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France Escorted Rail Holidays

Rolling hills blanketed by tantalisingly fruitful vines, opulent châteaux surrounded by manicured gardens, glamorous, azure coastlines and mouthwatering cuisine. The beauty, culture and charm of France is within easy reach on its high-speed rail network, as we explore rivers and towns that inspired world-famous artists or bask in upmarket resorts on the glistening French Riviera. Indulge in tastings of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, savour delicious produce at Narbonne's colourful market, and enjoy an afternoon tea in a palatial villa in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

France also possesses one of the most modern and efficient rail networks in Europe, and an escorted rail tour in France with Great Rail Journeys is one of the easiest and most comfortable ways in which to explore and enjoy a host of France's greatest attractions.

Find out more with a free brochure and enjoy weekly travel inspiration and offers in our e-newsletter.

Holiday Ideas for France

Avignon, the Rhône & Provence
4.3 stars(105 reviews)
2024MayJunAugSepOct
7 days from
£1,745 pp
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Carcassonne & the Canal du Midi
4.2 stars(124 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSepOct
2025MayJunJulAugSepOct
7 days from
£1,945 pp
View Details
Nice & the Cote d'Azur
New Tour
2024MayJunSepOct
7 days from
£1,895 pp
View Details
Nice Carnival
4.5 stars(33 reviews)
2025Feb
7 days from
£1,895 pp
View Details
Girolata Bay
2024AprMayJunAugSep
12 days from
£3,145 pp
View Details

22 results matching: France

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Europe 2023

Order your rail holiday brochure today

Order today
Girolata Bay
2024AprMayJunAugSep
12 days from
£3,145 pp
View Details
12 days from
£3,145
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance, Italy
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Carcassonne & the Canal du Midi
4.2 stars(124 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSepOct
2025MayJunJulAugSepOct
7 days from
£1,945 pp
View Details
7 days from
£1,945
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International, London St Pancras
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Rhine Gorge
Rail & Cruise
Free Cabin Upgrade
4.3 stars(121 reviews)
2024MayJunJulSepOct
2025MayJunJul
8 days from
£1,895 pp
View Details
Free Cabin Upgrade
8 days from
£1,895
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance, Germany, The Netherlands
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Premium Rhône Cruise
Rail & Cruise
Free Cabin Upgrade
4.5 stars(58 reviews)
2024JunJulAug
2025JunJulAug
8 days from
£2,195 pp
View Details
Free Cabin Upgrade
8 days from
£2,195
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
7 days from
£2,295
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Avignon, the Rhône & Provence
4.3 stars(105 reviews)
2024MayJunAugSepOct
7 days from
£1,745 pp
View Details
7 days from
£1,745
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation

Europe 2023

Order your rail holiday brochure today

Order today
San Sebastian
4.3 stars(30 reviews)
2024MayJunSepOct
2025AprMayJunSepOct
8 days from
£2,595 pp
View Details
8 days from
£2,595
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance, Spain
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International, London St Pancras
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
Rail & Cruise
Free Cabin Upgrade
4.8 stars(28 reviews)
2024JunJulSep
2025MayJunJul
8 days from
£1,795 pp
View Details
Free Cabin Upgrade
8 days from
£1,795
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance, Germany, The Netherlands
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
The Waterways of Alsace and Lorraine
Barge Cruise
4.6 stars(49 reviews)
2024JunJulSep
7 days from
£2,495 pp
View Details
7 days from
£2,495
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
7 days from
£2,495
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Nice & the Cote d'Azur
New Tour
2024MayJunSepOct
7 days from
£1,895 pp
View Details
7 days from
£1,895
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
10 days from
£3,195
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise, Hotel
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Our customers love our France tours
The Cote d'Azur and Nice Carnival
13/Mar
Rosalind
5 stars
“A great trip with a great leader. My first ever escorted tour. Nice hotel right on the Promenade des Anglais. The carnavale was spectacular.
Collected by Trustpilot
The Beautiful Basque Country
03 Nov 2023
Richard Peel
5 stars
“Hondarribia a lovely relaxed place surrounded by a host of interesting places to visit
Collected by Trustpilot
The Majestic Rhine
14 Oct 2023
Robert
5 stars
“Modern boat with competent staff and excellent cuisine. Good balance with excursions and free time to relax and excellent value for money. Helpful and customer focused on board tour manager..
Collected by Trustpilot
All-inclusive Waterways of Alsace and Lorraine
23 Sep 2023
GFS
5 stars
“It was as I expected
Collected by Trustpilot
Mont Blanc Express and Rhône Cruise
12 Sep 2023
Michael Ellis
5 stars
“First accommodation in hotel and on board ship,staff on the ship where exceptionally helpful and attended to all we ask of them. Mr. M Ellis.
Collected by Trustpilot
Waterways of The Yonne, Paris and The Petite Seine by Barge
29 Aug 2023
Stephenson
5 stars
“Already filled in form on board
Collected by Trustpilot
The Romantic Rhine
12 Aug 2023
David Parmley
5 stars
“An excellent itinerary, undertaken at a relaxed and enjoyable pace.
Collected by Trustpilot
French Riviera and Rhône Cruise
04 Jul 2023
Gerald cox
5 stars
“Carefree experience, great time
Collected by Trustpilot
Five-Star Carcassonne, Châteaux & Vineyards
06 Nov 2023
Heather Hall
4 stars
“The tour was very good but the information and expertise of the customer service team prior to the trip was very poor
Collected by Trustpilot

Discovering the best of France with Great Rail Journeys

At Great Rail Journeys we offer our guests a variety of escorted rail tours in France covering everything from a romantic Seine cruise to a short break in the rustic Dordogne region or a longer relaxing stay on the shores of Lake Annecy. Whichever you choose, you can be sure that our French rail breaks offer excellent value. The price of your trip covers travel to, from and within France, accommodation of a high standard, an itinerary of excursions designed to highlight the best aspects of each French destination and a selection of meals.

You'll stay in hotels that we've personally selected for their quality and value to ensure that you enjoy the best comfort, service and facilities. Where possible you'll stay in family-run hotels which we find are more relaxed and give our guests a more personal service.

 

 

You'll be escorted throughout your French train holiday by our friendly and professional Tour Manager who is on-hand whenever needed to provide assistance, answer questions and offer information and advice about the places you'll visit.

France's History and Culture

France's modern history is a story of invasions and conflicts for control. The region of Europe originally known as Gaul was ruled by Celtic tribes until the Roman Empire, under Julius Caesar, took control in 58BC. When Rome fell, Gaul was ruled by a heathen tribe - the 'Franks', who gave the country its name and its first king: Charlemagne. The monarchy continued despite an attempted invasion by the English during the 'Hundred Years War' between 1337 and 1453. They were defeated thanks to the army-rallying efforts of a young French peasant called Joan of Arc. By the seventeenth-century, ruled by King Louis XIV France had become a European superpower but a subsequent financial crisis and disillusionment with the monarchy sparked the French Revolution in 1789. The monarchy was abolished and France became the republic that it remains today.

 

 

 

France's Climate

France's climate varies with location, but is generally mild and temperate throughout the year. The north and west of the country are the coolest and experience most rainfall, whilst the Mediterranean coast enjoys the driest, warmest and sunniest weather. Spring and summer are the best times to visit anywhere in the country unless you're a snow sports enthusiast, whilst autumn is typically the wettest season.

French Cuisine

Great Rail Journeys' tours allow you to enjoy French cuisine which is renowned for its culinary artistry, flair and flavour. Should Escargots de Bourgogne (snails in garlic butter) or cuisses de grenouille (frogs legs) not be to your taste there are countless other French classic dishes and specialities to enjoy such as baked Camembert cheese, Moules Marinières; mussels cooked in a white wine broth; Soupe à L'oignon; an onion soup traditionally served with a unique crust; Cassoulet; a popular stew of duck and beans and Bouillabaisse; a colourful stew of fish and shellfish flavoured with saffron.

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