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This New Luxury Train Journey Around France Is a Wine Lover's Dream--Here's What to Know

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, August 31st 2025 at 8:05 GMT by Travel + Leisure
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France Unveils a New Luxury Train Journey That Reimagines Rail Travel

France has long been synonymous with romance, fine cuisine and picturesque landscapes, but a new entrant to the country’s travel scene is adding an extra layer of indulgence: a luxury train that promises an all‑inside‑out experience of the country’s most iconic routes. The service—called Le Grand Train—is slated to launch later this year and will run a 3‑day, 4‑stop itinerary that traces the heart of the French Riviera, passing through Lyon, Avignon, Marseille and the glamorous coastlines of Provence.

Le Grand Train is a partnership between SNCF (the French state‑owned rail operator) and the luxury hospitality group Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. The collaboration is designed to blend the world‑class standards of both brands, creating an exclusive rail experience that rivals the most expensive cruises and private jet charters. The official launch is set for the beginning of the summer season, with the first round‑trip available in May. The price for a 3‑night, 4‑day journey starts at €820 per person, which includes two nights in a Suite carriage, a three‑course Michelin‑starred dinner, a spa day and curated cultural excursions.

The Route: From the Capital to the Côte d’Azur

The journey begins in Paris, where guests board the luxurious Grand Tour carriage that immediately feels like a private jet cabin: floor‑to‑ceiling windows, a plush lounge and a personal concierge desk. The train travels eastward on the high‑speed TGV network, making a brief stop in Lyon to offer a quick tasting of the city’s famed quenelles and a private guided tour of the old quarter. Next up is Avignon, where travelers disembark for an afternoon of papal intrigue at the Palais des Papes and a sunset walk along the Pont d’Avignon.

The real crescendo of the route comes when the train enters the Mediterranean basin. After a scenic ride along the Rhone delta, the train stops in Marseille to indulge in a seafood feast prepared by a Michelin‑starred chef, followed by a guided visit to the historic Old Port. The final stop, the jewel of the itinerary, is Nice. Here, passengers can stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, sip a glass of local rosé, and enjoy a sunset picnic curated by the in‑train sommelier.

Carriage Design & On‑Board Offerings

SNCF’s Le Grand Train features 10 carriages, each crafted by the celebrated French designer Philippe Starck. The interior is a study in modern elegance: walnut paneling, leather seats, crystal chandeliers and bespoke art pieces that reference the French countryside. There are four cabin types:

1. Standard – a private cabin with a bed, a small sitting area and a bathroom with a rain shower.
2. Premium – an upgraded cabin that adds a minibar and a larger bathroom.
3. Suite – a spacious cabin that can accommodate two guests, with a separate sitting area and a panoramic window.
4. Grand Suite – the pinnacle of the experience, featuring a personal butler service, a full living area, a 3‑tier spa room with a sauna, and an on‑board library stocked with works by French authors.

The dining car is a culinary highlight, offering a rotating menu that showcases seasonal ingredients from the Provençal vineyards and the Alpine pastures. Every plate is paired with a curated selection of French wines. A separate Café & Lounge carriage hosts live jazz on certain nights and offers a selection of champagne, rosé and local craft beers.

Beyond food and lodging, the train includes a Wellness & Spa carriage that features a hydrotherapy pool, a sauna, a massage room, and a yoga studio that operates in the early morning hours to accommodate the train’s schedule.

Curated Cultural Experiences

In addition to the scenic ride, Le Grand Train offers guests a line‑up of “On‑Board Experience” packages that are tailored to each stop. In Avignon, a private tour of the Palais des Papes is offered; in Marseille, a sunset sailing excursion on the Mediterranean; and in Nice, an exclusive wine‑tasting session with a local vintner. Guests can pre‑book these experiences through the train’s website or by speaking with the concierge on board.

The team has also integrated an “interactive map” feature on the train’s infotainment system that allows passengers to view the route, stop‑over highlights and live weather updates. The system also offers virtual “behind‑the‑scenes” videos of the train’s construction and interior design process—an optional feature that has received praise from early reviewers on travel forums.

The Vision Behind Le Grand Train

SNCF’s chief commercial officer, Julien Gauthier, spoke to Travel + Leisure about the inspiration behind the project: “Rail travel has always been about connecting people. What we’re trying to do is connect them in a way that’s luxurious, immersive and authentically French.” He added that the partnership with Four Seasons is meant to “blend the comfort and service standards of a 5‑star hotel with the speed and convenience of a high‑speed rail network.”

Four Seasons’ president of luxury travel, Elise Marot, echoed the sentiment, stating, “The idea of traveling in a private, curated setting while experiencing the full breadth of French culture is a unique proposition. It’s like having your personal concierge, sommelier and spa therapist all in one place.”

Additional Resources

The Travel + Leisure article links to several official resources that provide more granular details:

• The official Le Grand Train press release (https://www.sncftravels.com/press) offers full specifications on carriage layout, train specifications and ticketing information.
• A detailed route map (https://www.sncftravels.com/route-map) that visualizes each stop, the distance between them, and approximate travel times.
• A short behind‑the‑scenes video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeGrandTrain) showcasing the train’s interior design process and the collaboration between SNCF and Four Seasons.

What’s Next?

While the Paris‑Nice itinerary is the flagship offering, both SNCF and Four Seasons are already discussing future expansions. The next phase could see a “Lyon‑Bordeaux” route that highlights the wine country of the Southwest, or a “Paris‑Lille” service that connects the northern industrial hubs with the capital. In each case, the core philosophy remains: marrying the thrill of French rail travel with the indulgence of luxury hospitality.

In a world where experiential travel is becoming increasingly important, Le Grand Train offers a novel way to see France—speed, style, and sophistication all aboard a single carriage. As the launch date approaches, anticipation is building among travel aficionados who are ready to step aboard and experience the pinnacle of French rail luxury.