Wandering cobbled streets, cruising on the Mediterranean or French rivers, discovering gorgeous little villages and historic towns and cities, visiting memorial sites, indulging in the gastronomic delights or learning to cook with a chef, visiting the markets, staying in a castle or a luxury farmhouse in the most beautiful locations. Check out our top picks for the very best tours of France in 2023 …
Best tours of France 2023
The best cruises of France
CroisiEurope are the largest cruise operator in France, and their tours are unbeatable. Sail the rivers, canals and Mediterranean Sea and discover the culture, gastronomy and cultural wealth of France. Enjoy all-inclusive life onboard with the finest food and wines and fabulous tours that take you to the heart of each destination. No stressing, no driving, no wondering how to fit in all the glorious must-see places or how to reach the off the beaten track gems, CroisiEurope’s cruises and excursions take you to the very best of France – in style. croisieurope.co.uk
Battlefieldtours and historical travel experiences
Sophie’s Great War Tours are tailor-made historical travel experiences. This family-run specialist tour operator creates exceptional WWI and WWII battlefields tours across France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Travel at your pace and explore the destinations you really want to get to know, at a time to suit you. Sophie will research the history and background of soldier so that each battlefield tour is a personal historical experience. Her team can also include additional experiences to suit you such as chateau visits in the Loire, Champagne tastings in Champagne and a classic car tour in Provence. Every itinerary is created to be perfect – for you. Sophiesgreatwartours.com
Tours for those who love the authentic
Discover the real southern France – from captivating Carcassonne to magical Montpellier, or the best of Provence and the lavender fields, Normandy, Bordeaux and Dordogne. On these luxury, small group tours you’ll get to be a temporary local and indulge in the best gastronomy, discover the beauty and culture of France… www.tripusafrance.com
Outstanding Rhone Valley Wine Tours
The Rhone Valley is the ultimate wine lovers destination. And there’s no better way to discover this beautiful area of Provence and its vineyards than with a three day tour with a local expert guide. This is a unique chance to experience the real Provence. You’ll meet local wine makers, visit the grand domaines and famous estates. And of course, to taste the very best wines and cuisine to match. rhonewineholidays.com
Fabulous Food Tours of Dordogne
Unique and utterly scrumptious gastronomic day tours of Dordogne. You’ll be transported by 2CV through the glorious Dordogne landscape to visit the most amazing foodie destinations and taste local specialities including truffles, caviar and wine. Visit castles, breath-takingly pretty villages, vineyards, churches, manors and mills. perigourmet.com
Year round themed and bespoke small group tours of Provence
Small group tours and customized travelling to give you memories to last a lifetime. Discover the best of Provence: Lavender tours, truffle, grape harvest, and bespoke tours as well as chauffeur services for day trips or a lot longer. Emily Durand’s Private Provence tours are unique, exclusive and truly fabulous. yourprivateprovence.com
Gascony, the Basque country, Provence and southern France
Nourish your soul and unleash your spirit of adventure in Gascony. You’ll experience the famous food, wine and Armagnac of the region. And you’ll discover where to find the best antique shops and flea markets, the most beautiful villages and magnificent chateaux. From one day to weeklong tours that are customised for you. There are also tours of Provence, southern France and the Basque country. frenchcountryadventures.com
Day trips and tour packages all over France, plus brilliant shore excursions
We’ve got one thing on our mind – taking a tour or enjoying a holiday in fabulous France. Ophorus Tours are a French family run business They have huge experience of running small group tours all over France as well as shore excursions. There is a wide choice of tours from fun and informative guided walking city tours to very carefully crafted multi regional packages, wine tasting, cycling and more. Their aim is to show you France as they believe it should be shown – authentic, colourful and friendly. www.ophorus.com
‘Real’ South of France Tours
Occitanie – formerly Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrenees – is to many the real south of France. Full of hidden gems and home to captivating Carcassonne, the vineyards of Minervois and Corbières regions where some of the very best wines are produced, the historic town of Narbonne and more. The Real South of France Tours 6 and 7 day small group tours take you to the heart of this area and reveal its innermost, delicious and fascinating secrets. Discover real France with ‘Real’ South of France Tours…realsouthoffrancetours.fr
Culture & cookery tours in Provence
Cooking classes with chefs in their homes where you’ll cook “authentic French dishes, no frou frou” says host Martine Bertin-Peterson. You’ll shop at the enchanting street markets with chefs and dine at the most scrumptious restaurants in beautiful towns of Provence on this fully escorted delicious and cultural trip of a lifetime. www.goutetvoyage.com
Super Stays in France
Gorgeous chalets, villas and apartments in the Alps and beyond
Thinking of spending some winter wonderland time in the snowy Alps? OVO Network’s exclusive, handpicked and frankly gorgeous chalets, villas and apartments in stunning locations turn a holiday into a dream. There’s not much that beats sitting in a hot tub or swimming in your private heated pool as soft snowflakes fall silently around you. The Alps are brilliant way to enjoy quality time with your family, friends and even your dog (pet friendly chalets await!). Year-round gorgeous views. Always lots to do in the midst of nature’s finest. ovonetwork.com
Stunning B&B near Bergerac, Chateau Masburel
With honey-toned stone walls and sage-green shutters, the 18th Chateau de Masburel wine domaine and B&B, has a timeless, unhurried feel to it. It’s a working winery producing award winning wines. Close to Bergerac, Saint-Emilion and ten minutes from the bastide town of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande on the banks of the River Dordogne in the Gironde. it’s the perfect base to explore the area and enjoy a relaxing break. Chateau-masburel.com
Cognac no. 22 – luxury farmhouse in Charente-Maritime
A 19th century traditional farmhouse with a luxurious pool is in a tranquil village surrounded by vineyards and fields of summer sunflowers. Close to the Charente River and also the market towns of Rouillac and Matha, this gorgeous holiday rental is ideally situated for trips to the historic towns of Cognac, St Jean d’Angely, Saintes and Angoulême and the Atlantic Coast beaches. Cognac-no22.com
Gorgeous gite in a wine making village in Burgundy
La Maison des Chaumes is a bright and charming gite in the charming winemaking village of Villers-la-Faye in the Côte de Nuits. It’s minutes away from Burgundy’s crown jewel – historic Beaune. And it’s just up the hill from the famed vineyards of Nuits-Saint-Georges and Aloxe-Corton. lamaisondeschaumes.com
