Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of France

Grand Tour of France, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

Embark on a journey for the senses, delving into the flavors, scents and famous views of France.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lyon

    Beginning your journey in Lyon

    Arrive independently in Lyon and check into the hotel; meet the Tour Manager and group for a first dinner together.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Lyon

    Exploring Lyon, France's gastronomical capital

    Guided sightseeing tour of Old Town (Vieux Lyon), a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a tasting at a local bouchon; afternoon free with a Lyon City Card.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  3. Day 3railovernight: Nice

    By First Class rail to glamorous Nice

    First Class train to Aix-en-Provence, changing trains to continue to Nice on the Côte d'Azur, for a two-night stay.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Nice

    Discovering Nice & the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

    Visit the Matisse Museum in the Cimiez Quarter, then the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its nine themed gardens.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Avignon

    Perfume history in Grasse & papal Avignon

    Travel to Grasse to visit the Fragonard Parfumerie perfume-making museum, then continue to Avignon, checking in near the Palais des Papes.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Toulouse

    Exploring Avignon & the citadel of Carcassonne

    Walking tour of Avignon (Pont St. Bénezet), then coach to the medieval walled city of Carcassonne for a guided tour, continuing to Toulouse.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Sarlat

    'Pink City' of Toulouse to honey-hued Sarlat

    Guided walking tour of Toulouse (La Ville Rose), then coach into the Dordogne to the medieval town of Sarlat.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Sarlat

    Culinary tour of Sarlat & Les Jardins Marqueyssac

    Guided food tour of Sarlat, then visit Les Jardins Marqueyssac's 17th-century château gardens and the riverside town of La Roque-Gageac.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Bordeaux

    St. Émilion wine tasting & Bordeaux tour

    Coach into the St. Émilion wine region for a tasting and lunch at Château Ambe Tour Pourret, then a guided walking tour of Bordeaux.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  10. Day 10railovernight: Paris

    Free time in Bordeaux before the TGV to Paris

    Free morning in Bordeaux (optional Cité du Vin museum), then First Class TGV train to Paris, checking into a hotel in Le Marais.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: Paris

    A glittering array of iconic French sights in Paris

    Guided coach sightseeing tour taking in the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Champs-Élysées; farewell dinner in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  12. Day 12

    Traveling home

    Tour concludes after breakfast; check out and travel home independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 11 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 2 lunches, 5 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Lyon to Nice, Bordeaux to Paris
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

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