7 Immersive France Tours Worth Taking In 2023

From Paris to Provence, these tours get you behind the scenes in France.
Beautiful panoramic view of Paris from the roof of the Pantheon. View of the Eiffel Tower and flag of France.
(Photo: Shutterstock/V_E)

France is one of the most visited countries in the world, and while you could plan out a 10-day vacation on your own, group tours are another great way to see the country without the hassle. Many of the best France tours focus on one region or topic so you can truly see the various cultures and lifestyles of the different parts of the country.

7 Great France Tours for 2023

If you’re looking to travel to France, consider one of these seven immersive tours of France on which you can do everything from taking in the sights and sounds of Paris to paying your respects at Normandy Beach. And since transportation, hotels, and many activities and meals are taken care of by your guides, you can focus on the experience of soaking up the French experience.

Road Scholar: The Best of Northern France: Paris and Normandy

view of Mont Saint-Michel on a sunny day as seen on Road Scholar's Best of Northern France Tour
Mont Saint-Michel is a stop on Road Scholar’s Best of Northern France tour (Photo: Road Scholar)

Road Scholar’s Best of Northern France: Paris and Normandy tour takes travelers from the beautiful city of Paris to charming small towns in the Normandy region of France. For many, the highlight of the trip is the day spent at the D-Day Landing Beaches and the Normandy American Cemetery.

Other highlights include mornings spent at Versailles and Montmartre and a visit to Monet’s Garden in Giverny. The final day will be spent in the quaint village of Honfleur, which is known for its all-wooden church and signature dish of moules-frites, or mussels with fries.

  • Length: 9 days, 8 nights
  • Starting price: $2,649
  • Group size: 13 to 24 people

National Geographic Expeditions: Human History: Northern Spain and Southwest France

Illuminated cave paintings at Lascaux IV on National Geographic Adventures' Human History: Northern Spain and Southwest France tour
The photo showcases a visit to Lascaux IV, the most complete recreation of the original Lascaux Cave system, whose famous paintings have been off-limits to visitors since 1963 to prevent deterioration. A team of scientists, technicians and artists have painstakingly recreated the hundreds of paintings and engravings in great detail utilizing cutting-edge laser imaging and 3D-printing technology. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

While National Geographic Expeditions’ Human History: Northern Spain and Southwest France tour does go to Spain and France, a solid half of the trip is spent in France, so it’s worth looking into if you’re in the market for a tour of France. This tour is dedicated to telling the stories of human history through archeological sites and caves, some of which date back 40,000 years.

During the tour, you’ll explore catacombs in Saint-Émilion, see the Rouffignac Cave, or “cave of a hundred mammoths” in Vezere Valley, and see children’s footprints in clay from over 12,000 years ago in Pech Merle. National Geographic experts accompany the group to each site and offer expert insights into each destination.

  • Length: 10 days
  • Starting price: $7,995
  • Group size: Maximum of 25 people

Intrepid: Cycle the Loire Valley

Three cyclists riding down a country lane in the Loire Valley on Intrepid's Cycle the Loire Valley tour
Intrepid’s Cycle the Loire Valley France tour is an active way to explore the countryside (Photo: Intrepid Travel)

Travelers looking for an active trip through some of the most picturesque countryside of France will enjoy Intrepid’s Cycle the Loire Valley cycling tour. During the weeklong trip, you’ll bike along the Loire River and stop along the way at some of the stunning chateaus, including one that’s now a museum showcasing Leonardo da Vinci’s designs and life.

Wine lovers will love the stops at vineyards along the way on this tour of the Loire, where the specialty is aged Chenin blanc wines. Note that you should be in relatively good health to participate, since you will be biking upwards of 37 miles a day.

  • Length: 7 days
  • Starting price: $2,250
  • Group size: 1 to 15 people

Butterfield & Robinson: Provence Walking Tour

Butterfield & Robinson is known for its walking and biking trips, including this walking tour of the Provence region of France. During the almost-weeklong trip, travelers will be able to tour medieval villages, stroll past lavender fields, and of course, try some impeccable wine along the way.

Each day, guests walk anywhere from seven to ten miles (walking poles are provided at the start of the trip). While traveling through the region, you’ll stay at three local hotels, including one with a rooftop pool and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

  • Length: 6 days, 5 nights
  • Starting price: $7,395
  • Group size: Up to 16 people

Tauck: A Week In … The French Riviera, Provence, and Paris

Avignon Bridge with Popes Palace and Rhone river at sunrise, Pont Saint-Benezet, Provence, France
Pont Saint-Benezet in Avignon, Provence, is among the stops on this Tauck France tour (Photo: iStock/Tauck)

Start your journey on the French Riviera on Tauck’s A Week In … French tour before moving north to Provence and then on to Paris. The eight-day trip will have you exploring the ritzy town of Monte Carlo and strolling through the village of St-Rémy-de-Provence, where Van Gogh painted iconic pieces like Starry Night.

When you reach Paris, you’ll enjoy a meal at the floating Ducasse Sur Seine restaurant, made famous by chef Alain Ducasse. Of course, no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Louvre, which with Tauck includes a guided early morning visit (which means fewer crowds and better views of the masterpieces).

  • Length: 8 days
  • Starting price: $5,490
  • Group size: 33 to 44 people

Collette: Spotlight on the French Riviera

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. (back view from garden) as seen on a Collette tour of France
Collette’s Spotlight on the French Riviera tour includes a stop at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.(Photo: Collette)

Explore the South of France on Collette’s Spotlight on the French Riviera tour, where you’ll be able to see everything from the principality of Monaco to the lavish lifestyle of Cannes. Each night of the tour you’ll return to Nice, which will act as your home base for the trip, allowing you to completely unpack and get comfortable at one hotel.

Along the way, you’ll take a train ride into Monte Carlo, explore the Nice flower market, and tour the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

  • Length: 9 days, 8 nights
  • Starting price: $1,999
  • Group size: 14 to 24 people

Trafalgar: Wonderful France (with Women Only Departures)

view of lavender and sunflower fields near Valensole, France as seen on a Trafalgar tour of France
Trafalgar’s Wonderful France tour has women-exclusive departure dates (Photo: Courtesy of Trafalgar)

If you’re looking for a tour that’s women only, consider the Wonderful France tour with Trafalgar. The tour has both women-exclusive departures and dates open to anyone. Over nine days you’ll travel to eight cities including Paris, St. Tropez, and Monaco.

The tour has a good mix of culinary delights like wine tastings and dining on regional cuisine while also allowing travelers to explore on their own. History buffs will particularly enjoy the activities on day seven, a trip to the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge that’s been standing since the 1st century.

  • Length: 9 days
  • Starting price: $3,124
  • Group size: 40 to 45 people

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Megan duBois is a writer whose work has appeared on Buzzfeed, Popsugar, Insider, Orbitz, The Daily Meal, Family Vacation Critic, TravelPulse, and more. Check out her latest adventures on Instagram @MinglingwithMickey.