History France Tours & Trip Packages

History France Tours & Trips

3,511 History trips. Tours from 490 tour companies. 17,588 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

265 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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France
The Best of the Seine River From Normandy to Paris
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Eiffel Tower, Giverny, Normandy, Paris, Rouen

Highlights

  • View the masterpieces of the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay and see Paris’ illuminated landmarks on an after-dark boat excursion
  • Discover the splendor of Monet’s gardens including the famous water lily pond
  • Explore the 7th-century Abbey of Saint Wandrille with one of the resident monks as your host

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Rhine Getaway
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3/5 Average
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Koblenz, St. Martin's Cathedral, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Experience the lush landscape of the Black Forest region
  • Explore Holland’s famous windmills and waterworks and take part in the inviting nightlife in Rüdesheim’s Drosselgasse.
  • Set at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers

Themes

50 plus, Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

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Chateaux, Rivers & Wine
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4.7/5 Excellent
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bordeaux

Highlights

  • Explore Bordeaux
  • See fascinating Bordeaux’s highlights, including the Place des Quinconces
  • Visit Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Discover Blaye
  • Enjoy a wine country tour featuring several wine-tasting opportunities

Themes

50 plus, Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

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France's Finest
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4.7/5 Excellent
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Arles, Avignon, Eiffel Tower, Lyon, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Highlights

  • See the fantastic Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral,
  • Get an opportunity to see historic beaches of Normandy
  • Explore France
  • Discover Lyon a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Enjoy cruising to Les Andelys, known for its imposing castle

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

Trip dates & details
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Human Origins: Southwest France and Northern Spain
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3.5/5 Great
30 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Basque Country, Santillana del Mar, Vézère Valley

Highlights

  • Examine the Paleolithic art of two UNESCO World Heritage–listed cave regions: France’s Vézère Valley and the northern coast of Spain.
  • Meet leading archaeologists and anthropologists for talks and private tours of cave sites.
  • Visit Castel-Merle with Isabelle Castanet, whose family has excavated the site for generations.
  • Explore Sarlat, France, and Santillana del Mar, Spain, two of Europe's best-preserved medieval villages.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"We booked a National Geographic expedition Holland and Belgium by River. The promotional literature promised a 14-day deposit refund window. The “invoice” was marked “non-refundable” deposit. We completed the National Geographic Traveler Information. About 8 days later we received the “Travel Agreement” to be signed. We both approved and signed the National Geographic documents. A Cruise Line Travel agreement was enclosed but had no signature line. This document contained language which was unacceptable. We submitted the signed NatGeo documents. The following day we canceled the trip due to the unacceptable Cruise Line language. Cancellation was made 12 days after booking and no deposit was returned. We were told on the phone that the refund deadline was triggered by the 14 day window OR signatures on the Travel Agreement which ever came first. This was NEW information. To date, we have received NO refund of our $1000. We cancelled our trip within the advertised 14 day window."

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Paris & the heart of Normandy
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4.7/5 Excellent
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, Rouen

Highlights

  • Enjoy 8-day cruising with river
  • Opportunity to visit 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Explore Pairs
  • Enjoy the tour to the historic beaches of Normandy
  • Visit magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral.

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

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Glitz & Glamour of the French Riviera
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Barcelona, Cádiz, Cannes, Lisbon

Highlights

  • Visit Lisbon, a delightful mix of palaces, art-nouveau cafés, museums, gardens, ancient castles and splendid bridges
  • Visit beautiful sun-kissed city,“Queen of the Riviera”
  • Discover the many facets of this fascinating principality
  • Enjoy at stunning city of Cannes on the fabulous French Riviera

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Singles Travel, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"everything is perfect from start to finish just back from Baltic cruise on Braemar , it was amazing."

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Best of Paris in 7 Days Tour
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3.7/5 Great
23 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Louvre Museum, Paris

Highlights

  • Visits to a pair of the world's most significant medieval Gothic churches
  • Enjoy guided neighborhood walks through the city's historic heart
  • See the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art - almost next door - at the Orsay Museum
  • Enjoy a farewell feast together, sharing travel memories

Themes

Hiking & Walking, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged merchandise. I have attempted to email them through their website and I have left 3 voicemails (nobody answers the phone, ever!) and nobody has contacted me back. At this point, it seems like I've been ripped off. Buyer beware. Extremely disappointed."

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265 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
France

History Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
17,588  Reviews
See all History tour reviews
Excellent
7,300
Great
2,695
Average
504
Disappointing
136
Terrible
69
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

History in the Heat

I've always been interested in Egyptian history and when friends suggested joining this holiday I booked straight away. And it didn't disappoint. Seeing & bein...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

postscript

Sorry, I meant to add that Exodus should perhaps delete the reference to the "library" on the cruise from the Trip Notes. The library consisted of 16 dog-eared bo...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise

This was a wonderful trip - I enjoyed it enormously. Visit to the temples at Karnak & Luxor Khaled Lotfy was an excellent & inspirational group leader. He ...

A

Anonymous

Feb 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise

I do not have a very long 'bucket list', in fact Egypt is the only destination on it and this holiday did not disappoint. From the flight to Cairo to the flight ho...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise and Pyramids

This was a wonderful trip. It was very exciting to get our first glimpse of the Pyramids which were only a short ride from the airport. There was a few early mor...

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History Tour Selection Trips

Travel Tips for Historical Travel Tours

A historical travel tour offers an exciting opportunity for those passionate about the past to explore ancient civilizations with a historian guide. To make the most of your journey, here are some practical tips to enhance your history trip:
  • Familiarize yourself with the historical significance of the sites you visit to deepen your understanding and appreciation.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for walking and exploring historical sites, often involving uneven terrain and outdoor elements.
  • Carry a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated, especially in warmer climates where historical sites may lack amenities.
  • Be mindful of local customs and traditions when visiting historical sites, and adhere to any dress codes or etiquette guidelines.
  • Take advantage of the expertise of your tour guide, who can provide valuable insights and historical context during your exploration.
  • Bring extra storage and charging devices to ensure you can capture all the photos you want of the historical sites you visit.
  • Remember to be respectful of any photography restrictions.
  • Carry essentials such as sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat to protect yourself from the elements during outdoor excursions.
  • Keep an open mind and be prepared for unexpected changes to the itinerary, as historical travel tours may encounter unforeseen challenges or delays.

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