France Small Group Tours & Trips

717 France trips. Tours from 33 tour companies. 2,160 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

60 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Group Tour
12 Day Treasures of Provence
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Discover Paris in a vintage French Citroën on a special ride to Montmartre Take a guided visit to the treasure-filled Louvre, one of the world's largest museums Visit the soaring World Heritage site of the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) in Avignon Stand before the extraordinary UNESCO listed three-tiered ancient Pont du Gard aqueduct Walking tour along the honey-colored streets in Arles that inspired many Van Gogh paintings Enter the vast Camargue, a harsh landscape home to white horses, black bulls and flamingos Share lunch with Guardians (cowboys) at a local ranch in the Camargue region In Saint-Rémy visit the beautiful old monastery complex where Van Gogh spent his last years Typical picnic lunch in Mouries with local wines and fresh olive oil from a nearby oil mill Explore the quintessential Provencal town of Aix-en-Provence, home of painter Paul Cézanne Visit Cézanne's art studio, nestled on Lauves hill where many of his masterpieces were created At Sainte-Victoire Mountain, savor a Provencal lunch with tastings of regional wines Journey into the very heart of Provence with its tiny clifftop villages and sprawling vineyards In Marseilles, visit the Vieux Port where fishmongers sell their catch along the boat lined quay A cruise in Cassis to view the region's famous calanques (limestone rock formations) A boules game with locals followed by a culinary lesson and dinner in the village of Velaux Travel from Nice along the sun-drenched French Riviera, stopping in Eze and Cap Ferrat Visit the Rothschild Villa and Gardens, a pink palazzo in magnificent St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Cross the border into the storied Principality of Monaco with its opulent Royal Palace In glamorous Monte Carlo, crown jewel of the Riviera, view the lavish marble and gold Casino †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
12 days$383 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
13 Day France & Spain: History, Culture & Wine
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Visit Gaudi's masterpiece, the unfinished fanciful La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona In the Catalonian city of Figueres, visit the Dali Theatre-Museum, designed by the artist Visit the impressive fortified walled city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Specially arranged wine tasting at a local vineyard of fabulous Bordeaux wines Stay at a Chateau in the countryside near the UNESCO World Heritage village of St. Emilion Visit the stunning seaside resort of San Sebastian, called the "Pearl" of northern Spain In the Basque city of Bilbao, visit the inspirational and glittering Guggenheim Museum Tour a traditional Spanish winery and cellar in the Rioja region and enjoy a wine tasting Visit the renowned Prado Museum - stand before masterpieces by Goya and El Greco †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
13 days$385 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
12 Day Treasures of Provence
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Discover magical Paris in a vintage French Citroën on a special ride to Montmartre Take a guided visit to the treasure-filled Louvre, one of the world's largest museums Visit the soaring World Heritage site of the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) in Avignon Stand before the extraordinary UNESCO listed three-tiered ancient Pont du Gard aqueduct Walking tour along the honey-colored streets in Arles that inspired many Van Gogh paintings Enter the vast Camargue, a harsh landscape home to white horses, black bulls and flamingos Share lunch with Guardians (cowboys) at a local ranch in the Camargue region In Saint-Rémy visit the beautiful old monastery complex where Van Gogh spent his last years Typical picnic lunch in Mouries with local wines and fresh olive oil from a nearby oil mill Explore the quintessential Provencal town of Aix-en-Provence, home of painter Paul Cézanne Visit Cézanne's art studio, nestled on Lauves hill where many of his masterpieces were created At Sainte-Victoire Mountain, savor a delectable Provencal lunch with tastings of regional wines Journey into the very heart of Provence with its tiny clifftop villages and sprawling vineyards In Marseilles, visit the Vieux Port where fishmongers sell their catch along the boat lined quay A cruise in Cassis to view the region's famous calanques (limestone rock formations) A boules game with locals followed by a culinary lesson and dinner in the village of Velaux Travel from Nice along the sun-drenched French Riviera, stopping in Eze and Cap Ferrat Visit the stunning Rothschild Villa and Gardens, a pink palazzo in magnificent St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Cross the border into the storied Principality of Monaco with its opulent Royal Palace In glamorous Monte Carlo, crown jewel of the Riviera, view the lavish marble and gold Casino †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
12 days$423 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Basque Pyrenées
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Exploring seaside towns and bucolic villages
  • Living in luxury at a seaside Belle Epoque hotel
  • Challenging friendly locals to a game of pelota
7 days$642 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
13 Day France & Spain: History, Culture & Wine
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Visit Gaudi's masterpiece, the unfinished fanciful La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona In the Catalonian city of Figueres, visit the Dali Theatre-Museum, designed by the artist Visit the impressive fortified walled city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Specially arranged wine tasting at a local vineyard of fabulous Bordeaux wines Visit the stunning seaside resort of San Sebastian, called the "Pearl" of northern Spain In the Basque city of Bilbao, visit the inspirational and glittering Guggenheim Museum Tour a traditional Spanish winery and cellar in the Rioja region and enjoy a wine tasting Visit the renowned Prado Museum - stand before masterpieces by Goya and El Greco †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
13 days$359 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
12 Day Discover Northern France
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Visit the remarkable Louvre Museum, home of the Mona Lisa and other celebrated masterpieces Travel to the Champagne region to enjoy tastings of this expensive bubbly delight Visit the magnificent Reims Cathedral, where French Kings have been crowned Tour the home of Claude Monet in Giverny, one of the world’s greatest impressionist painters; view the tranquil gardens that inspired his masterpieces Experience the American Cemetery on Omaha Beach, resting place of thousands of U.S. troops. Salute their bravery Meet a World War II historian who helps you gain a greater understanding about D-Day and the Normandy beaches Visit the WWII Memorial Museum, a stirring monument to peace, with its detailed chronology of events that took place in this region Visit iconic Mont St. Michel, magnificently rising from the sea on a mighty rock View the 400 foot long Apocalypse Tapestry, that depicts more than 70 scenes from the Book of Revelation, in Angers Visit the elegant Chateau de Chenonceau, a jewel of Renaissance architecture Dine in La Cave aux Fouees, cut into the face of a cliff - a unique experience At the Royal Chateau of Amboise, visit the chapel’s memorial to Leonardo da Vinci View Chambord Castle, Loire’s largest Chateau, built in the 16th century by King François I In Chartres visit the world-famous Gothic cathedral, considered the greatest in France Enter the Palace of Versailles to see the lavish apartments of King Louis 14th and the extravagant Hall of Mirrors Walk through the amazing Versailles Gardens and view the spectacular musical fountains †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
12 days$414 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together

  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
  • ... and much more
Join community

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
60 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Group Tour
...

1

2

3

...

France Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
2,160  Reviews
See all France tour reviews
Excellent
1,039
Great
349
Average
60
Disappointing
19
Terrible
17
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

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

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

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

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 ...

A

Anonymous

Jul 2017

Wonderful hiking trip, great guide Stephanie

The trip was great, really nice group of people ands very knowledgable guide with a great sense of humour. The location was beautiful and the hikes very satisfyi...

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 717 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.