South of France Steam

DAY 1

We will depart London St Pancras by Eurostar to Lille connecting onwards via Lyon to Valence. Staying at Hotel Les Negociants for four nights, we will 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 we will take a private coach to Racoules 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 4

Today, after breakfast, we travel TGV to Nîmes and then 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, via Nîmes, to Valence.

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 three nights at the Hotel Khla near the train station.

DAY 6

Today we will experience the "Train des Merveilles" (Train of Marvels), perfectly named as it is one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world. Travelling from Nice to Tende and return, we travel 62 miles to over 3,000ft altitude through sumptuous scenery, crossing numerous bridges and viaducts, and passing through 107 tunnels. On arrival in the fortified, medieval town of Tende, we take lunch together in a local restaurant before returning to Nice by rail.

DAY 7

Following breakfast this morning, 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.

DAY 8

After our breakfast, it is time to journey home by rail to Marseille, then TGV to Lille and, finally, by Eurostar to London.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner