Lyon, Avignon and the French Alps

A brand-new tour to the beautiful Roman city of Lyon, the famed provençale town of Avignon and the highest peaks in the Alps of Savoy, including some of the best steam railways and most spectacular mountain trains in France.

• Conveniently based in the elegant city of Lyon throughout, you enjoy scenic cruises on the Rivers Rhône and Saône ein both Lyon and Avignon.
• Experience the most spectacular French mountain railways with rides on the iconic Petit Train de la Mure and the steep Tramway du Mont Blanc.
• Enjoy French steam through untouched rural scenery with wonderful rides at the wild Train de l’Ardeche with a Mallet locomotive from 1902, plus travel along the banks of the Rhône behind an old tank engine.
• Explore the cultural and transport attractions of Lyon and Avignon with complimentary public tram tickets, allowing you to get around the cities with ease and comfort, plus discover their distinct rack railways, funiculars and trolleybuses.
• A relaxed holiday with a leisurely pace and lots to see close to Lyon, that is ideal for both railway enthusiasts and common travellers alike.
  

Tuesday 1st July
London to Lyon by high-speed rail
You travel from London St Pancras to Paris Nord by Eurostar, before changing onto an SNCF TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon. Located in central France at the confluence of the Rivers Rhône and Saône, this beautiful city boasts an expansive Old Town full of Roman and Medieval heritage, plus spacious squares and romantic bridges. During the next week you will have ample time to see and enjoy all the Lyon has to offer. A complimentary public transport ticket is included for the duration of your stay. You are based at a centrally-located hotel, near all the attractions. Tonight there is a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Wednesday 2nd July
Scenic cruise, vintage transport and leisure in Lyon
As the third-largest city in France, Lyon boasts a unique transport network that includes Metro, tramway, two funiculars, one rack railway and an expansive trolleybus system. All of these modes of transport are not only interesting to discover, but also make it convenient and comfortable to see the city without walking. You will have ample free time today to explore Lyon and all of its cultural and architectural attractions at your own. Together with the tour group, a relaxing sightseeing cruise is also included giving you fine views of all the landmarks from the water. In the evening dinner is back at the hotel. (B D)

Thursday 3rd July
Steam at the Train de l’Ardèche
Just one hour south is this iconic French heritage railway, which is also known as ‘Le Mastrou’ and boasts an 0-6-6-0 metre gauge Mallet locomotive. You make the 28km long return steam journey through the wild landscape of the namesake Gorges de l’Ardèche. The railway passes over several stone-arched viaducts and through remote countryside that is both idyllic and rugged. Along the way there are photo opportunities and lunch is also included today. In the afternoon you return by steam train back to Tournon St Jean and then transfer back to Lyon. (B L)

Friday 4th July
French Alpine Railway at Chemin de Fer de la Mure
Today you venture deep into the French Alps south of Grenoble to the Petit Train de la Mure, an iconic narrow gauge railway famous for its horseshoe curves and stone-arched viaducts in the heart of very remote mountains. Originally built in the 1880s for coal-mining, the railway was already electrified in the early 20th century and today features valuable Swiss-built electric locomotives from 1933. You are accommodated in wonderful ‘fresh air’ half-open coaches which provide superb views of the passing scenery. You make the full round-trip on this steeply graded route and have lunch at the terminus, before once again returning by train to the main station at la Mure. (B L)

Saturday 5th July
Alpine splendor at the Tramway du Mont Blanc
The highest mountain in Western Europe awaits today, including a literal high point of the tour at Nid d’Aigle at 2372m (7782 ft) above sea level. Built from 1907 to 1914, this breathtaking, 12km long rack railway rises high into the Alps of Savoy and affords views of valleys below and of course the great white peak itself. You have a fast transfer from Lyon to La Roche-sur-Foron. There you board an SNCF TER train that takes you to Le Fayet. From there you ascend on the rack railway for the round trip to Nid d’Aigle (Eagle’s Nest). On return to Lyon there’s another dinner at the hotel tonight (B D)

Sunday 6th July
Steam at the Chemin de Fer touristique du Haut-Rhône
You visit another French heritage railway with steam traction, conveniently located just east of Lyon along the banks of the Rhône, surrounded by hilly countryside. With 4km of track on 600mm gauge, this delightful little railway boasts wonderful half-open fresh-air coaches, great views and ample opportunities for pictures or filming. The resident stalwart is an 0-6-0 Decauville from 1922. Lunch refreshments are included, before you return to Lyon and have some more leisure time in the city. (B L)

Monday 7th July
Scenic cruise and tramway in Avignon
Located in the heart of the lush Provence region, Avignon is a marvellous UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Old Town and distinct bridges over the Rivers Rhône and Durance. You travel to Avignon by taking a locomotive-hauled SNCF TER train from Lyon via Valence over the conventional railway route. On arrival to Avignon, you will be given a tramway rover ticket for the day and can use it to explore the short 5 km tram system with just one line, as well as see the city without walking. The ticket can also be used on the town buses for easy access to the Old Town. After more free time to explore the beautiful Old Town and Promenade, you have a refreshing sightseeing cruise allowing you to see the sites from the water. In the late afternoon you return from Avignon to Lyon by train and have a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B D)

Tuesday 8th July
Return to London by rail
The time has come to bid Lyon Adieu as you return to London using a high-speed TGV to Paris and then a Eurostar service to London St Pancras. (B)