France Local Immersion & Homestays Tours & Trip Packages

France Local Immersion & Homestays Tours & Trips

1,383 France trips. Tours from 195 tour companies. 2,429 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

101 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Local Immersion & Homestays
France, Spain and Portugal
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Barcelona, Cite de Carcassonne, Granada, Lisbon, Malaga, Marbella, Paris, Seville, Valencia

Highlights

  • Explore Carcassonne.
  • Explore Montserrat Monastery.
  • Visit Andorra.
  • Visit Las Ramblas district.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
From East to West
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bavaria, Bratislava, Bruges, Brussels, Budapest, Eiffel Tower, Frankfurt, Louvre Museum, Palace of Versailles, Paris, Prague, Rudesheim, Vienna

Highlights

  • Visit Bavarian city on the banks of the Maine River.
  • Enjoy Boating on the IJsselmeer lake.
  • Visit Bruges, the marvellous Flemish city known as the northern little Venice.
  • Visit Disneyland, Versailles and other places of interest.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
European Delight
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Apennine Mountains, Bratislava, Bruges, Brussels, Budapest, Colosseum, Florence, Frankfurt, Innsbruck, Paris, Prague, Rome, Salzburg, St. Peter's Basilica, Venice, Vienna

Highlights

  • Enjoy View from Piazzale Michelangelo.
  • Admire the technique of crafting Murano Glass.
  • Travel along a very pretty scenic road between the mountains to Kitzbühel.
  • Take a cruise to see four castles, disembarking in Gmunden.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Artistic Mosaic
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bratislava, Budapest, Florence, Frankfurt, Geneva, Innsbruck, Lucerne, Madrid, Milan, Pisa, Prague, Rhone Rhine Canal, Rome, Salzburg, Venice, Vienna, Zurich

Highlights

  • Explore Madrid city tour, stroll through the Retiro Park. Visit to the Plaza de Toros de las Ventas bullring
  • City tour of Barelona
  • City tour of Rome, we have a scenic tour of the city
  • Visit and admission to the St Mark´s Basilica, admire the technique of crafting Murano Glass
  • City tour of Budapest, cruise on the Danube river
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Overland Journeys

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Legendary Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Mainz), MS Crucevita
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
6 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • 3 countries visited
  • no need to pack/unpack on every stop
  • stops in the hearts of the cities

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"I recommend this tour to everyone without exception. I am an experienced traveler, made sea cruises on huge liners, as well as river cruises around the world. A cruise along the Danube stands out from the crowd with the extraordinary beauty of landscapes, tranquility and grandeur. Days spent on board were filled with care and comfort. Food and service were excellent! All dietary requirements are met, lactose free food is provided upon request - very important for my family. The weak point of the cruise is the limited time in some ports - would be great to spend at least 5-6h. The ship itself is clean and comfortable, the cabin is being cleaned 2 times a day - morning and evening. What I personally liked is the possibility to join city tours as it was our first time on the Danube and we wanted to learn as much as we could. It is better to choose tours you'd like to join before the cruise - to secure a place within a group. It was a wonderful experience for my family. You are sure to enjoy this route for your vacation."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Cruise France by River Barge in Burgundy
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
5 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Burgundy, Lyon

Highlights

  • 7 day/6 night barge trip in France in Southern Burgundy, on the Canal du Centre and River Saône, from St. Leger to Lyon, France.
  • Stay in comfortable accommodations on board our elegant, privately chartered hotel-barge, exploring the “soul” of this region from our “floating country inn.”
  • Enjoy Bike, walk, motor and walking excursions into famous cities and towns of the region (St. Leger, Chagny, Chalon Sur Saône, Tournus, Mâcon, Lyon) full of gardens, renowned art and architecture, and famous vineyards (Messanges, Santenay, Remigny).
  • Feast on superb gourmet regional French cuisine, exquisite 4-course dinners, superb wines and French wine tastings, and experience caring service.
  • Celebrate a French "Toast" with several wine tastings at famous vineyards during the cruise.
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative, Women Only

What travelers are saying

"I always wanted to meet orangutans in the wild. Going with AW to Indonesia was the way to do it. We had great local guides, delicious food, and magical experiences. Everything was taken care of. The diverse group of women made the time even more enriching. I started as a solo traveler, but within a day I had 14 new friends. I can totally see traveling with AW again."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together

  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
  • ... and much more
Join community
Classic Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel), MS Crucebelle
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
6 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Basel, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • 4 countries visited
  • no need to pack/unpack on every stop
  • stops in the hearts of the cities

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"I recommend this tour to everyone without exception. I am an experienced traveler, made sea cruises on huge liners, as well as river cruises around the world. A cruise along the Danube stands out from the crowd with the extraordinary beauty of landscapes, tranquility and grandeur. Days spent on board were filled with care and comfort. Food and service were excellent! All dietary requirements are met, lactose free food is provided upon request - very important for my family. The weak point of the cruise is the limited time in some ports - would be great to spend at least 5-6h. The ship itself is clean and comfortable, the cabin is being cleaned 2 times a day - morning and evening. What I personally liked is the possibility to join city tours as it was our first time on the Danube and we wanted to learn as much as we could. It is better to choose tours you'd like to join before the cruise - to secure a place within a group. It was a wonderful experience for my family. You are sure to enjoy this route for your vacation."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Escape to Provence
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
4 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Arles, Avignon, Lyon

Highlights

  • Admire picturesque Provence
  • Discover ancient Avignon
  • Take in the wild Camargue

Themes

Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"Just returned from Miramar hotel in Bellaria great holiday , lovely Room but are at the back of hotel ,so if you want to see the great view of the Adriatic you need to upgrade before you go as there is no chance of this when you are there ,hotel was full ,food was good lots of choices but on one cake or fruit for sweets most hotels we have been in Italy they have ice-cream for deserts ��, they give you beach towels which we used and went on the great beach opposite hotel 15 euros for two beds and brolly �� we had a great time"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip
101 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Local Immersion & Homestays

France Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
2,429  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

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

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

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 ...

Write a Review

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 1383 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.

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!