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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Paris, Normandy, The Loire Valley, and Bordeaux

Nine-day independent rail trip through Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, Bordeaux

Illustration of Paris, Normandy, The Loire Valley, and Bordeaux

Railbookers operates this nine-day, eight-night independent rail vacation across four regions of France, starting and ending in Paris with stops in Bayeux, Tours, and Bordeaux. Trains connect each stop on SNCF's network, including the high-speed TGV between Tours and Bordeaux and again from Bordeaux back to Paris. Most days are self-directed, guided by suggestions such as visiting the Bayeux Tapestry or the Cathedrale St-Gatien in Tours, but day 3 brings a private guided tour of the D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches, including the Normandy American Cemetery, Pointe du Hoc, and Omaha Beach. In the Loire Valley, a day tour visits the chateaux of Chenonceau and Chambord with lunch and wine tasting included, and in Bordeaux a full-day tour explores three Saint-Emilion vineyards. Paris bookends the trip with one night at the start and one at the end, rather than a single extended stay. This suits travelers who want an independent trip built around history, chateaux, and wine, with just one guided excursion.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator lists 23 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than fixed hotels, so the final hotel in each city depends on the tier chosen at booking; the sample ranges from Novotel and Holiday Inn to the five-star Sofitel Le Scribe in Paris.
  • The two nights in Paris are split, one night at the start of the trip and one at the end, rather than two consecutive nights.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    Welcome to Paris! Make your way to your hotel for a 1-night stay. After you have checked in, visit the Eiffel Tower, where you will have priority entrance for a spectacular view of the City of Lights!

  2. Day 2overnight: Bayeux

    Paris to Bayeux

    Make your way to the station for your journey west to the historic town of Bayeux and once settled at your hotel perhaps visit the fascinating Bayeux Tapestry; an ancient, embroidered cloth telling the story of the Normandy Conquest of England. Bayeux itself is has a beautiful centre of cobbled streets and half-timbered houses housing some great traditional restaurants for dinner.

  3. Day 3overnight: Bayeux

    Bayeux and The Normandy Landing Beaches

    Today you embark on a private tour led by a passionate guide of some of the most important sites in our country's history. Your tour will include such sites as the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Pointe du Hoc, and Omaha Beach before returning to Bayeux. In the evening perhaps take a stroll to the vast Bayeux Commonwealth War Cemetery to pay your respects to the fallen.

  4. Day 4overnight: Tours

    Bayeux to Tours

    Travel from Bayeux to the university town of tours today. Once checked in head out to explore its pretty centre and visit the vast and flamboyant Cathedrale St-Gatien perhaps, or maybe visit its superb fine-arts museum featuring an amazing collection including paintings by Delacroix, Degas, Monet, and Rembrandt.

  5. Day 5overnight: Tours

    The Loire Valley

    Make your way to the tourist Office in the town centre today to embark on an amazing day tour. You will enjoy visits of the breath-taking Chateau du Chenonceau and mesmerizing Chateau du Chambord, as well as the picturesque town of Amboise. Lunch and wine tasting is included in Les Caves Duhard and the views throughout the Garden of France are unforgettable.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Bordeaux

    Tours to Bordeaux

    Take the short journey from tours to St Pierre-des-Corps where you can take the highspeed TGV to Bordeaux, your home for the next 2 nights. Relax and enjoy your time in this beautiful city, but in the evening be sure to pay a visit the Miroir d'eau for an amazing photo opportunity.

  7. Day 7overnight: Bordeaux

    Saint-Emilion

    You will be driven out of the city today to the medieval city of Saint-Emilion for a special day of wine tasting and sightseeing. You will explore the surrounding vineyards visiting 3 separate Chateaux's for the opportunity to taste and buy some of the worlds finest wines, but also enjoy free time in the historic centre for a taste of real France. On return to Bordeaux, enjoy your final evening with dinner at any of the city's fantastic restaurants.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Paris

    Bordeaux to Paris

    This morning, take the highspeed TGV train to Paris for a day of sightseeing and your final night in France. On arrival make full use of your sightseeing pass today and visit one of Paris' many amazing museums perhaps or tour the beautiful Haussmann Avenues.

  9. Day 9

    Your Journey Ends in Paris

    Check out of your hotel and continue with your travels elsewhere.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Priority entrance at the Eiffel Tower gives a first view over the City of Light on arrival in Paris.
  • Day 3A private, guided tour visits the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Pointe du Hoc, and Omaha Beach.
  • Day 5A day tour from Tours visits the chateaux of Chenonceau and Chambord, with lunch and wine tasting included at Les Caves Duhard.
  • Day 7A full day of wine tasting and sightseeing in Saint-Emilion includes visits to three vineyard chateaux.
  • Day 8A high-speed TGV carries travelers from Bordeaux back to Paris for a final day of sightseeing.

Included

  • Rail travel as per the itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Bayeux
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Tours
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Bordeaux
  • Skip the Line Eiffel Tower tickets
  • 2 Day Paris hop-on hop-off pass
  • Scenic Paris River Cruise
  • Skip the line Louvre Museum tickets (closed on Tuesdays)
  • Private half-day tour of the D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches from Bayeux
  • Full day tour of the Loire Valley from Tours
  • Full-day wine tour of Saint-Émilion from Bordeaux

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, as per the itinerary, on SNCF trains including the TGV, connecting Paris, Bayeux, Tours, and Bordeaux.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent trip with one guided element, a private half-day tour of the D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches from Bayeux.
How many nights are spent in each city?
One night in Paris at the start, two nights each in Bayeux, Tours, and Bordeaux, then a final night in Paris before departure, for nine days and eight nights.
What hotels are used?
The operator offers 23 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than a fixed hotel; the sample list includes the Novotel and Holiday Inn chains and the five-star Sofitel Le Scribe in Paris.
What is included besides rail travel and hotels?
Skip-the-line Eiffel Tower and Louvre tickets, a 2-day Paris hop-on hop-off pass, a scenic Paris river cruise, the private D-Day beaches tour, a full-day Loire Valley chateaux tour, and a full-day Saint-Emilion wine tour.
How much does this trip cost?
Prices start from $2,189 per person, about $243 per day.

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