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Travel from the culinary capital of Lyon to the iconic city of Paris, and through the plethora of charming medieval villages and coastal Riviera towns in-between. This grand tour is your chance to eat, drink, and sightsee your way through this dynamic country.
Your tour package includes
13 nights in handpicked hotels
13 breakfasts
5 dinners with beer or wine
10 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Arles
Carcassone
Bordeaux
Château country
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to France! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner this evening.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Lyon
Included meal: Breakfast
A local guide introduces you to France’s culinary capital on a tour through Lyon’s UNESCO-recognized city center.
Take in the Gothic and Renaissance architecture as you pass by the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Step inside Lyon Cathedral and walk through centuries-old traboules, or underground passages
Enjoy a free afternoon in Lyon or add an excursion.
Medieval Village of Pérouges
From $85 per person
Nice2 nights
Day 4: Nice via Avignon
Included meal: Breakfast
Travel through the countryside toward the French Riviera, stopping to explore the historic Provençal city of Avignon en route to Nice.
See the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet, the bridge that inspired the French folk tune "On the Bridge of Avignon"
Pass by the magnificent Papal Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Stroll through the historic town center, which is surrounded by the city’s original medieval walls
Spend a free evening in Nice or add an excursion.
Evening in Monaco
From $179 per person
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Nice
Included meal: Breakfast
Get to know Nice’s many charms on a guided sightseeing tour.
Drive along the Promenade des Anglais
Discover the narrow streets of the Old Town
Explore the Roman amphitheater
Wander around the gardens of the Franciscan Monastery in Cimiez
Enjoy a free afternoon in Nice or add an excursion.
Medieval Saint-Paul-de-Vence
From $125 per person
Montpellier1 night
Day 6: Montpellier via Arles
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Make your way through the Provençal landscapes that influenced the French master painters, stopping in Arles for a walking tour with your Tour Director in the lead.
Stroll along beautiful boulevards and view the city’s old hospital, where artist Van Gogh stayed
Enter the Arles Arena, a two-story Roman amphitheater
Continue on to Montpellier and sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Bordeaux2 nights
Day 7: Bordeaux via Carcassonne
Included meal: Breakfast
Today, stop in UNESCO-listed Carcassonne, a medieval fortified town. Here, your Tour Director introduces you to the town's unique history on an orientation tour. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore on your own before continuing on to Bordeaux.
Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Bordeaux
Included meal: Breakfast
Meet your local guide for a panoramic tour of Bordeaux, the capital of the Aquitane region, which is well-known for its wine.
Stop at the Place des Quinconces
Drive along the Garonne River, stopping at Place de la Bourse
Pass the lively hub of the Place de la Comédie and the Grand Théâtre
Sample local sweets as you go
Enjoy a free afternoon in Bordeaux or add an excursion.
Bordeaux Dinner & Wine Tasting
From $175 per person
Loire Valley2 nights
Day 9: The Loire Valley via La Rochelle
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Make your way to the Atlantic port city of La Rochelle, home to a charming harbor and medieval towers, and explore with your Tour Director in the lead. Later, arrive in the Loire Valley where you'll sit down for an included dinner with your group.
Day 10: Sightseeing tour of the Loire Valley
Included meal: Breakfast
Get to know château country on a sightseeing tour today. Step inside the extravagant Château de Chenonceau, where you’ll discover how it got the nickname “Château des Femmes,” and explore its surrounding gardens. Then, continue on to the town of Amboise for free time.
Enjoy a free evening in the Loire Valley or add an excursion.
Loire Valley Dinner & Wine Tasting
From $135 per person
Normandy2 nights
Day 11: The Normandy Region via Mont-Saint-Michel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel north to the historic Normandy coastline. Stop for several visits along the way, including a guided tour of Mont-Saint-Michel.
Stop to see the medieval Château de Fougères
Admire the striking, 8th-century island Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel
See how the UNESCO-recognized site, perched high on a granite rock, is surrounded by water at high tide and quicksand at low tide
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Day 12: Free day in the Normandy Region
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in the Normandy region or add an excursion.
D-Day Beaches of Normandy
From $125 per person
Paris2 nights
Day 13: Transfer to Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
Travel to Paris and enjoy a free evening in France’s capital city or add an excursion.
Dinner in Paris & Seine River Cruise
From $165 per person
Day 14: Sightseeing tour of Paris
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
A guided tour introduces you to the architecture, scenery, and history of the City of Light’s many neighborhoods, called arrondissements.
Drive down the sycamore-lined Champs-Élysées to view the Arc de Triomphe
Pass Pont Neuf and the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral, located on an island in the Seine River
See the Eiffel Tower, the Palais Garnier opera house, and Place de la Concorde, the city’s grandest square
Marvel at the iconic architecture of the Louvre and Hôtel des Invalides
Enjoy a free afternoon in Paris or add an excursion.
Then, celebrate your trip with your group at a farewell dinner this evening.
Versailles Palace & Gardens
From $175 per person
Flight Home
Day 15: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue exploring Paris.
Extension to Paris
Paris is always a good idea, so extend your trip to keep exploring. Take a couple of days to museum-hop, stroll along the boulevards, brush up on your français, and let your expert Tour Director point you toward the crème de la crème.
Paris2 nights
Day 15: Free day in Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Paris or add an excursion.
Monet & the Landscapes of Giverny
From $135 per person
Day 16: Free day in Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Paris. This evening, sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members. Afterward, enjoy more free time in the city or add an excursion.
Paris Home-Hosted Dinner
From $115 per person
Flight Home
Day 17: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
This was a great tour. I have wanted to see Carcassone, Mt. St. Michel, and Chateau Chenonceau ever since French 1 class. This trinity of fan favs has always been on the posters in every French class I attended throughout high school and college. The tour was very inclusive of many of France's gems....
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5.0 star rating
Best tour director ever
7/15/23 by 1st-time traveler Anonymous
5.0 star rating
17 day tour of France
7/15/23 by 1st-time traveler Linda
Amazing! I have never gone on a tour before and it was definitely the best experience! I never would have seen everything that I did if I would have done it on my own. Joanna was an excellent guide and everyone felt very comfortable with her. France is a beautiful country! Who knows, maybe anot...
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Mercure Grand Hotel Saxe Lafayette
This contemporary hotel is located in the business district of Lyon. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and fitness center. Nearby, you’ll find the UNESC...
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Hôtel Mercure Nice Centre Notre-Dame
This vibrant hotel is located in the heart of Nice’s city center. Guests enjoy the rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city, rooftop bar, fitness...
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Hôtel Mercure Montpellier Centre Comédie
This modern hotel is located in Montpellier city center. Guests enjoy the bar's terrace, luxury toiletries, and rotating art galleries. Nearby you'll ...
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Hotel Mercure Bordeaux Centre Ville
This contemporary hotel is located in the city center of Bordeaux. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and lounge. Nearby, you’ll find the historic distri...
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Novotel Amboise Hotel
This modern hotel is located in the heart of the Châteaux de la Loire. Guests enjoy a restaurant and bar, outdoor pool, and tennis court. Nearby, you’...
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Hotel Mercure Cabourg Hippodrome
This contemporary hotel is located in downtown Cabourg. Guests enjoy a fitness center, pool, and bar. Nearby you’ll find the Hippodrome de Cabourg, Pl...
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Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse
This chic hotel is located in the heart of Montparnasse of Paris. Guests enjoy spacious rooms, a traditional streetside restaurant, and on-site coffee...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter France, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2024, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2024, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code FRC.
You will walk for at least 3 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads, cobblestone streets, and sandy paths, with some hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Lyon and depart from Paris. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code FRC.
Cuisine in the Normandy region of France is known for its fresh flavors. Chicken, rabbit, and duck are staples, and you can find fish and shellfish in its coastal towns. The abundance of dairy farms throughout the region means many dishes are accompanied by cheeses and creams. Normandy is also famous for its apples, which are used to create cider and Calvados, or apple brandy.
For a picnic with French flair, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, pâtés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread, and fruit. In the cities, sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, while mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from cafes. In restaurants, the prix fixe option is a popular way to enjoy a set three- or four-course menu for a good price.
Although lunch is generally served from noon until 2pm in France, dinner is served from 7:30pm onward. Those wishing to eat earlier can stop at a cafe, where light entrées and sandwiches are available throughout the afternoon and evening.
France operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
The majority of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning. The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.