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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Journées du Patrimoine on the Vivarais

Five-day escorted rail tour of France's heritage-focused Vivarais network

Illustration of Journées du Patrimoine on the Vivarais

Ffestiniog Travel operates this five-day escorted rail tour to southeastern France, timed to coincide with Journées du Patrimoine, the annual heritage weekend when France's landmarks and heritage sites open to the public. The journey begins with a mainline train from London St Pancras through Lille to Lyon, followed by a train to Saint-Étienne for a private guided tour of the Musée des Transports Urbains, a museum exploring 120 years of the city's tram system. The heart of the trip is two days exploring the Vivarais heritage railway network on both the Rhone-side and Loire-side lines, with the possibility of riding steam locomotives, railcars, and other heritage trains during the festival weekend. You stay in Tournon, a town on the Rhone, for three nights, and a tour leader from Ffestiniog accompanies the group from London throughout. All rail travel in Standard Class, coach transfers to remote locations, accommodation, and three evening meals are included in the price of £1,695 per person.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is listed: September 2027.
  • The itinerary notes that Journées du Patrimoine details are still under wraps; confirm the exact trains and schedule with Ffestiniog Travel before booking.
  • The trip includes three evening meals but most lunches are not mentioned; check what meals beyond breakfast are covered.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lyon

    Rail to Lyon

    Leaving London St Pancras mid-morning, we travel via Lille to Lyon for a 1-night stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Tournon

    Continue to Tournon

    Enjoy some free time before taking a late morning train from Lyon to Saint-Étienne where we are met by our private coach. Saint-Étienne operates the oldest continuously operating tram system in France and so our first stop will be the Musée des Transports Urbains – a museum dedicated to telling the story of the city’s trams over the last 120 years – we will enjoy a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Afterwards, we continue to Tournon by road for a 3-night stay, dinner is included every evening.

  3. Day 3overnight: Tournon

    Steam on the Vivarais

    Whilst details of the Journées du Patrimoine are still under wraps, you can be confident that there will be special events running. We shall seek to offer travel on both the Rhone (Tournon, St Jean de Muzols to Lamastre) section, and the Loire-side lines operated as the Voies du Velay. Past experience suggests options for journeys with steam locomotives (both sections have Mallets), railcars, and locotracteurs. There is also the possibility of descending Les Etroits by vélorail (cycle railcar).

  4. Day 4overnight: Tournon

    Steam on the Vivarais

    A second day of special Journées du Patrimoine events on the Vivarais network, exploring the remaining lines on either side of the Rhone-Loire watershed.

  5. Day 5rail

    Homeward Bound

    We take a morning coach back to Valence where we begin our rail journey back to London via Lille. We arrive into St Pancras late afternoon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Private guided tour of the Musée des Transports Urbains in Saint-Étienne, exploring 120 years of the city's tram history.
  • Day 3Steam trains on the Vivarais network's Rhone-side lines between Tournon and Lamastre, including heritage locomotives and railcars during Journées du Patrimoine.
  • Day 4A second day exploring the Loire-side lines of the Vivarais network (Voies du Velay) with further heritage train operations during the festival weekend.

Included

  • All rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • 3 evening meals
  • 2-days on the Vivarais network
  • All coach transfers as specified
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of £1,695 includes all rail travel in Standard Class from London St Pancras to Lyon, Saint-Étienne, Valence, and on the Vivarais network. First Class rail upgrade is available on request subject to availability.
Who leads the tour?
Ffestiniog Travel provides a tour leader from London who remains with the group throughout the five days.
What trains will we ride?
The itinerary includes mainline trains from London to Lyon and back, a train from Lyon to Saint-Étienne, and two days on the heritage Vivarais network (both Rhone-side and Loire-side lines). Past experience suggests options for steam locomotives, railcars, and locotracteurs, though final details are pending.
What is included in the accommodation?
One night at the Mercure Lyon Centre Gare Part Dieu in Lyon and three nights at the Logis Hotel Azalées in Tournon. Bed and breakfast is provided daily. Three evening meals are included over the tour.
When does this trip run?
Currently one departure is listed in September 2027, timed to coincide with Journées du Patrimoine, France's annual heritage weekend.
How much walking is involved?
The tour centres on train and coach travel. Days include a private museum tour and transfers to heritage railway locations; moderate mobility to board trains and move around sites is expected, but the itinerary does not describe strenuous hikes.

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