Le Grand Tour isn’t just a 6-day, 5-night train journey around France—it’s a moving work of art. With only 36 guests aboard 18-cabins, this luxuriously restored Belle Époque-style train travels from Paris through the famed regions of Champagne, BordeauxThe. Loire Valley In a circular jagged path. This is boutique tourism at its best. It’s a blend of fine dining, cultural immersion, and slow luxury. You can choose to learn more about the culture of your destination or you may be a seasoned traveler. France If you’re looking for a different perspective or a unique experience, this curated event offers both a literal and a figurative way to enjoy champagne. What to do, see and eat during this train trip is outlined below.
What to see
Ruinart
Reims in northeastern France is the unofficial Capital of Champagne. Here, Gothic grandeur and effervescent decadence coexist. Reims Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where 33 French kings have been crowned. Also, the Palais du Tau adjacent to the cathedral, a cultural landmark that was once the archbishop’s palace, is a must-see.
Guests can disembark the train as it enters the Champagne region to gain exclusive access to Maison Ruinart’s chalk cellars, the oldest Champagne house. Here, a guided descent into the luminescent caves unveils centuries of winemaking tradition—capped by a tasting, of course.
What to do
heinstirred/Getty Images
Expect more onboard than just white glove service. Theater artists, storytellers and musicians perform vignettes on the train. They weave in historical stories and legends. A costumed noble may pass by the dining car in the middle of dinner or a violinist might serenade passengers during sunset.
Off-train tours are also carefully curated. In the northern town of Épernay, stroll down the famous Avenue de Champagne—often called the richest avenue in the world due to its quantity of champagne stored in underground cellars—where guests are granted private tastings, like the one at the houses Moët & Chandon. In the Loire Valley, Le Grand Tour guests may find themselves enjoying an after-hours château visit—no crowds, just candlelight and clinking glasses.
Where to Eat
Anne-Emmanuelle Thion/Les Crayeres
Le Grand Tour’s meals are much more than just food; they are narrative experiences. Alexandre Couillon (three-star Michelin chef and owner of Michelin Green Star La Marine) creates menus based on the villages that you visit. Imagine scallop carpaccio, Champagne vinaigrette and duck breast with cherries in a Pinot Meunier reduction. A sommelier onboard pairs each course with wines and Champagnes.
If you are planning to stay in Reims for a longer period of time, either pre- or after your tour, do not miss out on the following: Brasserie Excelsior Fresh seafood and an Art Nouveau ambience are available at the two-star hotel. Le Parc Restaurants Domaine Les Crayères Hotel, for classic French food like duck foie gras with herb coulis.
Where to Stay
The suites aboard Le Grand Tour are luxurious, boasting plush linens and en-suite bathroom, but the train itself is like a five-star historic hotel on wheels. If you are staying in Reims prior to boarding the train, La Caserne Chanzy Hôtel & Spa The former central fire station of the city was transformed into a luxurious hotel, just a few steps away from Notre-Dame Cathedral. In Épernay, Les Suites du 33—a hotel owned by the Champagne de Venoge house—offers four vineyard-adjacent rooms and one apartment.
Final Toast
France’s Champagne region has long been synonymous with elegance, but Le Grand Tour elevates the experience into something transcendent—because every sip tells a story, every window frames a chapter, and every mile deepens your sense of place.
Dates for the season 2026 have not yet been announced.
Jennifer Schwartz is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in Iceland, France, and Food & Wine trips. Schwartz can help you create a custom itinerary by calling her at [email protected].
