Inspiration

Rails to relaxation: Beautiful gîtes you can reach by train from the UK

5 min read

There’s something special about travelling overland. Watching landscapes unfold from the window, arriving in the heart of towns rather than on runways - stepping off the platform already in holiday mode. These gîtes in France you can get to by train prove that the journey doesn’t have to be a hurdle, but part of the fun.

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With London’s Eurostar whisking you directly into France’s high-speed rail network that fans out across the country, reaching dreamy rural retreats has never been easier. From vineyard stays in the Loire Valley to lavender-scented countryside in the south, these Sawday’s favourites prove you don’t need a car to escape well. Travel slow and let the tracks lead you to mountain villages, sea air and vineyard views.

Gîtes en Val de Loire, Loire Valley

Nearest station: Chinon train

How to get there from London: Eurostar to Paris, metro to Montparnasse, TGV to Tours in just over an hour, last train to Chinon then a short taxi.

Just outside the wine village of Cravant-les-Côteaux, these beautifully restored gîtes are made for slow living. Arriving by train drops you straight into the Loire Valley rhythm and generous open-plan spaces create an easy space for families or groups travelling together. Borrow the estate bikes and follow flat valley paths to Chinon’s medieval streets, indulge in long lunches in local wine bars, and return home with a bottle from the neighbouring estate. With wide lawns for children and vineyards stretching in every direction, it’s an effortlessly relaxing base.

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Domaine des Chanoines Blancs, Pas-de-Calais

Nearest station: Hesdin

How to get there from London: Direct Eurostar to Lille, TER regional train to Hesdin, then taxi.

Part of an 18th-century abbey, this bright lodge blends contemporary design with rural calm. Expect stylish interiors, a swimming pool and three hectares of parkland where children can play and adults catch up on lantern lit terraces. With the Opal Coast beaches less than 30km away, excellent local restaurants nearby, and market towns within easy reach, it’s ideal for a car-free northern France escape.

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Gîte de la Motte Féodale, Normandy

Nearest station: Trouville-Deauville

How to get there from London: Eurostar to Paris, Paris Gare Saint-Lazare to Gare de Val-de-Reuil, 205 bus to RD133 x Petel, then a short taxi to the gîte.

Peaceful and quietly theatrical, Gîte de la Motte Féodale offers the rare pleasure of staying somewhere steeped in history yet designed for comfort. Expect medieval banquets, green views from bay windows and a spa retreat hidden within the house itself. Sheep graze nearby, bicycles await exploration and generous hosts can arrange anything from garden lunches to archery lessons, making this a wonderfully memorable Normandy escape without needing a car.

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Gîte O’Milepierre, Burgundy

Nearest station: Dijon

How to get there from London: Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Dijon, short taxi into the vineyards.

Set within a former Romanée-Conti estate, this charming apartment sits deep in Burgundy’s legendary wine country. Stone walls, antique furniture and a crackling fireplace create a wonderfully grounded atmosphere. Join the owners for generous breakfasts or hearty dinners paired with local wines, then wander vineyard paths and forest trails straight from the door. With famous domaines and historic villages nearby, this is Burgundy living at its most authentic.

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La Moutiére Gîtes, Drôme

Nearest station: Montélimar Gare SNCF

How to get there from London: Eurostar to Paris Nord, short 8-minute RER transfer to Gare de Lyon, direct train to Montélimar, followed by a 30-minute taxi.

Once a silkworm factory, tannery and pottery, La Moutière is now a collection of sandy stone gîtes gathered around a Provençal bastide, surrounded by lavender fields, woodland and open countryside. Fresh bread and croissants arrive each morning and walking and cycling routes begin directly from the door. Borrow bikes to explore quiet lanes, swim in the long pool between outings, or stroll to Richerenches for lunch at O’Rabasse. Hilltop villages, markets, wine tastings and Roman heritage sites are all accessible locally, making this an ideal train friendly base for experiencing Provence at an easy pace.

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Beth Tingle

Beth is our Marketing & Content Coordinator, who uses her experience in all things content to get to the heart of the stories and people behind our places and paint an authentic picture of what makes them truly special. She then helps the SEO team to ensure that content reaches as many people as possible. Raised in the small seaside town of Clevedon, she then studied English at Falmouth University and is happiest when swimming in the sea. A huge foodie, she enjoys travel that involves finding the best local markets and cooking up the produce in a self-catered stay.

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