South of France Steam

DAY 1

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

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we will travel by road to Tournon Saint-Jean to experience the Vivarais Railway, an 18-mile metre-gauge line using powerful Mallet steam locomotives to haul the train through the scenic Doux Gorges. A water stop is made at the village of Boucier-le-Roi before continuing past open countryside offering views of villages and countryside, chestnut groves and orchards. After climbing nearly 1,000ft, we will arrive at the small town of Lamastre, witnessing the train turn on its turntable and enjoying a 3-course lunch in a nearby restaurant, before returning by steam to Tournon and by coach to our hotel.

DAY 3

Today, after breakfast, we travel by private coach to Anduze for the remarkable Cévennes Steam Train to Saint-Jean-du-Gard. Winding through tunnels and along viaducts, our journey allows us to discover the valleys of the Gardon and their superb views. We will enjoy lunch together at Saint-Jean-du-Gard before retracing our steps to Anduze and returning to Valence.

DAY 4

Today, we will take a private coach to Raucoules for an exclusive charter of the Velay Express - the highest steam train in France! Riding the metre-gauge line to Saint-Agrève and return, the Velay Express faces a tormented terrain throughout its 17-mile route with 3% gradients and tight curves of the track making it a real mountain railway. We enjoy a light lunch at Saint-Agrève before our return to Raucoules and onwards by coach to our hotel.

DAY 5

After breakfast this morning, we will depart by rail over the old "classique" route to Marseille, changing here for our relaxing and scenic train ride along the beautiful Mediterranean coast to Nice, arriving early in the afternoon. We have the remainder of the day at leisure to explore Nice, famous for its sunny climes, gorgeous beaches, and colourful architecture staying for two nights at the Hotel Khla near the railway station.

DAY 6

Today, we depart from the metre-gauge Chemins de Fer de Provence railway station on a railcar through the Var Gorge to Puget-Théniers. Here we will board the steam hauled "Train des Pignes" for an historic ride through the beautiful Provence countryside and huge pine forests, past the incredible, charming city of Entrevaux, and onwards to the village of Annot. Here we will enjoy lunch together and time at leisure to discover the architectural treasures of this medieval village before retracing our steps to Nice for an evening at leisure.

DAY 7

We bid farewell to Nice and to France, returning by rail to Lille, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner