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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Luxury Break to Carcassonne by First Class rail

Five-day First Class rail break from London to medieval Carcassonne

Illustration of Luxury Break to Carcassonne by First Class rail

Planet Rail's Luxury Break to Carcassonne is a five-day tailor-made rail holiday for independent travellers seeking comfort and cultural immersion without a tour guide. You depart London on Eurostar in Standard Premier, then travel First Class on the TGV through Paris and down to Narbonne before connecting by regional train to the medieval fortress city of Carcassonne. You spend four nights at the 5-star Hotel de la Cité, positioned within the walled citadel itself, giving you intimate access to the cobbled streets, drawbridges, towers, and the 14th-century Pont Vieux. The itinerary allows three full days to explore at your own pace, with optional day trips by train to nearby UNESCO-listed sites such as Arles or Avignon. Private taxi transfers in Paris handle your connection between stations. This package suits seasoned rail travellers, couples seeking a romantic break, and history enthusiasts drawn to medieval architecture and the landscapes of southern France.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a tailor-made package with independent, self-guided exploration; there is no group leader or organised activities beyond the rail travel and hotel stays
  • The price is per person based on two travelling together in low season on a Sunday; single traveller costs and other departure dates are not specified in the operator information

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Carcassonne

    London to Carcassonne

    Your holiday begins this morning at the 'cathedral of railways', the wonderfully restored London St. Pancras International, as you travel by Eurostar to Paris with a light meal and drinks served in your Standard Premier service. On arrival at the Gare du Nord your private taxi transfer takes you to the Gare de Lyon where you continue your journey southwards through France to Narbonne. Here you connect with the InterCity service to the nearby beautiful walled city of Carcassonne. On arrival, make your way to the elegant Hotel de la Cité (5 star) for your four-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Carcassonne

    Discovering Carcassonne

    Make the most of three full days to explore this magnificent city. Set high up on a hill, Carcassonne's ancient walled city is a fairy-tale collection of drawbridges, towers and atmospheric cobbled streets, reputedly the inspiration for Walt Disney's The Sleeping Beauty. The citadel of the upper town is the major sight, with the lower town (Ville Basse) dating back to the Middle Ages and featuring typically French bars, cafés, restaurants and charming boutiques.

  3. Day 3overnight: Carcassonne

    Discovering Carcassonne

    Once you have explored the upper town, why not enjoy a picnic by the Pont Vieux and the banks of the Aude? The bridge dates from the fourteenth century and boasts a Gothic chapel at its western end dating from 1538.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Carcassonne

    Discovering Carcassonne

    Should you wish to venture further afield, you could take the train to nearby Arles, once home to Vincent van Gogh, whose Roman centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Another popular option is Avignon, with its fascinating walled old town.

  5. Day 5rail

    Return to London - Homeward bound

    Today you bid farewell to Carcassonne as you join the InterCity train to Bordeaux, where you connect with the high-speed TGV service back to Paris Gare Montparnasse. In the French capital you are transferred by private taxi to the Gare du Nord where you join the Eurostar back to London, enjoying a light meal and drinks before your arrival into London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St Pancras International in Standard Premier, then a TGV First Class train carries you south through France to Narbonne, with a connection to Carcassonne by InterCity rail
  • Day 2Explore the walled citadel of Carcassonne set on its hilltop, with drawbridges, towers, and atmospheric cobbled streets
  • Day 3Picnic by the Pont Vieux, a 14th-century bridge with a Gothic chapel added in 1538, overlooking the Aude river
  • Day 4Optional day trip by train to nearby Arles, former home to Vincent van Gogh and a UNESCO World Heritage site, or to the walled old town of Avignon

Included

  • First Class Rail travel throughout your journey (Standard Premier on Eurostar)
  • 4 nights in a 5-star hotel in Carcassonne
  • Private taxi transfers in Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar (Standard Premier class), TGV First Class from Paris to Narbonne and return, and InterCity trains between Narbonne and Carcassonne and Carcassonne and Bordeaux.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Independent and self-guided. Planet Rail arranges your rail travel, hotel, and private taxi transfers in Paris, but you explore Carcassonne on your own schedule with three full days there.
Which hotel is included?
Hotel de la Cité Carcassonne, an MGallery Collection 5-star property, for 4 nights.
What is the base price and when does it run?
From £1,395 per person (approximately USD 1,863) for two people sharing a twin or double room in low season, departing on a Sunday. Specific departure dates are not listed in the operator information.
What activities are included in Carcassonne?
The hotel stay is included, and you have three free days to explore independently. The itinerary suggests visiting the citadel and Ville Basse, picnicking by the Pont Vieux, or taking optional day trips by train to Arles or Avignon (at your own cost).
Are meals included?
Light meals and drinks are served on the Eurostar trains. No other meals are mentioned as included; the package specifies fine cuisine available in Carcassonne.

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