Lyon and the French Alps

An exciting tour to the beautiful Roman city of Lyon, the Alpine gateway of Grenoble 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
  in Lyon. 
• Experience the most spectacular French mountain railways with rides on the iconic Petit Train de la Mure, the steep Tramway du Mont Blanc and the panoramic cableway in Grenoble.
• Enjoy French steam through untouched rural scenery with wonderful rides at the wild Train de l’Ardeche with a giant Mallet locomotive from 1902, plus travel steam-hauled through the remote hinterland of the Massif Central at Velay Express.
• 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 regular travellers alike.

Tuesday 30 June

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 1 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 2 July

Steam at the Train de l’Ardèche

Located just an hour south of Lyon is the renowned ‘Le Mastrou’ French heritage railway. This railway features a 0-6-6-0 metre gauge Mallet locomotive. Here you take a return steam journey over the 28km long railway through the wild landscape of the namesake Gorges de l’Ardèche to the Lamastre. During the journey, you will pass over various stone-arched viaducts and through remote countryside that offers both picturesque and rugged landscapes. There will be opportunities for photographs, and lunch is included as part of the day. In the afternoon, you will return by steam train to Tournon St. Jean, followed by a transfer back to Lyon. (B L)

Friday 3 July

Grenoble panoramic cableway and Alpine Railway at Chemin de Fer de la Mure

Today, you will explore the French Alps, located south of Grenoble. Your journey begins with a stop in the picturesque city of Grenoble, where you can take the iconic urban cableway, established in 1934, to the hilltop fortress of La Bastille. This location offers stunning views of the surrounding Alps. After some time to explore Grenoble's city centre and enjoy refreshments, you will continue your journey by coach to the Chemin de Fer de la Mure. This narrow gauge railway is renowned for its horseshoe curves and stone-arched viaducts nestled in remote mountainous terrain.

Originally constructed in the 1880s for coal mining, the railway was electrified in the early 20th century and currently operates with historic Swiss-built electric locomotives from 1933.

You will travel in comfortable half-open coaches, which provide excellent views of the landscape. The trip includes a full round-trip on this steeply graded route, with lunch served at the terminus before you return to the main station at La Mure. From there, you will head back to Lyon by coach. (B)

Saturday 4 July

Alpine splendour at the Tramway du Mont Blanc

A visit to the highest mountain in Western Europe awaits today, including a highlight at Nid d’Aigle, which stands at 2,372 meters (7,782 feet) above sea level. The rack railway, constructed between 1907 and 1914, spans 12 kilometres and ascends into the Alps of Savoy, offering views of the surrounding valleys and the mountain peak. You will have a quick transfer from Lyon to Saint Gervais Le Fayet, where you will board the rack railway for a round trip to Nid d’Aigle. After returning to Lyon, you will have another free evening to explore the city's attractions. (B)

Sunday 5 July

France's highest steam railway at Velay Express

Today, you will be visiting a French heritage railway featuring steam traction, located in the Massif Central region, southwest of Lyon. The Velay Express is recognized as the highest railway line in France that operates regular steam trains, reaching an elevation of 1,062 meters above sea level along its picturesque rural route. This narrow-gauge line serves as the historic continuation of the railway route from the contemporary Train de l’Ardèche. During the 27km journey from Saint-Agreve to Raucules, you will experience a scenic ride as a tank engine transports you through the hilly French countryside. After arriving in Raucules, a coach will provide direct transfer back to Lyon, where we will conclude the day with a farewell group dinner.
(B D)

Monday 6 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)