France Tours & Trips

The Loire Valley castles form the cultural heart of Northern France, where you'll walk through elaborate châteaux and spend time in their perfectly kept gardens. Our guests love exploring Rouen and Honfleur - two towns that really show off their medieval roots and seaside character. The impressive Pont de Normandie bridge links these areas, and lately we've seen more travelers choosing to explore the Loire Valley by bike, combining countryside rides with stops at family wineries and local market squares. When it comes to Paris, the Eiffel Tower and Louvre are must-sees, but our travelers suggest taking your time rather than rushing these famous spots. If you're looking for quieter moments and nice weather, spring and fall bring fewer tourists and comfortable conditions for exploring outdoor sites and historical places.

Southern France captivates with experiences that blend medieval charm and coastal beauty. Our customers regularly tell us how much they love cycling through quiet lanes between vineyards, stopping at stone-built villages where time seems to have stood still. The local cuisine forms a central part of the journey - from morning markets filled with fresh produce to evening wine tastings in centuries-old cellars. The combination of biking through wine country and exploring historic townscapes creates those perfect, slow-paced days that travelers remember long after returning home. What sets these tours apart are the local guides who bring each location to life with stories and insider knowledge of hidden spots and local traditions.

Provence blends artistic heritage with landscapes that really tell a story. You'll find France's only classified road - the Cezanne Route - which takes you through the exact spots where the artist created his famous works. Our travelers often fall for the medieval character of Gordes, and many follow Van Gogh's path through the region. Days unfold naturally here - maybe a morning cycle past lavender fields, then wandering through hilltop villages in the afternoon. The Calanques give you fantastic hiking where limestone meets sea, and the food scene in Lyon alone makes the journey worthwhile. While June through August brings the famous purple lavender fields, September offers wine harvest experiences with smaller crowds. What makes trips special are those intimate moments - cooking with locals in village kitchens and visiting private châteaux that aren't in guidebooks.

Seine River cruises roll out some of France's finest moments right from your floating boutique hotel. Our travelers particularly enjoyed visiting Richard the Lionheart's historic chateau, exploring Rouen's medieval quarter and also spending quiet moments in Monet's gardens at Giverny. The ships consistently get high marks for their French cuisine and crew service. Many guests find deep meaning in the D-Day beach visits, where local experts share personal stories and guide you through preserved World War II sites. The 8:30 PM summer departures work really well - you get both daytime views and Paris lit up at night. Multi-course dinners featuring local specialties have become quite popular, especially with the thoughtfully paired French wines.

French river cruising strikes the perfect balance of intimacy and comfort, with vessels carrying around 135 passengers and featuring spacious cabins with expansive windows that frame the passing French countryside. The Seine route flows from Paris through Normandy, where passengers explore the enchanting gardens of Giverny, and wander through Rouen's timeless medieval lanes. Along the Rhône, cruises blend Lyon's exceptional culinary heritage, including special dining at Paul Bocuse's Abbaye de Collonges, with visits to premium vineyards and ancient Roman landmarks across Provence. The Bordeaux journeys meander past prestigious Médoc estates, the medieval charm of Saint-Émilion, and impressive fortresses including the UNESCO-protected Blaye. Our travelers particularly value how these ships dock directly in city centers, making it effortless to explore local markets, join expert-led walks through historic districts and discover regional cuisine. The blend of onboard luxury with meaningful cultural encounters ashore makes river cruising an ideal way to experience authentic French culture, customs and heritage.

The Mont Blanc area offers really well-designed hiking routes that combine proper challenges with top-notch alpine views. Our groups love taking the cable car up to Bellevue before setting off on the Tour du Mont Blanc path right under the Bionnassay glacier. Over in the Ardeche, you can walk through volcanic terrain around Les Estables, following paths across the Echamps plateau to quiet spots like the Soutron chapel. If you're interested in mixing history with coastal walks, the Normandy trails between Deauville and Bayeux let you explore sections of Omaha Beach before heading inland through apple orchards and traditional farms. These hikes work so well because you're not just walking - you're discovering cultural spots, whether that's up at Chamonix viewpoints or in small medieval Ardeche villages.

France offers solid active trips, from paddling the Dordogne to cycling through Provence's vineyards. On the Dordogne, you'll canoe past medieval castles and limestone cliffs, staying in riverside châteaux and visiting places like the Grotte de Lacave. Cyclists find great routes around Mont Ventoux and through the Rhône Valley, while others prefer mixing biking with wine tasting in areas like Chateauneuf du Pape. Our travelers tell us they love how these tours balance physical activity with cultural bits - maybe paddling in the morning, then exploring an old village or learning about local wines later on.

France's cycling tours truly shine in Provence and the Canal du Midi, where travelers tell us they appreciate the well-planned routes and knowledgeable guides. The Provence tours blend demanding climbs to hilltop villages like Gordes with easy rides through Châteauneuf du Pape vineyards, stops at family-run wineries and also authentic wine tastings. Cyclists connect with both physical challenges and local culture, as they pedal past ancient Roman theaters, discover Van Gogh landmarks and pause in medieval villages. The Canal du Midi routes follow historic towpaths linking charming towns, with stops at the impressive fortress of Carcassonne and tastings at established estates like Château l'Amiral. These tours stand out because they strike just the right balance - you might spend your morning conquering the climb to Les Baux, then dedicate your afternoon to exploring local markets or lounging by the pool. Our cycling groups particularly appreciate having support vehicles nearby for tougher sections, and guides who understand exactly when to increase the pace or take it easier. The social elements add another dimension, as cyclists bond over regional specialties and forge connections during café breaks in quintessential French villages.