Day Trips & Excursions in France

Pay your respects to French and British military history with a full-day tour of the Somme battlefields. Walk on the sites where one of the bloodiest battles in history was fought during World War I, while learning about the battle's causes and repercussions from your historian guide. See the Deville Wood cemetery where thousands of fallen soldiers were laid to rest, and visit several war memorials and the Historial Great War museum in Peronne. Numbers are limited to 16 for a personalized and informative tour.

Beaune is the gateway to the Burgundy wine region and this full-day tour explores both the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits appellations. Travel by train from Paris to Dijon, then set out to explore the vineyards with a local guide. Visit two different wineries, sample a variety of red and white wines, and taste delicious regional foods and wines at a local restaurant.

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited attractions in France, but many tours only visit the palace itself. This full-day tour from Paris includes a visit to Claude Monet's home Giverny; lunch at a spectacular riverfront location; a guided tour of Versailles; and a chance to see the popular Musical Fountain show.

Spend a day immersed in French WWI history with a visit to Arras and Vimy from Paris. On this full-day tour, you'll see famous battlefields in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, visit commemorative sites like Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery in Souchez and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, and learn fascinating details about WWI from your guide. Enjoy personalized touring with your small group as well as free time to explore Arras, home to Monchy-Le-Preux Memorial.

From June to August each year, the fertile lavender fields of Sault are widely considered among the most popular sights in Provence. This convenient 5-hour combination bus and walking tour from Avignon takes you to the heart of France's lavender country. Stroll along rows of purple lavender, visit a local lavender farm, and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour - limited to eight people.

Departing from Avignon, set out to explore the charming villages and vineyards of Provence's Luberon region on a small-group tour. Stop at the mythical source of the Sorgues River, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, and savor stunning panoramic views from Gordes, a village of enchanting white-stone structures perched on the foothills of Monts of Vaucluse. Embark on a leisurely hike along the Ochre Trail before  perusing the cafes and courtyards of Bonnieux and M enerbes. Cap off your excursion with a  Provençal tasting session at a family-run winery.

Take in the highlights of Nice, the capital of the French Riviera, on this 4-hour small-group tour from Villefranche-sur-Mer. Explore the atmospheric Old Town, stroll along the beachside Promenade des Anglais, and take in the views from Castle Hill. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Spend a day in captivating St Tropez on this small-group day trip from Monaco. Take in the stellar views along the Esterel Corniche road as you travel west. Visit Port Grimaud, sometimes called 'Little Venice' for its canals and bridges, on the way to St Tropez. Arrive in fabled St Tropez to explore its sparkling waterfront, grand public squares, chic shops and atmospheric caf es. Watch expensive yachts float in the water off the coast. Check out the Provencal market in Place des Lys (Tuesdays only). Group size is limited to eight people to ensure a more personalized experience.

Visit two of the most renowned castles in the Loire Valley - aka French château country - on a day trip from Tours. Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord are known for their Renaissance architecture and picturesque riverside settings. With a knowledgeable guide, enjoy views from little-known panoramic spots, and hear historical details and amusing anecdotes about the French kings and other nobles who have lived here. As a bonus, enjoy a relaxing lunch away from the crowds at a private, family-owned château.

Experience Provence at its storybook best as you journey through rolling vineyards, medieval villages and artist's havens on this full-day tour from Avignon. Follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh in Saint-Paul-de-Mausole; explore the Provencal market town of Arles and take in the views from hilltop Les-Baux-de-Provence. Then, step back in time with a visit to the Roman aqueduct Pont-du-Gard, before sampling fine Rhône Valley wines with a tour and tasting at the wine museum in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

The UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Loire Valley are home to some of France's most magnificent chateaux and this full-day tour from Amboise visits two in one day. Marvel at the Renaissance architecture and beautiful gardens of the Château de Chambord; enjoy a delicious lunch (included) at a château restaurant; then visit the fairy-tale Château de Chenonceau.

Even if you're pressed for time, discover the magic of the French Riviera in just one action-packed day on this small-group tour with no more than eight travelers. Follow in the footsteps of the stars in Cannes, Antibes, and St-Paul de Vence. Tour the Grasse Fragonard Perfumery, savor the scent of violets in Tourrettes-sur-Loup, and soak up sweeping views from Gourdon.

Experience the culture and lasting traditions of Champagne wine country on a guided wine-tasting tour from Paris. With a small group of fellow wine enthusiasts and an expert guide, spend a full-day visiting three distinguished Champagne houses such as Mercier in Epernay or Tattinger in Reims to taste eight samples and learn about local varietals. Your excursion includes estate tours, a delicious lunch and intimate tasting sessions in a breathtaking natural setting.

Visit two of France's most stunning chateaus in one day on a small-group tour from Paris via luxury minivan. See the splendor and gardens that inspired Louis XIV to build Versailles at 17th-century Vaux-le-Vicomte, and follow in the footsteps of seven centuries of French royalty at sprawling Fontainebleau. Learn the fascinating history behind each castle and explore at your own pace with an included audio guide.

Get to know the wildlife and landscape of Camargue on this day trip from Avignon with a small group. Travel in a comfortable minivan through the countryside, listening to your guide's insightful commentary while looking out for flamingos, black bulls, and wild horses. See the local salt pans and rice fields before visiting the Ornythological Park of Pont-de-Gau to learn about bird life. Other highlights include Aigues-Mortes and Saintes-Maries-De-La-Mer.

Spend a day exploring some of the prettiest towns in the Provençal countryside and tasting Côte d'Azur wines with this small-group day trip from Monaco. Visit the aromatic town of Grasse for a tour of the famous Fragonard perfumery. Wander the Medieval streets with your knowledgeable guide and stop for lunch (own expense) in Valbonne. Soak in the expansive views over the Mediterranean from the heights of Gourdon. Sample local wines at the Château de Cr emat in Nice. Group size is limited to eight people to ensure a more personalized experience.

Go back in time to experience the opulence of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles on this small-group tour from Paris. Walk through the glittering Hall of Mirrors and see the Royal Apartments. Admire the enormous gardens and beautiful fountain displays. Weekend visitors from April to October can see the famous fountain shows. Choose either a half-day independent tour in either the morning or afternoon, or a full-day guided tour. Pick-up and drop-off at central Paris hotels is included to make everything hassle-free.

Experience the beauty of St-Emilion by bike on this 9-hour wine-tasting tour from Bordeaux. Begin with a guided walking tour of this UNESCO-listed city, then enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the verdant countryside. Learn the history of St-Emilion wine country as you to cycle past famous chateaux, stop at a lovely vineyard for lunch and a wine-tasting class, and visit a classified-growth estate to sample fine local varietals.

Spend a delightful day in southern Provence on a small-group tour exploring highlights of this romantic region. Stroll through the famous market in charming Aix-en-Provence, enjoy the UNESCO-listed inlets and beaches of Cassis and take a guided tour through more than 2,500 years of French history in seaside Marseille. Travel aboard a comfortable minivan with a small group for a more personalized experience.

The Battle of the Somme was one of the bloodiest in history and this tour traces the journey of the brave Allied soldiers of WWI. Walk in the trenches at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, see the mighty Lochnagar Crater, and follow the Australian Remembrance Trail to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, the Australian National Memorial, the New John Monash Centre, and the Windmill site in Pozieres.