Northern France Tours & Trips
Cycling past Loire Valley châteaux is like pedaling through a history book, except better because you can stop for wine. Monet's gardens at Giverny are stunning, and the D-Day beaches in Normandy hit different when you're standing there. Versailles is ridiculously opulent, Mont-Saint-Michel rising from the sea looks like something from a fantasy novel, and medieval Rouen's got those half-timbered houses everywhere. Northern France delivers.
Excellent
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Cynthia • traveled in October, 2025
Great week with Tour Operator support
6-Day Paris: Explore the Heart of France - D
Dai • traveled in May
Great tour and guide/bus driver. Enjoyed visiting every place on the itinerary!
Charms of Burgundy and Alsace (10 destinations) - A
Ayman • traveled in June, 2025
This was our first bike and barge tour, so we have no others to compare with. Nevertheless we had a great overall experience. Some thoughts and tips for others... We departed from Paris and decided to arrive at Orly Airport, which was a smaller and more convenient airport to the barge's departure location. We arranged for a driver to meet us through the tour operator. It was a little tricky finding our driver at the terminal, but he was familiar with the location and drove us all the way to the barge; making it very easy to deal with our luggage. We were able to drop our luggage on the deck of the ship and get a bite to eat while the boat was being prepared for the new guests. The overarching theme is flexibility. Sailing though canals requires much coordination of loch/bridge passage, docking locations, water and fuel refilling, etc. As a result we did not always follow the original plan. However our guide was always able to devise a new touring and cycling plan for the day. About half of the docking locations were not in the immediate vicinity of a town. Cycling averaged 50km per day, and there were certain days where guests could opt to do a separate non-cycling tour on their own. Guests are always able to stay on the barge for the day if they feel unable to cycle for some reason; we did so on the very last full day which proved helpful for our packing and recovery. The ship has seven guest rooms; we had 12 guests and five crew members. The small size gives a more intimate sort of feeling as guests and crew interact frequently and eat all meals together. Each cabin is configured differently; ours was toward the bow. The quarters were snug but each has its own toilet, sink and shower. The beds were also snug, but comfortable and warm. A pair of towels for each guest were changed twice per week (no washcloths provided). Daily basic room cleaning and a more thorough cleaning was provided mid-tour. There was a single 220V outlet in the room, as well as radiator heater and A/C unit. Due to the time of year (late May/early June), we didn't need to use the heater at all; and used the A/C only a couple times. The ship provides a shared hair dryer for community use. In addition to the cabins, guests can relax in a shared dining areas downstairs, or on the deck upstairs if weather permits. Daily laundry service is provided in the form of small mesh bags in which you place your things to be washed each morning. They are returned to you the same way at the end of the day, and a drying rack is available on deck to hang them when you return from cycling. Once you figure out the system, it is very helpful. We also washed and hung some small items in the cabin. There are hanging racks in the shower but our things did not dry well in there. Our cycling guide Sietse was wonderful. He meticulously plotted our route each evening and sometimes even adjusted it in the morning depending on the circumstances. He factored in tourist, coffee and lunch stops; we typically departed at about 9 each morning and returned to the barge by 5 pm. Sietse is a walking encyclopedia and provided a lot of historical context around the sights and cities we visited. The bikes needed better servicing; we used electric bikes, which were great when they worked. Half of the eBikes gave trouble at one point or another, including mine which would intermittently decide to stop assisting me. There was ample food. Meals, especially dinners, were a highlight. Our Captain, Marius, journeyed out most mornings to pick up local fresh bread to start the day. Breakfast (8 am daily) typically included fresh fruit, fruit juices, milk, yogurt, granola, muesli, corn flakes, bread, peanut butter, jam, cheeses and meats. Sometimes we would have eggs also. Coffee and tea were always available. We would make sandwiches to take with us and eat for lunch along with some other snack foods that were provided. Our Chef Meta was a very passionate cook and dinners were beautifully presented and varied. Dessert was always provided. Prepared dinners were provided every night except one night per week when the guests would eat out in town. Sometimes snacks were made available on the ship upon our return, but not always. The ship does have a selection of alcohol and soft drinks for purchase, but I felt the prices were a bit high considering the tour description stated they were provided at "very reasonable prices." There is also a 10 euro corkage fee for any bottles brought on board.
Paris to Bruges (Brugge), Bike & Barge in France and Belgium
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Table of contents
- The best Northern France tour packages
- Travel Northern France your way
- Best tour companies for Northern France tours
- Popular Northern France Cruise Ships
- Discover Northern France tours for every budget
- Northern France tours for every type of group
- Top Northern France travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Northern France
- Contact our Northern France travel experts
The best Northern France tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaNorthern France travel expert at TourRadar
Discover Normandy & Beyond: 3-Day Guided Journey to D-Day Beaches, Mont Saint-Michel & Loire Valley Châteaux
53 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was informative and fun.”
Xiomara, traveled in September
Northern France unfolds from Rouen's Notre Dame Cathedral to Normandy's D-Day beaches at Omaha and Arromanches. Walk Saint-Malo's historic walls and tour Mont Saint-Michel Abbey with expert guides. Luxuriate at 4-star hotels in Caen and Angers.
Duration 3 days Destinations Paris, Rouen, Honfleur, Omaha Beach, Arromanches-les-Bains, Caen, Saint-Malo, Mont Saint-Michel, Angers, LangeaisSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator PARISCityVISION From
- US$853
6-Day Paris: Explore the Heart of France
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great week with Tour Operator support.”
Cynthia, traveled in October
Notre Dame Cathedral and Versailles Palace anchor this Northern France tour. Montmartre's charm, Seine River cruises, and walks along the prestigious Champs-Élysées create lasting memories. Hotel L'Interlude provides well-connected accommodation.
Duration 6 days Destinations Paris Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator WiseYatra From $1,787
12% Off- US$1,573You save $215
Charms of Burgundy and Alsace (10 destinations)
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a great tour, everybody was very kind and professional.”
ROCIO, traveled in August
Northern France dazzles from Burgundy's wine capital Beaune to Alsace's fairy-tale Riquewihr. Stand in awe at Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral, float through Petite France's canals, and sample champagne in Épernay's historic cellars.
Duration 4 days Destinations Paris, Beaune, Dijon, Besancon, Colmar, Riquewihr, Ribeauville, Strasbourg, Epernay Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
12% Off- US$692
Paris to Bruges (Brugge), Bike & Barge in France and Belgium
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great countryside through Northern France & Belgium. Well organised, good food. Great Tour.”
Hugh, traveled in July
Paris opens to Versailles and Chantilly before reaching Compiegne. The route passes Napoleon's Malmaison, Van Gogh's Auvers-sur-Oise, and extensive forests, with comfortable barge accommodation in ensuite cabins.
Duration 15 days Destinations Paris, Bougival, Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, Auvers-sur-Oise, Creil, Compiegne, Noyon, Chauny, Saint-Quentin, ValenciennesSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, French, Dutch Operator Feniks Charter From
12% Off- US$3,064
Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley (Classic)
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Bouvet ladubay wine's amazing. St Michel amazing..paris amazing.”
Northern France unfolds from Normandy's Pointe du Hoc to Loire Valley's Château d'Azay-le-Rideau. Admire Rouen's Gothic cathedral, sip calvados in Honfleur, and walk through Mont Saint-Michel's abbey. Features luxury stays and farm-to-table dining.
Duration 8 days Destinations Paris, Rouen, Honfleur, Deauville, Normandy Beach, Omaha Beach, Arromanches-les-Bains, Bayeux, Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-MaloSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Insight Vacations From $3,350
10% Off- US$3,015You save $335
Best of France Tour
66 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Outstanding experience! Admired the countryside, especially Loire Valley, St. Michel. Everything went smoothly.”
Marcos, traveled in June
Northern France captivates from Paris's landmarks to Normandy's historic beaches. Marvel at UNESCO site Mont Saint-Michel, walk through medieval Rouen, and visit Loire Valley châteaux including Chenonceau and Chambord. Rest at carefully selected 3-star hotels throughout.
Duration 6 days Destinations Paris, Rouen, Honfleur, Normandy Beach, Caen, Saint-Malo, Mont Saint-Michel, Angers, Chenonceaux, Chambord Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Eskapas From $2,750
3% Off- US$2,668You save $83
Duration 4 days Destinations Paris, Versailles Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator STM Tours LLC From $1,086
20% Off- US$869You save $217
Travel Northern France your way
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Northern France tours
Looking at these three Paris tour operators, there are some clear patterns in what travelers tell us. Paris City Vision gets good marks overall - their guides Amelia and Flora know their stuff and run organized tours. Though it's worth noting some people mention last-minute schedule changes, and the groups can get pretty packed during peak times. Cosmos seems to strike a nice balance with their pacing - not too rushed, not too slow. Their guide Peter consistently gets mentioned for really knowing Paris inside and out. The main things to watch for are that the local guides can be hit or miss, and they're not always flexible with special room requests or itinerary adjustments. Eskapas has carved out a nice spot with their range of tours, especially their Normandy and Loire Valley routes. Their guide Dominique stands out for making history come alive. The downside we hear from travelers is that some tours feel a bit rushed, and there have been some organizational snags like delayed pickups and communication gaps. Between the three companies, each has their strong points depending on what you're after. If you want well-organized city tours, Paris City Vision could work well. For a good overall pace, Cosmos is solid. And if you're looking to explore beyond Paris into Normandy and the Loire, Eskapas offers those broader options.
Popular Northern France Cruise Ships
Discover Northern France tours for every budget
Northern France tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Northern France travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
Solo Travelers223 tours- Couples213 tours
- Seniors (50+)140 tours
Best time to visit Northern France
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter brings out something special in Northern France, particularly across Burgundy and Alsace where the atmosphere feels more intimate than usual. Our travelers tell us they love wandering through Noyers-sur-Serein's medieval streets and exploring Colmar's old town without fighting through summer tourist crowds. Taking a boat along Strasbourg's canals has its own winter magic, while ducking into traditional Champagne cellars offers a perfect escape from the cold with excellent tastings. The tours blend walking routes through historic towns like Beaune, visits to the stunning 15th-century Hospices and peaceful stops at local wineries along the way. Our guests often mention how the winter schedule gives them more time to properly explore indoor cultural sites, with guides like Peter making regional history come alive through their stories. These journeys connect multiple spots across eastern France, letting you experience both French and Germanic influences in the architecture, history and also cuisine - all along routes that work especially well during the cooler months.
- 23 tours
- popular 41 tours
- Spring 2026
Northern France's gardens and châteaux really come alive in spring. The Loire Valley bike routes cover 20-60km each day on flat riverside paths - April and May hit that sweet spot for perfect cycling weather. You'll catch Monet's water lilies just starting to bloom in Giverny and see the first flowers pop up in Chenonceau's gardens. Our groups love stopping at little village markets in the morning and ducking into family wine cellars for afternoon tastings. The D-Day beach tours run smaller groups in spring, so you get more quiet moments at Omaha Beach and can take your time at the American Cemetery in Saint-Laurent.
- 70 tours
- 132 tours
- popular 142 tours
- Summer 2026
Long summer days mean more time at the big châteaux - you can explore Chambord, Chenonceau and also Villandry after the crowds thin out. Kids get hands-on with activities like canoeing up to Château de Chenonceau and designing machines using da Vinci's methods at Clos Lucé workshops. We adjust the cycling routes for summer heat with more morning rides and afternoon château visits. The evening river cruises in Saumur are a highlight, with local wines to taste while you float along, and there's something special about walking through Montmartre as artists pack up for the day. Paris tours start early to beat the crowds at the Louvre and Eiffel Tower.
- popular 158 tours
- 147 tours
- 156 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Fall is perfect for wine lovers - you can try fresh-pressed chenin blanc right in Vouvray's cellars during harvest. The September and October weather makes those longer 60km cycling days between châteaux really pleasant. Medieval towns like Bayeux and Saint-Malo feel more relaxed without the summer rush. You get quality time with expert guides at D-Day beaches and Mont Saint-Michel since groups are smaller. Paris takes on a different feel in autumn - our travelers join local chefs for cooking classes and learn perfume-making at historic parfumeries.
- popular 155 tours
- 136 tours
- 51 tours
Contact our Northern France travel experts
Micaela
Expert in Northern France at TourRadar
Micaela is one of our seasoned Northern France Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Northern France tours answered!
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