France by Train: Explore History, Culture & Romance on A 9-Day Journey
For this 9-day rail tour of France, we have designed a unique itinerary to explore the very heart of Paris, the rich heritage of Normandy and the stunning landscapes of the picturesque Loire Valley. Throughout your trip, you will travel by train and benefit from private transfers, guided visits and the services of our local contacts. In Paris, discover the Eiffel Tower and the magnificent royal chateau of Versailles. In Caen, the historic capital of Normandy, you will discover the city and its many heritage sites, a legacy left by William the Conqueror and the events of World War II. Mont Saint-Michel, a majestic island in the bay, and the powerful D-Day beaches will also feature in your guided visits. Then, it’s off to the Loire Valley, often referred to as the “Valley of Kings” and a region steeped in romance, where you will explore the many chateaux, the vineyards and the stunning Renaissance architecture using an e-bike, on foot or by car. Your return to Paris will be the start of your last evening in France, with your departure the following morning.
What's included
Itinerary
Welcome to France! As soon as you land in Paris you will be picked up at the airport and brought to your hotel in Paris. Depending on the time of your arrival you will be able to check in for your hotel room or you can leave your luggage there and go to the Eiffel Tower summit on your own to get a view of this amazing city from above. Paris, the French capital, is a very interesting city, it has a large and beautiful river (Seine), big and beautiful boulevards, thousands of beautiful roofs and many famous monuments and sights of interest. In the evening you can have dinner in that area and relax for a moment to then continue to discover Paris by yourself the next day.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a free morning in Paris before your afternoon excursion to the Palace of Versailles, one of France's most dazzling symbols of royal power and artistic ambition. Travel by coach with your guide and benefit from skip-the-line access on arrival. Inside the palace, explore the King's and Queen's Grand Apartments, the Coronation Room and Marie Antoinette's former bedroom, while your guide shares the stories behind the architecture, furniture, paintings and courtly rituals. The celebrated Hall of Mirrors offers a dramatic highlight, designed to impress guests of the Sun King with light, scale and luxury. After the guided palace visit, take time to walk around the formal French gardens at your own pace before returning to Paris.
After breakfast at your hotel in Paris, you will be transferred to the train station from where you will travel to Caen in Normandy. At Caen station you will meet your private driver and be transferred to your hotel. For the rest of the day you can discover the medieval town of Caen, the medieval capital of Norman France founded by William the Conqueror. Although Caen was ravaged during the Battle of Normandy in 1944, the town still has a lot of charm. You will be able to visit the impressive ducal castle, the two great abbeys as well as the Memorial de Caen, a museum about World War II and the D-Day landings. Strolling through the streets of Caen you will find local shops, bars and restaurants.
Today brings one of France's most extraordinary sights: Mont Saint-Michel. After a transfer to the station and onward travel, continue by comfortable vehicle toward this UNESCO World Heritage site, rising dramatically above its tidal bay. With your guide, follow in the footsteps of pilgrims who have climbed toward the abbey since the Middle Ages. Explore the fortified village streets, ancient ramparts, narrow lanes and the remarkable abbey complex that crowns the island with stone arches, spires and amazing views. Along the way, hear the history, legends and daily life of this remarkable place, including the story of the famous Mere Poulard omelette. Return to Caen after a full day immersed in one of France's most atmospheric landmarks.
Begin your day by joining a full-day guided exploration of Normandy's D-Day sites, where history is felt in the landscapes, villages, beaches and memorials along the coast. Begin at Sainte-Mere-Eglise, where American paratroopers played a defining role in the early hours of June 6, 1944 and visit the Airborne Museum to better understand their mission. Continue to the German Cemetery, then to Pointe du Hoc, where U.S. Rangers scaled steep cliffs under fire to neutralize a German battery. The preserved bunkers, bomb craters and clifftop views remain deeply moving. Your day also includes Omaha Beach and the U.S. Cemetery, where you will have time for reflection overlooking the coastline that became central to the liberation of Europe. Return to Caen in the evening.
Leave Normandy behind and travel by train toward the Loire Valley, a region celebrated for its chateaux, vineyards, riverside towns and calm countryside. After arriving in Tours and transferring to your hotel, set out for a guided e-bike experience around Amboise. Begin at Clos Luce, the final home of Leonardo da Vinci, where models and exhibits reveal the astonishing creativity of the Renaissance master. Ride through the charming streets of Amboise, passing half-timbered houses and historic sites connected to French royalty, before continuing along the north bank of the Loire River. Your route takes you past troglodyte homes, small villages, vineyards and tranquil rural scenery. Pause in the vines for a tasting of local wine and French pastries, then return to Tours for the evening.
Today is devoted to the elegance of the Loire Valley. Join a small-group guided tour to discover two of the region's most iconic chateaux, paired with local flavors and scenic countryside. Begin with Chateau de Chambord, a UNESCO World Heritage site and masterpiece of French Renaissance architecture. Explore its grand rooms, chapel, terraces and celebrated double-helix staircase. Continue with a French lunch accompanied by Loire Valley wine at a private chateau, then travel onward toward Chateau de Chenonceau, admired for its graceful gallery stretching across the River Cher and its beautifully designed gardens. Along the way, admire estates such as Cheverny and Amboise from the road and end the day with an aperitif of regional specialties before returning to Tours.
Breakfast is served in the morning and then off to the station for your return train to Paris. On arrival at Paris Station you will be greeted by a member of staff who will escort you to your hotel where you can check in. The rest of the day is then free to visit your favorite Parisian locations. You can take a stroll along the Seine, visit local shops or boutiques, enjoy more quality time in the capital or even dine out in a classic Parisian brasserie for one of your last nights in Paris. We will take care of everything and you can just enjoy your day in Paris.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and a quiet final morning, depending on your flight time. At the arranged hour, your transfer will collect you and take you to the airport for your onward journey. You leave France with memories of Parisian landmarks, Norman heritage, Mont Saint-Michel, D-Day history, Loire Valley chateaux and the ease of a beautifully connected rail journey curated by local experts.
