London to Paris the Long Way Round

Catch a ferry across the English Channel to Guernsey, lying 75 miles to the south. After arriving at the island’s diminutive capital, St Peter Port (population around 19,000), transfer to your hotel for a four-night stay. Explore the town’s cobbled streets, admiring its Regency architecture and gazing across the harbour towards the magnificent 800-year-old Castle Cornet. There is plenty of choice for eating out, from beachside kiosks selling delicious crab sandwiches to high-end restaurants serving seafood dishes with a French twist. Overnight Guernsey.

Take an optional tour of Guernsey – either privately or in a small group. Public buses are also a great way to get around the island. With over 70 historic sites, there’s lots to explore. We recommend starting with Castle Cornet. Dating from 1204, the fort has a chequered history. There are fine views from the battlements and four period gardens to discover – as well as museums dedicated to the Great War, the island’s affiliation to the RAF’s 201 Squadron and the German occupation during WWII. Elsewhere on Guernsey, there are numerous megalithic structures and medieval settlements to track down, most notably Albecq, Castel Menhir, Déhus Dolmen, Delancey Dolmen and La Platte Mare. With two full days to explore the island, you will also have ample time for breathtaking coastal walks, cycling along country lanes and a chance to wind down to the island’s slower pace of life. Both nights on Guernsey.

This morning, a ferry will take you across to Sark, third smallest of the Channel Islands, in just under an hour. There will be time to explore the best beauty spots, and learn about the fascinating island’s history. Visit La Seigneurie Gardens and wander down to Port du Moulin to enjoy the spectacular coastal scenery. You could also walk over the narrow spine of La Coupée to Little Sark, savouring wonderful views of rocky coves lapped by vibrant blue waters. In the late afternoon, take the ferry back to Guernsey for your last night on the island.

Travel by high speed ferry to Brittany and the historic seaport of St Malo in just under two hours. Transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Spend the day exploring St Malo. The tall spire of the cathedral, visible from all corners of the walled city, will draw you to this beautiful Romanesque and Gothic style building. Walk along the cobbled streets of the old town, discovering a rich history associated with the infamous corsairs of the 18th century. Take advantage of low tide by walking to the uninhabited island of Grand Bé where writer Francois-René de Chateaubriand is buried. There are also some magnificent castles, country houses and gardens near St Malo, including Chateau Le Rocher, Malouiniére de La Chipaudiére and Malouiniére de la Ville Bague. Overnight in St Malo.

Travel by train to Paris, arriving at Montparnasse in just under three hours. Transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay.

With two full days to explore the French capital, take your pick from a wealth of iconic landmarks, cultural treasures, museums and gardens – not to mention a plethora of restaurants, cafés, theatres and boutiques. Stroll along the Champs-Élysées to the famous Arc de Triomphe, take a lift up the Eiffel Tower for panoramic views across the city and wander along the Seine to Ile de la Cité and Notre-Dame, where restoration is underway following the 2019 fire. Spend time admiring masterpieces by impressionists like Monet, Degas and Renoir at the Musée d’Orsay, take in the modern art collection at Centre Pompidou or delve into the magnificent Louvre where, amongst the 35,000 artworks, you will find Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. After exploring the classic sites of Paris, discover its less well-known highlights, such as Jardin des Plantes with the unusual carousel, Dodo Manége features extinct and endangered animals. Climb 300 steps to the dome of the basilica Sacré-Coeur for breathtaking views of the city, then wander around the corner to the urban vineyard of Clos Montmartre – built around a century ago on a former rubbish dump and now producing around 1,500 bottles of wine each year. Wherever you go and whatever you discover in Paris, eating out is always an exciting part of the experience – whether you’re grabbing a crêpe or savouring a classic dish like Magret de Canard, accompanied by a bottle of Pinot Noir. Both nights in Paris.

Travel by Eurostar back to London.