Visiting France by train in just 10 days? That's the challenge I set myself. But after some research and a lot of determination, here's my train itinerary, which allows you to discover Paris, of course, but also some of the most beautiful regions of France : the Loire Valley and its castles , Bordeaux , Toulouse , Carcassonne…
This train tour of France is provided as a template to help you plan your own itinerary. Schedules and journey times may vary depending on the travel date, strikes, timetable changes, detours, etc.
10 days tour in France - Why choose the train?
Traveling by train can be a good choice for visiting France . Indeed, this type of transport offers certain advantages compared to traveling by plane, car, or bus:
- The train is more comfortable;
- It allows to admire the landscape;
- The atmosphere is special on the train, you can meet locals or other travelers and chat with them;
- When traveling at night, you can sleep on the train and save a hotel night;
- No parking problem, no traffic jam, no stress ...
- The train is generally faster than the car or the bus;
- Et much less polluting !
But traveling by train also has some disadvantages:
- The rail network is not sufficiently developed in some places, so the destinations are limited compared to the car;
- Traveling by train is longer than by plane;
- If you want to be sure that you have seats at your chosen times, you must book your tickets several months in advance.
10 days tour in France - Train tickets
Since this itinerary is designed for a train journey , you may have some questions: where should I book my train tickets ? Directly at the stations? Online? On which website? Do I need to book them in advance?
Of course, you will be able to buy your tickets at the stations, but it is likely that this way you will not be able to access all the possibilities of timetables and prices. The majority of train travelers book their tickets well in advance. Otherwise, by buying the tickets at the last moment, the trains you want to choose may be full and the prices will be much higher than buying them in advance.
Here's a great and reliable website where you can book your tickets in advance: https://www.thetrainline.com/en/train-companies/sncf
Alternatively, you can also use EURAIL , which offers a pass allowing access to most trains without prior reservation. More information about EURAIL
10 days tour in France by train - Map of my itinerary
To help you visualize my train journey , here's a map outlining the route in France that you could take in just 10 days . Of course, if you have 15 days or 3 weeks , this trip can be adapted and will be even more enjoyable. You'll be able to savor the tourist sites more leisurely and at a better pace by taking more time. That said, if you're looking for an optimized 10-day trip , this is a great compromise!
10 days tour in France by train - Summary of my itinerary
- 1 DAY: Arrived in Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and transfer to your hotel in Montmartre
- 2 DAY: Discover Paris
- DAY 3: Visit of Paris in the morning - Train to the The Loire Valley
- DAY 4: Visit of châteaux of Chambord and Amboise
- DAY 5: Amboise - Bordeaux - Visit of Bordeaux
- 6 DAY: Visit of Bordeaux in 1 day
- DAY 7: Train Bordeaux Toulouse - Toulouse visit
- 8 DAY: Toulouse - Carcassonne - Visit of Carcassonne - Return to Toulouse
- DAY 9: Toulouse train - Rocamadour
- 10 DAY: Rocamadour visit - Rocamadour return train - Paris
Visit France by train - Detailed itinerary day by day
Paris - Day 1
- Arrival at Charles de Gaulle airport at Paris
- Take a taxi to your hotel (around 30 minutes)
- Night in Paris with perhaps a dinner show at the Moulin Rouge or an Evening Cruise on the Seine...
You know that Montmartre is my favorite place in Paris?
So, you can imagine that I'm going to advise you to book a hotel in the Montmartre district.
Below are my 2 favorites.
Cheap hotel in Paris - ibis Montmartre hotel
Why choose this hotel in Montmartre?
Because its location is ideal! If you treat yourself to dinner at the Moulin Rouge , you won't need to take a taxi because the famous cabaret is right next to the hotel. From this hotel, you can easily explore all of Montmartre and Paris on foot (the metro is a 5-minute walk away). In addition, numerous restaurants and cafes are nearby. And last but not least: its low price!
My favorite hotel in Paris - Maison Lepic Montmartre
Why stay at Maison Lepic Montmartre?
Especially for its garden in the center of Paris, its romantic atmosphere and the type of accommodation (guest house).
Just steps from the Sacré-Cœur , the rooms are comfortable, clean, and very well-equipped. Special mention goes to the super generous breakfast buffet, featuring fresh, high-quality products and delicious pastries.
Paris - Day 2
- Visit of Paris: Champs Elysées, the Eiffel Tower, the Pont des Arts, Cathedral of Our Lady, the neighborhood of Montmartre, the The Sacred Heart...
- Dinner cruise on the Seine or dinner show at Moulin Rouge ;
- Nuit à Montmartre
Paris Loire Valley Chambord - Day 3
- Visit of Paris in the morning (museums, shopping, etc.)
- Paris - Chambord route
-
- 13:00 p.m. Departure from Gare d'Austerlitz in Paris to Mer (in the Loir et Cher) (2h)
- Change in Blois
- 14:44 p.m. Take the TER train to Mer
- Arrival at 14:53 p.m. at Mer (Loir-et-Cher)
- Take a taxi from Mer (+33 2 54 78 07 65 or +33 2 54 74 00 40) to go to Chambord (15 minutes)
- Installation at your hotel
- Nuit à Chambord
Best hotel in Chambord - Relais de Chambord
This is the most beautiful place to stay directly in the Chambord estate.
The Relais de Chambord is a magnificent hotel offering a unique experience in an exceptional setting! This luxury hotel is the closest to the Château de Chambord , and more importantly, it boasts two excellent restaurants, a spa, a hammam, and a sauna—everything you need for a dream evening!
Chambord Amboise - Day 4
- Visit of the Château de Chambord in the morning.
The Château de Chambord is said to be the largest and most harmonious of the Loire castles.
Built in the heart of the largest closed forest park in Europe, it is imposing and simply majestic!
- 14:30 p.m. - Taxi to Mer station (15 minutes)
- 15:09 p.m. - Sea train - Amboise (St Pierre) 30 minutes
- 3h43 - Arrival in Amboise
- Visit of the Château d'Amboise (1:00 p.m.)
Amboise located on the banks of the Loire with its superb Castle, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a little architectural gem of the Renaissance.
- Installation at your hotel - Overnight at Amboise
Hotel in Amboise - Le Manoir Saint Thomas
Perfect for spending a night as if you were living in the 16th century! This luxurious and magnificent place is set in a historic location. Ideally situated in Amboise, just steps from the castle, this hotel boasts a beautiful swimming pool and modern comforts within its manor house. It's a great option for visiting Amboise for only 100 euros a night!
Amboise Bordeaux - Day 5
- Amboise visit in the morning
- 12h00 - Departure by taxi for Amboise station
- 12:35 - Train (TER) Amboise - St-Pierre-des-Corps (15 minutes)
- Change in St-Pierre-des-Corps (12 min)
- 13:02 p.m. - Departure from St-Pierre-des-Corps by TGV to Bordeaux (1h50)
- 14:52 p.m. - Arrival in Bordeaux
- 15:00 p.m. - Taxi to the center of Bordeaux
- Visit of Bordeaux
- Overnight in Bordeaux
Best hotel in Bordeaux - Courtyard side of the Hôtel Particulier
This is the most beautiful accommodation I've been lucky enough to find in the center of Bordeaux (within my budget). It's not a hotel but a guesthouse with elegant and fully equipped rooms. The location right in the heart of Bordeaux is simply ideal: between the Grand Théâtre and Saint André Cathedral, it's situated on a quiet and peaceful pedestrian street.
Bordeaux - Day 6
- Visit of Bordeaux (see my article Bordeaux in 1 day)
- Overnight in Bordeaux
Bordeaux Toulouse - Day 7
- Continuation of the visit to Bordeaux in the morning (Bordeaux in 2 days);
- 14:02 p.m. - Departure from St Jean station in Bordeaux by TGV train to Toulouse (2:00)
- 16:00 p.m. - Arrival in Toulouse Matabiau
- Take a taxi to your hotel
- Toulouse visit in the afternoon: see my article Toulouse in 1 day
- Night in Toulouse
Which hotel in Toulouse? The Large Balcony
With its ideal location in the heart of Toulouse (100 meters from the Capitole), this 4-star hotel is superbly decorated in a 30s style, blending tradition and modernity. From here, you can easily visit the historic center as well as all of Toulouse 's other tourist attractions , as it's just a 3-minute walk from the metro. Furthermore, the shopping streets and the Galeries Lafayette department store are also a 5-minute walk from the Grand Balcon Hotel.
Which hotel in Toulouse - Le Citiz Hôtel
The Citiz Hotel is a 4-star hotel with high-end amenities but at a very reasonable price!
Its location is ideal. Indeed, it is located on the Allées Jean Jaures opposite Place Wilson, a 5-minute walk from the Capitole and 10 minutes from Matabiau train station.
This is surely the best hotel in Toulouse for travelers arriving by train.
Carcassonne - Day 8
- Full Day excursion to Carcassonne from Toulouse by bus. In the center of Toulouse, you can take a bus that will take you to discover the Cité de Carcassonne, the Comtal castle and the Saint Nazaire basilica.
Located approximately 80 kilometers east of Toulouse, Carcassonne is a unique fortified medieval city in Europe, due to its size and state of preservation. Its history is marked by 2000 years of conquests and the influence of Catharism and the Crusades.
- Return to Toulouse by bus
- Night in Toulouse
Toulouse Rocamadour - Day 9
- Continuation of the Toulouse visit in the morning
- 14:28 p.m. - Departure from Toulouse-Matabiau station by TER Train (1h47 min) towards Gourdon (near Rocamadour)
- 16:15 p.m. - Arrival in Gourdon
- Taxi Gourdon - Rocamadour (32 minutes)
- 17:00 p.m. - Installation at your hotel
- Nuit à Rocamadour
Best hotel in Rocamadour - Best Western Beau Site
For the last night of your tour, treat yourself to a night in this beautiful hotel full of charm and character: Best Western Beau Site.
Ideally located in the center of the medieval city, it has a beautiful panoramic dining room where the restaurant serves good regional gastronomic cuisine made up of fresh and local products.
Rocamadour Paris - Day 10
- Visiting day of Rocamadour
Clinging to its cliff, Rocamadour offers a breathtaking view of the Alzou canyon. This major French site has been a legendary pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages.
- 17 p.m. - Taxi from Rocamadour to Padirac station (45 minutes)
- 18:13 p.m. - Departure by train to Padirac by TER (40 minutes)
- Change in Brive-la-Gaillarde (10 min)
- 19:03 p.m. - Departure from Brive-la-Gaillarde for Paris (4:23)
- 23h30 - Arrived in Paris Austerlitz station
- Taxi to Roissy Airport or to your hotel in Paris.
Do you prefer to discover France by car?
Check out my article: