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railtour suisse · Rail tour

Rail tour in Occitania

Eight-day independent rail loop through Occitania from Toulouse to Narbonne

Illustration of Rail tour in Occitania

Railtour Suisse's Rail tour in Occitania is an 8-day independent rail holiday that strings together seven southern French towns, starting in Toulouse and ending in Narbonne. You travel by named regional trains: the Bastide Line through medieval bastide towns, the Cathedral Line through the Tarn Valley, and the Canal du Midi Line through vineyard country. Days are built around your own exploration of UNESCO World Heritage sites, Gothic cathedrals, and market towns. Day 2 gives you a full day to wander Toulouse's Place du Capitole and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin. Day 5 includes a remarkable train crossing of the Viaur Viaduct before arriving in Rodez. Accommodation is in solid 3 and 4-star hotels with included breakfast; the Rail Tour Pass covers six consecutive days of regional travel. This package suits independent travellers, first-time rail users, history enthusiasts, and food explorers drawn to Occitania's cathedrals, bastides, and regional specialities.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at CHF 1,075 every time.

CHF 1,0754 Jul12 Sep

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 2 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price assumes you hold a Half-Fare travelcard for the outbound and return journeys from Switzerland; confirm the rail component with the operator if you do not.
  • This is an independent package with no guided tours or group activities; you navigate and explore each town yourself with the Rail Tour Pass.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Toulouse

    Switzerland – Toulouse

    Travel by train from your place of residence to Toulouse. On your first evening, set out to explore the historic centre of the capital of Occitania. Accommodation in Toulouse for 3 nights.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toulouse

    Toulouse

    Start your day at the Place du Capitole with its masterpiece of Neoclassical architecture. Then stroll to the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy parks along the River Garonne. For dinner, we recommend cassoulet, a regional specialty. Toulouse is also known for its vibrant nightlife.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Toulouse

    Toulouse – Villefranche-de-Rouergue – Figeac – Toulouse (Bastide Line)

    Take the train to Villefranche-de-Rouergue (approx. 1h40), a bastide town built in a checkerboard pattern. Continue by train to Figeac (approx. 40 minutes), a charming stop on the Way of St. James; visit the Champollion Museum and the Church of Saint-Sauveur. Return to Toulouse (approx. 2h20).

  4. Day 4overnight: Albi

    Toulouse – Albi (Cathedral Line)

    Travel to Albi (approx. 1h15), a UNESCO World Heritage episcopal city on the River Tarn, with the Gothic Cathedral of Sainte-Cécile, the Palais Berbie, and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. Accommodation in Albi for 2 nights.

  5. Day 5overnight: Albi

    Albi – Rodez – Albi (Cathedral Line)

    Travel through the Tarn Valley and across the Viaur Viaduct to Rodez (approx. 1h20). Discover the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Rodez and the Soulages Museum, renowned for the artist's 'outrenoir' compositions.

  6. Day 6overnight: Carcassonne

    Albi – Carcassonne (Canal du Midi Line)

    Travel to Carcassonne via Toulouse on the Canal du Midi line (approx. 2 hours). Explore the medieval city of Carcassonne, La Cité fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its city walls. Accommodation in Carcassonne for 1 night.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Narbonne

    Carcassonne – Narbonne (Canal du Midi Line)

    Take the train to Narbonne (approx. 40 minutes). Stroll through the Narbonne market halls, visit the Gothic Cathedral of Saint-Just et Saint-Pasteur and the Horreum. Accommodation in Narbonne for 1 night.

  8. Day 8rail

    Narbonne – Switzerland

    Return journey to Switzerland by train. This tour can also start in Narbonne. The itinerary and duration can be adapted according to your wishes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Explore the Place du Capitole and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then relax along the River Garonne.
  • Day 3Take the Bastide Line train to Villefranche-de-Rouergue and Figeac, visiting the medieval bastide town with its arcaded streets and the Champollion Museum.
  • Day 4Journey on the Cathedral Line to Albi to see the extraordinary Gothic Cathedral of Sainte-Cécile and visit the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum.
  • Day 5Cross the Viaur Viaduct on the return to Rodez to visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Soulages Museum with its modern art collection.
  • Day 6Travel via the Canal du Midi line to the medieval fortress city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO site, and walk the city walls for panoramic views.

Included

  • Train in 2nd class, outbound Zurich–Toulouse and return Narbonne–Zurich, based on Half-Fare travelcard
  • Rail Tour Pass, valid for 6 consecutive days
  • Accommodation in double room with breakfast
  • 3 nights in Toulouse, Hotel Les Capitouls Toulouse Centre****
  • 2 nights in Albi, Hotel Mercure Albi Rives du Tarn****
  • 1 night in Carcassonne, Sowell Hotel Les Chevaliers****
  • 1 night in Narbonne, Hotel La Résidence***

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From CHF 1,075 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,319 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?
Yes. The price includes outbound travel from Zurich to Toulouse and return travel from Narbonne to Zurich in 2nd class (based on a Half-Fare travelcard), plus a 6-day Rail Tour Pass for travel between regional stops.
Which trains will I travel on?
You will use the Bastide Line (Toulouse to Villefranche-de-Rouergue to Figeac), the Cathedral Line (Toulouse to Albi and Albi to Rodez), and the Canal du Midi Line (Albi to Carcassonne to Narbonne), all in 2nd class.
Is this a guided or independent tour?
This is an independent rail holiday. Railtour Suisse provides the rail pass and accommodation; you explore each town on your own schedule.
What hotels are included?
Three nights at Hotel Les Capitouls Toulouse Centre (4-star), two nights at Hotel Mercure Albi Rives du Tarn (4-star), one night at Sowell Hotel Les Chevaliers in Carcassonne (4-star), and one night at Hotel La Résidence in Narbonne (3-star). All include breakfast.

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