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    Cities by train in France

    Aix-en-Provence
    Avignon
    Bordeaux
    Cannes
    Chambery
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    Lille
    Lyon
    Marseille
    Nice
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    A sunny day overlooking the vineyards of the Alscace in France, with a hill full of trees behind it.

    France by train

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    Search flight-free holidays designed by sustainable travel experts including overland travel and accommodation.

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    Land and sea journeys with locally-owned stays

    France show-stoppers: longer adventures by rail

    • French voyageur

      Valence, Bordeaux, Poitiers, Lille, Biarritz, Lourdes, Brantôme en Périgord, Béziers, Colmar

      Embark on an extraordinary adventure through some of France's most beautiful regions, exploring historic streets, towering castles and some of the most imposing cathedrals the country has to offer.

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    • French Riviera & Corsica

      Ajaccio, Bastia, Marseille, Cassis, Calvi

      Soak up the sea on this adventure by overnight ferry to Corsica. Explore the island’s beaches, ancient towns and mountains by train and bus.

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    • Nouvelle-Aquitaine to Biscay

      Bordeaux, Angers, Biarritz, San Sebastián, Santander, Paris, La Rochelle

      A tapestry of striking landscapes makes up this unhurried journey through the Loire, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Basque regions to Spain’s north coast.

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    Rural France holidays

    • Vineyards of Burgundy

      Beaune, Dijon, Colmar

      The Burgundy vineyards stretch across 50 kilometres, where you can bike, walk and taste your way across France’s most acclaimed wine-growing region.

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    • The Loire Valley

      Nantes, Orléans, Paris

      Green valleys meet French splendour in the UNESCO Loire. Based in Orléans and Nantes, you’ll get the best of history, gastronomy and verdant landscapes.

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    • Provençal lavender fields

      Avignon, Aix-en-Provence

      Escape to Provence for balmy afternoons weaving through the fragrant Routes de la Lavande, and catch the last of the evening sun over crisp glasses of rosé.

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    French beaches by train

    • The French and Italian Rivieras

      Alassio, Menton, Marseille, Nice, Cassis, Genoa, Toulon, Paris

      Eastward along the French Riviera into Italy is one of Europe’s finest coastal journeys worth lingering over, with stop-offs in Nice and lesser-known towns.

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    • Côte d'Azur

      Menton, Nice, Paris

      Head southward to uncover two contrasting sides of the French Riviera: the classic glamour of Nice and the slow-paced life of Menton at the border’s edge.

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    • Bay of Biscay

      Bordeaux, Biarritz, San Sebastián, Santander

      Sprawling beaches, failsafe surf and one of the best coastal food scenes around. Sit back on a cross-border journey around Biscay from France to Spain.

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    Hilltop hideaways

    • Hilltop towns of Hauts de France

      Bergues, Cassel

      Discover the fortified towns of Bergues and Cassel, recognised as one of the most picturesque rural communities in northern France.

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    • Gordes

      Gordes, Avignon, Valence

      Venture off the beaten path on a journey through the hilltop village of Gordes and city of Valence, showcasing stunning architecture, local flavors, and incredible landscapes.

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    • St-Paul-de-Vence

      St-Paul-de-Vence, Nice, Paris

      With the Alps to the northwest and the coast to the southeast, St-Paul-de-Vence is the ideal hilltop hideaway for those looking for coast and mountains.

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    Historical holidays in France

    • Medieval Alsace

      Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Colmar

      At the crossroads of French and German history, the Alsace region beckons with castles, medieval old towns and a unique cultural border landscape.

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    • WW1 history of Northern France

      Amiens, Compiègne, Arras

      Uncover Northern France’s most significant WW1 sites, from the Clairière de L’Armistice to the Chemin des Dames ridge.

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    • Chateaux of Hauts-de-France

      Compiègne, Chantilly

      Uncover chateaus, gardens and former hunting grounds in Chantilly before skirting along the river Oise to Compiègne.

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    City breaks France by train

    • UNESCO Bordeaux

      Bordeaux

      Explore honey-hued streets, art museums and bustling wine bars. Take a day trip to the seaside, Europe's largest dune and the cool waters of the Arcachon Basin.

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    • Paris and Lille

      Lille, Paris

      Uncover the hidden side of Paris (head down to the Catacombs or to the tucked-away Montmartre Vineyards), before exploring up-and-coming Lille.

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    • Marseille and Nice

      Marseille, Nice, Paris

      Two Riviera port cities. (Almost) guaranteed sun. A hint of resort-town glamour, with tucked-away cafés and watering holes to wine and dine with the locals.

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    Spring highlight

    Jardin du Luxembourg

    Watch spring bloom in Paris. The palatial Jardin du Luxembourg in the Sixth Arrondissement is a 57-acre garden commissioned by the French queen, Marie de Medici. Kick back under the shade of horse chestnut trees or on the low-slung chairs surrounding the fountain, and in springtime, admire colourful flowers and fragrant orchard fruit trees.

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    How long does it take?

    Here’s the minimum time you’ll need for a relaxed round trip starting from London. We do other departure stations, too!

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