France - romantic, cultural France. There is nowhere with quite the allure of this Western European country. Visitors can find inspiration in the cities while wandering under the Eiffel Tower and through the history-draped streets of Paris or discovering the many iconic flavors of Lyon. They can also revel in the serenity of the countryside, where rolling hills give way to lavender fields. France is laden with stunning waterways, including the Seine, the Dordogne and the Rhône, and elegant chateaux that hint at the rich history all around. From the storied shores of Normandy to the French Alps, discover distinct French ambiance wherever your journey takes you.
As we began to craft our catalog of French vacations, we, too, took inspiration from the country's vast offerings. Because no single form of travel truly encapsulated all of France's natural beauty, rich history, distinctive culture, world-renowned cuisine, and delicious wine, we created several unique ways to explore. The best guided tours of France allow you to uncover the nation in the way that fits you best, so choose from one of the four options below and make your trip one you never forget.
1. France Group Tours by Rail and Cruise
In France, long-distance railways, including the Eurostar and the high-speed TGV, meet quaint, scenic rail journeys, such as aboard the steam-powered Train des Gorges. Together, these lines allow you to travel between cities and discover little-seen landscapes that cannot be accessed by any other form of transportation. The routes carved by Europe's major rivers do much the same, drifting to places best accessed from the water and providing a fresh perspective on the spectacular scenery. Naturally, this makes them an excellent match for incredible journeys.
Rail and cruise vacations open the door to France's most fantastic destinations on thoughtful routes filled with beauty. Some tours, such as Paris, Provence & the Elegant Rhône, begin with land touring - in this case, in the "City of Love," Paris. After three days touring the city and visiting the Palace of Versailles, the TGV takes you to Lyon, where you board your luxurious cruise ship on the Rhône. As the cruise portion of the journey begins, sail to places that inspired the world's greatest artists, such as Arles, and venture into wine country. Step ashore for excursions that speak to your port of call's best features, with options ranging from city tours to wine tastings.
Other rail and cruise tours, including Provence and The Elegant Rhône, take a different approach, focusing instead on enhancing your cruise vacation with scenic rail journeys. After boarding the ship in Lyon for a seven-night cruise along the Rhône, sail to the Burgundy wine region and enjoy excursions like a ride through the Gorges du Doux region on the Train de l'Ardèche. Fantastic ports of call, including Avignon and the Ardèche Gorge, show France's immense beauty and culture.
2. Escorted Tours Through Cultural France
Your explorations of France could also keep you firmly planted on the land as you uncover cities, towns and villages that speak to pure French essence. You could do this on an escorted tour, a well-planned journey that takes place alongside a group of like-minded fellow travelers and under the guidance of an experienced Tour Manager. Alternatively, our independent itineraries follow routes planned by the experts, featuring included travel between destinations, top-rated hotels and excursions highlighting your region's best offerings and allowing you to make lasting memories.
One fantastic example of our escorted French tours is the Paris, Versailles, Normandy & the Loire Valley. On this ten-day exploration, delve into the faceted history of Northern France. Begin in the capital, wandering through the immaculate rooms of the Palace of Versailles before traveling into Normandy to Monet's inspiration, Giverny. Continue with a look at Normandy's history on its D-Day beaches and with time in the medieval city of Rouen. See a UNESCO World Heritage tidal island half a mile off the French coast, Mont Saint-Michel, beachfront Saint-Malo, and Cancale on the Brittany coastline. Wrap up the journey amidst the chateaux of the Loire Valley before returning to Paris for one last rendezvous.
3. Cuisine & Culture Tours of France in 2026
The best way to get to know a country is through its cuisine, and, as such, we have made this a central element of our cuisine and culture tours. Dip your toes into local flavors in places beloved for their culinary prowess, whether on a large scale with a distinctive cuisine or with just a few impressive regional dishes. Soak up your country's culture while tasting your sway through restaurants, visiting local markets, or sipping wine in elegant settings. Between culinary adventures, find yourself swept away by fantastic sightseeing opportunities and rail journeys lined with beautiful sights.
In France, our independent Cuisine & Culture: Paris, Champagne & Bordeaux tour offers nine days of mouthwatering French flavors in breathtaking locations. Begin with a small group tasting tour, venturing through five of Paris' distinctive eateries, before traveling by train into the Champagne region. Arriving in Reims, set out on a half-day Champagne tasting excursion that includes three different varieties, and then move by train into the Loire Valley, home to full-bodied wine and elegant chateaux - both of which are highlighted on a tour. Before returning to Paris, enjoy a wine tour in the Bordeaux region, which includes stops at two wine estates and instructions on how to best enjoy Bordeaux wine.
4. Multi-Country Adventures Featuring France
Sometimes, the best vacations do not focus on one specific country or region and instead offer a taster's menu of opportunities, taking you to beloved destinations across a broad area. These multi-country expeditions are eye-opening in all the best ways and make every vacation a true adventure. Experience multiple languages and an array of delicious culinary offerings. See cities with varying architecture and cultural influences and ever-changing terrain with increasing levels of drama. All wrapped in one tidy package with thoughtfully connected transportation, hotel accommodations in privileged locations, and distinctive experiences in each destination along the way, these tours are the best way to tick many items and locations off your bucket list.
For these reasons, one of our best guided tours of France is Highlights of Europe featuring London, Paris, Switzerland & Italy. With 13 days in Europe, spend time uncovering London and Paris, where a Seine dinner cruise unveils the city under the romantic lights of evening. From here, travel into the Swiss Alps and soak up awe-inspiring views from Mt. Pilatus before continuing to Italy, where time in Venice, Tuscany's most popular cities, and Rome paint a thorough picture of Italian culture.
No matter how you choose to explore, a vacation in France is a dream come true. Contact a Rail Specialist for help finding a tour that is the perfect match for your travel goals, or book one of these tours of France for 2026 today.
