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First-Class Côte d'Azur & Nice Carnival

 
4.6 stars(40 reviews)
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Duration
7 days
From per person
£1,849 £1,749
Tour code
NIE26
Mobility Rating 2
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Witness the sights and sounds of Nice's vibrant carnival, and discover the Provençal towns and coastal cities of the south of France

Admire the decorated floats, colourful costumes and spirited atmosphere of the captivating Nice Carnival on this rail holiday to the French Riviera.

From reserved grandstand seats, bask in fantastic views of this vibrant extravaganza and explore the shimmering Côte d'Azur. Uncover the charm and history of Nice on a guided tour and watch the Changing of the Guards ceremony in Monaco. Heading into the idyllic Provencal countryside, explore towns including the perfume capital of Grasse, medieval St-Paul-de-Vence, and the labyrinthine streets of clifftop Èze.

Please Note - This tour was formerly called The Cote d'Azur & Nice Carnival

Unforgettable Experiences

Experiencing Nice Carnival from grandstand seats
Experiencing Nice Carnival from grandstand seats
Embrace the colours of Nice’s lively carnival with fantastic views from reserved seats. Admire the meticulously adorned floats and joyful atmosphere as the procession winds its way through the illuminated streets.
Witnessing the Changing of the Guards in Monaco
Witnessing the Changing of the Guards in Monaco
Explore the royal principality of Monaco on a fascinating sightseeing tour, including its famous casino and the medieval Old Town, where we witness the timeless Changing of the Guards Ceremony.
Visiting the Provençal towns of Grasse and Èze
Visiting the Provençal towns of Grasse and Èze
Discover the history of French fragrance on a tour of one of the country’s most revered parfumiers in the ‘perfume capital’ of Grasse, and bask in beautiful coastal views in Èze.
Embarking on a city tour of Nice
Embarking on a city tour of Nice
Be immersed in the history and culture of this sparkling French Riviera city as an expert guide showcases the major sights, including Mont Boron, the Roman ruins of Cimiez and the colourful flower market.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1London to Nice: Journey to the French Riviera

We meet the Tour Manager this morning at London St Pancras. We board the Eurostar to Paris, with a light meal on the way. In the French capital, we change trains for a journey in First Class to Nice, arriving in the French Riviera this the evening.

Our hotel is on the famous Promenade des Anglais, the shimmering palm-lined seafront looking out onto the Mediterranean Sea. The evening is free for you to relax at our spa hotel or step out and explore the area at leisure, enjoying dinner at a local restaurant of your choice.

Includes
  • Eurostar Light Meals
DAY2Discovering Nice’s history on a guided tour

After breakfast at our hotel, we explore Nice on a guided coach tour. Beginning at Mont Boron, an exclusive hilltop neighbourhood of beaux arts mansions and a 16th-century fort, we admire panoramic views across Nice and the glimmering Mediterranean. From here, we explore the Roman ruins of the Cimiez. Dating from the 3rd century, we view the remains of the bathhouse and arena that once formed part of the city of Cemenelum.

In the historic Old Town, a jumble of alleyways lined by centuries-old buildings, we see the Opera House, the colourful flower market, and Nice's striking cathedral.

This afternoon you are free to explore this artistic city at your own pace. The Musée National Marc Chagall honours the Belarussian-born French artist and pioneer of modernism, while the Matisse Museum in Cimiez, contains Fauvist works by Henri Matisse, who spent many years in Nice.

Along the Promenade des Anglais, you could visit the Hotel Negresco for a famous Royal Negresco cocktail containing champagne and flakes of gold, before a three-course dinner at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY3The spectacular Nice Carnival

Today, you are free to enjoy the atmosphere of the city before a highlight of the holiday this evening. You could walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais, strolling under palm trees with the Mediterranean Sea by your side. Alternatively, utilise the area's excellent public transport to head out to some of the French Riviera's most renowned towns. Cannes, Antibes, Juan les Pins and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat are all within 30 minutes of Nice.

Tonight we travel by tram to the city's Masséna Square. Here, we experience this evening's carnival extravaganza from our reserved grandstand seats. Sit back and relax, admiring the innovative floats, adorned with meticulously arranged flowers, and talented performers in colourful costumes, as they wend their way through the illuminated streets.

More than one thousand dancers, actors and performers take part in this incredible spectacle, with processions taking place through the streets, making this an unforgettable experience and an explosion of colour and vitality.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY4Exploring Monaco and Èze

Today begins with a coach journey along the Lower Corniche Road to Monaco. Winding around the coast, we bask in fantastic views of the azure Mediterranean.

One of the world's smallest sovereign states, Monaco is renowned as a playground for the rich and famous. Our first stop on a guided tour is Monaco's Old Town and its medieval lanes. The stronghold of the ruling Grimaldi dynasty since the 13th century, our tour takes in the Palais du Prince as we witness the time-honoured Changing of the Guards ceremony. Later, we visit the Place du Casino and view the world-famous Monte-Carlo Casino. Following our tour, you have some free time to explore.

We leave Monaco in the afternoon and stop at nearby Èze, a medieval village set high on a rocky peak above the glistening sea. Its labyrinthine lanes are lined with ancient stone houses, many of which have been converted into galleries or craft shops.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY5The French Riviera at leisure

With a free day, you could make use of the Côte d'Azur's excellent and affordable trains. The harbour town of Antibes boasts historic streets lined with quaint medieval fisherman's houses and has understandably attracted visitors for centuries - including Pablo Picasso, who lived in Château Grimaldi for six months. The castle is now the site of the Picasso Museum, while the covered Provençal Market is also worth visiting.

Alternatively, visit Cannes, originally a small fishing village that can still be uncovered in the cobbled streets of Le Suquet. The Croisette boulevard hosts the world-famous film festival and is dotted with palms and upmarket boutiques. There is also a colourful Provençal market that is a feast for the senses. In Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, near Nice, you can find the pink-hued villa formerly owned by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, a socialite and art collector of the prominent Rothschild dynasty.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY6The fragrant and artistic charms of Provence

Heading into the beautiful countryside of Provence, we explore its towns, starting in Grasse. Surrounded by aromatic fields of jasmine, roses and lavender, Grasse has been renowned worldwide for its perfume making for centuries. One of the town's oldest perfumeries is the Parfumerie Fragonard, which has been in its current premises since 1782. In the 1920s, it changed its name to honour Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Grasse's most famous artist. Nowadays, the factory produces perfumes, soaps and cosmetics using their time-honoured traditional methods. We take a tour of the premises to learn more about its fascinating history.

Later, we make our way to the beautiful medieval 'perched' village of St-Paul-de-Vence. With free time to look around, you could visit the Maeght Foundation, which houses one of Europe's most important collections of 20th-century art, or walk along the village's historic ramparts for views over the surrounding sandstone villas and cypress trees.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY7Homeward bound

Your wonderful getaway to the French Riviera concludes after breakfast this morning. Boarding a train to Paris, we journey through the heart of France and look back at the highlights of this sparkling Côte d'Azur holiday.

Nice is an attractive city all year round, but it really comes alive during carnival time. The lively atmosphere and colourful floats add a special charm, and the nearby principality of Monaco offers plenty of great attractions. We also visited the fragrant town of Grasse, explored the medieval ramparts of St-Paul-de-Vence, and enjoyed the beautiful sea views in Èze.

Changing trains in Paris, we board our First Class seats and arrive back in London this evening, saying farewell to our Tour Manager and making your way home.

Includes
  • Breakfast
  • Eurostar Light Meals

Additional information

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Classic collection

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Departure times

Travel timings in your Holiday Confirmation are provisional and are subject to change. We will confirm your travel times in your final itinerary around 10-14 days before your departure. Eurostar or Flight times will be confirmed to you approximately 30-50 days before departure.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Hotel Westminster, Nice
Hotel Westminster, Nice
View hotel
Train

More information on the different trains that are used on this tour.

Eurostar

The high-speed Eurostar trains link St Pancras International in London with Paris and Lille in France as well as Brussels in Belgium.

TGV

Introduced in 1981, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) was the original European high-speed train. Linking Paris with Lyon, the new service revolutionised train travel and meant that travelling by air over medium and short distances was no longer seen as the best option, even for business travel.

Enhance your holiday

Extending your European holiday in Paris

Many of our holidays include a final stopover in Paris en route to London. Why not extend your holiday by enjoying an extra night or two in the French capital, returning to London in your own time?

Mercure Paris Terminus Nord
London Hotels

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

Read more

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

London hotels
UK rail connections

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

Read more

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

UK train tickets

Reviews

4.6 stars4.6 / 5 · 40 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (29)
  2. 4 stars
    (8)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (2)

Nitro

5 stars

Submitted 13/Mar

Another excellent holiday from Rail Discoveries: First class train journey, great hotel in an ideal location and top quality service from our guide Catherine. Very highly recommended!

Collected by Trustpilot

S Brown

5 stars

Submitted 13/Mar

Well organised, superb hotel (Westminster Hotel, Nice) and tour guide excellent. One slight disappointment was travelling back on the TGV for 6 hours our allocated seat had no window as blocked by steel plate. We appreciate it must be difficult to ensure all the party have good seats. For us the train journey is a large part of our holiday. We ended up standing in the buffet car forenable us to look out of the window to enjoy scenery

Collected by Trustpilot

Neil from Gloucester

5 stars

Submitted 12/Mar

Brilliant great carnival and trips

Collected by Trustpilot

Mr Adrian Howell

5 stars

Submitted 12/Mar

A great week travelling by train from St Pancras to Paris north then the TGV from Paris south to Nice, went to the carnival this was amazing such a lovely place lovely walks in the old town and along to seafront also visited Monaco and the casino highly recommend

Collected by Trustpilot

Kathryn

5 stars

Submitted 5/Mar

This was a lovely holiday. If you don't like flying then the Eurostar/TVR experience is for you. Lovely hotel on the seafront in Nice with first class breakfast. Interesting trips and lots of free time to do your own thing. Highly recommended.

Collected by Trustpilot

Rosalind

5 stars

Submitted 13 Mar 2024

A great trip with a great leader. My first ever escorted tour. Nice hotel right on the Promenade des Anglais. The carnavale was spectacular.

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