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France Tours & Vacations

Q: What is France famous for?

France is famous for its romantic and fashionable capital, Paris, and its museums that display many of Europe’s greatest artworks. Travelers flock from all over to sample world-class wines and savor decadent desserts and pastries. You can experience all of this and more on trips to France.

Q: Where should I go in France in winter?

France is a sensational winter destination. You can explore Paris when it's covered in snow, head for the French Alps to ski the slopes, or admire the Christmas festivals lighting up the center of Lyon. When planning a winter trip, these are a few of the best places to spend winter in France: Paris Lyon Alsace Marseille Annecy Loire Valley The French Alps Lille Bordeaux

Q: What else should I know about how to plan a trip to France?

Explore more information in our frequently asked questions about planning a trip to France and inspiration in our France travel guide.

Zicasso tours of France offer a unique opportunity to explore the iconic destination known worldwide for its culture and cuisine. With over 15,000 itineraries planned for our France travelers already, uncover the real France through your own personalized vacation. From iconic monuments to charming countryside villages, discover what this marvelous country has to offer through our sample itinerary collection and visit our France guide to get inspired for your own journey.

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Let these itineraries inspire your personalized travel experience

Amboise Chateau in the Loire Valley, France. Photo courtesy of ADT Touraine / David Darrault

11 Day Trip IdeaFrom $5,000

Best of France Tour: Starry City to Countryside Chateaux

Paris, Versailles, Giverny, Amboise, Bordeaux

14 Day Trip IdeaFrom $12,300

Highlights of France Tour: Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Nice

Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nice

Solutré-Pouilly surrounded by vineyards with the Rock of Solutré in the background

10 Day Trip IdeaFrom $4,600

10-Day France Without Crowds

Chablis, Cluny, Lyon, Auvergne, Sarlat-la-Canéda

Chateau and vineyards in Provence, France

11 Day Trip IdeaFrom $14,700

Opulent Visions of France Tour: Endless Cultural Delight

Paris, Versailles, Monaco, Provence, Nice +3 more

11 Day Trip IdeaFrom $10,800

Luxurious Couple's Retreat Tour to France

Paris, Annecy, Talloires, Avignon, Nice

Enjoying an evening glass of wine at Château de Gilly near Dijon in the Burgundy region in France.

10 Day Trip IdeaFrom $9,000

Ultimate French Wine Tour: Burgundy and Alsace

Lyon, Alsace-Lorraine, Beaune, Dijon

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3.Design Your Perfect Journey
Compare the expertise of two specialists with itineraries crafted exclusively for you. You can refine these further and choose your preferred proposal. Our unique process ensures a more creative, personalized, and expertly crafted trip.

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Lavender fields by the Abbey of Senanque in Gordes in France.

11 Day Trip IdeaFrom $4,900

Fabulous France Tour: Roman Remains to Countryside Discoveries

Avignon, Les Baux-de-Provence, Luberon Valley, Aix-en-Provence, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue +5 more

Tuileries Garden in Spring, Paris, France

8 Day Trip IdeaFrom $3,700

Spring Family Getaway in Paris and Loire Valley

Paris, Amboise, Loire Valley

Coastal village and fortification of Antibes on the French Riviera in France.

11 Day Trip IdeaFrom $5,000

Fabulous Paris, Provence, and French Riviera Tour

Paris, St-Remy-de-Provence, Nice, Antibes

8 Day Trip IdeaFrom $3,600

Unique France Itinerary for Second-Timers

Annecy, Lyon, Beaujolais Route du Vin, Strasbourg, Alsace-Lorraine +1 more

Vineyards of Saint Emilion in Bordeaux, France.

14 Day Trip IdeaFrom $13,700

Luxury Bordeaux and Northern Spain Tour

Bordeaux, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela

Statue and ornate architecture of Versailles in France.

9 Day Trip IdeaFrom $4,100

French Immersion: History, Cuisine, City, and Countryside Tour

Paris, Versailles, Bayeux, Normandy, Amboise

Popular France Travel Styles

Travel Tips for Your France Trip

When is the best time to visit France?

While some months are busier than others, the best time to travel to France is between mid-spring and early summer, from April to June, and in fall, between September and November.

As the weather warms up in spring and early summer, travelers arrive to explore popular cities and famous regions such as the French Riviera, the Loire Valley, and more. Temperatures rise as the crowds gather in July and August, and while busy, summer travel is enjoyable when you have planned early to secure top accommodations and guides. In the fall, France is breathtaking and a quieter atmosphere invites you to slow down and appreciate the highlights.

While not the most popular time to visit, the winter months from December to February are excellent options for travelers spending Christmas in Europe or those seeking active adventures like skiing in the French Alps.

To find the right time for your tour of France, explore more in our guide on the best time to visit France, or learn about when to go to Paris if you are spending a few days in the capital.

Where should I visit in France?

From Paris to Normandy, the Loire Valley to Burgundy, and the French Riviera, each of France’s top destinations offers something unique.

Whether you want to enjoy pastries in boulevard cafés near the Eiffel Tower or taste fine wines in medieval villages in the countryside, here are some of the best places to visit in France:

Paris: France’s capital is a beacon of romance, innovation, and tradition. Boasting iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Michelin-starred restaurants, fashion districts, and famous museums, there is so much to explore.
Loire Valley: Home to regal chateaus, including Chambord and Chenonceau, and a gateway to the cascading vineyards of the wine country, Loire Valley is a must-visit to explore France’s royal history and fine wines.
Burgundy: From Pinot Noirs to Chardonnays, Burgundy produces some of France’s finest reds and whites. Explore the wine cellars on tasting tours or visit medieval towns that reveal the history and culture across the French countryside.
French Riviera: Explore stunning resort towns and admire the breathtaking Mediterranean coastline of southern France. Spend time on sandy beaches, stay at upscale boutique hotels, and swoon over views of villages perched on the coastal cliffs.
Normandy: With a picturesque coastline, charming towns, and emotionally stirring history, Normandy is a top spot for relaxation, cultural explorers, and history buffs.

What should I do in France?

Art and architecture bring France’s dramatic history to life while cafés and Michelin-starred restaurants reveal the traditions of French cooking. Wine estates offer a comfortable getaway from the bustling cities, and fashion takes center stage in the capital.

You can experience all of this and more as you plan to enjoy the following top things to do on tours in France:

Enjoy the best experiences in Paris and visit the capital’s many landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre
Explore French history on cultural tours of medieval villages, in famous museums, and at heritage sites
Admire European art in France’s iconic galleries and exhibitions
Taste French wine in the countryside at estates overlooking the hills and sweeping valleys
Savor fine French cuisine and learn about the culinary traditions on food tours or during cooking classes
Escape the bustling cities and visit the chateaus in the French countryside

What should I see in France?

Most of France’s top attractions can be seen in or around Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre.

Whether exploring the highlights of Paris or enjoying a day trip to Versailles, here are some of the top things to see in France:

Eiffel Tower, Paris
Arc de Triomphe, Paris
Louvre Museum, Paris
d’Orsay Museum, Paris
Palace of Versailles, Versailles
Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy
Château de Chenonceau, Loire Valley

What is France famous for?

What are the best wine regions in France?

French wine is considered some of the best in the world, and its wine regions are a global hotspot for wine enthusiasts.

From the vineyards of Bordeaux to the authentic champagnes of the Champagne region, you can cross the countryside to taste the fine wines or simply bask in the scenery of these famous wine regions in France:

Bordeaux
Burgundy
Champagne
Loire Valley
Rhone Valley
Alsace
Languedoc-Roussillon
Jura and Savoie
Beaujolais

What food is France known for?

French cuisine is known for its deliciously sweet pastries and baked breads, hearty soups and stews, and unique delicacies like escargots.

Some of the most popular foods in France to try on French culinary tours include:

Croissants
Escargots, snails
Cuisses de Grenouilles, frogs’ legs
Foie gras, duck liver pate
Coq au vin, chicken braised with wine
Ratatouille
Beef bourguignon, beef braised with wine
Chocolate souffle
Crepes
Macarons

What are your most popular France itineraries?

The best France itinerary combines several days in the capital city with extensions to the countryside, French coast, or medieval villages. Below, we share some of our most popular customizable France itineraries:

From the capital city to the countryside, explore the best of Paris, Loire Valley, and Bordeaux on our Best of France Tour: Starry City to Countryside Chateaux.
Spend several days in the bustling capital city, sample the vintages of Bordeaux and Lyon, and conclude your French experience on the coast with our Highlights of France Tour: Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Nice.

Showcasing the best Paris, Provence, and the French Riviera, our Opulent Visions of France Tour: Endless Cultural Delight combines cosmopolitan splendor, wine country exclusivity, and coastal charm.

Where should I go in France in winter?

What else should I know about how to plan a trip to France?

4.8

Reviews of Zicasso's France Tours & Vacations

Based on 424 verified traveler reviews.

Travel Review: Cultural France Tour in Provence, Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Luberon, Arles, Bonnieux

We had a great time on the trip due to the people we met, the food and hotels after we upgraded. This France travel agency worked within a budget, the hotel stay in Lyon at the beginning was good, the TVG idea excellent, however the car rental went awry as the could not get us a English speaking GPS, it took 7 trys and 3 hrs before we could leave, they then gave us a big car (bad for the roads and parking in Europe) I was not aware that the roads in the Luberon were narrow and mountainous. We started out in Aix en provence at a wonderful hotel and lovely city, from there we traveled to Arles which we thought was nothing. Next we went to Bonnieux where the GPS did not work and we could not find the L"Auberge, until given directions from another hotel who called ours. We arrived in the rain and mud to be given a key for a cabin in the fields, we tried to enter but the key could not work, went back and upraded to a room in the main building. The next day while raining my wife fell and broke her elbow and cracked her knee. We returned to the Auberge and stayed on the three flights upo room for 3 nights, they were nice and brought breakfast and dinner up. Next we went to Avignon, again with a GPS that only sometimes worked. There we also upraded to a ground floor room, people were very nice and because of the injuries we took it easy. Food great in Villleneuve-lez-Avignon. The with a lot of help we took the TVG to Lyon and settled in and again took it easy but had a good time.

France Luxury Trip Review: Marseille, Nice, Avignon, Les Baux-de-Provence, Sites & Scenery

This travel team have been professional with the proposal and planning of our trip. The route was logically organized with good recommendations on places to eat and visits. Some hiccups happened which we hope to see improvemnents; viz 1. Our driver at Nice forgot to pick us at the hotel to go to the Nice train station 2. The tour guide for the Antibes, Cannes and St Paul de Vence tour was not familiar with the local area as she was from Avignon. Likewise, she was also not very familiar with the Aix en Provence tour. Notwithstanding this shortcoming, she is a wonderful person and really made the effort to ensure the tours were fun filled. 3. The hotel at Marseille is a nice hotel, however access in and out of the hotel was a daily problem as the whole road in front was dug up. The whole place was messy and dusty. We had to avoid construction vehicles in and out of the hotel entrance. Our drivers had to park a distance away and we had to lug our bags to the transport.

Luxury France Tour Review, Monaco, Aix en Provence, Valence, Lyon, Chauvent Cave, Estate, Art, History & Beaujolais Wine Country

The trip was absolutely fabulous, from Monaco (3 nights) to Aix en Provence (3 nights) to Valence (2 nights) to Lyon (2 nights), then back to the U.S., with private tour guides and a tailored itinerary all along the way, inclusive of private transportation to each location. This travel team made all of the local arrangements and it all went off without a single hitch. The folks at this travel team were greatly conscientious, solicitous, sweet, highly professional and creative, both in the planning stages, and, perhaps most critically, in the on the ground implementation, as well. They were in touch with us consistently throughout the trip to ensure that each day had gone as planned and to confirm the plans for the next day. Whenever we had a question or concern along the way, we communicated via text and/or an App, and, wow, the travel team folks consistently responded immediately, even in the late evening. All of the representatives we dealt with at this travel team, as well as all of their designated French tour guides, were expert and highly articulate in the English language, a godsend because our own Spanish and French, sadly, is lacking. The local tour guides were friendly, highly knowledgeable, and quite good company. In particular, the tour guides for the major segments of our trip were truly exceptional--our guide for all 4 days in Monaco (tours of Monaco, Nice, St. Paul de Vence, Eze and Grasse); our guide for the full day tour of the Ardeche Valley and the Chavet Caves; and our guide for the Beaujolais winery, region tour and the Lyon silk makers district.

France Review: Bayeux, Amboise, Provence, Paris, Boat Ride in Nice

Overall, it was a great trip. I only gave it four stars because I was comparing it to our trip to Germany through your recommended Company. The private guides were all great and we saw and did exactly what we wanted in Bayeux, Amboise and Paris. It would have been nice to have a list of good options for the Provence piece. The accommodations in Provence were nice, but isolated and we found ourselves driving over an hour one way to see what we wanted to see in the area and it might have been better to stay in Avignon, or much closer to it anyway. The hotel in Nice did not meet our expectations. The front desk clerk at check in was rude. There were stains on the bedroom walls in the bedroom (really don't want to even think about what they might have been) and mold in the shower. The location was great though. The boat trip in Nice was good as well.One note of uncertainty, the car rental was supposed to be for a Peugot 308 or similar and they gave us a 2008, not really sure if that is similar or not, but it was very tight. The car rental office at the train station in Aix was rude and very slow.

France Travel Review: Lyon, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles, Market, Wine Tasting, Cooking Class, History, 9-Day Tour

We decided on this trip with a very short planning time. Zicasso’s travel agent was still able to put together a wonderful trip, taking all of our interests into account and proposing a few things we had not considered. She was delightful to work with. Proposing guides throughout and eliminating the need for a rental car was a wonderful idea, as was adding the stop in Lyon.

Our guide in Lyon was a lot of fun, with a good sense of humor and knowledge of Lyon. She had a good plan for our walking tour and was full of interesting information on local customs and food.

Our other guide was quite entertaining and made for many fun days. She went out of her way to be sure we were having a great time, taking interesting detours in search of poppy fields, beautiful views, and historic sites. She had extensive knowledge of Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseilles, and showed us great villages and local specialties in between.

The market shopping, wine tasting, and cooking class were wonderful and well placed on our last full day in Aix.

All the transfer drivers were great, with the exception of the Lyon train station, as no driver showed.

The hotel in Lyon was our favorite, with a small sitting area and very comfortable bed. The hotel in Avignon had the most comfortable beds, but the rooms were quite small, with no place to sit other than the bed. We upgraded to a suite for an extra 75 euro per night, which was worth it. The hotel in Aix-en-Provence was nice, but the bed was the least comfortable and we considered a slightly larger room. The hotel in Paris was luxurious and quite large; perhaps a little too grand for our last night as we arrived at 9pm and departed the next day, with little time to explore.

Luxury France Tour Review, Avignon History, Beauty & Cuisine, Eze Commune, Dijon, Wine Caves & Tasting, Saint Germaine des Pres

We had a great trip - full of delightful meals, amazing history and beautiful countryside. It was quite difficult to return home after such a adventure! The support and immediate accessibility of the travel team staff (travel planners) throughout the trip was invaluable. We visited Paris, Dijon, Avignon and Eze on this trip.We had been to Paris before so we used this opportunity to visit some areas in detail that we hadn't time for in our prior visit. Guided tours of the St Germaine des Pres and Marais neighborhoods were interesting. On our own we saw the Rodin Museum, revisited the Ile de la Cite and Ile St Louis neighborhoods, and enjoyed great dining. The Hotel D'Aubusson on the Left Bank was perfectly located to take advantage of the whole city. We spent one full day out of the city on a Loire Valley chateaux tour. Our guide was an excellent driver and her knowledge of the history of the area was comprehensive.In Dijon the hotel we stayed in, if I could plan it again, I would definitely choose a more upscale and better located hotel. Oddly, the corridor to our room was very dark and dismal, as it is painted all black; in addition, the room itself was too small for two people and two large suitcases. The outdoor areas were not well groomed and were not inviting for afternoon relaxation in the courtyard. Also, the neighborhood was dark and didn't feel safe for walking at night. We cannot say much for the tour guide that we had there either as she was not very enthusiastic and seemed to focus on areas that were not especially interesting, leaving no time to for her to guide us through the Duke’s Palace (now a free museum) or several other areas that she ultimately recommended we explore on our own. By that time we were tired from the walking and it would have been so much better to have a guided tour of the museum, which we were left to return to on our own and only had time to see the tombs of the Dukes before it closed. The wine tour guide was quite entertaining, and we wish we had booked a longer tour to see more vineyards and learn more about the actual viniculture process. The focus of this tour was just to visit two “caves” and sample some lovely wines, with a bit of pressure (not excessive) to purchase for shipment home. Since we were in Dijon primarily to visit the Burgundy wine region and were only there for two nights it would have been better for our interests to spend more time exploring different vineyards during a longer tour.Avignon was fabulous - such lovely weather and our tour guide was great. What a beautiful and historic city, clean, bright, great shopping and restaurants! We had a delicious dinner where the young and talented chef came to our table to describe his creations. We also dined at a fine dining restaurant, recommended by the concierge at the Avignon hotel, which was excellent. The hotel was fine, not especially spacious but better than the Dijon hotel. There are stairs to navigate which wasn't a problem for us but might be for others. I'm sure the staff would have been helpful if asked. We took a full day tour of the historic and beautiful Provence region, visiting many amazing villages perched in the cliffs and hills of the area. The guide was great - very knowledgeable and accommodating.And of course, the final stop in Eze was a dream come true. Simply astounding hotel (possibly the nicest we’ve ever stayed at) where everything was absolutely top quality including the daily breakfast and dinners at the Michelin starred restaurant. Our tour guide for the nearby historic village of Eze and for Monaco was excellent. We also ventured off campus one night to dine at an italian restaurant nearby, which was very good. Many thanks for your assistance in planning this memorable trip!