Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
The French Riviera by Train Historic Cities, Charming Villages & Foodie Fun
France – Avignon – Nimes – Marseille – Saint-Raphael – Mougins
Throughout, you’ll visit a series of charming villages and historic cities, each connected by scenic rail journeys. The walled charm of Avignon gives way to the Romanesque grandeur of Nimes, before the age-old glamour of Marseilles melts marvellously into the portside pleasantries of Saint-Raphael.
Round out your ridiculously romantic romp in Mougins, a little way down the road from Nice. Here, Medieval facades house excellent eateries and enticing boutiques, while the glimmering coast is still just a short drive away.
By the time you leave, you’ll be bronzed, blissful, well-fed and clued-up on what keeps the celebs so enamoured.
Itinerary
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Pack your bags because your luxury French Riviera train trip starts this morning. Head to London St Pancreas to hop on the Eurostar to Paris, where you'll be privately transferred from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon (a 20-minute drive south) to catch the train to Avignon.
The whole journey takes just over five hours, so you'll arrive in Avignon by mid-afternoon. Settle into your first hotel of the trip, where you’ll be staying for two nights, before heading out for an early-evening exploration of this cultural treasure trove.
Take the chance to explore the streets, enjoying the town's Gothic buildings, characterful walls and pretty Saint-Benezet bridge. Once you’ve worked up a healthy appetite, duck into an enticing dinner spot to toast to your first night in the French Riviera.
The name of the game today: sinking your teeth into local cuisine. Opt for a lighter breakfast this morning before stepping out to meet a local guide and embarking on a foodie tour of Avignon.
Hit the local market to discover a range of gourmet gems. We’re talking pissaladiere (an onion tart resembling a pizza), fougasse (a type of bread typical to southern France), tapenade (pureed olives) and locally produced olive oil. Of course, a top-tier glass of wine will also be included. Yum.
The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you please. Art lovers should visit the Musee Calvet, which boasts French, Italian, Flemish and modern art. There’s also the UNESCO-listed Palais des Papes, which was the seat of western Christianity in the 14th century. Yes, it’s as majestic as it sounds.
There’s no need to rush out this morning, so take your time over breakfast before heading back to the station to catch the 40-minute train to Nimes. Eyes on the windows as you wind through the picturesque French countryside.
You’ll arrive in Nimes before you know it, ready to check into your hotel for the next two nights and start settling in. After pausing to unwind and freshen up, the rest of the day is yours to spend exploring your new surroundings. Let’s go.
Come evening, cut through to the cream of the crop by reaching out to our local Concierge for some stellar restaurant recommendations. Bon appetit.
Tuck into a tasty breakfast this morning before packing your day bags and stepping out. Today is all about exploring Nimes, or the 'Rome of France' as it’s (rather charmingly) known by many.
Once one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire, Nimes boasts a truly epic past. This can be seen in the collection of Roman buildings that populate the city centre, such as the Arenas de Nimes and the UNESCO-listed Maison Carree, a roughly 2,000-year-old temple.
Later on, wander the sunny palm-lined streets, popping into museums and markets, before stopping for a delicious lunch. Full bellied and drunk on the romance of southern France, slip back to your hotel for some downtime before heading out again this evening. Let the good times (and the great food) roll.
Leave Nimes behind to head to the sunny coastal city of Marseille today. It's an hour and 20 minutes away by train, meaning you'll arrive in time to check into your next hotel before grabbing a spot of lunch.
This afternoon, discover the capital of the south by strolling through the streets with a private guide. Start at the Old Port, Marseilles’s beating heart, before ascending to the iconic basilica: Notre-Dame de la Garde.
There are also plenty of colourful neighbourhoods, gourmet delights and lively markets to explore here. So, after scoping them out with your guide, be sure to return for more when the tour is over – the perfect chance to immerse yourself in local life.
After a slow start today, head out on a cruise through Calanques National Park from Marseille to Cassis. Sunglasses on and SPF lathered, hop aboard a private boat and set sail on the shimmering, sun-kissed waters.
Spend the day discovering the secrets of this delightfully remote area. It’s time to live out your nautical dreams, exploring hidden coves and spotting local wildlife as your boat tracks the rugged coastline towards Cassis.
Having sampled life on the water (and hopefully taken some Instagram-worthy shots on board), return to Marseille in time for a late lunch paired with a glass of the good stuff.
You have the rest of the afternoon to explore more of Marseille and take things at your own pace. This evening, enjoy another delicious dinner before sinking into a plush stack of pillows tonight. Dreamy.
It's your last morning in Marseille, so pack your things and step out to catch the train to Saint-Raphael. Head off around mid-morning, journeying west for around an hour and 40 minutes through more of the gorgeous French Riviera region.
Arrive this afternoon, ready to check into your next home away from home for a two-night stay. This calls for a welcome drink and a leisurely stroll around the property.
Over the next few days, you’re free to do as you please. So, don’t hesitate to sink into a sun lounger, dip your toes in the pool, wade into the sea or stroll through the surrounding streets.
Here, sumptuous hilltop villas lead into a network of boutique-lined lanes, which weave down towards the seafront. Cue plenty of retail therapy, spontaneous strolls, hearty bites and musings about staying forever.
Delight in a leisurely breakfast this morning before heading to the station to hop on the train to Cannes, just 30 minutes away. From there, you’ll be privately transferred to the charming Medieval village of Mougins, 25 minutes north.
When you arrive, check in for the last three nights of your trip, unpack and freshen up before delving into the surrounding cobbled streets this afternoon. Laid out in a spiral, they’re full of studios, artisan shops and some great spots for al fresco dining.
Spend the rest of the day exploring before finding the perfect spot to perch up for a relaxing – not to mention delicious – dinner. Yum.
Fuel up on a mouth-watering spread of pastries to prepare for an adventure further afield today. Meet your private driver to transfer 40 minutes north of Mougins to Grasse, famous for its long-established perfume-industry.
Today is all about creating the perfect scent during a workshop with a local expert. Through their expertise, you'll learn all about the craft of perfume-making before having a go at creating your very own signature scent, which will be sorted on a database so it’s available to re-order when your supply runs low – lucky you.
The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. If you’ve found yourself charmed by Grasse, take some time to explore the town itself before heading back to Mougins for the evening.
Leap out of bed this morning to head to Nice Station (a 30-minute drive away) and catch the Train des Merveilles. In the comfort of the carriage, you’ll climb into the mountains through a series of tunnels to explore the Vallee des Merveilles – that's the Valley of Marvels to us Brits.
The train stops in the village of Sospel, or you can ride on to the lakeside village of Breil-sur-Roya for lunch. Then, climb aboard once more to continue to the village of Tende. Here, there’s a museum full of petroglyphs (images carved into rock) and artefacts found in the surrounding Vallee des Merveilles. Pretty cool.
Your train adventure spans the whole day, meaning you won’t return to Mougins until this evening. As it’s the last night of your trip, give the French Riviera a fitting send-off by indulging in generous pours and gourmet bites during dinner tonight. It would be rude not to.
Sadly, today marks the end of your time in the lap of luxury that is the French Riviera. Say goodbye to Mougins and return to Nice this morning to catch the six-hour train to Paris, arriving in time to hop in a car for your private transfer to Gare du Nord. Here, you’ll climb aboard the Eurostar to journey back to London.
After another two-and-a-half hours on the rails, arrive home in time for a slightly late (or simply French) dinner. We hope you picked up some foodie treats or local booze to sweeten the post-holiday blues tonight.
Why visit France with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to France
- Our local Concierges
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