marseille

    Scenic journey by train from Bordeaux to Marseille

  6. Day 6railovernight: Nice

    Train along the coast from Marseille to Nice

  7. Day 7overnight: Nice

    Explore Nice and the French Riviera

  8. Day 8railovernight: Avignon

    Train from Nice to Avignon in the heart of Provence

  9. Day 9overnight: Avignon

    Day at leisure in Avignon

  10. Day 10railovernight: Lyon

    Train from Avignon to Lyon

  11. Day 11overnight: Lyon

    Explore Lyon, France's capital of gastronomy

  12. Day 12railovernight: Strasbourg

    Train from Lyon to Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace

  13. Day 13overnight: Strasbourg

    Day at leisure in Strasbourg

  14. Day 14railovernight: Paris

    Train from Strasbourg to Paris

  15. Day 15

    Departure from Paris

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The first rail leg of the trip runs by train from Paris to Bordeaux.
  • Day 4The day is spent exploring Bordeaux and its vineyards.
  • Day 6The train travels along the coast from Marseille to Nice.
  • Day 10The train continues from Avignon to Lyon, France's capital of gastronomy.
  • Day 12The train reaches Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace.

Included

  • 14 nights hotel accommodation in a standard room with private shower/WC, including breakfast
  • Train tickets as per the itinerary, reserved seats onboard
  • Electronic travel documentation, including a detailed travel itinerary and travel vouchers
  • Access to our 24/7 emergency phone service while travelling

Not included

  • Tourist taxes (not included, must be paid locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Authentic Europe includes train tickets with reserved seats for all seven rail legs of the itinerary, connecting Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Avignon, Lyon and Strasbourg.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It's self-guided. There is no tour escort; travelers make their own way between cities and manage their own sightseeing.
Which hotels are used?
The evidence names Hotel du Simplon and Hotel Nice Beau Rivage (in Nice); the cities and hotels for the rest of the trip are not specified.
What is not included?
Tourist taxes, which are paid locally in each city.
How long is the trip?
15 days and 14 nights.
Can I extend my stay?
Yes. Extra nights are available in Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Lyon and Strasbourg at listed per-night prices.

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