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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Nice & The Côte d'Azur by First Class Rail – Summer

London to Nice by Eurostar and TGV, four nights on the French Riviera

Illustration of Nice & The Côte d'Azur by First Class Rail – Summer

Planet Rail operates this five-day independent rail holiday to Nice for travellers seeking Mediterranean sunshine without a tour guide. The journey begins at London St Pancras with Eurostar in Standard Premier Class, crosses the Channel at 300km/h, and continues from Paris via TGV First Class through the Provence foothills to the Côte d'Azur. You spend four nights in Nice with breakfast at a choice of four-star or five-star hotels, then explore at your own pace. Days two, three and four invite wandering the Old Town's Baroque churches and boutiques, strolling the Promenade des Anglais to view the château ruins, and optionally visiting nearby Cannes, Monte Carlo or St Tropez by local train or bus. The return journey retraces your route on Day 5, with TGV and Eurostar handling the logistics and meals served on board. This suits independent travellers, first-time rail users, and couples who prefer a fixed base with freedom to choose their daily activities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotel choice depends on availability and tier selected; Planet Rail lists four options in Nice (Le Grimaldi, Splendid, La Pérouse, Palais de la Méditerranée) with sea view upgrades available at higher-tier properties.
  • Days 2, 3 and 4 are unguided; you arrange your own activities and transport to nearby towns, no group excursions included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Nice (Hotel Le Grimaldi)

    London to Nice

    Begin at London St Pancras International station and board the Eurostar, with a light meal and drinks served in Standard Premier Class as you travel through England and into France at speeds of up to 300km/h. At the Gare du Nord, a taxi transfer whisks you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon for the onward high-speed TGV journey south through France to Nice, passing the foothills of the Provence-Alps towards the Côte d'Azur and the Mediterranean. On arrival, make your own way on foot or by taxi to the Hotel Le Grimaldi (4 star), close to the beach and the Promenade des Anglais.

  2. Day 2overnight: Nice (Hotel Le Grimaldi)

    Nice and the Côte d'Azur

    Soak up the ambience of Nice by meandering through the Cours Saleya, with its farmers', flower and antique markets, before a stroll into the Old Town, with its smart shops and boutiques.

  3. Day 3overnight: Nice (Hotel Le Grimaldi)

    Nice and the Côte d'Azur

    Walk east along the Promenade des Anglais and take the lift or stairs up to the château, a collection of ruins commanding a glorious view across Nice and the coastline. For a cultural twist, visit the Matisse and Chagall museums or the imposing Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a national monument and landmark of Nice.

  4. Day 4overnight: Nice (Hotel Le Grimaldi)

    Nice and the Côte d'Azur

    Venture further afield on the Côte d'Azur, spoilt for choice among attractive coastal towns such as Cannes, Monte Carlo and St Tropez.

  5. Day 5rail

    Nice to London

    After a leisurely breakfast, make your way back to Nice railway station for the return journey by TGV via Paris in the comfort of your First Class seat. A private taxi takes you across Paris to connect with the Eurostar service to London, with a light meal and drinks served on board, arriving into London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar at London St Pancras in Standard Premier Class, travel through England and into France at 300km/h, then ride the TGV First Class south through Provence towards the Côte d'Azur coastline to arrive in Nice.
  • Day 2Wander the Cours Saleya farmers', flower and antique markets, then explore the Old Town's narrow streets, Baroque churches and boutiques.
  • Day 3Walk along the Promenade des Anglais and climb to the château ruins for views across Nice and the Mediterranean, or visit the Matisse and Chagall museums or Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
  • Day 4Day trip to coastal towns such as Cannes, Monte Carlo or St Tropez from your base in Nice.

Included

  • First Class return rail from London to Nice via Paris (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
  • 4 nights' accommodation with breakfast each day in a twin/double room at the Hotel Le Grimaldi (4 star), the Splendid Hotel (4 star), the Hotel La Pérouse (4 star, with a superior sea view option) or the Palais de la Méditerranée (5 star, with partial or full sea view options)
  • Private taxi transfers in Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of £995 includes Eurostar Standard Premier from London to Paris, TGV First Class from Paris to Nice (return), and private taxi transfers across Paris.
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
Independent, tailor-made. You are not travelling with a guide group. Days in Nice are unguided; you explore at your own pace.
Which hotels are included?
Four nights' accommodation with breakfast at one of four hotels: Hotel Le Grimaldi (4 star), Splendid Hotel (4 star), Hotel La Pérouse (4 star, with optional sea view), or Palais de la Méditerranée (5 star, with optional partial or full sea view).
What is not included?
Meals beyond breakfast, day trip transport or admission fees to museums, lifts or stairs at the château, and any activities in Cannes, Monte Carlo or St Tropez.
When does this trip run?
This summer package runs in the June to September season, though Planet Rail does not publish a specific departure calendar; confirm dates when enquiring.

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