How much does it cost?

From £1,895 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,560 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Once in France, yes, all rail travel between the heritage lines and cities is included. Getting to France is priced separately: the GBP 1,895 base price assumes you make your own way to Valence and leave from Nice; Eurostar and connecting rail from London St Pancras costs from GBP 2,235 in Standard Class or GBP 2,435 in First Class.

Is it escorted or independent?

It is an escorted tour with an experienced Tour Manager throughout.

Three nights at the Hotel de France in Valence, then three nights at the Hotel Khla in Nice.

Which heritage railways are included?

The Vivarais Railway, the Cévennes Steam Train, the Train des Merveilles, the Chemins de Fer de Provence, and the Train des Pignes.

The only departure currently listed is in May 2027, priced from GBP 1,895 per person, with a single price from GBP 2,490.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

South of France Steam 2027

7-day escorted steam rail tour across the South of France

South of France Steam is a 7-day escorted tour from Railtrail Tours, travelling from London to Valence by Eurostar and finishing in Nice before the return journey. Three nights at the Hotel de France in Valence include a steam run on the Vivarais Railway's metre-gauge Mallet locomotives through the Doux Gorges, and the Cévennes Steam Train's tunnels and viaducts between Anduze and Saint-Jean-du-Gard. Day 4 continues by rail over the old 'classique' route to Marseille, then along the Mediterranean coast to Nice for a further three nights at the Hotel Khla. From Nice, the tour rides the Train des Merveilles to the medieval village of Tende in the Mercantour National Park, then combines the Chemins de Fer de Provence with the steam-hauled Train des Pignes past the fortified town of Entrevaux to Annot. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, with transfers, admissions, and four lunches included. This suits railway enthusiasts who want several distinct heritage lines combined with time to explore Provence and the French Riviera.

What to know before you look closer

Railtrail Tours currently lists only one departure for this tour, in May 2027.
The GBP 1,895 base price covers joining at Valence and leaving at Nice with no UK-France rail travel; adding Eurostar and connecting rail from London costs from GBP 2,235 in Standard Class or GBP 2,435 in First Class with the Eurostar Plus upgrade.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Hotel de France, Valence
London to Valence by Eurostar
Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille, then onwards to Valence and our hotel for three nights, the Hotel de France, where we check in and enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings with our first evening at leisure.
Day 2railovernight: Hotel de France, Valence
Vivarais Railway through the Doux Gorges
After breakfast this morning, we will travel by road to Tournon Saint-Jean to experience the historic Vivarais Railway, an 18-mile metre-gauge line using powerful Mallet steam locomotives to haul the train through the spectacular Doux Gorges. A water stop is made at the village of Boucier-le-Roi before continuing through open countryside passing charming villages, chestnut groves, and orchards. After climbing nearly 1,000ft, we will arrive at the small town of Lamastre, where we will watch the locomotive turn on its turntable and enjoy our lunch at a nearby restaurant, before returning by steam to Tournon and by coach to our hotel.
Day 3railovernight: Hotel de France, Valence
Cévennes Steam Train
Today, after breakfast, we travel by private coach to Anduze for the remarkable Cévennes Steam Train to Saint-Jean-du-Gard. Winding through tunnels and along viaducts, our journey allows us to discover the valleys of the Gardon and their superb views. We will enjoy lunch together in the station at Saint-Jean-du-Gard before retracing our steps to Anduze and returning to Valence.
Day 4railovernight: Hotel Khla, Nice
Rail to Marseille and along the Mediterranean coast to Nice
After breakfast this morning, we will depart by rail over the old 'classique' route to Marseille, changing here for our relaxing and scenic train journey along the beautiful Mediterranean coast to Nice, arriving early in the afternoon. We have the remainder of the day at leisure to explore this elegant city, famous for its sunny climes, gorgeous beaches, and colourful architecture staying for three nights at the Hotel Khla near the railway station.
Day 5railovernight: Hotel Khla, Nice
Train des Merveilles (Train of Wonders) to Tende
Today, we experience a spectacular two-hour rail journey on one of France's most scenic railways aboard the aptly named 'Train des Merveilles' (Train of Wonders) journeying through untouched scenery dotted with tunnels, viaducts, and beautiful little alpine villages to Tende. This medieval village, set 2,600ft above sea level, is set in the heart of the Mercantour National Park which houses the largest collection of open-air petroglyphs in Europe. After our lunch together at a local restaurant and some free time to explore, we complete the return journey to Nice for an evening at leisure.
Day 6railovernight: Hotel Khla, Nice
Train des Pignes via the Var Gorge
Today, we depart the metre-gauge Chemins de Fer de Provence railway station on a railcar through the dramatic Var Gorge to Puget-Théniers. Here, we will board the steam-hauled 'Train des Pignes' for an historic ride through the beautiful Provence countryside and vast pine forests, passing the charming, fortified city of Entrevaux, and onwards to the village of Annot. On arrival, we will enjoy lunch together and time at leisure to discover the architectural treasures of this medieval village before retracing our steps to Nice for an evening at leisure.
Day 7rail
Return to London
We bid farewell to Nice and to France, returning by rail to Lille, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2The Vivarais Railway's metre-gauge Mallet steam locomotives haul the train 18 miles through the Doux Gorges, passing chestnut groves and orchards.
Day 3The Cévennes Steam Train winds through tunnels and over viaducts from Anduze to Saint-Jean-du-Gard, revealing the valleys of the Gardon.
Day 5A two-hour journey on the Train des Merveilles passes tunnels, viaducts, and alpine villages to the medieval village of Tende, 2,600 feet up in the Mercantour National Park.
Day 6The steam-hauled Train des Pignes runs through Provence's pine forests past the fortified city of Entrevaux to Annot, reached first via the Chemins de Fer de Provence through the Var Gorge.

Included

6 nights bed & breakfast plus 4 lunches
Eurostar and rail travel to and from France in the class of your choice
All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,895 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,560 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Once in France, yes, all rail travel between the heritage lines and cities is included. Getting to France is priced separately: the GBP 1,895 base price assumes you make your own way to Valence and leave from Nice; Eurostar and connecting rail from London St Pancras costs from GBP 2,235 in Standard Class or GBP 2,435 in First Class.
Is it escorted or independent?: It is an escorted tour with an experienced Tour Manager throughout.
Where do you stay?: Three nights at the Hotel de France in Valence, then three nights at the Hotel Khla in Nice.
Which heritage railways are included?: The Vivarais Railway, the Cévennes Steam Train, the Train des Merveilles, the Chemins de Fer de Provence, and the Train des Pignes.
When does it run?: The only departure currently listed is in May 2027, priced from GBP 1,895 per person, with a single price from GBP 2,490.