Paris to Madrid: Lyon, Provence & Barcelona by Rail

Arrival in Paris

Arrive in Paris at any time. Settle into your hotel before heading out for an initial look at the city. An evening orientation walk is a good way to get your bearings, tracing a route past landmarks like the Opera Garnier and Les Invalides as the city lights come on.

Montmartre & Parisian Afternoons

The morning starts with a metro ride to Montmartre, the hilltop district known for its artists and broad city views. A walk through the neighborhood covers the Art Nouveau entrance of the Abbesses metro station, the site of Picasso's studio where Cubism was born, and the last address of Toulouse-Lautrec. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. This is the time to tackle major sites like the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, or to take a cruise on the Seine. Pre-booking tickets for popular landmarks is recommended to avoid long queues.

South to Lyon by Rail

Use the morning for any final sightseeing in Paris before boarding a train south to Lyon. The journey cuts through the French countryside, arriving in a city known for its culinary scene and historical depth. After checking in, a guided walk explores Lyon's Roman and Renaissance architecture, including the cobblestone streets and hidden passageways, or *traboules*, of the old town. The walk concludes at the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière, which offers a commanding viewpoint over the city. The evening is open to explore Lyon's renowned restaurant scene.