The Puy du Fou Grand Tour: prices and reviews

Like many travelers, I have a certain fascination with train travel. Taking the Orient Express or the Trans-Siberian are both dreams.

The former would probably require a big lottery win 😀 The latter is more affordable, but we’ll have to wait a few years for the geopolitical situation with Russia to warm up.

In any case, long and luxurious train journeys are back in vogue. A reflection of the environmental awareness that encourages avoiding planes? An ode to slowness in an era when everything moves at breakneck speed? Projects are multiplying.

The latest: Le Grand Tour, a 4,000-kilometer tour of France in 6 days and 5 nights.

This grand tour is offered by Le Puy du Fou, famous for its park in Vendée.

The first journey is scheduled for June 2023, here’s what we know so far.

The train

It’s a small-group trip reserved for the privileged few on the Grand Tour. With just 5 passenger cars and 15 cabins, around thirty passengers and 15 crew members will travel across France.

The train, built in the belle époque style of the late 19th century, will also feature two restaurant cars, a bar car, and three staff cars.

Passenger cabins will measure between 10 and 30 m2, all with a private bathroom. A butler will be at the passengers’ disposal. Absolute luxury!

The itinerary

Here is the itinerary as announced by the Puy du Fou team.

Day 1

Morning : We leave Gare de l’Est and Paris fades away. The first hills shape the landscape until Épernay, where we’re expected for an exclusive visit to a champagne house.

Afternoon : After lunch, the journey resumes to Reims. We visit the cathedral, including areas hidden from the public, with their share of surprises. After a quick tour of the city, we return to the train for dinner and the night.

Day 2

Morning : Burgundy offers its finest landscapes, and Beaune, its polychrome rooftops. We’re expected for a private visit to uncover the unusual and secret spots of the famous Hospices.

Afternoon : Lunch offers a unique panorama on the way to the Alps. The afternoon is devoted to a tailored visit of Annecy with a succession of custom cultural or sporting escapades. Spa relaxation, paragliding, diving or water skiing, or exploring the Château de Menthon.

Day 3

Morning : The night guides us toward Provence, arriving in Avignon. In the heart of the Palais des Papes, its best-kept mysteries are revealed, even on the rooftops where a unique tasting of the region’s finest wines and products awaits.

Afternoon : During lunch, Provence gradually unfolds up to Aix… It’s time to stroll under the plane trees of Cours Mirabeau, enjoy a sunny terrace, and discover the intimacy of painter Paul Cézanne’s studio. Propelled by the mistral, our train heads west, winding along the calanques and the sun-drenched Mediterranean Sea.

Day 4

Morning : The salty Atlantic air wakes us, and the Arcachon Basin reveals its splendors. Our pinnace crosses the basin, straight out of the Dubourdieu shipyards, which we visit. A seafood tasting accompanies this timeless moment.

Afternoon : Our train makes its way to Médoc, where one of Bordeaux’s greatest houses welcomes us under the Indian pagodas of Cos d’Estournel, in the heart of the vineyards.

Day 5

Morning : The sun rises over the Cher. Behind the veils of mist, a miracle of limestone rises on the horizon: Chenonceau, the Ladies’ Castle. An emotional private visit awaits, followed by a floral workshop led by the castle’s head gardener.

Afternoon : The Grand Tour concludes with a spectacular journey back in time at Puy du Fou. History blends with legend to come alive until nightfall, when the grandeur of the great nocturnal show vibrates under the stars.

Day 6

Morning : Over a brunch on board, the landscapes gently roll by. In the golden light, the breeze sculpts the waves through the wheat fields. Our memories will long carry a whiff of eternity.

The price

As you can guess, the price will reserve this trip for a lucky few.

The price announced so far is “from” €4,900 per person. Without specifying what’s included (meals? drinks? visits?).

That’s a cool €980 / night per person.

For some points of comparison:

• The 5-night journey from Paris to Istanbul costs €20,000 (€4,000 / night per person)
• Traveling from Alice Springs to Adelaide in Australia on the Ghan over 2 nights costs €1,575 (€787 / night per person)
• Prices start at €650 for the 5-night route from Beijing to Moscow (€130 / night per person)

My opinion

Honestly, it’s a dream, and I have no doubt this Grand Tour will be a hit with wealthy foreign tourists.

As for me, I’ve already visited several places the train will pass through; if I ever have such a budget for a long train journey, it’ll be somewhere other than France 🙂