The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail tour

Southern and Central France

Southern and Central France, a rail journey with The Railway Touring Company

A 6-day escorted rail holiday exploring the steam, heritage and mountain railways of the Cévennes and the Massif Central, based in Montpellier and Clermont-Ferrand.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Montpellier

    London to Montpellier via Paris

    Direct Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Nord, then direct TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Montpellier Saint-Roch. Free time to explore Montpellier's old town; dinner at the hotel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Montpellier

    Steam at the train à vapeur des Cévennes

    Coach transfer to Anduze; steam-hauled round trip on the preserved Cévennes railway through the River Gardon Valley to St-Jean-du-Gard, with time to photograph the locomotive and have lunch, then by coach to Nimes to view the Roman arena and old town. Free evening in Montpellier.

  3. Day 3overnight: Clermont-Ferrand

    The Cévennes main line over the Chamborigaud viaduct to Clermont-Ferrand

    392km, five-hour journey on the Cévennes main line from Nimes to Clermont-Ferrand through the Massif Central, passing 51 tunnels and 16 viaducts including the Chamborigaud and Chapeauroux viaducts and the summit at La Bastide (1024m). Free afternoon in Clermont-Ferrand using a complimentary tram ticket; group dinner at the hotel.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Clermont-Ferrand

    Panoramic trains at the AGRIVAP heritage railway

    Coach transfer to Ambert station for the panoramic AGRIVAP tourist railway, a 42km journey through countryside scenery to La Chaise-Dieu with time for sightseeing and lunch, then return by train to Ambert and coach back to Clermont-Ferrand. Dinner at leisure in the city.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Clermont-Ferrand

    Puy de Dome rack railway

    Full return journey on the Puy de Dome rack railway (5.3km, Swiss-made mountain-climbing trains) to the UNESCO World Heritage volcanic summit (1465m). Free time in Clermont-Ferrand afterwards, then a farewell dinner at the hotel.

  6. Day 6rail

    Return by rail to London via Paris

    Direct morning SNCF Intercity train from Clermont-Ferrand to Paris-Bercy, transfer in Paris Nord for the return to London by Eurostar (or transfer by train to Lyon).

Included

  • Eurostar plus seating on Eurostar services from London to Paris
  • First Class rail travel on SNCF TGV and Intercity services
  • 5 nights accommodation with breakfast at a centrally located hotel
  • 3 dinners
  • Complimentary tram tickets and all travel within France
  • The services of a Tour Manager

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