France Tours & Vacations

We have worked alongside our France travel specialists to compile recommendations for any length of trip. A custom Zicasso tour allows you to organize your time in France however you desire. The below breakdown of days offers a guideline from which you can launch your dream trip.

Below, we have organized our recommendations on where you should go based on the number of days you have:

7 to 9 Day Trips

If you have approximately one week to travel in France, we recommend that you visit Paris, Normandy, and the Loire Valley. Organizing your days as follows will give you plenty of time to experience the essentials of France:

7 Days

Days 1-4: Paris

Days 5-7: Normandy

8 Days

Days 1-3: Paris

Days 4-6: Normandy

Days 7-8: Loire Valley

9 Days

Days 1-4: Paris

Days 5-7: Normandy

Days 8-9: Loire Valley

If you have closer to two weeks in France, we suggest dividing your time between the north and south of France which will include Paris, Normandy, and the Loire Valley. All Zicasso tours are custom-tailored to what you wish to see, but here is how we recommend dividing your time:

10 Days

Days 1-3: Paris

Days 4-6: Normandy

Days 7-8: Loire Valley

Days 9-10: Dordogne

12 Days

Days 1-4: Paris

Days 5-7: Normandy

Days 8-9: Loire Valley

Days 10-12: Dordogne

14 Days

Days 1-3: Paris

Days 4-6: Normandy

Days 7-9: Loire Valley

Days 9-11: Dordogne

Days 12-14: Provence, Riviera

15 Days

Days 1-3: Paris

Days 4-6: Normandy

Days 7-9: Loire Valley

Days 9-11: Dordogne

Days 12-15: Provence, Riviera

16 days

Days 1-4: Paris

Days 5-7: Normandy

Days 8-9: Loire Valley

Days 10-12: Dordogne

Days 13-16: Provence, Riviera

Two weeks or 14 days is the perfect length for a France tour. This amount of time allows you to divide your time appropriately between the diverse cultures and terrain of France’s north and south, which includes the wine regions of the Loire Valley, Dordogne, the celebrated shores of the Cote d'Azur and the famous streets of Paris. A 14-day trip gives you time for both guided tours and time on your own to indulge in the cuisine, culture, and wine at a casual pace.

During your France tour, you can discover ancient ruins and opulent palaces, be immersed in the rich flavors of local cuisine, and bask in the grandeur of artistic masterpieces. You can also enjoy the inspiration of the natural scenery, the beauty of historic architecture, and the majesty of illustrious monuments.

The following list offers our recommendations on the range of iconic sites and activities you must experience on your France trip:

Paris is an iconic celebration of boulevards lined with monuments, museums brimming with masterpieces, and cafes where locals watch the world pass by. As a city of vibrant culture, glorious food, and layers of history, Paris remains a global symbol of style, artistic treasures, and romance.  During your France tour, the following remain essential activities you should experience when first visiting Paris:

What to See & Do

Tours Covering (3-4 days depending on pace):

1.  Art Tour

• Witness the masterpieces of treasured art and artifacts when visiting famous museums, such as the Louvre, d’Orsay, Rodin, and l’Orangerie galleries.

2.  Monuments Tour

• Discover the grandeur of Parisian and French history during guided tours that reveal the Eiffel Tower, Versaille Palace, Arc deTriomphe, and more.

3.  Food Tour

• Embrace diverse and famous flavors of French cuisine during a food tour of Paris that reveal decadent chocolates, sweet pastries, and traditional dishes.

France’s Normandy region has a rugged natural splendor riddled with remarkable history. Whether looking for a low-profile coastline or some of the finest museums in the country, Normandy captures the spirit of France with medieval towns, pastoral villages, and layered art history. We recommend the following essential experiences:

What to See & Do

Tours Covering (2-3 days depending on pace):

1.  Historical Tour

• Experience the range of history in Normandy, from Mont Saint-Michel to the beaches of the D-Day landings.

2.  Food Tour

• Indulge in the flavors specific to the Normandy region, such as creamy camembert, apples, cider, and delectable seafood.

The Loire Valley represents French splendor and a style that is known for exceeding the expectations of visitors. Opulent and aristocratic estates embody a historic grandeur featured as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while the landscape supports lively and sophisticated wines. We recommend the following experiences when visiting the Loire Valley:

What to See & Do

Tours Covering (2 days depending on pace):

1.  Castle Tour

• Explore the fascinating historic estates that embody French opulence at sites like Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Chenonceau, and Chateau de Cheverny.

2.  Wine Tour

• Delight in the divers flavors of popular French varietals and treasured wines that rarely travel outside of Europe.

Zicasso provides you with exclusive access to excursions, tours, and activities to create a unique experience based on what you wish to see. The following information offers ideas and advice on our recommended experiences that can be tailored to your unique interests:

A food and wine excursion in France is one of the most essential experiences you can have. France is one of the largest producers of wine in the world and has a variety of climate and weather conditions, which affect the greater terroir that pairs with the celebrated cuisine known for baked-goods, cheeses, and meats supporting world-renowned Micheline-starred restaurants.

Burgundy

Centuries-old chateaus and local markets highlight the quality of cuisine found in the gorgeous countryside. Mustard fields color the landscape beside medieval villages and help demonstrate the enticing regional passions of food and wine. Vineyards around Burgundy have also been declared Unesco World Heritage Sites due to their rich history of viticulture and tangible diversity.

Provence

Provence embodies the iconic scenery and culinary landscape of France with lavender fields and ancient olive groves that support essential regional flavors. The passion for food and wine is exposed through the Mediterranean ingredients, such as tomatoes, garlic, chocolate, pastries, and the quintessential olive oil.

Zicasso’s Exclusive Access to France’s Best Wine

Zicasso’s experienced and knowledgeable travel specialists can arrange private visits to exclusive vineyards not open to the public, where you can sample wines and meet the vintners. You can also learn more about France’s more-than-200 indigenous grape varietals, including rare grapes like Prunelard and Savignin, from a sommelier.

Art

France is one of the most famous destinations in the world for art. Treasures range from Romanesque tapestries to medieval stained glass, celebrated Impressionist work to dynamic Gothic cathedrals, and ancient cave paintings to Post-Impressionist masters.

History

The history of France embodies the greater timeline of Western Europe and derives from the migration of nomadic Celts to the Hundred Years War. The landscape and the architecture reveal the marvels of the past. Elements of Roman Gauls date back to the 1st millennium BC, and the elegance of the French Court glistens from Renaissance chateaus. The Belle Epoque shines with art-nouveau architecture and Impressionist art, while Post-Impressionist works reveal life and culture in France between the World Wars. France is a history-lover’s dream, and, on a customized Zicasso trip, we can arrange private tours with specialized history guides, such as a professor with a specific interest or an art historian with a PhD. We can also organize art history-focused small-group tours with a certified guide.

An active tour of France reveals the majesty of the countryside or charming, secluded villages that are scattered around the country. You can travel at your preferred pace for a unique perspective.

We recommend the following excursions for some of the best active tours in France:

Cycling

• Loire Valley – The hills and villages around the Loire Valley offer an inviting landscape for cycling. The scenery only enhances the delicious flavors of the celebrated vineyards.
• Burgundy – The Old World wine region offers visitors recreational cycling among thriving vines and lush hillsides unimpeded by traffic. The preserved culture, tasty wines, and historic villages offer a perfect blend of France’s most charming characteristics.
• Alsace – The region nestled between Germany and France captures the myths of the Old World with the flavors of the New World. With a mixing of cultures and flavors, you can find the dynamics of modern cuisine accentuated by rich tradition.

Hiking

• Luberon Natural Regional Park – The trails around the national park weave through hilltop villages, vineyards, olive groves, and the red rocks of Provence. The network of trails connects to prehistoric caves and centuries-old chapels.
• Dune du Pilat – The tallest sand dunes in Europe stretch for nearly two miles and result in fantastic views over the Arcachon basin.

Private Excursions and Special Access

Zicasso’s travel specialist partners have insider access to unique experiences that you cannot get any other way. These experiences, customized to your specific interests, can often be your most memorable, turning your trip into the experience of a lifetime. The possibilities are endless.

The starting price of a custom-tailored France trip is approximately $275 per person, per day. For an escorted group tour, the starting price can be approximately $150 per person, per day.

The cost of a France vacation is dependent on several factors, such as the:

• Length of your trip
• Season (month) of travel
• Class of hotel
• Number of locations/cities you visit
• Number of guided day tours and activities (e.g., cooking class, wine tasting, etc.)
• How much you spend on meals, shopping, etc.

A vacation such as this is often the biggest purchase of the year. It will also likely be one of the most memorable experiences of your lifetime. To get the most out of your trip, we highly recommend using an expert travel specialist to plan a customized tour that is tailored to your specific interests and budget. You can also join an escorted group tour so that most travel arrangements are pre-planned for you. This way, you can travel hassle-free and relax while a professional tour director and guide takes care of all logistics (including skip-the-line tickets) and any issues that might arise.

The cost of a tailor-made France tour typically starts at $2,750 per person for a 10-day trip, i.e., $275 per person, per day during the low or mid-season.

This includes:

• 3-star hotels (shared twin room)
• Some guided day tours and activities
• Transportation, such as airport transfers and inter-island ferries

A 5-star, tailor-made France tour, where most services are upgraded and extra unique experiences are included, typically starts at $6,000 per person for a 10-day trip.

An escorted group tour with scheduled departure dates delivers excellent value. With comparable inclusions, such as the class of hotel, guided activities, and transportation, a group tour can be 30 - 50% less expensive than an equivalent tailor-made tour.

Everyone’s priorities, interests, and preferences are different. Submit a trip request on Zicasso, and we will personally match you with a France travel specialist who will help you plan your perfect customized trip or guide you in selecting the right France group tour while also taking your budget into consideration.

Updated: December 26, 2019

The best time to visit France is from April to June and again between September to November. The shoulder season in spring and fall have moderate temperatures, lower prices, and smaller crowds.

The summer in July and August can be hot and expensive while attracting large crowds. In winter, the weather can be cold, wet, and gray but has smaller crowds.

Certain destinations in France upend the norm of visiting during the shoulder season, such as wine country, which offers the best scenery in spring but will give you the best opportunity to meet the winemakers in winter between January and February. The South of France and Atlantic Coast are best visited in summer between June and August to best enjoy the land, sea, and weather.

You should consider planning your trip to France up to four to six months in advance if you wish to visit the most iconic destinations of Paris, Normandy, and the Loire Valley. If you plan on visiting popular destinations like the Cote d’Azur in summer, you should reserve your trip up to eight months in advance to account for the limited number of hotels.

The best way to see France in 10 days is with a combination of train and car. Traveling between big cities, such as Paris to Lyon or Paris to Dijon, is easy, fast, and reliable when done by train. Trains in France are great for couples and can reach a number of smaller towns as well; however, when traveling with a small group or with family members, traveling by train can become expensive.

Renting a car in France is possible and recommended if you wish to visit secluded villages and historic towns around the wine regions, valleys, and mountainous areas. Not only is the scenery beautiful around areas like the Cote d’Azur or the medieval towns of Dordogne but many of the settlements are not accessible by train. The infrastructure around France is well-tended, but roads in more rural areas are often unmarked or unpaved. Construction and congestion in larger cities, such as Paris, often occur.

Zicasso travel specialists will always include private transfers to and from the airport or between destinations for your best stress-free France tour, which circumvents taxi service charges and possible miscommunications.

Travel considerations during your France vacation includes topics such as safety, logistics, and the ease of accessibility. The following recommendations offer information on what to consider during your trip:

France is very safe. During your France tour, you will find the people and the country welcoming and eager to share their culture and heritage. As anywhere, pickpocketing can be a concern, especially in larger tourist destinations like Arc de Triomphe or the Eiffel Tower. Healthwise, there are no concerns regarding the general safety of eating and drinking throughout France.

You’ve booked your dream vacation, now protect it with travel insurance. A wide range of factors can leave your vacation in limbo. Medical emergencies, inclement weather, and unexpected cancellations can cause turmoil for your trip, so in the unlikely event of a disaster, get the travel insurance coverage that provides peace of mind. To get a quote, visit our travel insurance page.

Having a guide well-versed in touring with families can maximize your time and ensure each member of your family has the best-possible experience. Tour guides can focus their attention on engaging young children when at museums or plan separate tours for teenagers and adults.

A guide knowledgeable in touring with Seniors will provide more accessibility for visitors in terms of activities,sites, and transfers. The right guide will maximize your ability to view and experience more with proper arrangements, such as drivers who can carry your luggage to and from check-in or understanding the logistics of visiting certain monuments.

A knowledgeable guide who understands a couple’s desire for romance, seclusion, and discovery will offer you unique perspectives and advice on ways to truly experience France’s majesty, from dining atop the Eiffel Tower to wandering the Little Venice of Colmar.

Guests with mobility challenges can be well assisted by our France travel specialists. Access and alternative arrangements can be made with ease to ensure the enjoyment of certain monuments, historical sites, accommodations, and restaurants.

The best airport to fly in and out of in France is Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Paris Orly Airport (ORY). Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the largest and busiest airport in France and accommodates non-stop flights from North America. Nice Airport (NCE) also has opportunities for arriving in and departing France by plane based on your schedule and preferred time frame.

For most travelers, the most convenient airport is Paris (CDG). The second most accessible airport is Nice (NCE). These two airports best distinguish the divide between north and south France to better service the different regions. The top active airports in France include:

• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
• Nice (NCE)
• Lyon Saint Exupery (LYS)

Paris hosts the largest airports in France, offering a variety of international flights that travel to and from North America and across Europe, acting as a stopover for flights that continue to other destinations. A combination of great infrastructure and high-speed trains make it easy to fly in and out of Paris; however, prices for a round-trip flight out of Paris are similar to flying in and out of different airports around France, which allows you to avoid any hassle of returning to Paris for your flight home if you prefer to travel around France.

Domestic flights are frequent and quick between smaller airports, making it very easy to travel long distances around France; however, the high-speed train service between large cities makes most domestic flights unnecessary, unless traveling far or to areas not connected by the high-speed rail service, such as from Nice to Rennes.

Zicasso Air Desk is an international air ticketing service that eliminates the stress of finding and booking the right flights for your upcoming vacation by employing the same personalized service you can expect from planning a trip with Zicasso. Our competitive flight pricing, 24x7 Service & Support, and Complimentary Consultation of Routing vs. Pricing with an Expert Flight Specialist make finding the perfect flight for your trip effortless.

When returning for another France trip, you can travel beyond the must-see destinations of Paris, Normandy, and the Loire Valley to experience some off-the-beaten-path sites that are equally worthy of your considerations. The following recommendations offer a brief list of where you can visit during your return trip to France.

• Dordogne

The rugged scenery of the Dordogne region matches the captivating ancient history. The region’s delicious cuisine is highlighted by scintillating wines and ingredients like foie gras that further reveal the grandeur of the past. Prehistoric cave art, Roman villas, and Renaissance chateaus also reveal the depth of history in the region. The French refer to the divisions of the region by its colored landscape, and each section acts as a representation of the wine, forests, and limestone hills.

• Lyon

Lyon is a city celebrated for its French culture. Gallo-Roman archeological sites and a celebrated culinary history that has cultivated top chefs add to the delights of warm weather and impressive art galleries. The strategic site at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers creates atmospheric neighborhoods that host France’s oldest ruins, Renaissance mansions, and elegant cafes celebrated by culturalists, historians, and gastronomes alike.