Rail Europe and Atout France Australia have recently hosted a select group of Aussie and Kiwi travel advisors on a week-long educational journey through Provance and Paris designed to inspire confidence and expertise in selling France by rail.
Led by Rail Europe key account manager for Australia and New Zealand Sandy Battle, the group departed Paris on 3 November, travelling in first-class comfort aboard TGV INOUI services using a Eurail Global Flexi Pass provided by Rail Europe.
Over seven days, they experienced France’s legendary rail network first-hand, exploring Marseille, Avignon and Paris, and returning to the capital late on Saturday, 8 November, for a full day of activities on Sunday before checking out on Monday morning, 10 November.
The carefully curated itinerary combined hands-on destination experiences with authentic local encounters and moments of discovery – from Marseille’s sunlit harbours to Avignon’s Provençal charm and Paris’s timeless elegance.
In Marseille, with the support of the Marseille Leisure Tourist Office & Convention Bureau, advisors immersed themselves in the city’s Mediterranean rhythm with visits to the MUCEM Museum and Grotte Cosquer replica, tastings of olive-oil chocolate, and an open-air bouillabaisse lunch in the Calanques National Park.
In Avignon, hosted by Avignon Tourisme, the group explored the heart of Provence through its food, culture and wine – including market visits at Les Halles, wine tastings in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and a guided tour of the magnificent Palais des Papes.
The journey concluded in Paris, where participants stayed at the Paris Marriott Champs-Elysees Hotel, discovering the capital from a new perspective with Tootbus Global and enjoying an evening Bateaux Parisiens cruise followed by dinner at Madame Brasserie on the Eiffel Tower.
“This journey gave our travel partners the chance to truly experience France – to see how seamless, inspiring and enjoyable it is to explore the country by train with Rail Europe,” Battle said. “By discovering the destinations first-hand, they return home ready to share that enthusiasm and knowledge with their clients.
The initiative reflects Rail Europe’s ongoing commitment to supporting the travel trade through experiential learning opportunities, while championing rail as a sustainable and enriching way to explore Europe.
Rail Europe extends its warmest thanks to Atout France, the Marseille Leisure Tourist Office & Convention Bureau, Avignon Tourisme, Paris Marriott Champs-Elysees Hotel, Tootbus Global, and Bateaux Parisiens for their generous collaboration and hospitality.
