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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Marseille by First Class rail

London to Marseille by Eurostar and TGV, five days independent.

Illustration of Marseille by First Class rail

Planet Rail's five-day independent package delivers you from London to the Mediterranean by rail without an escort. You depart London St Pancras by Eurostar Standard Premier, enjoying a light meal and drinks as the train crosses the Channel to Paris. A short private taxi ride takes you to the Gare de Lyon, where you board the high-speed TGV towards Marseille. The train climbs through the changing landscapes of Burgundy and Provence, reaching speeds near 200 mph before arriving in Marseille's great port city. You then have three full days to explore at your own pace: the historic Vieux Port waterfront since 600 BC, Le Panier's narrow streets winding uphill, and the Byzantine Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Cathedral with its panoramic coastal views. On Day 4 you may venture to the fishing village of Cassis and the Calanques, limestone fjords with hidden beaches (cost extra). Your hotel choice is the four-star Grand Hotel Beauvau or five-star InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu. On Day 5 you reverse the journey, taking the TGV back to Paris and Eurostar home to London.

What to know before you look closer

  • The day trip to Cassis and the Calanques is not included in the package price and is payable locally.
  • This is an independent package; no guided tours or escort are provided beyond London and Paris airport transfers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Marseille (Grand Hotel Beauvau or InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu)

    London to Marseille

    Begin at the beautifully restored London St Pancras International station and travel by Eurostar through France to Paris, with a light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier service. On arrival, a private taxi transfer conveys you to the Gare de Lyon to board the high-speed TGV to Marseille at speeds approaching 200mph, through the changing landscapes of Burgundy and Provence. The train pulls into Marseille St Charles station; make your own way on foot or by taxi to your hotel for the next 4 nights, in the heart of Marseille on the Vieux Port.

  2. Day 2overnight: Marseille

    Marseille

    Wander around the Vieux Port area, Marseille's focal point since roughly 600 BC, and marvel at the French architecture along the quais overlooking the docks and their fishing and pleasure boats.

  3. Day 3overnight: Marseille

    Marseille

    Explore Le Panier (Old Town), a warren of a district winding up the hill north of the Vieux Port and said to be the oldest urban quartier in France, and the striking Byzantine architecture of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Cathedral, with excellent panoramic views along the coastline.

  4. Day 4overnight: Marseille

    Marseille

    Venture further afield to Cassis, a picture-postcard fishing village home to the eponymous liqueur, and the Calanques, fjord-like limestone formations famous for crystal-clear waters and hidden beaches and grottos (payable locally). In the evening, enjoy dinner at one of Marseille's seafood restaurants.

  5. Day 5rail

    Marseille to London

    Return to Marseille St Charles station to say farewell to the French Riviera and board the TGV for the journey back to Paris. A private taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord to board the Eurostar for London, with a light meal and drinks served on board, arriving into London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras by Eurostar, cross the Channel to Paris, then board the TGV for a high-speed run through Burgundy and Provence to Marseille at speeds approaching 200 mph.
  • Day 2Wander the Vieux Port, Marseille's waterfront since roughly 600 BC, lined with fishing and pleasure boats and French architecture along the quais.
  • Day 3Explore Le Panier, the oldest urban quarter in France, then climb to the Byzantine Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Cathedral for panoramic coastal views.
  • Day 4Venture to Cassis, a fishing village home to the eponymous liqueur, and the Calanques, fjord-like limestone formations with crystal-clear waters and hidden beaches.

Included

  • First Class return rail travel between London and Marseille (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
  • 4 nights' accommodation with breakfast each day in a twin/double room at the Grand Hotel Beauvau (4 star) or the InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu (5 star)
  • Private return taxi transfers in Paris

Not included

  • Day trip to Cassis and the Calanques (payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. First Class return rail is included: Eurostar Standard Premier from London St Pancras to Paris, and a TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Marseille St Charles (return).
Is the trip escorted or independent?
Independent and tailor-made. Planet Rail provides private taxi transfers in Paris but no guided tours or accompanying escort.
What accommodation is included?
Four nights in a twin or double room at either the four-star Grand Hotel Beauvau or the five-star InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu, with breakfast daily.
What is not included?
The optional day trip to Cassis and the Calanques is payable locally. Meals other than breakfast and light meals on the trains are not included.
When does it run?
Planet Rail publishes no departure calendar in the available information; contact them directly to confirm available dates.
How much walking is involved?
Expect city walking tours of the Vieux Port, Le Panier (Old Town), and a hill climb to Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Cathedral. Casual strolls around Cassis and the Calanques are optional.

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