tours of france 2024

France Tours & Vacations

There’s a reason France is the most visited country in the world. Actually, there are several.

The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. The Pyrenees and Chamonix. Escargot and ratatouille. Champagne and croissants and berets and baguettes. Napoleon and Simone de Beauvoir and the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Jazz bars and vineyards and lavender fields as far as the eye can see. ‘Un petit peu’ of this, ‘un petit peu’ of that. A balmy evening on the French Riviera, a morning frost on the fields of the Somme. French flags flying after the FIFA World Cup. Guillotines falling after the French Revolution. Chanel and Chandon and Versailles and Vuitton. Forget the museums; this country is a work of art.

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Cycle the Loire Valley

Barcelona to Paris

Cycle Provence

France at a glance

Capital city.

Paris (population approximately 2.1 million)

Approximately 67 million

(GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type C (European 2-pin) Type E (French 2-pin, female earth)

Learn more about France

Culture and customs.

What makes the French so, well, French? Is it the food? The wine? How about the art, the philosophy, the history, or the fierce passion often caricatured as arrogance? Whatever it is, it’s seduced Francophiles around the world for countless years and there’s no sign of it slowing down.

The French are lovers of life. They celebrate the ‘joie de vivre’, or joy of living, in every aspect of their day. Conversation should be meaningful; food should be rich and sumptuous; music should move you; art should change you.

Sure, there are the stereotypes of the French being rude, but you could be forgiven for your reluctance to speak English when you’re the most-visited country in the world. There are, after all, only so many times one can give directions to the Eiffel Tower. But sit down for dinner at a French person’s house and you’ll discover the opposite. France is a very liberal country and every topic is up for debate – dinner is just an entrée for the conversation.

Much of France’s reputation rests on romanticized images of Paris. Sitting at a cafe on the Ile-St-Louis with a piping-hot croissant and cafe au lait, for example, or watching sunset from the steps of Sacre Coeur. But travel through France and you’ll find an incredibly diverse and multicultural country that changes so much between regions, from Marseille’s cultural melting pot to Biarritz’s surfers to the hardy mountain folk of the Pyrenees and Alps. 

Every region and valley, every coastline and ridgeline and three-hour line for the Louvre, will offer up something different. But remember, there’s one thing that doesn’t change no matter where you go: the unwavering belief that there’s nothing better than being French.

History and government

After the conquest of the Gauls and the fall of Rome, the area we know as France was dominated by a tribe known as the Franks. They were headed up by a brutal man named Charlemagne, whose mission was to convert all of   Europe  to Christianity. After Charlemagne’s death his empire was split into three, with West Francia corresponding to the modern territory of France.

The Hundred Years’ War

West Francia, which was really a patchwork of territories run by the dukes, had institutional power more or less centralized in the 12th century. As time went on the tension between France and England grew until the outbreak of the Hundred Years’ War, which actually lasted 116 years. Though France’s population was decimated during this period, thanks to both war and plague, it was also a formative time for the country’s national identity.

One of the key figures to come out of this long period of fighting was Joan of Arc, who is still a national hero in France. She was born in 1412, just after the Battle of Agincourt, during which the French were dominated by the English. As a young girl she heard the voices and saw visions of multiple saints, all of whom told her to go fight for Charles, the rightful king of France. At the age of 16 she traveled to his court to convince him of her mission and somehow did exactly that. She turned the tide of the war and in doing so was captured by the English and sentenced to death as a witch. Her ashes were scattered in the River Seine, but her story was never forgotten.

The French Revolution

Bad harvests, taxation, abject poverty and an unrestrained aristocracy sowed the seeds of the French Revolution in the 18th century. The Renaissance began in   Italy   and spread across Europe, ushering in the Age of Enlightenment, which spread the ideas of individual liberty, tolerance and the separation of church and state. In France, King Louis XVI had inherited a country in dire trouble but was still living it up at the Palace of Versailles. The peasants revolted and stormed the Bastille Prison – hence the national celebration of Bastille Day – and King Louis, along with Marie Antoinette, his queen, were captured and executed by guillotine. A decade of chaos ensued.

It was Napoleon, a military general, that took control of France following the revolution and established the Napoleonic Code, which has become the foundation for the development of most modern democracies. He embarked on military campaigns throughout Europe and was eventually defeated and exiled by the combined forces of   Russia   and Prussia, a northern state that would rise to power as a united Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The World Wars

The 20th century was a horrific time for France with   Germany   invading the country twice. France suffered huge casualties during both WWI and WW2, and by 1945 it was on its knees. Further conflicts followed in colonial territories across Africa and Asia, which led to an influx of migration to France. In Europe, governments were dealing with the fallout from WWII and making agreements to avoid another conflict, from which the European Union was born.

France is now a leading power both in Europe and globally after a huge post-war effort to rebuild the country. It has the third-largest economy in the EU and is one of the most modern countries in the world, continuing to value liberty, fraternity and equality. Recent years have seen issues arise with the Islamic extremism and the European refugee crisis, but the country continues to grow and remains a thriving destination for tourism.

Eating and drinking

The gastronomic pleasures of France are world-renowned, so travellers won’t be worried about going hungry. There’s something to suit every budget here, from Michelin-star restaurants to market stalls and everything in between, and it’s not just frog legs and snails that are on the menu.

There’s simply no better buy than a fresh, crusty baguette. Buy one for less than a euro from the nearest bakery and take it down to the nearest park or river. Apply butter liberally, fill with whatever you like and bite into France – c’est magnifique!

Pastries, cakes and tarts

French chefs set the global quality benchmark for pastries so there’s no feeling guilty when you sample the croissants, eclairs, crepes, macaroons and whatever else you can get your hands on. Find them at your local patisserie and don’t forget to say merci (or mercy, depending on how many you eat).

If you’re going to indulge in a little wine, there’s no better place than France. It is, after all, home to some of the most famous wine regions in the world: Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Loire, Provence, Champagne. Whether you’re at the cellar door or on the restaurant floor (please, drink responsibly), there’s tasty tipple with your name on it.

When in France, right? From soft cheeses like brie and camembert to a hard, sharp Beaufort, it’s all on offer in France’s bountiful cheese shops and markets.

Beef Bourguignon

This beefy stew originates in Burgundy and is an example of a peasant dish now considered high-end cuisine. It’s prepared with beef braised in red wine and broth, flavoured with garlic, onions and mushrooms, and it’s absolutely perfect on a winter’s evening.

Geography and environment

Bordered by Spain,   Andorra , Luxembourg, Monaco, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Belgium, France’s geography is as varied as its neighbors.  

In the south, the Pyrenees form a natural border with a   Spain . This mountain range rises over 11,100 feet (3400 meters) and stretches from the west coast to the east. It’s a hiker’s paradise in summer, with thousands of miles of hiking trails, and a haven for snow sports in the winter thanks to a huge number of ski resorts.

To the south-east, France borders the Mediterranean Sea all the way up to the Italian border. A large stretch of this area is what’s known as the French Riviera, which has long been a popular tourist destination thanks to its warm weather, calm water and golden beaches.

Continue north along the Italian border and you’ll reach the French Alps, France’s other predominant mountain range. The Alps are home to Mont Blanc – France’s highest point – and form another natural border, this time with both Italy and Switzerland.

France’s central region is mostly rolling hills and fields, perfect for farming and producing wine. There are two main rivers, the Loire and the Rhone, with the Rhone running south from   Switzerland   through to the Mediterranean and the Loire running north and west to the Atlantic.

The west coast is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and sees a cooler climate than the east. The large Atlantic swells have brought surfers to the area for years with several international surfing competitions being held throughout the year.

Northern France, which is bordered by   Belgium , Luxembourg and Germany, remains relatively flat with grasslands, fields, forests and, of course, the capital of Paris. These northern areas suffered most during the wars, both because of their proximity to Germany and the landscape itself. This is where trench warfare was first employed, only possible because of the huge swathes of flat land.

Chanel. Louis Vuitton. Dior. Lacroix. Hermes. You want luxury? You got it. Paris has long been considered the fashion capital of the world and if that’s your bag, well, you’ll need some room in your bag after a stroll down the famous Champs-Elysees. France isn’t all high fashion though. Yes, the French are notoriously fashionable, but there’s plenty of shopping to be done for those that aren’t quite ready to step out on the catwalk.

Remember, it's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. The United States and Canada generally have strict customs laws.

And you thought Paris was just about fashion? It also happens to be the fragrance capital of the world. There’s no better place to pick up a sensational scent than in one of the city’s many perfumeries, some of which have been trading for more than a century. It’s the perfect gift – or a subtle suggestion – for your friends and family back home.

Flea Markets

Parisian flea markets are a top spot to pick up a vintage bargain. From jewelry and purses to paintings and old-school electronics, you’re bound to find something unique or, at the very least, enjoy trying. Make Porte de Vanves and Porte de Saint-Ouen in Paris your first stops.

Village Markets

Regional French markets just ooze with charm and can be found all over the country. Peruse fresh produce, home-made jams, pickled vegetables, rich cheeses and summer flowers, or just soak up the provincial atmosphere and try your hand at having a chat with one of the locals.

France has been at the forefront of winemaking forever and there are plenty of high quality wines to be found at very decent prices. Just remember that French wines are named for their geographic origin rather than the grape. Take a Burgundy, for example: if it’s red it’s pinot noir, if it’s white it’s chardonnay. Do some research and reap the rewards.

Festivals and events

There are festivals happening all over France throughout the year. Whether you’re in the city or a small town, you can expect a lot of food, some phenomenal wine and plenty of music.

Bastille Day

The French National Day is celebrated on July 14 and commemorates the storming of the Bastille Prison during the French Revolution. It’s celebrated all over the country, but Paris is the place to be, with the city hosting parades, fireworks and the famous Firemen’s Balls, where the main station in each Parisian district throws open its doors for a huge ball lasting until 4 am. It’s a tradition that’s been happening for over 100 years.

Avignon Festival

Performers and art lovers from around the world descend on Avignon for this three-week celebration of performance art. Dance, theatre, comedy and musical performances feature on the bill, with everything from open-air classical concerts and sweeping operatic epics to spoken word poetry.

Tour de France

This is the world’s most iconic cycling competition. It lasts three weeks and was first held in 1903. Things are a little more high-tech now—back then, the cyclists didn’t have support vehicles, and they carried baguettes, wine and cheese for sustenance. They also had some phenomenal mustaches.

Nice Jazz Fest

The Nice Jazz Festival dates back to 1948 and is one of the oldest jazz festivals in   Europe . The first headliner was Louis Armstrong, and since then, a glut of phenomenal musicians have performed, including Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Erykah Badu.

Roland Garros

Also known as the French Open, Roland Garros is one of tennis’s grand slams and the premier clay-court competition in the world. The biggest tennis stars in the world converge on the courts to slug it out, but Rafael Nadal will forever be the king.

Public holidays that may impact travel include:

Victory Day 1945

Ascension Day

Whit Monday

Assumption Day

All Saint's Day

Armistice Day

Please note that the dates of  France's public holidays  may vary.

Similar destinations

Thinking about a trip to France but still browsing other destinations? Check out tours to neighboring locations:

• Switzerland

Or maybe you need help comparing countries? Check out our blog:

• France or Italy?

Further reading

For inspiring stories to prepare you for your France adventure, check out these books:

• The Three Musketeers   – Alexandre Dumas
• Chocolat   – Joanne Harris
• The Hunchback of Notre-Dame   ­– Victor Hugo
• Dangerous Liaisons   – Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
• Suite Francaise   – Irene Nemirovsky
• A Year in Provence   – Peter Mayle
• How to be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style and Bad Habits   – Caroline de Maigret, Anne Berest, Sophie Mas, Audrey Diwan
• The House in France: A Memoir   – Gully Wells
• Marie Antoinette: The Journey –   Antonia Fraser
• Les Miserables   – Victor Hugo
• Me Talk Pretty One Day   – David Sedaris

France travel FAQs

When is the best time to visit france.

The best time to visit France depends on where you are planning to travel to.

The best time to visit Paris, in terms of sunshine and weather, is early summer and early autumn as the late summer can get quite hot. That said, the winter months are a dark albeit beautiful time to visit, like many European cities. The same applies for most of inland France.

If you’re heading to the east coast and the Mediterranean Sea, the best months are July and August as the sea breeze tends to keep the coast a little cooler than inland. There will, however, be more tourists than in the early summer or spring and autumn.

The mountains are best for skiing in February and March as the days are longer than in December and January, while the late spring, summer and early autumn are perfect for hiking.

The Atlantic areas of Brittany and Normandy are best experienced from June through August as they can get quite wet and cold outside of summer.

Is it safe to visit France?

Yes, it is still safe to visit France, though parts of the country have been affected by various issues of late.

Over the past 5–10 years France has been targeted by extremist groups. These attacks have received widespread global coverage and while they are shocking and saddening, they are also very infrequent. France is at no more risk of extremist violence than any other Western country, but travelers should exercise caution nevertheless and keep up-to-date with local news sources.

Much has also been made of the Yellow Vests Movement, which has spread around the country. These protests began in 2018 after an increase in fuel taxes and have morphed into a movement demanding economic reform and the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron. Though the protests have turned violent on several occasions, particularly in Paris, they are also easily avoided. The protests occur on Saturdays and the streets are shut down by police – travelers should check local news sources and avoid any trouble areas on Saturdays.

Do I need a visa to travel to France?

France is a member of the Schengen Convention, which means that if you travel to an EU member country or countries, like France, for a total of less than 90 days, a visa is not required. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, the UK and other member countries of the EU and Schengen area are included under this arrangement.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your country of origin. Check the Essential Trip Information section of your tour itinerary for more information.

Is tipping customary in France?

Most restaurants in France will include a service fee within the bill; however, tipping extra (while not absolutely necessary) is customary and will be appreciated by wait staff. Usually rounding up the bill or leaving spare change is sufficient. Feel free to tip more if the service has been exemplary or if you’re feeling generous.

What is the internet access like in France?

The internet access is great in France. All cities and major towns should have internet cafes and wi-fi hotspots, while most of the country aside from very remote areas will have phone reception should you wish to use your mobile/cell phone.

Can I use my cell phone while in France?

Travelers can use their phones throughout France, though remote and isolated areas in the Pyrenees or Alps may have limited service.

You’re able to purchase a local SIM on arriving in France, which will generally be cheaper than using international roaming. If you do wish to use international roaming, ensure it’s activated before leaving your home country and ask your provider what charges apply. Data use can be particularly expensive while overseas.

What are the toilets like in France?

Flushable, Western-style toilets are the standard across France.

Can I drink the water in France?

Drinking water from taps is considered safe in France unless otherwise marked. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottle water and fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water instead.

Are credit cards widely accepted in France?

Major credit cards are widely accepted across France. Some smaller cafes and shops may not accept credit cards, especially in more rural areas, so be sure to carry enough cash to cover small purchases.

What is ATM access like in France?

ATMs are common across France in both cities and towns so there shouldn't be a problem finding one.

What is the weather like in France?

France’s weather varies depending where you are.

Paris tends to be quite cool with temperatures averaging 59–77°F (15–25°C) even in the height of summer. The winter average is 36–45°F (2–7°C), though it’s worth keeping in mind that the city can experience more extreme heat in the summer or snow in the winter.

The French Riviera, including Nice, has a sunnier climate and averages 68–81°F (20–27°C) in the summer and 41–55°F (5–13°C) in winter. This area is quite sheltered compared to the rest of the south-east coast, which will much hotter and dryer in the summer.

The mountainous regions, like Chamonix in the Alps, will vary depending on altitude. Chamonix experiences an average temperature of 48–75°F (9–24°C) in the summertime and 19–37°F (-7–3°C) in the winter. The summer also sees afternoon thunderstorms and more precipitation than other times of year.

The climate on the Atlantic coast tends to be quite cool and wet, with rain and wind all year round, particularly around the English Channel. Bordeaux, which is much further south, enjoys a warmer climate though it’s prone to both the cold Atlantic fronts as well as cold winds from the north-east. Its average temperature in summer is 61–81°F (16–27°C), while winter averages 37–50°F (3–10°C).

Is France safe for LGBTQIA+ travelers?

France is a safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travelers and has always been celebrated for its liberal attitudes towards sexuality. Paris was the first European capital to vote in an openly gay mayor in 2001 and France was the first country in the world, back in 1791, to decriminalize same-sex sexual acts between consenting adults. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013 and attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ identifying people are generally positive across the country.

Paris has had a thriving queer scene for years which revolves around Le Marais, a district just north of Notre-Dame, though the city is so open that it can be difficult to pin down its epicenter. Active queer scenes can be found in most major cities across the country including Bordeaux and Lyon.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting  Equaldex  or  ILGA  before you travel.

If you are traveling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travelers who do not wish to share a room.

Is France accessible for travelers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

France is a relatively accessible destination for travelers with disabilities, particularly for those visiting Paris. All buses and trams in the Paris metro area are equipped for wheelchairs and most, though not all, metro stations have been equipped to make traveling with a disability as hassle-free as possible. The city’s official visitor website has a section dedicated to   visiting Paris with a disability   in both French and English.

Elsewhere, as in much of Europe, travelers may find that the older city buildings and infrastructure in smaller towns may present them with some difficulty, depending on their disability. If you do live with a visual, hearing or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made.

As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.

What to wear in France

France is a very liberal country and travelers should not feel compelled to dress particularly conservatively unless visiting a religious site. After all, Paris is the fashion capital of the world – go hard or go home. That being said, Intrepid encourages all travelers to respect the locals in the places we visit. If they wouldn’t wear something, we don’t suggest that you do. 

Remember that the weather in the mountains can change extremely quickly, even in summer, so your best bet is dress in layers. If you do plan on visiting the Alps or Pyrenees, be sure to take a raincoat, sturdy walking shoes and a wind breaker or warm jacket.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Does my trip to France support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to France directly support our French partner Fonds de Dotation. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Fonds de Dotation

Fonds de Dotation are on a mission to create inclusive work opportunities and lessen stigmas for people with disabilties in France. Donations help them power their two inclusive restaurants in France and spread awareness about the importance of inclusive work environments and opportunities.

Learn more or make a donation

France tours

Discovering the icons in Paris, soaking up the sun on the French Riviera, visiting the châteaux of the Loire Valley—see every side of this France on one of our escorted tours.

September 2024

Showing 1–17 of 27 tours

London, Paris & Rome

11 days | 14 days with Madrid extension

4.4 out of 5 stars

Barcelona, Southern France & the Italian Riviera

12 days | 14 days with Rome extension

Stay on vacation? Don’t mind if we do.

Save up to $350 on tours, plus save an extra $50 with code EXT50 on tour extensions for 2025 bookings.†

London & Paris

9 days | 11 days with Paris extension

4.5 out of 5 stars

Paris: The City Experience

7 days | 10 days with Normandy & Paris extension

4.7 out of 5 stars

Grand Tour of Europe: London to Rome

16 days | 18 days with Florence extension

4.6 out of 5 stars

Paris & Rome

8 days | 11 days with Athens extension

Jewels of Alpine Europe

13 days | 15 days with Salzburg extension

Grand Tour of France

16 days | 18 days with Paris extension

London, Paris & Rome for Solo Travelers

9 days | 11 days with Rome extension

4.2 out of 5 stars

London, Paris & Amsterdam

11 days | 14 days with Berlin extension

London, Paris & Madrid

11 days | 14 days with Lisbon extension

A Week in France: The Riviera, Provence & Paris

9 days | 12 days with Normandy & Paris extension

France & Spain: Paris, Bordeaux & Madrid

10 days | 13 days with Madrid & Valencia extension

French Riviera & Provence: Nice, Avignon & Aix-en-Provence

11 days | 14 days with French Alps extension

Paris, Normandy, Brittany Coast & the Loire Valley

11 days | 13 days with Paris extension

London, Normandy & Paris

12 days | 14 days with Paris extension

Food & Wine: A Taste of Bordeaux & Burgundy

12 days | 15 days with Champagne & Paris extension

What travelers are saying about our France tours

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Know where you want to travel in France?

The Riviera

Normandy Coast

Travel tips for France trips

While it's a relatively temperate country, France's weather ranges significantly from region to region. Many consider the best times to travel to France to be spring and fall, when temperatures are more moderate. In Paris for example, spring and fall temperatures are in the 50s, 60s, and 70s F, perfect for walking around sites like the Tuileries, Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and Versailles. The comfortable weather paired with smaller crowds, more relaxed locals, and seasonal festivals and flavors make these in-between seasons particularly lovely times for a trip to France.

In the warmer summer months, parks, picnics, farmers markets, and outdoor festivals are especially lively. In winter, the weather gets colder and wetter (though there's not much snow in major cities like Paris), but there's still lots to do! You'll find festive holiday decorations, great museums, and more.

France is a diverse country, from the historic beaches in Normandy and Brittany on the northern coast, to the foodie-favored wine regions of Champagne and Burgundy, to the lavish châteaux of the Loire Valley. Plus, as you travel east, the influence of Switzerland and Germany can be felt in the food, architecture, and history in Alsace.

When picking which of our France guided tours is right for you, let your interests help drive your destination selection.

• Want to experience art, romance, and culture? Paris should be on your itinerary, so you can take in the icons like Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, Luxembourg Gardens, and more.
• If you’re a foodie who counts food and wine as a top traveling priority, check out our guided tours that visit Burgundy, Lyon, or Bordeaux.
• History buffs, your must-visits include Normandy and Paris.
• For those who love to be outdoors soaking in the scenery, be sure to check out Provence in the south, where medieval towns and artistic cities are sandwiched between the mountains of the Alps and the sea breeze of the Mediterranean.

In France, eating is an art form. Meals are meant to savored—shared among friends, enjoyed with local wines, and made up of fresh, seasonal ingredients. While the cuisine ranges throughout the country, you’ll always find a focus on local, in-season ingredients. Here are a couple of things to know when sitting down for a meal during your trip to France.

• Breakfast, called le petit déjeuner, is generally light, like a croissant or bread with jam and coffee.
• Lunch, or le déjeuner, was traditionally a two-hour, several-course affair where people took time to relax and unwind with friends. In today’s society, something quicker and more casual—like soup, salad, or sandwiches at a cafe—is very commonplace.
• Dinner, or le diner, is served around eight or later and can be made up of several courses. Typically, it starts with the appetizer, or l**’entrée**, followed by the main course, or l e plat principal , followed by a cheese course and dessert. And remember, be sure to ask for your check when you're done—it's considered rude for wait staff to bring it to your table unrequested. Bon appétit!

The French are famous for their style, so deciding what to pack for a trip to France requires some consideration. Our escorted tours to France incorporate a fair amount of walking as local guides take you around their hometowns, so comfortable walking shoes are a must.

For the building blocks of your France vacation wardrobe, pack easy-to-layer pieces that can be mixed and matched in various ways—neutrals or a cohesive color palette helps a lot! Add in a versatile scarf—perfect for staying warm on flights and afternoon walks, as well as adding a pop of color to simple outfits. Beyond that, we’d recommend your camera, a notebook to jot down any fun facts or book recommendations your Tour Director might share, and a sense of adventure. Once you book one of our France guided tours, you can find a packing list for that specific trip in our easy Tour Companion App .

5 out of 5 stars

1st-time traveler Tangie

We were apprehensive of the tour when our airline accommodations were not what we expected. Wrong airline and we couldn’t sit together and were giving mixed information frôm the... Read more of Tour Guide Whisper of France 🇫🇷

Traveled in Jun 2024 on A Week in France: The Riviera, Provence & Paris

1st-time traveler Patricia

Joanna, the tour director did an amazing job. She wove together the history of France as we traveled from sea, countryside and city. And I fell in love…she had me at”Bonjour”.... Read more of Romance with France

5th-time traveler Katrina

This tour provided a comprehensive "tasting" of France. From Nice, to Avignon to Paris. The added excursion to Normandy was one of the most memoriable excursions of my 5 trips... Read more of A Taste of France

2nd-time traveler Jeanette

The trip to France was fantastic! Our guide, Joanna was professional, knowledgeable fun and very considerate. We had a great group. We did things together and apart, but what I... Read more of Sister Sister🤗

1st-time traveler Roberta

This entire tour from Nice to Avignon to Paris was amazing! Our tour director Joanna was the best as well as the additional tour guides that she enlisted in Avignon & on the Paris... Read more of An Amazing Tour Through South of France & Paris

1st-time traveler Larry

This was my first time to Europe and France. The star of the trip was Joanna. We benefited from having a guide from another country give a history and perspective of France. It... Read more of First Time In Europe

2nd-time traveler Janice

My sister and I had an amazing time in France! To visit places and see historical structures that we have only read about or seen on TV was an unforgettable experience! What... Read more of Two Sisters in France

France Tours 2024 Cruises

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• Challenging
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• Wine Tasting
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• Land & Sea Exploration
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• Northern Lights
• Small Ship Sailing
• Spa Relaxation
• Urban Exploration
• Village Visits
• Wilderness Lodge Exploration
• Avalon Expression
• Avalon Imagery II
• Avalon Panorama
• Avalon Poetry II
• Avalon Tapestry II
• Avalon Tranquility II
• Avalon Vista
• Emerald Dawn
• Emerald Liberté
• Emerald Sky
• Emerald Sun
• L'Art de Vivre
• L’Impressionniste
• La Belle Epoque
• Le Bougainville
• Le Commandant Charcot
• MS Amacello
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• MS Amakristina
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• MS Botticelli
• MS Gérard Schmitter
• MS L'Europe
• MS Lafayette
• MS Leonardo De Vinci
• MS Loire Princesse
• MS Rhone Princess
• MS Seine Princess
• MS Symphonie
• MS Victor Hugo
• MV La Belle des Océans
• Renaissance
• Royal Clipper
• S.S. Antoinette
• S.S. Bon Voyage
• S.S. Catherine
• S.S. Joie de Vivre
• S.S. Victoria
• Scenic Crystal
• Scenic Diamond
• Scenic Opal
• Scenic Sapphire
• Viking River Cruises

The Enchanting Rhine - From Zurich to Amsterdam

• Enjoy panoramic views of Zürich
• Walk along Lucerne's famous streets
• Visit the iconic Heidelberg Castle
• Admire Amsterdam's beauty

Mount Blanc Hiking Adventure

• Enjoy the view of Chamonix
• Hike the Mont Blanc
• Admire the Bioniassay glacier
• Explore Courmayeur Alpine resort
• Hike the old trail valley in Trient

Colors of Provence - Cruise Only

• Tour the highlights of Lyon, France
• Stop at the home of a local vintner
• Learn about olive farming tradition
• Take the Artist Experience tour

Taste of Bordeaux - Cruise Only

• Explore Bordeaux, a UNESCO Site
• Taste distinguished French wine
• Tour the Château Latour wine estate
• Visit Libourne's colorful market

European Canal Cruises

• Visit Chateaus
• Experience locally-produced wine
• Visit Leonardo Da Vinci's home

Highlights of Normandy & The Seine

• Be amazed with the town of Conflans
• Explore the Rouen Cathedral
• Visit Normandy Cemetery
• Enjoy Giverny and Monet’s garden

Paris & Normandy

• Visit the Château de La Roche-Guyon
• Walk through the city of Rouen
• Experience Honfleur by foot
• Tour Paris with expert guides

Get Away From It All: An Emotional Journey from Saone-et-Loire to the Cote d'Or

• Explore Santenay
• Enjoy Chalon-sur-Saône wines
• Explore Petit-Ouges
• Visit Burgundy vineyards

Southern Burgundy Cruise

• Visit Clos de Vougeot
• Private wine tastings & Tours
• Tour Dijon and its markets
• Explore Château de Bussy-Rabutin
• Visit to Beaune
• Lunch at Château de Beaune
• Visit Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
• Hot air ballooning
• Towpath for walking and cycling

European Classic Cruise - Alsace & Lorraine

• Tour Strasbourg
• Explore Route des Vins d'Alsace
• Visit the Meteor Brewery
• Tour Sarrebourg

Classic Cruise - Canal du Midi

• Tour the medieval city Carcassonne
• Wine tasting at a local château
• Visit Pezenas
• Pass through the Fonserannes locks
• Visit Narbonne
• Cross the Orb canal bridge
• Walking and cycling

European Classic Cruise - Gascony, France

• Cruise Pont Canal du Cacor
• Visit to Château de Goudourville
• Tour the castle of Nerac
• Taste the wines of the region

European Classic Cruise - Bordeaux

• Tour Saint Emilion
• Visit Château de Duras
• Visit the Bastide village
• Taste the local wines of Bordeaux
• Cruise across the Agen aqueduct

Corsican Cruise

• Discover Corsica
• Cruise the coast of Gulf of Porto
• Visit Calanques de Piana
• Explore the Balagne Region

Corsica & French Riviera

• Experience Cannes
• Discover Ile Rousse
• Explore Calvi
• Enjoy St. Tropez

Burgundy & Provence

• Enjoy a visit to ruins in Tarascon
• Tour the Rue de Doux old city
• Learn about silk weaving at Lyon
• Tour of the historic city of Dijon
• Visit Château de Germolles
• Tour Château de Chamirey
• Eat lunch at a Michelin restaurant
• Tour of ancient Autun
• Walk and bike to explore

European Classic Cruise - Upper Loire & Western Burgundy

• Visit Château de la Bussière
• Cruise the aqueduct at River Loire
• Enjoy wine tasting

Top France Travel Destinations

• French Riviera
• Mediterranean
• Moselle River
• Rhine River
• Rhone River
• Seine River

France Trips by Departure Date

• 2024 France trips (101)
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• 2026 France trips (5)
• September 2024 (43)
• October 2024 (74)
• April 2025 (50)
• May 2025 (64)
• June 2025 (58)
• July 2025 (59)
• August 2025 (63)
• September 2025 (60)
• October 2025 (62)

Top Experiences in France

• France Cruises (143)
• France River Cruises (94)
• France Small Ship Cruises (51)
• France Luxury (49)
• France Cultural (38)
• France Food & Wine (36)
• France Barge Cruising (21)
• France Beaches (9)
• France Private Yacht Charter (8)
• France Wildlife & Safari Exploration (4)
• France Family (3)
• France Active (3)

France Trips by Duration

• 5 day trips (9)
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• 8 day trips (62)
• 9 day trips (3)
• 11 day trips (7)
• 12 day trips (5)
• 13 day trips (6)
• 14 day trips (7)
• 15 day trips (3)
• 16 day trips (5)

France Trips by Activity

• France wine tasting (67)
• France village visits (62)
• France biking (61)
• France urban exploration (40)
• France hiking (34)
• France local market visits (33)
• France christmas market visits (16)
• France archaeological site visits (14)
• France small ship sailing (12)
• France wildlife viewing (9)
• France cooking classes (8)
• France land & sea exploration (6)
• France whale watching (4)
• France spa relaxation (3)

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Our French River cruises and land-based France tours transport you to a European destination that lives life to the fullest with the cultural panache that defines all things Français... explore colorful Provence, the Loire Valley, ancient abbeys, cobblestoned villages, Bordeaux, Côte du Rhône wine regions, Paris and more.

• ITINERARIES
• FEATURED TOURS

Welcome to France

Magnifique... a word that sums up the many cultural delights and panache of France... exploring Paris, the "City of Light" in the evening when it truly comes to life... the poignant memorials at Omaha Beach... a traditional picnic lunch in Gordes, dining as the locals do...and an infusion of ancient abbeys, Loire chateaux, and cobblestone villages that nourish your soul.

Land journeys, from parisian bistros and provençal farms to normandy beaches and loire valley châteaux, treasures await along the yellow roads in france..

Sip wines at private French vineyards with vintners who share secrets of the terroir... try locally produced cider and Calvados on Normandy farms... toast life in Paris, where brasseries, cathedrals and art-filled museums nourish your soul... and so much more. Join us in France on land journeys along the Yellow Roads to Paris, Provence, Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley.

• River Cruises

The rivers of France evoke a sense of place around every bend... join us along the Rhône, the Saône and the Seine...

The River Seine bridges images of life past and present in the iconic Parisian sites that line its banks; as it meanders from city to coast, it impresses with scenery immortalized by Monet, van Gogh and their contemporaries. Inland from the Saône in the north all the way south to Provence, the Rhône drinks in timeless landscapes ripe with secrets of the terroir. This and more awaits aboard Tauck's river cruises along the Rhône, Saône and Seine rivers in France.

• Small Ship Cruises

A quarter-century later, our first small ship cruise still sails the Mediterranean to or from the French Riviera...

Beginning or ending in Nice, our "Treasures of the Mediterranean" – Tauck's very first small ship cruise, still sailing a quarter-century later – takes you to explore Provence, Monte-Carlo, Elba, Corsica, Italy's Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Malta.

Tauck Bridges Family Travel

From scavenger hunts in the louvre to a bicycle tour of versailles's gardens, family fun awaits in france....

Stroll into a painting by Claude Monet at Giverny... get hands-on experience with World War II equipment on Normandy's D-Day beaches... walk along the Pont du Gard... meet French cowboys on a ranch in la Camargue, where you'll dig into an authentic Provençal meal... and so much more on our Tauck Bridges trips and river cruises in France – including "Castles & Kings: London to Paris;" "Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise;" and "Family Fun Along the Seine: Paris to Normandy."

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TAUCKS EVENTS

A Cultural Exploration of France

From Paris, the most romantic city in the world to the importance of gastronomy and fine wine, the delights of France are experienced on many levels, whether it be by land journey, river cruise or small ship.  In Provence... Lyon... Normandy... and along the Seine as you drink in the history, culture, architecture and much more.

Normandy, brittany, paris & the loire valley, savoring france: paris, lyon & provence, cruising the seine, plus paris & london, traveling with tauck, never settle for ordinary.

Travel Experiences that are as memorable as the places...

Leave Your Worries At Home

Tauck takes on all of details of travel – all of the planning, all of the logistics...

One Upfront Price

Get what you pay for and then some; no hidden costs, no options sold...

Travel In Good Company

Our Tauck Directors are the best in the industry, making every moment of your journey count...

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Refined culture and deep history

A rendezvous with a magnifique experience awaits! As cliché as it sounds, France truly has something for everyone. With over two dozen cities, each with their own nuances of the French culture and contributions to its history, architecture, art and last but not least, the gastronomical delights that the French are famous for throughout the world are yours to explore, experience and fall in love with during your stay. Coast to coast, border to border, there are seemingly endless variations on your French experience to be had. Rolling hills and scenic valleys lined with the fruit of the gods; seaside towns, along sandy beaches with views you just might be sharing with royalty; or maybe snowcapped mountain ranges providing some of the best skiing in the world and an adrenaline rush to match is what you seek. Whatever you decide, France easily makes you feel as if you have stepped out of reality and into the art you learned about and loved since you were a child.

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Destination Must-Sees

This French capital is one of the world's greatest cities and certainly one of its most beautiful. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre and Orsay Museums, the Champs Elysees, Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur, and many others are all iconic symbols of the "City of Light." Renowned for fabulous dining, high fashion and the French savoir faire, one can keep returning to Paris over a lifetime and still not see everything it has to offer.

Sitting on the French Riviera, north of Cannes, is a town that is an olfactory oasis. Set in the hills, Grasse is considered the perfume capital of the world. The town’s fields of jasmine, lavender, and other fragrant flowers are harvested to create essential oils for perfume production. Perfumers (known as a nez, or nose) in Grasse can teach you how to recognize different scents and how top notes, mid notes and the lingering base of a fragrance come together to create a magical aroma.

At 370 acres or three-quarters of a square mile, the Principality of Monaco is the world's second smallest sovereign state. It sits in a scenic cliff-side location on the Mediterranean completely surrounded by French territory. This fairy tale of a country is headed by the Prince Sovereign, currently, Albert II, son of Rainier III and American actress Grace Kelly. Discover a place that is just as you imagined with opulent architecture, stunning coastal panoramas, chic boutiques and ritzy cars. Highlights of a visit include the Oceanographic Museum and the Prince's Palace as well as the Cathedral, the final resting place of the Principality's monarchs.

A perfectly preserved medieval enclave of Roman origins, Avignon is set in the heart of France's Provence region on the banks of the Rhone River. For 68 years in the 14th century, Avignon was the capital of Christianity, the seat of 10 Popes before the papacy was brought back to Rome in 1377. Avignon has always been a center for art and culture, a designation that continues with its annual Arts Festival, hosting numerous stage productions, film showings, exhibitions, poetry readings, concerts, mime performances, ballets, and more.

Destination Must-Dos

Small-town touring:

Take a break from the City of Light and get a taste of old world France when spending time in countryside villages that look like they are plucked from a storybook. With many unique villages, each region has its own special qualities for you to experience. Travel through hilltops, rocky coasts and remarkable views while learning about the locals and their lifestyles.

Omaha Beach:

This was one of the beach sectors assigned to the American landing forces during the invasion of June 6, 1944. It was here that the U.S. First Division fought the bloodiest engagement on D-Day. Go through the towns that make up the sector: St-Laurent, Colleville and Vierville. Set foot on the beach and reflect on that fateful day and cherish the present peace. The American Military Cemetery stands up on the bluff as a testament to the greatest sacrifice that these Americans have made in the name of freedom.

Dinner at Eiffel Tower:

Put yourself in a scene from a movie; the lights of Paris glitter beneath you as you dine inside one of the world’s most iconic landmarks – the Eiffel Tower. Built in 1889 as part of the World's Fair by the architecture team of Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris today. Located on the first level is 58 Tour Eiffel, a gourmet restaurant with stunning panoramic views of Paris. Since food is another big part of Parisian culture, the meal is several courses, beautifully displayed and accompanied with wine, coffee and tea.

Cabaret Theatre performance:

Immerse yourself in the nostalgic side of Parisian culture when taking your seat at a traditional cabaret show. Colorful, crazy, glamourous and intriguing are all used when describing the excitement that is Parisian cabarets. Enjoy your meal while being entertained with a show or play in this festive atmosphere.

Expert Advice

In many places in France, wine costs less than water. Stay hydrated of course but this is also an affordable chance to try many different varieties of the best wine in the world.

Dinner at the Paradis Latin requires business casual attire; shorts are not allowed. This is your chance to get into the spirit of this exciting night.

The French eat lunch between noon and 2:30p.m. and dinner between 8-11p.m. Many restaurants close after lunch and do not open again until dinner time.

Featured Tours to France

Essence of France Paris, Provence & the French Riviera

France Magnifique

Spotlight on Paris

Spotlight on the French Riviera

Spotlight on the French Riviera featuring Nice's Carnival and Menton Lemon Festival

Memorials of World War II featuring the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landing

London & Paris

London & Paris Holiday

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The Good Life France

Everything You Want to Know About France and More...

Best Tours of France 2024

If you’re planning a visit to France – we’ve handpicked the best tours of France for 2024 with the most scrumptious food and wine, tours that let you experience France like a local and that will give you cherished memories to last a lifetime…

We’ve picked the best and most fabulous tours in France where the experience is built around the things YOU want to see and do.

Small Group tours of France

Each and every private tour is unique and for small groups and enable you to tour at a relaxed pace whilst packing plenty into the itinerary so that you enjoy the trip of a lifetime.

Unlike tours that rush you around like herds of sheep without time to relish the sights and wonderful food and wines for which France is famous and you’ve travelled so far to experience – these tours are designed to ensure you fully savour your time in France. Whether you’re a lover of chateaux, culture, gourmet cuisine, wonderful wines, gorgeous countryside, the prettiest villages, history, culture, want to learn the language and more – these tours of France are the best.

Tours for those who love the authentic

Discover southern France – from captivating Carcassonne to magical Montpellier and the postcard-pretty blooming lovely lavender fields of Provence, as well as Normandy, Bordeaux and Dordogne.  On these luxury, small group tours you’ll get to experience France like a local, indulge in the best gastronomy and wine, and discover the beauty and culture of France… www.tripusafrance.com

Day trips and tour packages all over France, plus brilliant shore excursions

Ophorus Tours are a French family run business with a huge choice of tours from fun and informative guided walking city tours to very carefully crafted multi regional packages, wine tasting, cycling and themed tours all over France as well as day trips from Paris. Their aim is to show you France as they believe it should be shown – authentic, colourful and friendly. www.ophorus.com

Tailor-made tours

Osprey Boutique Travel create unique, exclusive and authentic travel experiences. Their handcrafted, tailor-made itineraries are meticulously customized to each client’s preferences, based on personally tested experiences and native French expertise. They specialize in offering white-glove service with managing every detail from bookings, arrangements, and care. With Osprey, expect access to unparalleled experiences at prestigious wineries and Michelin-starred restaurants, creating a lifetime journey. Find out more: ospreybt.com

Tours of France by train

Authentic Europe’s independent and partly escorted package tours by train are a superb way to explore France. From Paris to the sunny Mediterranean, the vineyards of Burgundy, the chateaux of the Loire Valley, Normandy and more incredible places – the extensive French train network makes it easy to explore every corner of France. Authentic Europe organise accommodation, book your train tickets and provide you with a comprehensive itinerary. All tours are customisable to suit you. Some tours include guided visits, and they always include a great list of recommended visits for self-guided tours so you get to see what you want. Find out more and book your tour of France at: authentic-europe.com

Battlefield tours and historical travel experiences

Tailor-made historical travel experiences by a family-run specialist tour operator creates exceptional WWI and WWII battlefields tours across France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Sophie’s Great War Tours will research the history and background of soldiers so that each battlefield tour is a personal historical experience. Add on experiences to suit you, such as chateau visits in the Loire, Champagne tastings in Champagne or a classic car tour in Provence. Every itinerary is designed to be perfect – for you. sophiesgreatwartours.com

CroisiEurope – the very best cruises in France

CroisiEurope are the largest cruise operator in France, and their tours are unbeatable. Sail France’s rivers and canals and the Mediterranean Sea. Discover the culture, gastronomy and cultural wealth of France. Enjoy all-inclusive life onboard with the finest food and wines and fabulous excursions that transport you to the heart of France. There’s no worrying about having to drive, make a train connection or travel delays. There’s no queuing for tickets to major sites. All you have to do is relax, enjoy the wonderful gastronomy, and get to see the best of France – in style.

There are a fabulous range of cruises in France by barge and boat (even a paddle ship on the Loire), including Paris, (from 2 days to 7 days, departure point near the Eiffel Tower) that take in the city sights. Also starting from Paris are several cruises including to Normandy – Honfleur, Rouen and Giverny where you’ll visit Claude Monet’s house and garden; a romantic sites cruise, taking in castles, authentic medieval villages, historic sites and fabulous museums; French Impressionism cruise taking in the artists’ favourite haunts; and Oise Valley cruise. Utterly irresistible…   croisieurope.co.uk

Culture & cookery tours in Provence

Cooking classes with chefs in their homes where you’ll cook authentic French dishes. Shop at enchanting street markets with chefs, and dine at the most scrumptious restaurants in beautiful towns of Provence on this fully escorted, small group delicious and cultural trip of a lifetime. goutetvoyage.com

Immersion courses in the most beautiful places in France

SL Immersion offer French immersion courses in several areas. There are tailor-made lessons to suit each guest, you’ll stay in the home of a fully qualified and experienced tutor, and learn real French the way it’s spoken in France. You’ll quickly improve your French, and you’ll also have an unforgettable cultural experience with activities, cooking classes, sightseeing, wine tasting etc. slimmersion-france.com

Loire Valley Bike Tours – the very best way to travel

One of the best ways to visit the castles, vineyards, pretty little villages, historic towns and gorgeous gardens of the Loire Valley is on two wheels… Loire Brakes guided tours are relaxing (e-bikes provided), you’ll stay in a fabulously renovated comfortable and cosy farmhouse and visit the very best of the Loire Valley with local guides Denise and Kevin. A superb slow travel experience for those who like to discover real France and enjoy the most fabulous food and wine. loirebrakes.com

‘Real’ South of France Tours

Occitanie – formerly Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrenees – is to many the real south of France. It’s a land of hidden gems, postcard-pretty villages, historic giants like Carcassonne, and of lush vineyards where some of the very best wines in France are produced (tastings are included on the tours!). Take a 7-day, fully inclusive, small group guided tour, stay in an award-winning B&B, dine at hand-picked restaurants and discover the heart of this area and its innermost, delicious and fascinating secrets. Discover real France with ‘Real’ South of France Tours. realsouthoffrancetours.fr

Immersive French courses in Burgundy

10-day French immersion stays in Burgundy that will have you learning French in a fabulous and fun way. Stay in a gorgeous luxury chateau, experience the real French way of life, culture and gastronomy. Cooking lessons, wine tasting and guided tours by experts alongside lessons tailored to your level with friendly, qualified teachers make this a truly outstanding experience. lapont.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 (there’s still room on the lavender and culture tour), 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

Luxury tours of Gascony, the Basque country, Provence and southern France

Nourish your soul and unleash your spirit of adventure on tours that feature the famous food, wine and Armagnac of Gascony, and discover where to find the best antique shops and flea markets, the most beautiful villages and magnificent chateaux. From one day to week-long tours that are customised for you. Plus tours of Provence, southern France and the Basque country. frenchcountryadventures.com

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Paris , Oh La La! | 5 Days

Loire valley cycle, france drive, riviera & provence in a porsche: pre-set sat-nav guided, normandy coastal walk, tailor-made private france tour to paris, normandy and loire valley, daily departure, tailor-made best france tour with daily departure, cycling the chateaux of the loire - upgraded, walking in the vineyards of bordeaux and medoc, paris , oh la la | 4 days, paris and the best of southern france - paris, avignon & nice in 8 days.

“Had excellent weather and a wonderful, organized, personable, and knowledgeable tour. I came away with a whole new (positive) picture of Paris.” Eduardo G Aguilera, traveled in June 2021

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year
• Choose optional tours like Disneyland Paris
• Explore Paris by bus, including the Eiffel Tower
• Enjoy a panoramic view from the Eiffel Tower

“The cycle routes mainly along cycle paths and country roads were usually well marked and the route notes & overview maps provided helped me to find my way.” E Nikol, traveled in September 2014

• Self-Guided Cycling
• Taste Vouvray wine at local vineyards
• Explore the Royal Chateau de Blois
• Discover Chateau of Chambord's grandeur

• Discover the beauty of the Gorges du Verdon
• Cruise through the region in style with a Porsche
• Enjoy top-notch hotels along the way for a comfortable stay

“Very good experience. All three hotels met our expectations.” Robert Dunnigan, traveled in June 2024

• Coastal Walks
• Visit the American War Cemetery at Colleville
• Enjoy local cuisine in Bayeux, try a savory galette
• Walk the cliffs above Gold Beach to German Battery

• Discover the opulence of Versailles Palace
• Visit Mont Saint-Michel's iconic abbey
• Explore the Louvre and its ancient treasures

• Tour the grand Palace of Versailles
• Explore the historic Latin Quarter
• Taste wines in the Loire Valley

• Road Cycling
• Discover the furnished Chateau of Cheverny
• Walk the gardens of Chateau de Chenonceau
• Cycle through vineyards to historic chateaus

• Hiking & Trekking
• Stroll through picturesque Cotes de Blaye vineyards
• Explore Pauillac, home to renowned vineyards
• Admire Chateau Margaux's classic 19th-century architecture

“We had a wonderful trip!! We loved the hotel in city center Paris. I'd say also you must be ready to walk a lot during day.” Walter Mesa, traveled in July 2021

• Enjoy a panoramic bus tour of Paris landmarks
• Cruise the Seine with views of iconic monuments
• Visit the Eiffel Tower's second-level deck

• Train & Rail
• Tour the ancient Roman sites in Nimes
• Skip the line at the Eiffel Tower summit
• Explore the Louvre Museum at your own pace

More about France

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Zicasso tours of France offer a unique opportunity to explore the iconic destination known worldwide for its culture and cuisine. With over 15,000 itineraries planned for our France travelers already, uncover the real France through your own personalized vacation. From iconic monuments to charming countryside villages, discover what this marvelous country has to offer through our sample itinerary collection and visit our France guide to get inspired for your own journey.

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Best of France Tour: Starry City to Countryside Chateaux

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Opulent Visions of France Tour: Endless Cultural Delight

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Popular France Travel Styles

Travel Tips for Your France Trip

When is the best time to visit france.

While some months are busier than others, the best time to travel to France is between mid-spring and early summer, from April to June, and in fall, between September and November.

As the weather warms up in spring and early summer, travelers arrive to explore popular cities and famous regions such as the French Riviera, the Loire Valley, and more. Temperatures rise as the crowds gather in July and August, and while busy, summer travel is enjoyable when you have planned early to secure top accommodations and guides. In the fall, France is breathtaking and a quieter atmosphere invites you to slow down and appreciate the highlights.

While not the most popular time to visit, the winter months from December to February are excellent options for travelers spending Christmas in Europe or those seeking active adventures like skiing in the French Alps.

To find the right time for your tour of France, explore more in our guide on the best time to visit France , or learn about when to go to Paris if you are spending a few days in the capital.

Where should I visit in France?

From Paris to Normandy, the Loire Valley to Burgundy, and the French Riviera, each of France’s top destinations offers something unique.

Whether you want to enjoy pastries in boulevard cafés near the Eiffel Tower or taste fine wines in medieval villages in the countryside, here are some of the best places to visit in France :

• Paris : France’s capital is a beacon of romance, innovation, and tradition. Boasting iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Michelin-starred restaurants, fashion districts, and famous museums, there is so much to explore.
• Loire Valley: Home to regal chateaus, including Chambord and Chenonceau, and a gateway to the cascading vineyards of the wine country, Loire Valley is a must-visit to explore France’s royal history and fine wines.
• Burgundy: From Pinot Noirs to Chardonnays, Burgundy produces some of France’s finest reds and whites. Explore the wine cellars on tasting tours or visit medieval towns that reveal the history and culture across the French countryside.
• French Riviera: Explore stunning resort towns and admire the breathtaking Mediterranean coastline of southern France . Spend time on sandy beaches, stay at upscale boutique hotels, and swoon over views of villages perched on the coastal cliffs.
• Normandy: With a picturesque coastline, charming towns, and emotionally stirring history, Normandy is a top spot for relaxation, cultural explorers, and history buffs.

What should I do in France?

Art and architecture bring France’s dramatic history to life while cafés and Michelin-starred restaurants reveal the traditions of French cooking. Wine estates offer a comfortable getaway from the bustling cities, and fashion takes center stage in the capital.

You can experience all of this and more as you plan to enjoy the following top things to do on tours in France:

• Enjoy the best experiences in Paris and visit the capital’s many landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre
• Explore French history on cultural tours of medieval villages, in famous museums , and at heritage sites
• Admire European art in France’s iconic galleries and exhibitions
• Taste French wine in the countryside at estates overlooking the hills and sweeping valleys
• Savor fine French cuisine and learn about the culinary traditions on food tours or during cooking classes
• Escape the bustling cities and visit the chateaus in the French countryside

What should I see in France?

Most of France’s top attractions can be seen in or around Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre.

Whether exploring the highlights of Paris or enjoying a day trip to Versailles, here are some of the top things to see in France:

• Eiffel Tower, Paris
• Arc de Triomphe, Paris
• Louvre Museum, Paris
• d’Orsay Museum, Paris
• Palace of Versailles, Versailles
• Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy
• Château de Chenonceau, Loire Valley

What is France famous for?

France is famous for its romantic and fashionable capital, Paris, and its museums that display many of Europe’s greatest artworks. Travelers flock from all over to sample world-class wines and savor decadent desserts and pastries. You can experience all of this and more on trips to France.

What are the best wine regions in France?

French wine is considered some of the best in the world, and its wine regions are a global hotspot for wine enthusiasts.

From the vineyards of Bordeaux to the authentic champagnes of the Champagne region, you can cross the countryside to taste the fine wines or simply bask in the scenery of these famous wine regions in France :

• Loire Valley
• Rhone Valley
• Languedoc-Roussillon
• Jura and Savoie

What food is France known for?

French cuisine is known for its deliciously sweet pastries and baked breads, hearty soups and stews, and unique delicacies like escargots.

Some of the most popular foods in France to try on French culinary tours include:

• Escargots , snails
• Cuisses de Grenouilles , frogs’ legs
• Foie gras , duck liver pate
• Coq au vin , chicken braised with wine
• Ratatouille
• Beef bourguignon , beef braised with wine
• Chocolate souffle

What are your most popular France itineraries?

The best France itinerary combines several days in the capital city with extensions to the countryside, French coast, or medieval villages. Below, we share some of our most popular customizable France itineraries:

• From the capital city to the countryside, explore the best of Paris, Loire Valley, and Bordeaux on our Best of France Tour: Starry City to Countryside Chateaux .
• Spend several days in the bustling capital city, sample the vintages of Bordeaux and Lyon, and conclude your French experience on the coast with our Highlights of France Tour: Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Nice .

Showcasing the best Paris, Provence, and the French Riviera, our Opulent Visions of France Tour: Endless Cultural Delight combines cosmopolitan splendor, wine country exclusivity, and coastal charm.

Where should I go in France in winter?

France is a sensational winter destination. You can explore Paris when it's covered in snow, head for the French Alps to ski the slopes, or admire the Christmas festivals lighting up the center of Lyon.

When planning a winter trip, these are a few of the best places to spend winter in France :

• The French Alps

What else should I know about how to plan a trip to France?

Explore more information in our frequently asked questions about planning a trip to France and inspiration in our France travel guide .

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Stage 1 | 06/29 florence > rimini, stage 2 | 06/30 cesenatico > bologne, stage 3 | 07/01 plaisance > turin, stage 4 | 07/02 pinerolo > valloire, stage 5 | 07/03 saint-jean-de-maurienne > saint-vulbas, stage 6 | 07/04 mâcon > dijon, stage 7 | 07/05 nuits-saint-georges > gevrey-chambertin, stage 8 | 07/06 semur-en-auxois > colombey-les-deux-églises, stage 9 | 07/07 troyes > troyes, rest | 07/08 orléans, stage 10 | 07/09 orléans > saint-amand-montrond, stage 11 | 07/10 évaux-les-bains > le lioran, stage 12 | 07/11 aurillac > villeneuve-sur-lot, stage 13 | 07/12 agen > pau, stage 14 | 07/13 pau > saint-lary-soulan pla d'adet, stage 15 | 07/14 loudenvielle > plateau de beille, rest | 07/15 gruissan, stage 16 | 07/16 gruissan > nîmes, stage 17 | 07/17 saint-paul-trois-châteaux > superdévoluy, stage 18 | 07/18 gap > barcelonnette, stage 19 | 07/19 embrun > isola 2000, stage 20 | 07/20 nice > col de la couillole, stage 21 | 07/21 monaco > nice, tour culture, official tour operators, plan your visit to the tour de france, grand départ lille-nord de france 2025, riding into the future, all the news, history of tour de france, accessories.

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Experience France differently. Enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences and uncover local secrets when our friends across the country open their doors to you. Here’s just a sample of the rich experiences you can expect.

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"I like to take my guests behind the curtains of my country, sharing family stories from what my Grand Dad recalled of Dunkirk, my Parents of 1968 students uprising to what my children experience at school today. It's a bit like inviting my group to the sunday family lunch table, and of course, there will also be some food recipe talking, because it is in our blood!"

Chantal, Travel Director

Visit the wine capital of Bordeaux

While the city of Bordeaux offers a high-class collection of wines, it is also well-known for its decadent food. We visit local restaurants that highlight Bordeaux’s fresh local produce, from wild oysters and mushrooms to juicy raspberries and freshly plucked figs. Absorb the best of Bordeaux with a wine-tasting tour and a visit to the gothic Cathédrale St-André.

Be amazed by Mont St. Michel on the Normandy coast

Early in the 8th century, a soaring church was built on the island of Mont St. Michel found along France’s Normandy Coast. With monasteries and fortifications added during medieval times, Mont St. Michel is a highlight of our tour to France.

Enjoy Moulin Rouge Cabaret show in Paris

Founded in 1889, Moulin Rouge is known as the birthplace of modern can-can dancing. Easily recognizable by the red windmill that adorns its roof, you will uncover the layers of romance and bohemia in the city of Paris during a night out at Moulin Rouge.

Visit France’s famous perfume house, Fragonard Parfumerie

The perfume house of Fragonard Parfumerie is located in Grasse, a striking town on the French Riviera applauded as the perfume capital of the world. Take a free guided tour of the facilities, learn about perfume production and purchase enchanting fragrances to take home and cherish long after your tour to France.

Visit the magnificent Palace of Versailles

Once the main home of King Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles is a celebration of lavish French design. With its manicured gardens taking forty years to complete and a grand hall offering 357 mirrors to take in, you could spend a whole day revelling in this important piece of French royal history.

Our top 5 things to do in France

From a lavish French palace to the rolling grape vines of Bordeaux. Trafalgar ticks off all the best things to do in France, allowing time to immerse in the decadence of this incredible country.

Many visitors travel to the Louvre to glimpse the alluring Mona Lisa. But Leonardo Da Vinci’s artwork is just one page in the story of this opulent museum. Here you will uncover many precious artefacts, including the classical Greek statue Venus de Milo, Egyptian mummies and paintings from King Louis XIV’s personal collection.

Musée d'Orsay

Built inside a railway station as glamourous as a palace, Musée d'Orsay inspires awe with its enchanting art collection. Admire impressionist art, modern sculptures, furniture and photography spread across four levels. Finish with a rest by the enormous clock windows, taking in the views of the Paris streets below.

Centre Pompidou

Constructed to resemble a building turned inside out, this museum's exterior is as experimental as the art it houses. Soak up performances by entertainers in the building’s front piazza before discovering a panoramic view of Parisian landmarks from the top floor. You’ll want to savour every moment of our visit to Centre Pompidou.

Best museums in France

As the birthplace of some of the world’s most famous artists, it isn’t surprising that France has an impressive list of museums to uncover. From the Mona Lisa to the Musée d'Orsay, our trips soak up the authentic artistic culture of France.

Baked Camembert

First made in France, camembert is a creamy cheese with a rind exterior produced from cow’s milk. The unique baking process creates a cheese that is best appreciated with fresh, crusty bread. A perfect accompaniment to a good bottle of French red wine.

One of France’s most famous recipes, Coq au Vin features wine-braised chicken served alongside ingredients like mushrooms and bacon. Across the country you will try many regional versions of this comforting dish, which translates fittingly to “rooster/cock with wine”.

French cuisine celebrates both savory and sweet ingredients, not just in the form of croissants. Find true street-food joy in the popular dessert of crêpes, with strawberries, Nutella, bananas and lemon curd just some of the toppings loved by locals and travelers alike. Or, try the national specialty crêpes Suzette with orange zest and caramelised butter.

Best food in France

Food is an integral part of French culture, with leisurely two-hour lunch breaks considered a normal part of everyday life. With Trafalgar, you'll sample the country’s culinary highlights for a deeper understanding of how life and food connect here.

What to pack for France

Comfortable shoes

While France is one of the fashion capitals of the world, style comes secondary to comfort when choosing shoes for your visit. With days of exploring paired with cobblestone streets, practical walking shoes will trump elegant high-heeled styles.

French/English phrasebook

The French take great pride in their language. Pack a French phrasebook and you will find yourself connecting better with local culture, even if you start with a few broken words before swapping to English.

Weather-appropriate clothing

Packing items like a waterproof jacket, umbrella and scarf will see you prepared for unexpected weather changes. With many micro-climates found across the country of France, geographic temperature changes are a certainty.

Mini binoculars

Take your sightseeing to a microscopic level with a compact pair of binoculars or a magnifying glass. These will enhance views from tall buildings and mountainous settings, and allow you to enjoy finely detailed artworks.

Security items

Though safety is high in most parts of France, it always pays to be protected from pickpockets with items like anti-theft bags. That way you can relax and feel assured during chance encounters with strangers.

Pack for sustainable travel

Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and toiletry bottles.

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Tour de France won't finish in Paris for first time in more than a century because of 2024 Olympics

The 2024 olympics are forcing the tour de france to take an alternate route, published october 25, 2023.

The final stage of next year's Tour de France will be held outside Paris for the first time since 1905 because of a clash with the Olympics , moving instead to the French Riviera.

Because of security and logistical reasons, the French capital won’t have its traditional Tour finish on the Champs-Elysees. The race will instead conclude in Nice on July 21. Just five days later, Paris will open the Olympics .

The race will start in Italy for the first time with a stage that includes more than 3,600 meters of climbing. High mountains will be on the 2024 schedule as soon as the fourth day in a race that features two individual time trials and four summit finishes.

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There are a total of seven mountain stages on the program, across four mountain ranges, according to the route released Wednesday.

The race will kick off in the Italian city of Florence on June 29 and will take riders to Rimini through a series of hills and climbs in the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. That tricky start could set the scene for the first skirmishes between the main contenders.

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Riders will first cross the Alps during Stage 4, when they will tackle the 2,642-meter Col du Galibier.

“The Tour peloton has never climbed so high, so early,” Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said.

And it will just be just a taste of what's to come since the total vertical gain of the 111th edition of the Tour reaches 52,230 meters.

The next big moment for two-time defending champion  Jonas Vingegaard  and his rivals will be Stage 7 for the first time trial in the Bourgogne vineyards. The first rest day will then come after a stage in Champagne presenting several sectors on white gravel roads for a total of 32 kilometers that usually provide for spectacular racing in the dust.

Tour riders will then head south to the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, then return to the Alps for a pair of massive stages with hilltop finishes, at the Isola 2000 ski resort then the Col de la Couillole, a 15.7-kilometer (9.7-mile) ascent at an average gradient of 7.1%.

There should be suspense right until the very end because the last stage, traditionally a victory parade in Paris for the race leader until the final sprint takes shape, will be a 34-kilometer (21.1-mile) time trial between Monaco and Nice.

“Everyone remembers the last occasion the Tour finished with a time trial, when Greg LeMond stripped the yellow jersey from the shoulders of Laurent Fignon on the Champs-Elysees in 1989, by just eight seconds,” Prudhommne said. “Thirty-five years later, we can but dream of a similar duel."

There are eight flat stages for the sprinters, leaving plenty of opportunities for Mark Cavendish to try to become the outright record-holder for most career stage wins at the sport's biggest race.

The route for the third edition of the women's Tour will take the peloton from the Dutch city of Rotterdam, starting Aug. 12, to the Alpe d'Huez resort. The race will feature eight stages and a total of 946 kilometers.

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Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar wins Tour de France for the 3rd time

Pogacar, 25, is the first cyclist to win the giro d’italia and tour de france in the same year since 1998., published july 21, 2024 • updated on july 21, 2024 at 4:03 pm.

Tadej Pogacar won the Tour de France for the third time and celebrated in style with a victory in Sunday's final stage — a time trial ending in Nice.

The 25-year-old Slovenian rider became the first cyclist to secure the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in the same year since the late Marco Pantani in 1998.

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Two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark was second overall. He also finished the 21st and final stage in second place.

Pogacar won the 34-kilometer (21-mile) time trial on the French Riviera's roads from Monaco to Nice in 45 minutes, 24 seconds. Vingegaard was 1 minute, 3 seconds behind him and Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel 1:14 back in third spot.

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In the overall standings, Vingegaard finished 6:17 behind Pogacar and Evenepoel was third overall, 9:18 behind Pogacar — whose other Tour wins came in 2020 and 2021.

The race did not finish in Paris as it usually does because of the Olympic Games. Nice mayor Christian Estrosi called the region between the Mediterranean Sea and the southern French Alps “perfect cycling territory.”

From early Sunday morning, fans camped along the popular Promenade des Anglais in Nice to guard a spot that would offer the best glimpse of cyclists.

Some fans chanted “Remco, Remco” as the race-against-the-clock specialist zoomed past them.

They may have been surprised to see Pogacar going flat out.

After his explosive attack on Friday, Pogacar said he would not try to win Saturday’s stage. But the UAE Team Emirates rider could not resist and won that to become the second man to win five mountain stages in one Tour after Italian rider Gino Bartali in 1948.

Pogacar had no need to attack on Sunday, either, considering he led Vingegaard overnight by more than five minutes.

But the lure of another stage win proved too strong and he flew down the winding roads past picturesque Èze and Villefranche-sur-Mer on the approach to Nice, where the route flattened out again.

Pogacar held out three fingers as the finish line and a sixth stage win approached on this year’s Tour — the same number of stages he won when dominating the Giro d’Italia.

It was Pogacar’s biggest winning margin of his three Tour wins — beating the 5:20 gap on Vingegaard three years ago, but below the 7:29 victory margin Vingegaard enjoyed over Pogacar last year.

The battle with Vingegaard was not as close as it might have been in different circumstances.

The 27-year-old Vingegaard was hospitalized for nearly two weeks in April following a high-speed crash in the Tour of the Basque Country. He resumed competitive racing only on this Tour.

Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz won the best climber's polka dot jersey while Eritrea's Biniam Girmay won the top sprinter's green jersey and the 24-year-old Evenepoel capped a fine debut Tour with the white jersey for best young rider.

Associated Press writer Barbara Surk in Nice contributed to this report.

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10 - 13 Oct 2024

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Tadej Pogacar answers doping question after dominant Tour de France win: ‘There will always be doubts’

The 25-year-old won a third yellow jersey in impressive style in nice on sunday, article bookmarked.

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Tadej Pogacar has admitted “there will always be doubts” about his credibility as a clean rider after dominating the 2024 Tour de France to win his third yellow jersey.

Pogacar blew away his rivals one last time on Sunday to win the stage 21 time-trial from Monaco to Nice by more than a minute. It was his sixth stage win of the Tour – the most collected by the champion since Bernard Hinault in 1979 – and capped a historic Giro-Tour double.

His dominance prompted some doubts on social media about the credibility of his performances, and that talk intensified last week after an investigation by Escape Collective revealed how elite teams are using controversial carbon monoxide rebreathing equipment in altitude training camps.

The equipment could be used for performance enhancement, although it is not banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and three teams – Visma, UAE Emirates and Israel Premier Tech – insisted they use it only for measuring training performance. Both Pogacar and his main rival Jonas Vingegaard said it had only been used for diagnostic purposes.

It also didn’t help when Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour titles for cheating, warned that Pogacar should reel in his attacking style so as to avoid speculation. “I would advise him to lay low a bit more,” Armstrong said last week. “Sometimes you have to think about perception and image.”

Pogacar, who has never failed an anti-doping test, has been rigorously tested throughout this Tour, where the International Testing Agency has conducted what it called “one of the most comprehensive anti-doping programmes” ever implemented, collecting around 600 blood and urine samples through the race.

“There will always be doubts,” Pogacar said on Sunday after winning the time-trial. “Because of cycling before my time, in any sport, if someone is winning, there’s always jealousy and haters ... I tell you now, it’s not worth it. Taking anything to risk your health is stupid.”

No rider has completed the Giro-Tour double since the late Marco Pantani in 1998, and Pogacar became only the eighth rider to achieve the feat.

“I think this is the first Grand Tour where I was totally confident every day, even in the Giro I remember I had one bad day I won’t tell which one,” Pogacar said. “This year’s Tour de France was just amazing and I was enjoying it since day one until today.”

Pogacar has suffered at the hands of his Vingegaard in the past two editions, who collected back-to-back yellow jerseys in 2022 and 2023, but a serious crash in April hampered the Dane’s preparation and he could not live with Pogacar’s strength on the climbs.

Vingegaard revealed he would not ride the Vuelta a Espana after giving everything at the Tour so soon after his injuries.

“Under normal circumstances, I would be disappointed with my Tour de France,” Vingegaard said. “But, after everything I’ve gone through, I can’t be disappointed. I would have loved to go a bit further, but it is what it is. I would like to come back to the Tour de France and win it again ... I believe the yellow jersey is the most beautiful jersey in road cycling.”

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Matteo Jorgenson exclusive on 2024 achievements and Grand Tour ambitions: ‘I just don’t know what type of rider I am...’

This season, the American rider has proven to be competitive in both stage races and one-day classics. But how much further can he push his limits? Read our exclusive interview to find out.

Can a rider who is 1.90m tall and weighs almost 70kg climb with the best at the Tour de France?

Matteo Jorgenson proved it’s possible: this year, the 25-year-old road cyclist from Walnut Creek, California, finished eighth in the general classification (GC) after helping his Team Visma | Lease a Bike teammate Jonas Vingegaard secure second place overall behind winner Tadej Pogačar .

It's the first time since Tejay van Garderen in 2014 that an American finished in the top 10 at the Grande Boucle .

"This year I saw that my body is capable of doing three weeks at a high level. And that was something that I just wasn't confident about in the past," the Boise, Idaho high school graduate shared with Olympics.com.

And the Tour wasn’t the only highlight of Jorgenson’s season. The American rider has been competitive since spring, winning a classic spring race ( Dwars door Vlaanderen ) and performing well in stage events such as Paris-Nice (first place) and the Critérium du Dauphiné (second in the general classification).

"My body type is pretty in the middle of a lot of different things – he explained - I am tall, but I'm pretty thin and don't have a lot of muscle mass, and that also makes me lighter. In general, I'm kind of in the middle between multiple rider types. And so I'm just lucky to be able to perform in a lot of different types of races. But I still don’t know what type of rider I am..."

How much further can he continue to surprise himself?

"There were a few days this year where I really noticed how I made a lot of progress, but still how far I have to go. So it's always humbling," he shared.

“I think the Tour de France, I will almost assuredly never win unless something really crazy happens in the race. But I think achieving even the podium in one of the other two Grand Tour is possible.”

How Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel can make cycling history at the 2024 World road race in Zurich

Jorgenson: facing my own limits.

It was actually his successful Tour ride this summer that forced Jorgenson to confront his own limits. During the final climb on Stage 15, finishing on the Plateau de Beille, the American recorded his best 15-minute power output of all time, just before Vingegaard and Pogačar attacked to battle for the stage win.

"I just did 15 minutes at my best power ever, and I was at this level, which I consider extremely high level for myself, but then they accelerated for another 25 minutes. After that, you start to see, okay, is it ever possible that I'll reach that level? And maybe not, which is fine," he reflected.

The last notable rider of Jorgenson's height to win a three-week stage race was GB's Bradley Wiggins at the 2012 Tour, on a course that also suited his time trialling skills. In past editions of the Grande Boucle, other tall riders like Miguel Indurain (188 cm) and Chris Froome (186 cm) managed to triumph multiple times.

"The watts per kilo we're doing now is so much higher than even five years ago," the American explained.

"I think it is getting harder and harder for big guys to win because the demand for energy keeps increasing. So the faster we go every day in a race, the more energy is required. And then the difference between someone like Jonas, who's, I don't know, 15 or more kilograms less than me and me, the difference, it goes like this the faster you go up a climb,” he said, showing with his hands the growing gap.

"Throughout a long mountain stage, I'm burning, I don't know, a thousand calories more than someone like Jonas would be. So those things, I think, are making it more challenging."

Matteo Jorgenson pictured after the final stage of the 2024 Tour de France in Nice

Finding new margins for improvement

Despite an impressive season, Jorgenson feels he still can’t compete with the best.

"I'm a long way off. A pretty long way off. I still have a lot of work to do to reach a really top level," he admitted.

"I would say there's five riders in the world, Jonas, Tadej, Remco (Evenepoel) , (Mathieu) van der Poel , and I would say Wout (van Aert) , those guys I think are pretty far ahead of me. You have moments in racing where you see what the real difference is, and I think there are a few days this year where I really saw it," he said mentioning how van der Poel rode away from him on the Koppenberg climb during the last Tour of Flanders.

"In cycling you can try to close that gap with just working harder or being more precise, you know, making sure you don't miss any detail. But I think talent still plays a part, your lung capacity, your ability to process carbohydrates or your size or whatever. All those things matter."

Still, he believes there are a few areas where he can improve: "You never know when your body will stop improving. Time trialling is always an area where the whole peloton is getting better and better. So I also have to improve just to maintain my current level. But then in other aspects, my explosivity could be a lot better. I’m still not explosive enough probably to match the accelerations of the top guys. And then if I could achieve a lighter weight next year, that would be also great.”

Matteo Jorgenson during the Team Visma | Lease a Bike training camp in Sierra Nevada earlier this year

A scientific approach to training and nutrition

Jorgenson has transformed himself into a stage race and classics contender since joining the Team Visma | Lease a Bike this season. He attributes his recent improvements to his new coach, Tim Hermskerk :

"My coach this year has been especially good in managing to get me trained for multiple different things. He is one of the best coaches in the world. He coaches Jonas Vingegaard, and he's just super good at tuning the training towards either one day racing or stage racing or Grand Tour."

"He can really fine tune things and that's all on a scientific level that I don't really understand that much. But he just does a great job with it. And I've never, I've never been so versatile basically in my capabilities.” - Matteo Jorgenson on his coach, to Olympics.com

In his new team, Matteo ("It's an Italian name. My mum liked the name Matthew, but it's too common in the US, she said.") has also learned to be more precise with his diet:

"The reason cycling has changed so much in the past 5 to 10 years is that there’s now much more focus on nutrition," he explained, mentioning beet and cherry juice as part of his recovery routine.

"You train all the time, for a lot of hours, and a lot of energy is spent. So you have to be really very specific and calculated in what you eat. We have an app that we use all year to track what we're eating and we have amazing nutritionists, probably the best in the world, and they just do a really good job of teaching you what is required to perform as a cyclist or like what your body is demanding of you on a day-to-day basis."

Matteo Jorgenson (centre) between Team USA teammates Brandon McNulty (left) and Magnus Sheffield (right)

Matteo Jorgenson: Proud of my journey

Jorgenson has come a long way before reaching the UCI WorldTour, road cycling’s elite ranks. He famously secured his first professional contract in Europe by sending personalised emails in different languages to several teams, until the Chambéry CF development squad—a feeder team for France’s AG2R-La Mondiale—gave him a chance in 2018.

Two years later, he moved to Spain’s Movistar Team:

"I've had a lot of experiences in my life at this point, and I'm grateful for all of them, especially for me having learned two languages ( French, Spanish ) through this sport and in just a little over four years is a huge accomplishment for my life," he said.

"It just takes a lot more commitment to make it as an American than as a European. To have made it to this level as an American in a European sport, it means that, at some point in your life, you went all in for cycling. All of us did. It meant moving completely away from all your friends and family and going like for something 100%."

Looking back at his journey the versatile rider admits to feeling really ‘proud’: "In general I just kind of had a dream when I was 18, 19 years old that I could move to Europe and somehow make it happen.

"I wasn't a good junior. I wasn't exceptionally talented as a kid and I wasn't like a winner growing up. But I somehow believed that if I committed myself fully and through hard work, that I could achieve that. And somehow I was able to.

"Just making it to the Tour de France for me was already a huge accomplishment and something that I never as a kid would have thought possible. And then now, having won a race like Paris-Nice and being top ten in the Tour, it's like, yeah, every single race I do almost it seems like my mental view of myself is changing and my confidence is growing. So it's yeah, it makes me really proud."

Matteo Jorgenson in action with Team USA during the men's road race at Paris 2024

Chasing a long-awaited world title with Team USA

Jorgenson, who finished 9th in his Olympic debut in Paris, leads an eight-man US team at the 2024 World Road Race Championships in Zurich , set on a challenging course featuring 4,400 meters of climbing:

"It suits me well. And I think between me, Kevin Vermaerke, Brandon (McNulty) , and Magnus (Sheffield) , I would say we have a very strong team for the race.

"I think I'll lead the team. but I think it's best if we use our numbers to our advantage instead of, you know, having seven guards just for me. I'm not like a clear favourite for the race, so it's best if we try to use our numbers a little bit."

No US male rider has won the road race world title since a young Lance Armstrong triumphed under the rain in Oslo, Norway in 1993, a win now tainted given the former star's subsequent admission of doping for large parts of his career.

Can Jorgenson and team break the streak this time?

"It'll be a much different race with eight riders than it would be with four or like three at the Olympics. So I think in general we have a super strong team and I think we have a good chance to have one of us making the podium."

• Full list of men’s and women’s road race world champions

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