Normandy to Provence French Heritage Odyssey
New
Set off from Paris and loop back 13 days later – a grand sweep through Normandy, Brittany, the Loire and the south to Provence, Burgundy and Alsace. You’ll visit Monet’s garden at Giverny, reflect on D–Day beaches, and wander Mont–Saint–Michel’s lanes. Expect to see turreted châteaux in the Loire – Chenonceau, Chambord and Villandry’s gardens – prehistoric art at Lascaux, and the cliffside sanctuary of Rocamadour. Cruise an underground river at Padirac, sip Bordeaux and Alsace wines, and roam Carcassonne’s ramparts, Avignon’s papal quarter and Lyon’s old town. Strasbourg’s canals and a Champagne cellar tasting round things off before returning to Paris.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
13 daysHotel Rating
3 or 4 star hotelsStarts
ParisEnds
ParisMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in France that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
NoDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Country
FranceTour Style
Group Size
Up to 65 travellers
Min 2 / Max 65
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Travel Style
Worldwide Touring
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
Partially Guided
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
These ratings are a general guide and may vary from tour to tour.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursPassengers
$4,404.00
$500.00
Free eSIM included
Stay connected on your trip with free mobile data. We'll email it to you 7 days before departure — nothing to do now.
Places You'll See
Paris
Rouen
Arromanches
Caen
Mont-Saint-Michel
Saint-Malo
Dinan
Rennes
Angers
Tours
Villandry
Amboise
Chenonceaux
Chambord
Limoges
Sarlat
Beynac-et-Cazenac
Rocamadour
Padirac Cave
Collonges-la-Rouge
Saint-Émilion
Bordeaux
Lourdes
Carcassonne
Narbonne
Marseille
Arles
Avignon
Lyon
Tournus
Savigny Castle
Beaune
Dijon
Besançon
Colmar
Riquewihr
Strasbourg
Champagne
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Paris - Rouen - Arromanches - Caen
We leave Paris early for Normandy, pausing in Giverny to visit Monet’s House and its exquisite gardens – admission included – and trace the origins of Impressionism. We continue to Rouen for a stroll through its medieval streets and cathedral, with time for lunch, then head to Arromanches to reflect on the D–Day landings at its beaches. We finish in Caen, where you’ll have leisure time in the central district. Note: from November to April Monet’s house is closed, so we do not stop in Giverny.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.
Day 2 - Caen - Mont-Saint-Michel - Saint-Malo - Dinan - Rennes
We travel first to Mont–Saint–Michel, the island crowned by its abbey, where you’ll have time to wander. Crossing into Brittany, we pause in Saint‑Malo to admire its mighty ramparts – time for lunch – before continuing to Dinan, a charming Breton town where we enjoy a crêpe and a drink. We end in Rennes, the Breton capital, with its monumental historic centre.
Day 3 - Rennes - Angers - Tours - Villandry - Amboise
We depart for Angers, where you may choose to visit the castle that houses the vast medieval Apocalypse tapestry. We continue into the Loire Valley to Tours on the banks of the Loire – you’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch – before our afternoon visit to Château de Villandry, renowned for its magnificent flower filled gardens – admission to the gardens included. We then continue to Amboise for the night, celebrated for its enchanting medieval quarter, and dinner is included.
Day 4 - Amboise - Chenonceaux - Chambord - Limoges
We begin with a morning stroll in Amboise, home to the Château du Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years. Delving deeper into the Loire, we explore the iconic Château de Chenonceau – tickets included – gracefully spanning the river, then visit Chambord, the largest castle in the valley – park access included. We continue into central France to Limoges, famed for its porcelain, where you can visit the historic centre and Saint‑Étienne Cathedral.
Day 5 - Limoges - Sarlat - Beynac-et-Cazenac - Rocamadour
We leave Limoges for the Dordogne, a region of storybook villages and river carved landscapes. At Lascaux we visit the museum and the replica caves – tickets included – to learn about extraordinary prehistoric art. We continue to Sarlat, with its superbly preserved Renaissance centre – you’ll have time for a stroll and lunch. In Beynac we explore a medieval castle overlooking the river – admission included – before ending the day in Rocamadour, a dramatic sanctuary village perched on a cliff, where you might walk down the Via Crucis and take the lift back up. Dinner is included.
Day 6 - Rocamadour - Padirac Cave - Collonges-la-Rouge - Saint-Emilion - Bordeaux
We visit the awe inspiring Padirac Chasm for a boat ride on an underground river 75 metres below the surface, then continue to Collonges‑la‑Rouge, a picturesque village of red stone on the Way of St James. After lunch we travel to Saint‑Émilion, in the heart of the Bordeaux vineyards – you’ll have time for a leisurely stroll – and arrive in Bordeaux in the evening. Note: Padirac Chasm may be closed from November until the end of March due to weather conditions.
Day 7 - Bordeaux - Lourdes
Bordeaux’s historic centre is a World Heritage Site – we take in the shimmering Water Mirror and the old town’s pedestrian lanes and 11th century cathedral. You’ll then have free time to wander the Garonne quays for lunch or, if you wish, visit the Cité du Vin wine museum. We continue towards the Pyrenees, reaching Lourdes by mid afternoon, where you’ll have time to visit the sanctuary – you might like to attend the candlelit procession. Dinner is included.
Day 8 - Lourdes - Carcassonne - Narbonne - Marseille
We travel across the south of France to Carcassonne, encircled by some of Europe’s most impressive walls – you’ll have time to explore. After lunch we continue to Narbonne, where you’ll have free time to discover its historic old town, before arriving in Marseille in the late afternoon. You might like to stroll around the vibrant Vieux–Port, alive with waterside restaurants.
Day 9 - Marseille - Arles - Avignon - Lyon
Today brings the villages, landscapes and history of Provence. In Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage city linked to Van Gogh, we explore its Roman and medieval legacy. In Les Baux we visit the Carrières de Lumières – admission included – an immersive art, image and sound show set in former quarries. We then continue to Avignon, where you’ll have time for lunch and a stroll by the immense Palais des Papes, before travelling on to Lyon to walk the World Heritage old town and ride the cable car up to Notre–Dame de Fourvière for sweeping views. Note: if Carrières de Lumières is closed or tickets are unavailable, we visit the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard instead.
Day 10 - Lyon - Tournus - Savigny Castle - Beaune - Dijon
We leave Lyon for Burgundy, first stopping in Tournus, a quaint town with an imposing stone gate and a grand abbey. We continue to Beaune for lunch and you’ll have time to explore the wine capital – you might visit the wine museum or the historic hospice – before we visit Savigny Castle, a 15th century estate whose extraordinary collections span motorbikes, racing cars, planes and helicopters. We end the day in Dijon, Burgundy’s capital, with lively streets and many medieval and Renaissance buildings, including the Palace of the Dukes.
Day 11 - Dijon - Besancon - Colmar - Riquewihr - Strasbourg
Still in Burgundy, we pause in Besançon, a city of Roman origin with a handsome historic centre crowned by a 17th century citadel. We then enter Alsace, long contested between France and Germany and shaped by Germanic culture. Our first stop is Colmar, with colourful half timbered houses and canals – you’ll have time for lunch and a leisurely walk. In the afternoon we visit one of Alsace’s most beautiful towns, Riquewihr, a medieval gem whose cobbled lanes and painted facades inspired scenes in Beauty and the Beast. We also visit an old winery for a tasting of local wine with a typical sweet, before arriving in Strasbourg in the evening – you might take a stroll around the cathedral area and Petite France.
Day 12 - Strasbourg - Champagne - Paris
We spend time in Strasbourg, capital of Alsace and home to the European Parliament. Its historic centre is a delight of picturesque medieval streets, an impressive Gothic cathedral, canals and flowers – and we include a boat ride through the Petite France district. We then continue into Champagne to visit a traditional winery – tour and tasting included – before arriving in Paris at the end of the day.
Day 13 - Paris
After breakfast your journey concludes, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post-Tour Accommodation - Paris
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Paris
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Confirmation of the hotels used may not be available until 48 hours before the tour departs.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
Can't find a date that works for you?
Looking for a date not yet released?
Similar Tours
Explore more exciting tours in France to discover even more unforgettable adventures!
On The Go Tours
Our agents are waiting to chat to you...
Are you a Travel Agent or Customer?
Do you have an booking reference?