France Internal airfare and ground transport Tours & Trip...

France Internal airfare and ground transport Tours & Trips

1,325 France trips. Tours from 195 tour companies. 2,391 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

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Internal airfare and ground transport
From the French Basque Country to Bordeaux - Fine French cuisine at the foot of the Pyrenees and an escapade in the Gironde
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bordeaux

Highlights

  • Highlights Discover southwestern France, its Basque Country, and the Gironde area through its vast landscape and way of life ALL EXCURSIONS INDLUDED THE MUSTS: Blaye and its Vauban citadel
  • The medieval city of Saint-Émilion

Themes

50 plus, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Family Friendly, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Summary over a cruise on the Haute Seine and Yonne on a barge. As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience about traveling on a barge in a canal. It was also time to overcome this lack. A number of companies offer this kind of cruising on barge with 8 to 16 passengers, however very often at exorbitant prices. Luckily, we discovered that the company CroisiEurope offers one week cruise on various canals in Europe, at very decent price, especially considering that all is inclusive (full board, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and all excursions) on modern barges with a maximum of 22 passengers. We opted for the barge Ms Deborah, which cruises on the canal de la Loire, with the Briare to Nevers’ route. We were looking forward to this itinerary because the proposed excursions particularly suited us. Unfortunately, only a few days before departure, we were informed that due of a lack of water in the Loire canal the Ms Deborah was switched over to the Haute Seine and Yonne for a new itinerary from Paris to Sens. Despites the fact that this new itinerary didn’t really meet our desires, especially the excursions, we decided to accept the change. Our group of 6 persons from Switzerland was very warmly greeted by all members of the crew when arriving on the quai de Grenelle in Paris where we see the MS DEBORAH for the first time, our floating home for the week. With its two dominating colours blue and white, it is difficult not to fall in love with this beautiful small ship. We were invited immediately for the welcome cocktail during which we met officially the crew and the other six individual passengers originating from New Zealand, England and the USA. With less time than it needs to tell, the relation between us was created, so that everyone felt part of a bunch of friends knowing each other for long time. There is no need to present here the MS Deborah itself, as this is already thoroughly done on the Cruise Critic page. The crew of 6 persons is composed of a captain, a sailor, a cruise director, a chef, a waitress and a cabin hostess who put all their efforts to satisfy the passengers and offer them the best possible service. The captain as well as the sailor are always trying to make passengers at ease, answer questions or even bring a drink. The lady cruise director is omnipresent, taking care of the passengers better than a mother hen would do. The talented young French chef aims to produce dishes which please everybody. His outstanding sauces and excellent desserts should be particularly praised. However, referring to comments we made during a cruise on the Seine Princess two years ago, we cannot understand that why today it is not possible to offer the choice of a light buffet at lunch instead a three or even four course menu! The always smiling and friendly Hungarian waitress was very caring and attentive, without forgetting the cabin hostess doing a great job in the cabins, the public spaces and even the kitchen. It wouldn’t be fair to name a single person as all members of the crew, without any exception, do all they can to make the cruise unforgettable. Our one-week cruise on the barge Ms Deborah enables us today to make the following comments: ~ a cruise on a barge cannot be compared to any other kind of cruise ~ despite all the comfort offered on modern barge, one must be very aware that life on board happens at a restraint space, requiring therefore much flexibility and understanding in all aspects from all passengers ~ in our case, being only 12 passengers, we had the opportunity to take our meals on the terrace. We also never had the feeling that the boat was overcrowded. This can be different when the ship is full, especially by bad weather ~ the state of mind between the passengers who are mostly of foreign nationalities, who don’t know each other and don’t speak French, must function well right from the beginning ~ if the interrelation works, it is difficult to find a more relaxing and enjoyable way of travelling ~ the success on a barge is mainly due on the quality of its crew. Ms Deborah’s crew members have quickly created a family spirit on board, showing also that they genuinely like what they do ~ excursions can play a major role in choosing an itinerary. Not speaking French or English can be a handicap Do we recommend to do a cruise on a barge? Yes, definitively! It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting. In our case, this second try with CroisiEurope gives them a better note."

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Birding: Paris & Brittany, France
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5/5 Excellent
31 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Paris

Highlights

  • Visit Pére Lachaise Cemetery (great virtual tour) in Paris
  • Visit La Basilique du Sacré Coeu and trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
  • An opportunity to visit St-Malo which is a beautiful walled fortress and city
  • Explore St Suliac is a very old village founded nearly 1500 years ago by a Welsh monk who came to spread Christianity to the area.
  • Visit the Rodin Museum

Themes

Birding, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Great job! The tour was better than we could have imagined. Your guidance by gesture and smile was perfect."

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London to Paris and Berlin Tour
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4.5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Paris

Highlights

  • See Westminster Abbey, St.Pauls Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, the House of Parliament, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace
  • London Eye tour
  • Paris sightseeing tour with local guide, see the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral
  • Amsterdam canal cruise in the evening
  • City tour in Berlin with local guide to explore historic monuments, such as Berlin Wall, Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and the Checkpoint Charlie

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Singles Travel

What travelers are saying

"I recently took the Best of Australia and New Zealand tour...added on Fiji and a day in Auckland...with Discovery Nomads. During the booking process they were attentive and helpful. However, the nightmare began after paying for the tour! They told us we would receive our itinerary 10 to 20 days before our trip. It was sent 4 days before departure. We booked a tour for the trans alpine train from Christchurch to Queensland which we were told after the fact, that it did not exist. Furthermore, they failed to make a transfer reservation from the airport to our hotel in Christchurch. It took a week of constant sending of emails to get credit. They never answered them! Credit was finally issued almost 25 days later. The nightmare continues...we had to call each shuttle ride to confirm as their confirmation numbers were wrong and the local company could never find our reservations. So now add the cost of all the phone calls! Furthermore, when we reached out to Discover Nomads to help us while traveling, they NEVER answered their phone or a request for refund by email. We were completely ignored and left on our own. The only saving grace was we were traveling in English speaking countries. Can you imagine this happening to you in a country that doesn't speak English? Nightmare!!!!! And no assist from this horrible company. The only communication from them was for flight delays which we found out first by checking into the airport and one response asking for how much I paid for my transfer and proof of payment. I explained that it was all electronic and requested a refund of my original payment...heard nothing again from them until seven days later they sent an email stating that a meeting point had changed. So they had my email, just refused to deal with refunds or help. In addition, they had us waiting 15 hours for a hotel room in two flights. We were not allowed to stay in hotel lobby for so long and we arrived at 1:00am. We ended up paying for an early check in. Also, all internal flights were booked with 7.5 kg cabin luggage only. We had to pay baggage fees of $45 per bag. The costs of this trip were way higher then we anticipated. We had quotes for private tours just $2,000 higher...we should have booked that as we probably spent close to that amount in other fees!! TAKE MY WARNING...DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!!!"

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Rome to Nice and Barcelona Adventure Tour
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4.5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Barcelona, Cinque Terre, Colosseum, Florence, Rome

Highlights

  • Explore Rome, Colosseum and Vatican
  • See Florence Duomo and Ponte Veccio
  • Relax on the beached of Cinque Terre and Nice
  • Visit Monaco, see casino and Royal Palace
  • Explore Gaudi's Barcelona and Sagrada Familia

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"I recently took the Best of Australia and New Zealand tour...added on Fiji and a day in Auckland...with Discovery Nomads. During the booking process they were attentive and helpful. However, the nightmare began after paying for the tour! They told us we would receive our itinerary 10 to 20 days before our trip. It was sent 4 days before departure. We booked a tour for the trans alpine train from Christchurch to Queensland which we were told after the fact, that it did not exist. Furthermore, they failed to make a transfer reservation from the airport to our hotel in Christchurch. It took a week of constant sending of emails to get credit. They never answered them! Credit was finally issued almost 25 days later. The nightmare continues...we had to call each shuttle ride to confirm as their confirmation numbers were wrong and the local company could never find our reservations. So now add the cost of all the phone calls! Furthermore, when we reached out to Discover Nomads to help us while traveling, they NEVER answered their phone or a request for refund by email. We were completely ignored and left on our own. The only saving grace was we were traveling in English speaking countries. Can you imagine this happening to you in a country that doesn't speak English? Nightmare!!!!! And no assist from this horrible company. The only communication from them was for flight delays which we found out first by checking into the airport and one response asking for how much I paid for my transfer and proof of payment. I explained that it was all electronic and requested a refund of my original payment...heard nothing again from them until seven days later they sent an email stating that a meeting point had changed. So they had my email, just refused to deal with refunds or help. In addition, they had us waiting 15 hours for a hotel room in two flights. We were not allowed to stay in hotel lobby for so long and we arrived at 1:00am. We ended up paying for an early check in. Also, all internal flights were booked with 7.5 kg cabin luggage only. We had to pay baggage fees of $45 per bag. The costs of this trip were way higher then we anticipated. We had quotes for private tours just $2,000 higher...we should have booked that as we probably spent close to that amount in other fees!! TAKE MY WARNING...DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!!!"

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Portugal, Spain, France and UK Adventure Tour
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4.5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Barcelona, Bordeaux, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Paris, Porto

Highlights

  • Visit 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites: Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon
  • Explore the historic heart of Porto, go to the vibrant Bolhão Market, sample Portuguese wines at the Caves Croft wine cellar
  • Visit Prado Museum in Madrid
  • Visit Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
  • Wine tasting and sightseeing tour in Bordeaux
Show more

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Singles Travel

What travelers are saying

"I recently took the Best of Australia and New Zealand tour...added on Fiji and a day in Auckland...with Discovery Nomads. During the booking process they were attentive and helpful. However, the nightmare began after paying for the tour! They told us we would receive our itinerary 10 to 20 days before our trip. It was sent 4 days before departure. We booked a tour for the trans alpine train from Christchurch to Queensland which we were told after the fact, that it did not exist. Furthermore, they failed to make a transfer reservation from the airport to our hotel in Christchurch. It took a week of constant sending of emails to get credit. They never answered them! Credit was finally issued almost 25 days later. The nightmare continues...we had to call each shuttle ride to confirm as their confirmation numbers were wrong and the local company could never find our reservations. So now add the cost of all the phone calls! Furthermore, when we reached out to Discover Nomads to help us while traveling, they NEVER answered their phone or a request for refund by email. We were completely ignored and left on our own. The only saving grace was we were traveling in English speaking countries. Can you imagine this happening to you in a country that doesn't speak English? Nightmare!!!!! And no assist from this horrible company. The only communication from them was for flight delays which we found out first by checking into the airport and one response asking for how much I paid for my transfer and proof of payment. I explained that it was all electronic and requested a refund of my original payment...heard nothing again from them until seven days later they sent an email stating that a meeting point had changed. So they had my email, just refused to deal with refunds or help. In addition, they had us waiting 15 hours for a hotel room in two flights. We were not allowed to stay in hotel lobby for so long and we arrived at 1:00am. We ended up paying for an early check in. Also, all internal flights were booked with 7.5 kg cabin luggage only. We had to pay baggage fees of $45 per bag. The costs of this trip were way higher then we anticipated. We had quotes for private tours just $2,000 higher...we should have booked that as we probably spent close to that amount in other fees!! TAKE MY WARNING...DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!!!"

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From London to Amsterdam and Venice Tour
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4.5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Arc de Triomphe, Doge’s Palace, Eiffel Tower, London, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, Rome, The Louvre, Venice

Highlights

  • See the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral
  • Check out Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower
  • Amsterdam boat cruise and admission tickets to Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum
  • Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica 2-Hour Tour in Venice
  • Visit St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Singles Travel

What travelers are saying

"I recently took the Best of Australia and New Zealand tour...added on Fiji and a day in Auckland...with Discovery Nomads. During the booking process they were attentive and helpful. However, the nightmare began after paying for the tour! They told us we would receive our itinerary 10 to 20 days before our trip. It was sent 4 days before departure. We booked a tour for the trans alpine train from Christchurch to Queensland which we were told after the fact, that it did not exist. Furthermore, they failed to make a transfer reservation from the airport to our hotel in Christchurch. It took a week of constant sending of emails to get credit. They never answered them! Credit was finally issued almost 25 days later. The nightmare continues...we had to call each shuttle ride to confirm as their confirmation numbers were wrong and the local company could never find our reservations. So now add the cost of all the phone calls! Furthermore, when we reached out to Discover Nomads to help us while traveling, they NEVER answered their phone or a request for refund by email. We were completely ignored and left on our own. The only saving grace was we were traveling in English speaking countries. Can you imagine this happening to you in a country that doesn't speak English? Nightmare!!!!! And no assist from this horrible company. The only communication from them was for flight delays which we found out first by checking into the airport and one response asking for how much I paid for my transfer and proof of payment. I explained that it was all electronic and requested a refund of my original payment...heard nothing again from them until seven days later they sent an email stating that a meeting point had changed. So they had my email, just refused to deal with refunds or help. In addition, they had us waiting 15 hours for a hotel room in two flights. We were not allowed to stay in hotel lobby for so long and we arrived at 1:00am. We ended up paying for an early check in. Also, all internal flights were booked with 7.5 kg cabin luggage only. We had to pay baggage fees of $45 per bag. The costs of this trip were way higher then we anticipated. We had quotes for private tours just $2,000 higher...we should have booked that as we probably spent close to that amount in other fees!! TAKE MY WARNING...DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!!!"

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Paris, Barcelona and Madrid Tour
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4.5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Barcelona, Madrid, Paris

Highlights

  • City Tour in Paris with local guide, see the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and Notre Dame Cathedral
  • Check out Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower
  • City tour in Madrid with local guide, see the Gran Via, the Puerta del Sol & Plaza de Espana and take an opportunity to stop at the Hard Rock Cafe with welcome drink
  • Visit La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Singles Travel

What travelers are saying

"I recently took the Best of Australia and New Zealand tour...added on Fiji and a day in Auckland...with Discovery Nomads. During the booking process they were attentive and helpful. However, the nightmare began after paying for the tour! They told us we would receive our itinerary 10 to 20 days before our trip. It was sent 4 days before departure. We booked a tour for the trans alpine train from Christchurch to Queensland which we were told after the fact, that it did not exist. Furthermore, they failed to make a transfer reservation from the airport to our hotel in Christchurch. It took a week of constant sending of emails to get credit. They never answered them! Credit was finally issued almost 25 days later. The nightmare continues...we had to call each shuttle ride to confirm as their confirmation numbers were wrong and the local company could never find our reservations. So now add the cost of all the phone calls! Furthermore, when we reached out to Discover Nomads to help us while traveling, they NEVER answered their phone or a request for refund by email. We were completely ignored and left on our own. The only saving grace was we were traveling in English speaking countries. Can you imagine this happening to you in a country that doesn't speak English? Nightmare!!!!! And no assist from this horrible company. The only communication from them was for flight delays which we found out first by checking into the airport and one response asking for how much I paid for my transfer and proof of payment. I explained that it was all electronic and requested a refund of my original payment...heard nothing again from them until seven days later they sent an email stating that a meeting point had changed. So they had my email, just refused to deal with refunds or help. In addition, they had us waiting 15 hours for a hotel room in two flights. We were not allowed to stay in hotel lobby for so long and we arrived at 1:00am. We ended up paying for an early check in. Also, all internal flights were booked with 7.5 kg cabin luggage only. We had to pay baggage fees of $45 per bag. The costs of this trip were way higher then we anticipated. We had quotes for private tours just $2,000 higher...we should have booked that as we probably spent close to that amount in other fees!! TAKE MY WARNING...DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!!!"

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Other trips you may like [sponsored]
Highlights of France and Barcelona (Barcelona)
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By Trafalgar
preferred
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their travelers enjoy 24/7 travel expertise and dedicated service throughout the trips - everything is taken care of.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Excellent if you like history"

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Ultimate Southern France (Bordeaux, 2024)
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
They understand that true luxury lies not only in lavish hotels and gourmet dining but also in the immersive experiences that leave a lasting memory.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Fabulous experience. Valued that we covered a breath and depth of the main island from south to northern tip. Would have been nice to go two hours further south and stay one night, as well as stay a night in the Mt. Fuji region. All of the hotels were great with the exception of Hotel Granville in Kyoto. Recommend that a hotel more consistent in quality be selected for future Majestic Japan tours."

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France Bike & River Cruise: Lyon to Nice
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Arles, Avignon, Lyon, Nice, Paris

Highlights

  • Admire the magnificent vistas of France’s most renowned wine regions by river and by bicycle.
  • Enjoy the best of both worlds: an all-inclusive river ship cruise and VBT Bicycling Vacation.
  • Ride among the lush, fertile vineyards of Burgundy and Provence, pausing at your leisure for wine tastings and tours.
  • Learn the history of the magnificent Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage site’s museum, and savor a delicious picnic lunch.
  • Walk the cobbled and historic streets of Lyon and Avignon as a local guide brings them alive with history and lore.

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife, Sailing, Photography

What travelers are saying

"This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. The scenery and food were amazing. We stayed in beautiful hotels. Most of the riding was on paved bike paths so we hardly ever had to deal with car traffic. Our leaders, Andrea and Martin, were funny, informative , and so helpful. We are already planning to go back to Italy with VBT this summer."

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Walks & Gardens of the French Riviera
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Stay in the heart of the Côte d’Azur
  • Enjoy coastal paths and mountain trails
  • Discover beautiful gardens and picturesque mountain villages

Themes

Hiking & Walking, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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France: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux & Avignon
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Aix-en Provence, Avignon, Les Baux, Marseille, Paris, Saint Remy de Provence

Highlights

  • Delve into the imagination of artist Vincent van Gogh on a private guided tour.
  • Roll through pastoral landscapes of olive groves, vineyards, farms, and villages, set against the lofty Alpilles.
  • Stride across the Pont du Gard, the magnificent, UNESCO-cited Roman aqueduct.
  • Join a local guide on a tour of Avignon, the “City of the Popes.”

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. The scenery and food were amazing. We stayed in beautiful hotels. Most of the riding was on paved bike paths so we hardly ever had to deal with car traffic. Our leaders, Andrea and Martin, were funny, informative , and so helpful. We are already planning to go back to Italy with VBT this summer."

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87 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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France Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
2,391  Reviews
See all France tour reviews
Excellent
1,039
Great
349
Average
60
Disappointing
19
Terrible
17
A

Adrianne Cote

Apr 2024

Written on

Highlights of France and Barcelona

More days in Paris would be nice No Novotel in Nice this was not up to par Loved Arnaud our trip director-very rich with history and charming Loved the tango dancer...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Menton

This was another delightful walking trip with a good group. The leader Jessica was born locally and is passionate about the history of her region, so that we now ...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Walking the French Riviera

Stunning scenery. Walks a little slow as we stopped a lot to look at the flora but sufficiently challenging. Views and visiting Eze which was optional at lunch stop...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Walking French riverra

Excellent guide, Sandrine. Exodus must retain her!! Routes, excellent variety, interest and length. Good hotel. Below average breakfast. I had a very good room, b...

A

Anonymous

Nov 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

Walking The French Riviera 2017

Perfect break away - good capable leader - perfect hotel and wonderful location in Menton. We had a good week and walked to some super places. We enjoyed great ...

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France Tour Selection Trips

  • France is so rich in cultural opportunities and activities of all sorts that you can’t expect to see it all in one trip. Pick a tour that visits a region or two and get to know that area well, then return to other regions you want to visit on subsequent tours.
  • On a tour of France, you can choose anything from luxury on down to basic accommodations, dining, and transportation -- something to fit every budget.
  • Specialty tours are a good way to experience France: culinary, wine, art and architecture, walking, biking, World War II history, even religious pilgrimages are all available.
  • Don’t overlook river and barge cruises, which offer a convenient, leisurely way to see the country, stopping both at important ports such as Rouen and Lyon and small villages as well.
  • Don’t be put off from visiting France by the reputation of French people -- especially Parisians -- as rude to visitors. A simple greeting such as “bonjour, madame,” and a smile will almost always win you good service and a return
  • When planning your tour, keep in mind that almost all of France goes on vacation during the entire month of August, so for the full French experience you may want to pick a different month.

Additional details

Weather in France

The geographic diversity of the French regions, as you might imagine, lends itself to diverse weather patterns. In general, it will be temperate with summer averages ranging 61-75°F and winter averages ranging 32-46°F. 

Winter weather is gray although milder in the south uness the wind is blowing; colder and wetter in the north. Snow could be an issue during the winter months if you are in higher elevations. 

As for the summer, recall the record heat France sweated out during the summer of 2019 when temperatures reached 115°F in Verargues, Southern France while even further north in Paris, thermometers hit 108°F! 

There are four climate zones in France:

  1. Oceanic (Atlantic) climate of western France - Brittany, Normandy, Loire Valley, Western Loire - average rainfall spread over many days and modest average temperature variations

  2. Continential, or transitional, climate of central and eastern France - Champagne, Alsace, Burgundy, Ile de France (Paris) - cold winters, hot summers 

  3. Mediterranean climate of southeastern France - Provence, Cote d’Azur, Corsica - hot, dry summers and while damp but mild, rainfall between October and April 

  4. Mountain climates above 2,000’ see heavy rainfall with snow falling 3-6 months a year  

Best Time to Visit France

Late Spring and Fall

Late Spring and Fall is the time to avoid crowds while still being relatively assured of good weather. You will miss the summer festivals but for those that are crowd averse, this may not be a factor. 

Note that a few National Holidays fall in May: Labor Day and WWII Victory Day are May 1st and 8th respectively; Ascension Day falls 39 days after Easter Sunday. 

July or August 

Traveling in July and August? Be prepared for hoards of crowds in the Riviera, coast of Brittany, Dordogne and Alps as these are hot spots for vacationing Europeans. In August, businesses often close although not to the degree noticed by tourists. If you enjoy festivals, there are plenty to choose from!

Winter 

Winter has its own beauty but during the winter months, some tourist sites and information offices might not be open or they might have limited hours. Smaller towns and villages might also be hunkered down with closed restaurants and shops. 

Is France Expensive?

If you’re wondering how much it costs to vacation in France, like anywhere you may travel, it depends on how you plan your trip. France is one of the top destinations in the world and Paris, in particular, does have a reputation for being expensive. 

But so does New York and just like France, traveling there for the budget minded can be accomplished. 

Some things to consider when traveling to France on a budget

  1. Factor in the time of year you’re traveling - shoulder seasons are less costly for air and hotel; regardless, book flights well in advance

  2. Factor in your mode of travel: barge, river ship, self-guided, cycling, train, etc.

  3. Exchange rates

  4. To avoid inflated tourist rates while dining out, first look at the menu posted outside then take note: if locals are eating there, it’s most likely a good choice

  5. Sit at the bar, where prices are cheaper, not at a table

  6. Most expensive French cities: Nice, Paris, Bordeaux and Lyon 

  7. Most expensive French regions: the Dordogne, Meditteranean and the Loire Valley

  8. Less costly: central France 

  9. Shop at local open air markets and second hand flea markets (brocantes)

France tours on Stride features per day costs. Using the price filter from lowest to highest you’ll find 4 day trips for as low as $71/day and on the higher end, ultra luxury 7 day trips costing over $7,000/day. 

Who Will Enjoy Traveling to France

Perhaps the question is, who wouldn’t enjoy traveling to France?! There is so much for the French traveler to experience, it’s no wonder that France is a top worldwide destination. 

Beaches, mountains, valleys of grapes and lavender, rivers to cruise, 45 natural and cultural world heritage sites, Disneyland Paris, gastronomy, wine and shopping...there’s something for just about everyone.

If mobility and / or walking on uneven ground is a concern, speak with your tour operator as many of the smaller towns and villages have uneven cobblestone which may not be suitable, depending on your situation. If traveling through subways, they involve quite a bit of stair climbing and while many of the accommodations are historically charming, they might not be fully accessible for those using a walking aid.   

While it’s hard to go wrong with a trip to France, if you’re not curious about the language, people and its customs you might have a harder time making meaningful connections. Of course, this isn’t unique to France. Be respectful and courteous. Say “hello” and even better, “Bonjour” (“hello” in French) to start a conversation. 

Make an effort to speak the most basic of phrases - this can go a long way. Just as Americans don’t expect a foreigner visiting America to speak English, we shouldn’t expect the French to speak to us in English. Many do speak English by the way, especially in Paris, so be mindful - if you are complaining about something, a local might be listening. And do keep in mind that Americans have their own reputation, one that isn’t always positive. 

Learn some French etiquette, a word derived from French after all. Doing so will give you a much deeper appreciation - and connection to - the country and its people, as will learning some common phrases.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 1325 trips to France and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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