- Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Paris
- Sample a selection of wines at Saint Emilion in Bordeaux
- Go on fully-guided tours of Lyon and Avignon
- Visit Chambord Châteaux in Loire Valley
- Explore the spectacular medieval walled city of Carcassonne
Best of France Tour
Highlights
Experience the heart and soul of France on an unforgettable guided adventure that brings the country to life in vivid color and culture. From the moment you arrive in Paris, the City of Light dazzles with classic boulevards, the sparkling Seine, and iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame—all setting the tone for authentic French joie de vivre.
Travel south to Dijon, where quaint streets and burgundy-hued rooftops hint at this region’s rich heritage, then on to Lyon, a UNESCO-listed gem famed for Renaissance charm and world-class gastronomy. In Avignon, medieval ramparts and papal grandeur enchant, while a side trip to Nice along the French Riviera reveals sun-kissed beaches and azure waters.
Journey through the fortified bastions of Carcassonne, then sip exquisite wines in Bordeaux and stroll through the fairytale châteaux of the Loire Valley—including the majestic Chambord. This rich tapestry of history, wine, cuisine, and scenery promises a deeply memorable French escape.
Active
Best suited for those who are comfortable with a steady-paced itinerary.
Walking distances typically start at 1–2 miles per day or more.
Longer travel days (4+ hours), multiple hotel changes, and early morning
departures should be expected.
Includes visits to sites with stairs, uphill walks, and uneven pathways.
Travelers should be prepared for extended sightseeing and potential changes in altitude or climate.
Not recommended for wheelchair users or those who require walking aids.
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Tour Includes
1 Country
- France
Locations Visited
- Paris
- Dijon
- Lyon
- Avignon
- Nice
- Carcassonne
- Bordeaux
- Loire Valley
Hotel Accommodation
- 10 nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- 10 breakfasts and 4 dinners
Service
- A professionally trained English-speaking local tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
Baggage Handling
- To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of checked baggage per person.
Tour Starts:
Paris, France
Tour Ends:
Paris, France
Day 1
Depart for Paris
Your adventure begins as you depart on your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2
Arrive in Paris
Arrive in historic Paris. This evening, meet your fellow travelers and learn about the exciting days ahead, then relax over a tasty welcome dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Hotel Novotel Paris 17 or similar
Day 3
Paris
Start your day with a panoramic tour of Paris, the world- famous City of Light! Take in the sights as your motor coach ventures past Champs-Elysées, known for its grandeur. You’ll also see the Arc de Triomphe, a symbol of French history, the Grand Palais and Alexander III Bridge, Notre Dame and Île de la Cité, and Place de la Concorde, one of Paris’s most historic and scenic locations. View the Latin Quarter, chic St. Germain, and the iconic Louvre, as well as the Luxembourg Gardens. Plus, no trip to Paris would be complete without seeing the famous Eiffel Tower. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy the city at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Novotel Paris 17 or similar
Add-On: Seine River Dinner Cruise
Day 4
Paris - Dijon - Lyon
Today, you’ll leave Paris and head to Dijon, with some free time to have lunch on your own. Enjoy an included city tour of Dijon before proceeding to Lyon for the night, where your dinner at the hotel restaurant is included.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Novotel Lyon Confluence or similar
Day 5
Lyon
Enjoy a guided tour of Lyon. The old town “Vieux Lyon” features Renaissance houses and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lyon is renowned for its exceptional gastronomy, elegant architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and rich historical heritage.
Meals: Breakfast
Novotel Lyon Confluence or similar
Add-On: Guided tour to Perouges and dinner at Lyon Bouchon
Day 6
Lyon - Avignon
Leave for Avignon today, and enjoy lunch on your own in your free time. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Avignon. Ringed by incredibly preserved 800 year old stone ramparts, Avignon’s turn as the seat of papal power bestowed upon the city a treasury of magnificent art and architecture. The ramparts were erected to keep the plague and invaders out during the turbulent Middle Ages.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Novotel Avignon Centre or similar
Day 7
Avignon - Nice - Avignon
Depart from Avignon and head to sunny Nice. This beachside getaway is the cultural capital of the French Riviera and is known for its azure waters, golden beaches and its quaint old town. Enjoy a guided tour of the resort town’s attractions, and have lunch on your own before returning to Avignon for dinner(included) at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel Novotel Avignon Centre or similar
Day 8
Avignon - Carcassonne - Bordeaux
Today, you’ll leave Avignon for Carcassonne, a medieval fortified town set amid rugged hills. You’ll have some time for lunch on your own, and then proceed to Bordeaux for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Holiday Inn Bordeaux Sud – Pessac or similar
Day 9
Bordeaux
Explore Bordeaux on an electric tourist train with an audio guide, followed by an orientation tour of the city. Later in the day, enjoy a wine tasting session at Saint-Émilion.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Holiday Inn Bordeaux Sud – Pessac or similar
Day 10
Bordeaux - Loire Valley - Paris
Depart from Bordeaux to Loire Valley and visit Château de Chambord (entrance included). The largest château in Loire Valley, it has a distinctive Renaissance style architecture, and was built as a hunting lodge in the 1500s. You’ll have some free time for lunch on your own. Continue on to Paris and enjoy a farewell dinner (included) at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel Radisson Blu Hotel, Paris-Boulogne or similar
Day 11
Paris
Enjoy your final day in Paris on your own. Spend the day relaxing or stroll the cobblestoned streets and savor a meal at a Parisian cafe.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Radisson Blu Hotel, Paris-Boulogne or similar
Day 12
Depart for Home
Meals: Breakfast
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
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Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Guided tour to Perouges and dinner at Lyon Bouchon
Discover the medieval walled-town of Perouges perched atop a hill. Leave from Lyon at 2pm and arrive at Perouges at about 3pm. Go on a guided tour of this well-preserved settlement where time stands still. Admire the architecture of this historic village, and stumble upon art galleries and traditional workshops. Head back to Lyon at around 5pm, and later int he evening, enjoy a sumptuous three-course dinner at a typical bouchon (a local restaurant that serves Lyonnaise cuisine).
Inclusions
-
Private transportation to and from the hotel
-
Guided tour of Perouges
-
3-course dinner in Lyon
Note: This tour requires moderate walking and standing for long periods of time, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Please note that the terrain is gently sloped and has cobblestones, which may require extra care when walking.
Duration: Approx. 6 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $149 USD
Seine River Dinner Cruise
Enjoy a dreamy evening in Paris aboard a leisurely dinner cruise down the Seine. The City of Light comes alive at night, when its most iconic sites are warmly lit up and music fills the air. A private coach will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the dock, where you will board your dinner cruise ship and embark down the Seine. Watch Paris unfold in front of you while you savor an authentic 3-course French dinner and perfectly paired wine. Much of the world’s best known and most beloved historic architecture in the world are on the banks of the Seine, including the medieval Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, sprawling Musee d’Orsay, magnificent Louvre Museum, the elegant National Assembly, and more!
Inclusions
- Private transportation from and to the hotel
- Seine River Cruise with 3-course French dinner and wine
Note: The tour will require a 5 to 10-minute walk from coach drop off to embarkation/disembarkation point. For security reasons, security guards at the embarkation point may require passengers to open their coats and/or purses. Please note that backpacks, fanny packs, and laptop bags are not allowed on board; Appropriate/smart dress is required (no shorts, sports clothes or torn/dirty articles of clothing).
Duration: Approx. 4 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $169 USD
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