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Welcome to Railtrail Tours

A family firm with an ethos of honesty and integrity. Our passion for delivering quality escorted holidays by rail at great value fares along with consistently excellent customer service has stood us in good stead for over 40 years.

Big on Quality, Small Enough to Care

01538 382323
Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm

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French Rail Roamer

Experience some of the most scenic rural routes that France has to offer on this delightful rail roamer tour. Discover the beautiful Rhone Alps Region, ride the dramatic rack railway to Mer de Glace, and journey along the Tarentaise Valley. Enjoy picturesque views through the Massif Central, explore the Roman heritage of Nîmes, and visit charming towns.

View Dates & Book

6 days from £1195

 

DEPARTS

Tuesday 1 July 2025

 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ride the dramatic rack railway from Chamonix to Mer de Glace

  • Enjoy the scenic Tarentaise Valley line into the heart of the French Alps

  • Explore the delightful town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice

  • Discover the Roman heritage of Nîmes

  • Journey through beautiful gorges and over magnificent viaducts into the Massif Central

  • Enjoy picturesque views on the railway through the Auvergne Region

  • Spend time in the charming town of Figeac

 

Also included in your Tour Fare:

  • 5 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 1 evening meal

  • Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille, then onwards to Chambéry and our hotel for three nights, the Hotel Actuel, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.

D

DAY 2

Today, we begin our exploration of the dramatic Rhone Alps Region of France by travelling to St. Gervais and onwards to Chamonix on the metre-gauge line. From here, we take the fantastic Montenvers Railway climbing the steep track to a stunning vantage point above the Mer de Glace - an amazing glacier. We enjoy some free time to explore and to take lunch with spectacular views before returning to Chambéry for an evening at leisure.

B

DAY 3

After breakfast this morning, we enjoy more scenery from the train window as we ride the line along the Tarentaise Valley through the mountains and into the heart of the French Alps at Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Here, we have free time to explore this charming town, discover the delightful town centre, or visit the quaint cafés before retracing our steps to Chambéry.

B

DAY 4

This morning, we travel by rail to Valence for a TGV ride onwards to Nîmes where we have time to discover this historic city and explore its wealth of Roman heritage including the magnificent amphitheatre. This afternoon, we journey on the scenic single-track route through tunnels, over impressive viaducts, and through the spectacular Allier gorge to Clermont-Ferrand and, on arrival, we transfer to the Ibis Styles for our two-night stay.

B

DAY 5

Today, we experience another scenic single-track route into the Massif Central travelling over the magnificent viaduct to Aurillac, passing picturesque villages, and dropping down through chestnut forests to the rural town of Figeac. Here, we have free time to enjoy refreshments in one of the charming riverside cafés before returning, later in the day, to Clermont-Ferrand.

B

DAY 6

We bid farewell to Clermont-Ferrand and to France, returning by rail to Paris, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

B

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

HOTELS

Hotel Actuel, Chambéry

Located in the centre of Chambéry and close to the railway station, the family-run Hotel Actuel offers a warm welcome, a stylish restaurant serving regional dishes, and a cosy bar. The modern bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.

 

Ibis Styles, Clermont-Ferrand

Ideally situated opposite the railway station and close to the historic centre, the Ibis Styles offers a friendly atmosphere and a stylish lobby area to relax after a day of exploring. The contemporary bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom, air-conditioning, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.

 

FARES

From London St Pancras International:

Standard Class rail travel to/from France, including Standard Eurostar

£1,195

Supplement for Standard Premier Eurostar upgrade return

£200

Join at Chambéry & Leave at Clermont-Ferrand

£1,050

Single Traveller Supplement

£250

 

5 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 1 evening meal

Eurostar and rail travel to and from France in the class of your choice

All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

 

Moderate Tour Suitability Description

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

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Name Address
Tour Base Tour Base (Join & Leave at Hotel)
London St Pancras Int London St Pancras Int (LNE)

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01 Jul 2025 £1,195.00 Loading
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Contact Us
Railtrail Tours Limited
21 The Smithfield Centre, Leek
Staffordshire Moorlands, ST13 5JW
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