Enjoy an irresistible mix of cities and scenery on a Grand Tour of France by Train.
Mainland France offers a huge variety of urban and rural attractions, all neatly packaged within an area affectionately dubbed the Hexagon for its geometric shape. And whether you want coast, countryside, or heritage cities, the extensive French train network makes it easy to explore the best of France by train.
But whilst the travelling is straightforward, planning a comprehensive tour can be more of a challenge. Unless, that is, you let Authentic Europe – specialist in rail tours in France, take the hard work out of booking train tickets, accommodation and local tours. Whether you like to travel in complete independence or want to join in some small group tours along the way, everything is customised for the individual client. Your bespoke itinerary always includes a list of options for guided tours and you have the added bonus of a 24-hour emergency helpline for any unexpected queries.
Authentic Europe’s Grand Tour of France by Train starts and finishes in Paris, taking in Bordeaux and the vineyards on the way to Marseille, Nice and the Riviera, and then returning via Avignon, Lyon and Strasbourg. The basic 15-day itinerary offers free time to explore each destination independently as well as to join optional guided tours, but travellers can add on extra nights to explore in more depth. Travel at any time of year and choose from two grades of hotel accommodation with breakfast, but with the freedom to take lunch or dinner wherever you wish.
Paris
The French capital offers so many iconic experiences that it pays to plan your time before your travel. Art your thing? Then you may want to visit the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile or head to the Orsay Museum to soak up their famous Impressionist collection. Notre-Dame may be out of bounds since the disastrous fire in 2019, but the Eiffel Tower and Sacré Coeur Basilica can be seen from all over the city and really merit a closer look. Or maybe just spend the day on foot, exploring some of the City’s most famous streets, squares and neighbourhoods. Optional excursions include a guided cruise excursion on the Seine, a gourmet food tour of the Latin Quarter and a French cooking class with market visit.
Bordeaux and vineyards
It takes just three hours by high-speed TGV train from Paris to Bordeaux, which stands at the heart of one of the world’s most famous wine regions. This elegant city is an architectural delight with its grand town houses, buzzing shopping streets and impressive buildings. Step inside historic St-André Cathedral, wedding venue in 1137 for Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII. Watch the changing reflections in the vast Water Mirror that covers the ground between 18th century facades and the banks of the Garonne. And discover international wines at the eye-catching Cité du Vin. Optional guided tours include full-day wine tours to the Medoc and to Saint-Emilion wine regions.
Marseille to Nice
Watch the countryside unfold from your comfortable train carriage as you travel seamlessly from Bordeaux to Marseille, closest French port to Africa and a city of many diverse cultures. Watch the fishing boats unload in the Old Port; wind gently up through the streets on the Little Train to the lofty Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde; and wander through the atmospheric Panier, Marseille’s oldest district. Or maybe book a city walk with a private guide.
Then you are off to the French Riviera and the beautiful city of Nice. Stroll along the stylish promenade beside the Bay of Angels, then take the winding footpath or funicular to the top of Castle Hill for views over the roofs of ‘Vieux Nice’, the city’s historic old town, and the gleaming yacht harbour. Nice also boasts an eclectic mix of museums from Matisse and Chagal to Fine Arts and Roman artefacts. Optional experiences include food and wine tasting; Provençal villages; and Riviera towns.
Avignon to Lyon
After changing trains in Marseille, next destination on the Authentic Europe Grand Tour of France by train, is Avignon, famous not only for the Saint Bénézet ‘half-bridge’ but also for the imposing Palace of the Popes, both listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Tour the apartments of the 14th century popes then chill out over a drink at a café beneath the towering papal walls.
Your fast train then whisks you northwards between the vineyards and heritage towns of the Rhône Valley to Lyon, gastronomic capital of France with architecture spanning 2,000 years of history from its twin Roman theatres to the Renaissance old town, grand 19th century mansions to ultra-modern public buildings. Discover hidden courtyards with Italianate loggias in Vieux Lyon; follow the trail of intricate murals throughout the city centre; and relax over authentic Lyonnais gastronomy in a cosy bouchon or bistro.
Strasbourg to Paris
The scenery and the atmosphere change yet again as you travel towards Strasbourg, a city that has changed hands five times between France and Germany since the late 17th century. Since the close of World War II, this attractive city has been French, but the street name signs still have their old German names underneath and the influence of both cultures is evident in the cuisine, the customs and the eclectic mix of architectural styles.
Cruise the flower-fringed waterways for a close-up view of Strasbourg’s riverside mansions and the half-timbered buildings of the Petite France quarter, the Vauban dam designed under Louis XIV and the three picturesque stone towers of the Covered Bridges that have not in fact had roofs since the Middle Ages. Don’t miss the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, highest medieval building in Europe, nor the contemporary outlines of the European Parliament and the Human Rights Building. Optional excursions include the city of Colmar, the castle of Haut Koenigsbourg, and postcard-pretty villages along the Alsace Wine Route, as well as a gourmet food and wine tour and a minivan excursion to the Black Forest.
From Strasbourg, it is just two hours by train to Paris, but there’s still time on your last full day for a last afternoon of sightseeing and a romantic dinner. Unless of course you have booked an extra night or two to take in some more of the French capital. Sound tempting? Then visit www.authentic-europe.com for more details to start building your own Grand Tour of France vacation package.
