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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

The Cote d'Azur & Nice Carnival

Seven-day rail escape from London to the French Riviera during Nice Carnival

Illustration of The Cote d'Azur & Nice Carnival

Vacations By Rail's seven-day escorted tour captures the sparkle of the French Riviera during the Nice Carnival. Departing London via Eurostar Plus, you travel First Class by train to Nice, where you stay six nights at a four-star spa hotel on the Promenade des Anglais. The tour centers on the carnival itself: you watch from reserved grandstand seats as illuminated floats and costumed performers fill Massena Square. A Tour Manager guides you throughout, leading a city tour of Nice's Mont Boron, Roman ruins and flower market, a coach excursion to the Palais du Prince in Monaco with the Changing of the Guards ceremony, and day trips to the perfume capital of Grasse and the medieval hilltop villages of St-Paul-de-Vence and Eze. Two days are left free to explore independently, including access to the Riviera's local rail network to visit Antibes, Cannes or Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on your own. All rail, coach, guided tours and most meals are included; breakfast is served daily, and two three-course dinners are provided.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price excludes rail; confirm all-in costs including Eurostar and French train fares with Vacations By Rail.
  • Days 3 and 5 are unguided; you choose your own activities or free time in Nice and the wider Riviera.
  • The Nice Carnival dates vary year to year; verify the carnival schedule aligns with your preferred travel dates.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Nice

    London to Nice: Journey to the French Riviera

    Meet the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar Plus to Paris with a light meal, then change to a First Class train to Nice. Check into the hotel on the Promenade des Anglais; evening free to relax or dine independently.

  2. Day 2overnight: Nice

    Discovering Nice's history on a guided tour

    A guided coach tour of Nice beginning at Mont Boron, then the Roman ruins of Cimiez and the historic Old Town including the Opera House, flower market and cathedral. Free afternoon before a three-course dinner at the hotel.

  3. Day 3overnight: Nice

    The spectacular Nice Carnival

    A free day in Nice or the wider Riviera, followed by an evening tram ride to Massena Square for the Nice Carnival from reserved grandstand seats.

  4. Day 4overnight: Nice

    The fragrant and artistic charms of Provence

    Visit Grasse, including a tour of the Parfumerie Fragonard perfumery, then the medieval 'perched' village of St-Paul-de-Vence with free time to visit the Maeght Foundation or walk the ramparts.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Nice

    The French Riviera at leisure

    A free day to use the Cote d'Azur's train network to visit Antibes, Cannes or Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat independently. Dinner independent this evening.

  6. Day 6overnight: Nice

    Exploring Monaco and Eze

    A coach journey along the Lower Corniche Road to Monaco for a guided tour of the Old Town, the Palais du Prince and the Changing of the Guards ceremony, then the Place du Casino. Afternoon stop in the medieval village of Eze. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

  7. Day 7rail

    Tour conclusion

    Board a train to Paris after breakfast, then change to Eurostar Plus seats with a light meal for the journey to London, where the trip concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar Plus at London St Pancras with a light meal, then connect to First Class French rail to Nice.
  • Day 2Guided coach tour of Nice from Mont Boron through the Roman ruins of Cimiez to the Old Town, flower market and cathedral.
  • Day 3Evening tram ride to Massena Square to watch the Nice Carnival from reserved grandstand seats, viewing illuminated floats and costumed performers.
  • Day 4Visit the Parfumerie Fragonard in Grasse, the perfume capital, then explore the medieval perched village of St-Paul-de-Vence.
  • Day 6Coach journey along the Lower Corniche Road to Monaco for a guided tour including the Palais du Prince and Changing of the Guards ceremony, with an afternoon stop in the clifftop village of Eze.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • First Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Eurostar Plus
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast each day, 2 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus from London to Paris, First Class rail from Paris to Nice, and local Cote d'Azur rail for independent exploration. All rail and coach travel throughout the tour is included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager from start to finish. Guided coach tours are included in Nice, Monaco, Grasse and St-Paul-de-Vence, though days 3 and 5 are free.
What trains are used?
Eurostar Plus (London St Pancras to Paris with light meal) and TGV or French national rail First Class (Paris to Nice). A local tram is used for the carnival evening.
Where do we stay?
A four-star spa hotel on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice for all six nights.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, Eurostar Plus light meals, and two three-course dinners (Day 2 at the hotel and Day 6 at a local restaurant). Days 3 and 5 dinners are independent.
How much walking is involved?
Mobility Rating 2: guided coach tours, city walking in Nice and Monaco, exploration of medieval villages including Eze with ramparts, and some stair climbing in historic town centers.

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