Grand Tour of France
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Discover the many sides of France.
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
- 14 nights in handpicked hotels
- 14 breakfasts
- 6 dinners with beer or wine
- 14 guided sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
Included highlights
- Pont du Gard
- Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
- Arles
- Carcassone
- Bordeaux
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An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itinerary![](http://a.storyblok.com/f/53624/1160x508/3dc9c795c8/frc_24.jpg/m/fit-in/1080x540)
Board your overnight flight to Lyon today.
Welcome to France! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner this evening.
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.
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Medieval Village of Pérouges
From $69 per person
Head to Vers-Pont-du-Gard and explore the area with your Tour Director.
- See artifacts, virtual renderings, and life-sized displays at the Pont du Gard Museum.
- Walk on a trail along the Pont du Gard, the region’s famed, UNESCO-listed Roman aqueduct.
Continue on to Avignon and set off on a walking tour led by a local guide.
- See the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet, the bridge that inspired the French folk tune On the Bridge of Avignon.
- Enter the opulent Papal Palace, from which Pope Clement V reigned during the 14th century.
- Stroll through the historic Old Town, surrounded by the city’s original medieval walls.
This evening, sit down for an included dinner with your group.
Travel through the countryside toward the French Riviera, stopping to explore Aix-en-Provence, a Roman-influenced city and hometown of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne.
- Browse the stalls at the Aix-en-Provence farmers market this morning where you'll find local specialities like honey, fruits, textiles, antiques, and more.
- Pass Aix Cathedral, built on the site of the first-century Roman forum.
- Enjoy free time to stroll the beautiful boulevards and admire the architecture and monuments.
Continue on to Nice then enjoy a free evening or add an excursion.
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Evening in Monaco
From $135 per person
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.
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Medieval Saint-Paul-de-Vence
From $99 per person
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.
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.
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.
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Bordeaux Dinner & Wine Tasting
From $149 per person
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.
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.
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Loire Valley Dinner & Wine Tasting
From $109 per person
Travel north to the historic Normandy coastline. Stopping along the way for a guided tour of Mont-Saint-Michel.
- 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.
- Pass by medieval houses and then view the Benedictine Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel with your local guide.
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Spend a free day in the Normandy region or add an excursion.
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D-Day Beaches of Normandy
From $99 per person
Travel to Paris and enjoy a free evening in France’s capital city or add an excursion.
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Dinner in Paris & Seine River Cruise
From $129 per person
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.
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Versailles Palace & Gardens
From $139 per person
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue exploring Paris.
Enjoy a free day in Paris or add an excursion.
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Monet & the Landscapes of Giverny
From $109 per person
Spend a free day in Paris. This evening, sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Book for just $99 down
That’s all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†
Reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall rating 4.5 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely amazing!!! Excellent pacing of activities versus bus time. Highly recommended!!!
5 out of 5 stars
Loved the tour especially with all the attention that Paris is receiving with the Olympics and the 80th anniversary of D Day. Living the experience is the only way to learn.
4 out of 5 stars
Traveler photos
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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.This contemporary hotel is located in the business district of Lyon. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and fitness center. Nearby, you’ll find UNESCO-li...
![Mercure Pont d'Avignon](http://a.storyblok.com/f/53624/1024x768/668734a84c/mercure-pont-davignon.jpg/m/500x330)
This charming hotel is located in Avignon. Guests enjoy the fitness center, on-site restaurant, and outdoor terrace. Nearby you'll find Pont d'Avigno...
![Hôtel Mercure Nice Centre Notre-Dame](http://a.storyblok.com/f/53624/2048x1536/aa8c2e733d/hotel-mercure-nice-centre-notre-dame.jpg/m/500x330)
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...
![Hôtel Mercure Montpellier Centre Comédie](http://a.storyblok.com/f/53624/1024x768/70a672787d/hotel-mercure-montpellier-centre-comedrie.jpg/m/500x330)
This modern hotel is located in Montpellier’s city center. Guests enjoy the bar’s terrace, luxury toiletries, and rotating art galleries. Nearby, you’...
![Hôtel Mercure Bordeaux Centre-Ville](http://a.storyblok.com/f/53624/2048x1536/04eb3ac918/hotel-mercure-bordeaux-centre-ville.jpg/m/500x330)
This contemporary hotel is located in the center of Bordeaux. Guests enjoy a restaurant, on-site coffee house, and fitness center. Nearby, you’ll find...
![Novotel Amboise Hotel](http://a.storyblok.com/f/53624/2048x1536/506f9a284d/novotel-amboise-hotel.jpg/m/500x330)
This modern hotel is located in the heart of the Châteaux de la Loire. Guests enjoy the bar, outdoor pool, and tennis court. Nearby, you’ll find some ...
![Hotel Mercure Cabourg Hippodrome](http://a.storyblok.com/f/53624/168x137/50dd96cbb1/hotel-mercure-cabourg-hippodrome-5c3b9a555a07c3034c2ac18f.jpg/m/500x330)
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...
![Hôtel Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse](http://a.storyblok.com/f/53624/2048x1536/0dbe306c5a/mercure-paris-gare-montparnasse.jpg/m/500x330)
This chic hotel is located in the heart of Paris’ Montparnasse neighborhood. Guests enjoy spacious rooms, a traditional streetside restaurant, and an ...
Flights
- 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
- Find out more about flights
FAQ
Print FAQ- 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 2025, 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 2025, 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.
- You will use the euro on this tour.
- 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 $10USD to $12USD 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.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
- Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
- Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
- Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.