Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Journées du Patrimoine on the Vivarais

Journées du Patrimoine on the Vivarais, a rail journey with Ffestiniog Travel

This tour capitalises on France’s annual Journées du Patrimoine when the public gain free access to the country’s buildings, landmarks and monuments

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.

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

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