Scenic Train Rides in France: The 5 Best Bookings

1.Skip-the-Line Versailles Palace Tour by Train from Paris

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 883 reviews · 4h 30m · from $94Our pick

Meet your English-speaking escort in central Paris, ride the train to Versailles, and walk to the palace for a guided visit of the state rooms, Hall of Mirrors, and gardens. Guides such as Julie, Cecile, Ivan, and Claire bring the royal stories to life. Plan for plenty of walking and crowded rooms.

“Tour guide, Mateo, was excellent and entertaining. Our initial guide for transportation was knowledge, on time and helpful.”

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2.Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour by Train from Paris

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 752 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $84

Travel from Paris to Versailles by RER with an escort, then tour the palace, Hall of Mirrors, and royal gardens with an English-speaking guide. Expect about three guided hours, a maximum group of 20, and free time afterward. Some departures can include the Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s hamlet.

“Wonderful tour guide. Great personality, very engaging and informative. The only downside is it definitely did not last the full 3 hours and when you are paying for an experience it should be the full experience.”

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3.Versailles Château and Gardens Walking Tour from Paris by Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 714 reviews · from $79Best value

Meet your guide at 8:30 am, ride the RER from Paris to Versailles, and spend about two hours hearing stories of Louis XIV, Marie Antoinette, and the French Revolution while walking the gardens. Then enter the palace on your own with timed admission. Guides such as Aaron, OJ, Toby, and Mado have been praised for lively storytelling.

“Martine was an excellent guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and shared so many interesting facts about life in Versailles and the kings. It was a very enjoyable tour and Martine made it interactive and fun. Thoroughly recommend the tour to gain insight into the history of the Palace and gardens”

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4.Train Exp. through the Alps (Royal Baroque Route from Nice)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 682 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $204Top rated

Meet your guide at Nice-Ville for a full day on the scenic Baroque Route railway. Depending on weather and season, visit villages such as Saorge, Tende, Annot, or Entrevaux, with local lunch, monastery or fortress visits, and optional steep hikes. Guides including Carmela and Cyril are known for humor, history, and attentive care.

“Be sure and dress appropriately for the time of year you are taking this train experience. Tour guide did a great job.”

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5.Versailles Domain Bike Tour with Palace Entry by Train from Paris

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 593 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $131

Meet guide Jude, Marley, David, Cedric, Ryan, or another Bike About Tours guide in the Marais, then take the train to Versailles. Ride and walk through the royal gardens, Trianons, and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet before a picnic by the Grand Canal. Your palace visit is self-guided afterward, with return travel on your own.

“This was a great way to see Versailles and get to enjoy more of the gardens including Marie Antoinette’s house and where the mistress lived. The palace was beautiful. We saw and enjoyed so much more than we would have without this tour. David was a wonderful guide.”

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