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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Paris, Provence & the French Riviera

Ten-day escorted rail journey from Paris to the French Riviera via Provence.

Illustration of Paris, Provence & the French Riviera

Vacations By Rail's ten-day escorted tour explores France's north-to-south treasures, beginning in Paris and concluding on the French Riviera near Èze. Traveling with a professional Tour Manager, you will experience elegant 4 and 5-star hotels, First Class TGV rail journeys, and a carefully paced itinerary that balances guided sightseeing with free time. The route passes through Champagne country with a tasting in Reims, wine-producing regions near Lyon where you lunch at an authentic bouchon (traditional Lyonnais restaurant), the papal city of Avignon, and finally the Mediterranean coast near Nice and Monaco. Days are anchored by morning tours and coach excursions, leaving afternoons free to explore on your own, such as the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. This tour suits first-time rail travelers seeking the comfort of group travel and experienced travelers who value access to wine tastings and culinary traditions without handling their own transport.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price.
  • The single supplement cost is not published; confirm the final rate when booking.
  • Only one lunch is included; other meals on free afternoons and evenings are at your own expense.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Arriving in Paris, France's timeless capital

    Arrive in Paris and transfer to the hotel near Place du Trocadéro, meeting the Tour Manager and group for a welcome drink this evening.

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Iconic landmarks on a guided tour of Paris

    A sightseeing tour taking in the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and Montmartre, with a free afternoon.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Paris

    A taste of Reims, the Champagne capital of the world

    First Class rail to Reims to tour the cathedral and a world-renowned Champagne house with tasting, returning to Paris for dinner.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Lyon

    First Class rail to gastronomic Lyon

    High-speed TGV journey to Lyon, lunch at a traditional bouchon, and a city tour taking in the Fourvière Basilica and Presqu'île, with a 24-hour Lyon City Card.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lyon

    Wine-tasting in the Beaujolais winelands

    A free morning in Lyon using the Lyon City Card, then an afternoon coach tour of the Beaujolais vineyards north of Lyon.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Avignon

    Exploring the papal city of Avignon

    TGV First Class to Avignon, then a walking tour taking in the Pont St. Bénezet, with optional entry to the Palais des Papes.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Nice

    Art and Roman history in Aix-en-Provence

    First Class rail to Aix-en-Provence for a guided tour, then transfer by motorcoach to Nice on the French Riviera.

  8. Day 8overnight: Nice

    Exploring Nice on the glistening French Riviera

    A guided coach tour of Nice's Old Town and cathedral with local tastings, and a free afternoon along the Promenade des Anglais.

  9. Day 9overnight: Nice

    Along the Lower Corniche Road to glamorous Monaco

    A motorcoach journey along the Lower Corniche Road to Monaco to see the Monte-Carlo Casino and the Changing of the Guards at the Palais du Prince, with a stop in Èze.

  10. Day 10

    Traveling home

    The vacation comes to an end after breakfast and you begin your journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided sightseeing tour of Paris taking in the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Montmartre.
  • Day 3First Class TGV to Reims for a tour of the cathedral and champagne house with tasting, returning to Paris for dinner.
  • Day 4High-speed TGV to Lyon with lunch at a traditional bouchon and a city tour that includes the Fourvière Basilica and a 24-hour Lyon City Card.
  • Day 5Afternoon coach tour of the Beaujolais vineyards north of Lyon.
  • Day 9Motorcoach journey along the Lower Corniche Road to Monaco to see the Monte-Carlo Casino and the Changing of the Guards at the Palais du Prince, with a stop in Èze.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 9 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • First Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
  • 24-hour Lyon City Card
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. First Class rail travel on the TGV and all rail and coach travel throughout the tour are included in the package price.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a professional Tour Manager who leads the group from start to finish.
Which trains are used?
The tour uses TGV (high-speed trains) in First Class for journeys from Paris to Reims, Paris to Lyon, Lyon to Avignon, and Avignon to Aix-en-Provence.
What hotels are included?
Hotels are 4 and 5-star properties: Canopy by Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower (3 nights), Sofitel Lyon Bellecour (2 nights), Mercure TGV Hotel & Spa Avignon (1 night), and Doubletree by Hilton Nice Centre (3 nights).
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating 2, which includes city walking tours and standard sightseeing. Guided tours cover Paris landmarks, Lyon's Old Town, Avignon's medieval streets, Nice's Old Town, and Monaco.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, one lunch (at a Lyonnais bouchon in Lyon), and four dinners are included. Other meals are at your own expense.

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