Historical Tours & Trips in France
What if you explored iconic Paris on panoramic city tours, visited Montmartre's vibrant street artists, and toured Versailles' grand palace? Paris to Loire art, history, and charm in one trip. Discover Monet's House and gardens in Giverny, and experience historic Mont-Saint-Michel. From Impressionist paintings to Sun King's palace to island monastery, you’ll experience French history and art through buildings and landscapes that inspired movements defining Western culture.
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This itinerary was fantastic. There was a nice variety between small villages and castles. Days were long and required lots of walking but the experience was worth it. The bus was comfortable but I was disappointed that it did not have wifi. Our driver was fantastic, handling a big bus through tiny villages with narrow streets. There were many opportunities to enjoy local cuisine. There was little communication the first 2 days in Paris, and if I had to do it over, I would have stayed in Paris on my own, and joined the tour the morning it left for Normandy. The rest of the trip was fabulous.
French Ring (27 destinations)Our stay in Paris was not very good due to the poor location and quality of the hotel. We were to have an excursion the day we arrived but it was squeezed into the next day. This left us at the hotel with nothing planed. The hotel was in a vey bad part of the city with only little fats food places and we counted wander around too far due to the seedy location (industrial area). If we had at least ben close to downtown we could have gone to a nice restaurant and walked around. We were not very happy with this to say the least
Romantic France (20 destinations)The itinerary was full of notable spots throughout France. They were well chosen. The Tour Guide, Margaux, was so personable and fun. She made the trip really pleasant. There were a few hotels. We weren’t crazy about like the Apartment hotels, but most of them were acceptable. The coach was very comfortable with plenty of room.
French Passion (41 destinations)
Our traveler's Moments
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10 best Historical France tour packages
Compiled by
SteffFrance travel expert at TourRadar
- Revisit France's Past, its Royal Sites, and Medieval Cities during a Historic Cruise on the Petite Seine (port-to-port cruise, 8 destinations)
- French Dream (16 destinations)
- Paris to Loire Art, History, Charm - 8 days
- Festival Cruise : Local History and Traditions on the Rhône River
- Cote d Azur, Burgundy and Alsace (from Marseille to Paris)
- French Ring (27 destinations)
- Romantic France (20 destinations)
- Enchanted France (31 destinations)
- French Passion (41 destinations)
- Charms of Burgundy and Alsace (from Noyers to Paris)
MS Deborah sails through history to Louis XIV's Palace of Fontainebleau and Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Medieval Provins' UNESCO heritage and Sens Cathedral showcase architectural brilliance, while Barbizon reveals pre-Impressionist artistic legacy.
Duration 7 days Destinations Paris, Melun, Barbizon, Moret-sur-Loing, Fontainebleau, Sens Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
- US$4,257
French Dream (16 destinations)
“The Dordogne region of France is so breathtakingly gorgeous that it seems to make everything else fade into the background.”
Sharlise, traveled in May
Medieval towns and historic châteaux paint a picture of French heritage. Leonardo da Vinci's final home in Amboise, UNESCO-listed Sarlat's Renaissance center, and Bordeaux's 11th-century cathedral showcase architectural mastery.
Duration 6 days Destinations Blois, Tours, Villandry, Amboise, Chenonceaux, Chambord, Limoges, Lascaux, Sarlat-La-Caneda, BeynacSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
- US$1,294
Walk the historic D-Day beaches at Arromanches-les-Bains where Allied forces landed in 1944, then see Saint-Malo's medieval fortress walls rising from the coast. Entrance to Château de Chenonceau lets you wander rooms once used by Catherine de Medici, and you'll visit Leonardo da Vinci's last home at Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise before strolling the grounds around Chambord, the Loire Valley's largest Renaissance castle.
Duration 8 days Destinations Paris, Versailles, Giverny, Rouen, Arromanches-les-Bains, Caen, Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo, Dinan, RennesSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $1,980
20% Off- US$1,584
The Gothic Papal Palace of Avignon and 12th-century Château de Grignan stand as testaments to France's heritage. Traditional truffle hunting methods and historic wine-making practices come alive while cruising through the ancient Rhône Valley aboard MS Van Gogh.
Duration 4 days Destinations Lyon, Avignon, Viviers, Grignan Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From $946
12% Off- US$833
Cote d Azur, Burgundy and Alsace (from Marseille to Paris)
“Very well organised tour 👌, great spots to visit in the places one wants to go.”
Pieter, traveled in August
Roman ruins in Arles and medieval Riquewihr's fairy-tale streets showcase French heritage. Dijon's Renaissance buildings, Besançon's 17th-century citadel, and Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral lead to 15th-century Savigny Castle.
Duration 5 days Destinations Marseille, Arles, Les Baux de Provence, Avignon, Lyon, Tournus, Beaune, Savigny-les-Beaune, Dijon, BesanconSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
12% Off- US$938
French Ring (27 destinations)
“Really great variety of activities. Was very well organised and informative.”
Veronica, traveled in September
Normandy's WWII beaches and medieval Sarlat showcase France's diverse history. Leonardo da Vinci's last home at Château du Clos Lucé, prehistoric art at Lascaux caves, and UNESCO-listed Bordeaux's historic center tell compelling stories.
Duration 11 days Destinations Paris, Versailles, Giverny, Rouen, Arromanches-les-Bains, Caen, Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo, Dinan, RennesSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
12% Off- US$2,253
UNESCO heritage sites paint France's story, from Versailles Palace to Arles' Roman ruins. Medieval Carcassonne's walls, historic Fontenay Abbey, and Burgundy's ducal legacy in Dijon come alive through expert guides.
Duration 9 days Destinations Paris, Versailles, Tours, Bordeaux, Lourdes, Carcassonne, Narbonne, Marseille, Arles, Les Baux de ProvenceSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
12% Off- US$1,752
What our customers ask about Historical Tours & Trips in France
What are the must-see historical highlights on a French historical tour?
A comprehensive French historical journey spans from the grand Palace of Versailles to the stone ramparts of Carcassonne and the sobering D-Day beaches of Normandy. The ancient Pont du Gard aqueduct stands as a testament to Roman engineering while Loire Valley châteaux like Chambord and Chenonceau showcase French Renaissance architecture. Hotels such as the Novotel Paris Est Bagnolet serve as convenient bases for exploring these landmarks. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The tour included all the major historical highlights and our guide's knowledge of French history made each site come alive." Beyond the well-known monuments visitors can discover hidden gems like the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église.
When is the best time of year to take a Historical tour in France?
Spring (April-June) and fall (September-October) offer the most comfortable conditions for exploring French historical sites with fewer tourists and moderate temperatures. Peak summer months bring crowds to major attractions like Versailles and Mont Saint-Michel with temperatures often reaching 30°C (86°F). The Loire Valley châteaux gardens show their best colors in spring while autumn provides clear days for exploring medieval towns like Strasbourg and Avignon. A TourRadar traveler shares: "We went in September and it was perfect - not too hot for walking tours and the historical sites weren't overcrowded. The lighting was beautiful for photography of the medieval architecture."
What type of accommodation can I expect on Historical tours?
Accommodations range from authentic heritage properties to well-located modern hotels. The 4-star Château de Rochecotte in the Loire Valley once home to Prince Tallyrand offers a genuine château experience. City stays include contemporary properties like the Renaissance La Défense in Paris while coastal regions feature hotels like L'Hôtel du Golf in Normandy positioned near historical sites. Each property is selected based on its historical connection or access to major attractions.
What unique historical experiences can I expect on a France history tour?
Tours delve deep into French heritage through hands-on experiences from wandering medieval Dordogne villages to visiting Leonardo da Vinci's final residence at Château du Clos Lucé. Overnight stays at properties like Château de la Bourdaisière connect visitors to Loire Valley history. Special access to Mont Saint-Michel's ancient abbeys and exclusive site visits enhance the experience. One TourRadar traveler noted: "Walking through the actual D-Day landing sites with our knowledgeable guide brought history to life in a way no book could." Many itineraries include private visits outside regular hours.
What's included in meals during historical tours?
Daily breakfasts at hotels like the Novotel Paris Est form the foundation of meal plans along with select group dinners showcasing regional specialties. Special dining experiences might include medieval feasts in Carcassonne or tastings in historic wine cellars. A TourRadar traveler reports: "The included meals were excellent especially the traditional dinner in a 15th-century restaurant in Sarlat." Free time at lunch allows for personal exploration of local historical eateries.
What type of historical insights can I expect from the guides?
Tour guides provide context spanning from prehistoric cave art at Lascaux to Roman ruins in Arles medieval religious history at Mont Saint-Michel and Renaissance culture in Loire Valley châteaux. During stays at properties like the Campanile Limoges Centre guides often present evening talks on regional history. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Our guide in Avignon brought the Papal Palace's history to life with incredible stories about the seven popes who lived there. Her knowledge of medieval French history made every stone seem to tell a story."