Steam Tours 2019 Itineraries

C entral & S outhern F rance R ail E xplorer

FOCUS ON STEAM WITH RAILTRAIL TOURS

Steam on the scenic Haut Quercy Railway, the cliff top village of Rocamadour, a boat trip in a cave, scenic rail car journey to Clermont Ferrand, a day of steam on the Cevennes Railway & the historic city of Nimes.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Fares From £1249

DAY 1 We depart London St. Pancras International by Eurostar to Paris Nord where we cross the city to Gare Austerlitz to catch a train service to Brive le Gillarde where we stay for two nights at the La Truffe Noire Hotel approximately 10 minutes from the station with numerous bars and restaurants nearby in the pedestrianised city centre. We have an evening meal together in a nearby restaurant. (D) DAY 2 We commence our day by road to Martel for our steam hauled trip the Haut Quercy Railway which runs along a scenic cliff edge with fantastic views of the surrounding area. We continue by road to Rocamadour and the amazing cliff top village with its historic basilica which you’ll be free to explore before we return to Brive by road later in the day. (B) DAY 3 After breakfast we travel by coach to the Padirac Cave, we descend into the cave in a lift, at the bottom we board a boat for a unique underground boat ride before walking the last section of the cave back to daylight! We then continue by road to Figeac where we board a rail car for a scenic ride though the Le Lioran ski resort to Clermont Ferrand. We check into the Best Western Alexandre Vialatte Hotel where we stay for one night. (B) DAY 4 This morning is free to explore the beautiful city of Clermont Ferrand with its magnificent Cathedral or ride on its unusual Translohr Monorail trams! We then take the train over another scenic route to Nimes where we check into Ibis Styles Centre Gare hotel for the next four nights. (B) DAY 5 Today we travel by road to Anduze where we travel on one of the finest preserved railways in France “The Cevennes Steam Train” for the breath-taking trip along deep narrow valleys and over numerous viaducts to St. ★ ★ Steam on the Haut Quercy Railway ★ ★ Cliff top village of Rocamadour ★ ★ Boat trip though the Padirac Caves ★ ★ Scenic Railcar journey to Clermont Ferrand ★ ★ Full day of steam Cevennes Railway ★ ★ Stay in the historic city of Nimes ★ ★ Steam on the Metre Gauge “Train de l’Ardèche”

Haut Quercy Railway

8 DAYS

Jean where we have lunch before we steam back to Anduze. (B,L) On return to Nimes you may have the option to visit the railway museum at the SNCF depot in Nimes with its fine collection of steam, diesel & electric locomotives and railway artefacts. (Confirmation awaited) DAY 6 Today is yours to explore the Roman City of Nimes. The city has a fine collection of Roman buildings including the Arena, Maison Carre, The Temple of Diana and the Tour Magne. (B) DAY 7 It’s back on the train today! We take the TGV to Valence where we transfer by road to Tournon for a steam hauled trip on the scenic metre gauge “Train de l’Ardèche” to Lamastre. You’ll have time to visit the small railway museum at Tournon Station before we take a trip on delightful metre gauge line hauled by one of the Mallet Locomotives. In Lamastre there will be a 3-hour break to explore this charming little town and have lunch before we steam back to Tournon. We then transfer by road to Valence where we take the TGV back to Nimes. (B,D) DAY 8 This morning we bid farewell to Nimes, we take the TGV to Lille Europe where we change to the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras. (B)

DEPARTS Wednesday 18 September 2019

FARE From London St Pancras International: Standard Class rail travel to/from France including £1249 Standard Eurostar Single Traveller Supplement £225 7 nights’ bed & breakfast accommodation 2 evening meals plus 1 lunch Standard class rail travel and seat reservations where available All excursions & admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager GUARANTEED FARE – no currency surcharge Fare based upon sharing a twin-bedded en-suite room; single rooms available – supplement as shown. Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason. Your acceptance of this is a condition of your booking.

HOTELS Le Truffe Noire, Brive

Set in an imposing villa at the edge of a bustling old town, this hotel features traditionally furnished rooms with air

conditioning, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Best Western Hotel Littéraire

Alexandre Vialatte, Clermont Ferrand This modern hotel overlooks the Place Delille in Clermont Ferrand. The stylish and contemporary rooms all include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and Nespresso machines. Hotel Ibis Styles Nimes Centre Gare Located opposite Nimes railway station, this stylish hotel is a 10-minute walk from some of the historic Roman architecture of Nimes. The rooms feature free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs.

The Cevennes Steam Train

Padirac Cave

Railtrail Tours Ltd 43 St. Edward Street, Leek, Staffordshire Moorlands ST13 5DN Telephone: 01538 382323 Fax: 01538 382525 email: enquiry@railtrail.co.uk www.railtrail.co.uk