Easter En Francais
Holiday brief
We are proud to present an Easter holiday that provides the opportunity for a
short break to sample the delights of rural Southern France. Based in the heart
of the country
’s second largest city, Lyon, considered by many to be the gastronomic centre of
France, this holiday will introduce you to a wonderful city, one of the best
preserved railways in France and includes some superb scenic rail riding in The
Alps. Add to this the excitement of Eurostar travel from St. Pancras
International, T.G.V. to Lyon and a first class hotel and the picture is
complete. Why not escape the grey skies of England and head for warmer climes
with - Easter en Francias.
The spectacular Alps
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Good Friday – We meet at St. Pancras International mid morning and begin our journey by
Eurostar to Lille, and onwards by T.G.V. direct to Lyon arriving early evening.
Saturday – A free morning, or join our fascinating escorted tour of “old” Lyon. A relaxed afternoon excursion is by train to Amberieu where we take a short
coach ride into the Bleu Vallee for a privately hired narrow gauge steam
railway operating along the banks of the Rhone.
We return to Lyon via Perouges, one of the most ancient and picturesque villages
in France.
Sunday – The steam highlight of the holiday. A glorious two-hour trip aboard the
incomparable Chemin De Fer Du Vivarais, Wow!! We go by S.N.C.F. to Tournon,
enjoy the spectacular ride through the gorges amid glorious Ardeche scenery to
Lamastre for a
“typically French” Sunday lunch (included). Our return journey is broken with a refreshment stop
at an intermediate station as we travel, steam hauled, back down the gorge to
Tournon.
Monday – A truly fantastic circular rail tour of the Alps commences with a tram trip
across the city to Lyon Part Dieu. We now take the train to Grenoble during
which the Alps begin to come into view.
OUR HOTEL
The Chateau Perrache, Lyon
This fine hotel is situated immediately adjacent to Lyon Perrache Station and
within ten minutes walk of the city centre. This is a luxury standard
four-star establishment with all the usual room facilities you would expect and serving an
excellent buffet style breakfast - a quality base for an outstanding holiday.
A break here for refreshments and some tram riding before we continue our
journey travelling into the Alps along one of the scenic lines of France as far
as Veynes. Here we enjoy a further break in our travels prior to completing the
triangle with yet another stunning rail-ride back to Lyon
– having spent most of the day amid 2000 metre high snow-capped mountain scenery.
Tuesday – Breakfast, then we retrace our steps across France, by T.G.V. for the journey
to Lille, then by Eurostar back to London, arriving mid-afternoon.
Date & Price
Tour Ref: EF5/1
Good Friday March 21st (5 days)
£569.00 based on €1.40 to the £
Price Variation
Single supplement £110.00
See booking conditions for currency
fluctuation clause
Steam in the Ardeche
