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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Provence in Detail

Eight-day rail loop from London through Provence to the Côte d'Azur

Illustration of Provence in Detail

Tailor Made Rail's Provence in Detail is an eight-day independent rail journey from London through the south of France. Eurostar and TGV trains deliver you from London St Pancras to Avignon, where you stay four nights exploring the medieval city, the Palais des Papes, and the Pont d'Avignon at your own pace. One free day of unlimited local rail travel lets you day-trip to Orange to see its Roman arena, to Arles where Van Gogh worked, or to Montelimar for its castle and nougat. From Avignon, the TGV carries you south to Aix-en-Provence for three nights in a city founded in 123 BC, home to Renaissance architecture, museums, shopping, and the former studio of Paul Cézanne. Another free rail day opens day-trip routes to Marseille, Cassis, Toulon, Cannes, or St Tropez. Accommodation includes breakfast; all rail seats are reserved in Standard Class. This package suits first-time rail travellers and history lovers seeking a self-guided pace with flexibility, or couples wanting to explore Provence's villages and countryside on their own schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels listed as 'or similar', meaning the final accommodation depends on availability and tier selected at booking
  • The from-price of GBP 1,059 applies only in the low season (November to March); high season (April to October) starts at GBP 1,199
  • Single supplement is GBP 1,299, substantially above half the double-room rate, making solo travel notably more expensive

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Avignon

    London to Avignon

    Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar and change in Lille or Paris for the TGV into the heart of Provence, arriving at Avignon TGV. Check in at the Hotel de l'Horloge (or similar), just off the Place de l'Horloge, in prime position for the Palais des Papes and Pont d'Avignon.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Avignon

    Avignon

    Three full days in Avignon, with one day free to see the city at your own pace exploring the Palais des Papes or the Pont d'Avignon, plus a free day of unlimited local rail travel, for example to Orange (Roman arena), Arles (where Van Gogh painted) or Montelimar (castle and nougat).

  3. Day 3railovernight: Avignon

    Avignon

    Three full days in Avignon, with one day free to see the city at your own pace exploring the Palais des Papes or the Pont d'Avignon, plus a free day of unlimited local rail travel, for example to Orange (Roman arena), Arles (where Van Gogh painted) or Montelimar (castle and nougat).

  4. Day 4railovernight: Avignon

    Avignon

    Three full days in Avignon, with one day free to see the city at your own pace exploring the Palais des Papes or the Pont d'Avignon, plus a free day of unlimited local rail travel, for example to Orange (Roman arena), Arles (where Van Gogh painted) or Montelimar (castle and nougat).

  5. Day 5railovernight: Aix-en-Provence

    Avignon to Aix-en-Provence

    Take the TGV further south to Aix-en-Provence and check in at the Grand Hotel Roi René (or similar) for a 3-night stay. Aix dates back to 123 BC, with architecture, museums, shopping and art galleries, including the former studio of Paul Cézanne.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Aix-en-Provence

    Aix-en-Provence

    One full day to explore Aix at leisure, plus a day exploring by train - Aix is on a direct rail line to Marseille, Cassis or Toulon, and you could also head further afield to Cannes and St Tropez.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Aix-en-Provence

    Aix-en-Provence

    One full day to explore Aix at leisure, plus a day exploring by train - Aix is on a direct rail line to Marseille, Cassis or Toulon, and you could also head further afield to Cannes and St Tropez.

  8. Day 8rail

    Aix-en-Provence to London

    Head back to the high-speed station in Aix for the journey home, changing in Paris or Lille to connect with the Eurostar back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrive at Avignon TGV station and walk to Hotel de l'Horloge, positioned between the Palais des Papes and the Pont d'Avignon
  • Day 2Use the free day of unlimited local rail travel to day-trip to Orange to see the Roman arena, or to Arles where Van Gogh painted
  • Day 5Travel by TGV south from Avignon to Aix-en-Provence and check in at Grand Hotel Roi René near the city's Renaissance architecture and art galleries
  • Day 6Take a day-trip train from Aix to Marseille, Cassis, or Toulon, or venture to Cannes or St Tropez on the direct rail line

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 7 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Free day of rail travel from Avignon and Aix
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. Standard Class seat reservations on Eurostar (London to Paris or Lille) and TGV (Paris/Lille to Avignon and Avignon to Aix) are included, plus one free day of unlimited local rail travel from both Avignon and Aix for day-trip exploration.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
This is a tailor-made independent package. You receive easy-to-follow travel documentation and email ticket dispatch; there is no tour guide traveling with you.
Which hotels am I staying in?
Hotel de l'Horloge (or similar) in Avignon for four nights, and Grand Hotel Roi René (or similar) in Aix-en-Provence for three nights. Both are described as centrally positioned for exploring their respective cities.
What is included in the price?
Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations, seven nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, one free day of local rail travel from Avignon and Aix, travel documentation, email ticket dispatch, and proactive rerouting if strikes or disruptions occur.
Can I upgrade to First Class?
Yes. First Class upgrades on all rail journeys are available from GBP 150 per person, or you can upgrade individual rail legs.
When does this trip run?
Year-round. Low season pricing (November to March) begins at GBP 1,059; high season pricing (April to October) begins at GBP 1,199 per person.

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