France Nature & Wildlife Tours & Trip Packages

France Nature & Wildlife Tours & Trips

1,325 France trips. Tours from 195 tour companies. 2,397 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

185 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Nature & Wildlife
France Bike & River Cruise: Lyon to Nice
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Arles, Avignon, Lyon, Nice, Paris

Highlights

  • Admire the magnificent vistas of France’s most renowned wine regions by river and by bicycle.
  • Enjoy the best of both worlds: an all-inclusive river ship cruise and VBT Bicycling Vacation.
  • Ride among the lush, fertile vineyards of Burgundy and Provence, pausing at your leisure for wine tastings and tours.
  • Learn the history of the magnificent Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage site’s museum, and savor a delicious picnic lunch.
  • Walk the cobbled and historic streets of Lyon and Avignon as a local guide brings them alive with history and lore.

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife, Sailing, Photography

What travelers are saying

"This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. The scenery and food were amazing. We stayed in beautiful hotels. Most of the riding was on paved bike paths so we hardly ever had to deal with car traffic. Our leaders, Andrea and Martin, were funny, informative , and so helpful. We are already planning to go back to Italy with VBT this summer."

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France: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux & Avignon
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Aix-en Provence, Avignon, Les Baux, Marseille, Paris, Saint Remy de Provence

Highlights

  • Delve into the imagination of artist Vincent van Gogh on a private guided tour.
  • Roll through pastoral landscapes of olive groves, vineyards, farms, and villages, set against the lofty Alpilles.
  • Stride across the Pont du Gard, the magnificent, UNESCO-cited Roman aqueduct.
  • Join a local guide on a tour of Avignon, the “City of the Popes.”

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. The scenery and food were amazing. We stayed in beautiful hotels. Most of the riding was on paved bike paths so we hardly ever had to deal with car traffic. Our leaders, Andrea and Martin, were funny, informative , and so helpful. We are already planning to go back to Italy with VBT this summer."

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Cycling on the wine roads of Provence
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By Intura Travel
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
94 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
They are true experts in walking & cycling trips in France & Portugal, exploring places and routes few other operators offer.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Avignon

Highlights

  • The wine-making villages of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Châteauneuf du Pape
  • Cycling along country roads surrounded by vineyards at the foot of the Mont Ventoux
  • The perched villages of Venasque and Crillon le Brave
  • 1 dinner included
  • 1 half day wine tour in Chateauneuf du pape with a wine specialist
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Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

"The variation in the scenery from La Brigue to Menton was spectacular, especially as we took it day by day and could see the gradual difference as we descended through the Maritime Alps. Our favorite towns were St. Agnes and Menton. We did our one-week tour in June, with super weather both in the Alps and down on the coast. This was the perfect way to get away for one week, but feel like we had been on a two-week holiday - fresh air, exercise, good food and nothing to arrange or worry about. Thank you"

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Paris for the first time
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By Paris-Toujours
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
53 reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
They offer a real personal touch, planning unique custom trips that reflect their extensive local knowledge.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Paris

Highlights

  • A sightseeing of Paris with private driver and guide
  • Walking tours with your private local guide
  • A luxury dinner cruise on the Seine river

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Paris Toujours is a top notch travel agency for France! Highly recommended! They listened to what we wanted to do traveling with three young adult kids with different interests and were able to plan a great mix of tours, museums, and strolls as well as enough free time. Every detail was taken care of and perfectly executed. I highly recommend a private boat tour of the Seine with a fabulous French meal of wine, cheese, bread etc. You will be in good hands with Paris Toujours!"

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France: Normandy & Brittany
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Normandy, Paris

Highlights

  • Learn how cider is made during a visit to a family-run apple orchard—and enjoy a taste and picnic.
  • Visualize the dramatic events of D-day as you tour Omaha Beach with a local guide.
  • Stroll a fairytale setting of ramparts, half-timbered houses, and harbor views on a guided tour of the Breton town of Dinan.
  • Savor crepes, a paper-thin-style savory pancake and specialty of Brittany and Normandy during dinner at an authentic creperie.
  • Visit spectacular Mont Saint-Michel, the medieval island village crowned by its well-preserved Benedictine abbey.

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. The scenery and food were amazing. We stayed in beautiful hotels. Most of the riding was on paved bike paths so we hardly ever had to deal with car traffic. Our leaders, Andrea and Martin, were funny, informative , and so helpful. We are already planning to go back to Italy with VBT this summer."

Trip dates & details
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Cycling from Van Gogh's Provence to the Luberon
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By Intura Travel
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
94 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
They are true experts in walking & cycling trips in France & Portugal, exploring places and routes few other operators offer.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Aix En Provence

Highlights

  • Some of the most spectacular vistas & cycling rides in Provence
  • The perched villages of Les baux, Gordes & Venasque
  • Roussillon and its world’s largest ochre deposit
  • The Pope's palace in Avignon, the artists' town of Saint Remy de Provence
  • Shaded cafés in quiet village squares of the famous Luberon
Show more

Themes

Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

"The variation in the scenery from La Brigue to Menton was spectacular, especially as we took it day by day and could see the gradual difference as we descended through the Maritime Alps. Our favorite towns were St. Agnes and Menton. We did our one-week tour in June, with super weather both in the Alps and down on the coast. This was the perfect way to get away for one week, but feel like we had been on a two-week holiday - fresh air, exercise, good food and nothing to arrange or worry about. Thank you"

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Highlights of Mont Blanc
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Chamonix , Geneva

Highlights

  • Hiking parts of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc
  • Alpine hospitality in spectacular mountain scenery
  • Comfortable chalet hotel with indoor pool and sauna

Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"Our week in Amalfi hiking with our guide Gennaro was great! The first day of hiking was the toughest, split up between the morning/afternoon and I think it was meant to test our ability and pace as a hiking group. My wife and I were the slowest, but the rest of the group was respectful. Gennaro is an awesome guide and has lived in Amalfi his whole life. It's very clear that he loves showing others his part of Italy and he was incredibly helpful at suggesting other things to do and places to see on our day off and in between hikes when we were in different towns. There is one hike I think the second day is a lot of downhill stone steps.. it was rough on the feet and some people took the next day off to recover and relax... and I feel like they missed a really great hike. The accommodations at the hotel were good for Italy.. since everyone rushes from hike to showers before dinners, there are issues with hot water at times. The hotel also supports breakfast, lunch and dinner for other hiking groups as well, so they tend to be either very busy or relaxed depending on the time of day. The menu for breakfast and lunch tends to be limited, but the heated pastries filled with nutella or jam are addictive. The pizza night was great and the amount of different and unique pizzas offered by Risorgimento was great.. we ate until we were beyond stuffed. The pasta/mozzarella class at the agritourismo was also great and it was nice to get hands on with the food we would eat. Other than that, we found that the pizza in all of the Amalfi coast and Naples was top notch and the Enosvapoteca wine bar near the town center and the winery near the agriturismo were hidden gems of the town. With that being said, we were kind of bummed out with the 26 Euro drinks at the port of Capri, Positano was really packed when we went... just a warning for those who visit. The getting up early, hiking all day, rushing to clean up before dinner can get tiring day after day, but I'm glad we chose to go with the flow everyday and see as much as we could."

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France: The Burgundy Wine Region & Dijon
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Burgundy, Dijon, Lyon, Paris

Highlights

  • Pass renowned wine villages rolling through the world-famous vineyards of the Côte de Beaune and UNESCO World Heritage Route des Grands Crus.
  • Visit the 15th-century Hospices de Beaune, a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic art and architecture.
  • Enjoy a guided tour and tasting at an authentic wine cellar in the heart of Beaune.
  • Engage with a local family during a game of pétanque and a picnic lunch at their charming summer home.
  • Discover Dijon, with its protected historic city center that has inspired musicians, artists, and writers for centuries, and browse its wealth of fascinating—and free—museums.

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. The scenery and food were amazing. We stayed in beautiful hotels. Most of the riding was on paved bike paths so we hardly ever had to deal with car traffic. Our leaders, Andrea and Martin, were funny, informative , and so helpful. We are already planning to go back to Italy with VBT this summer."

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France Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
2,397  Reviews
See all France tour reviews
Excellent
1,039
Great
349
Average
60
Disappointing
19
Terrible
17
A

Adrianne Cote

Apr 2024

Written on

Highlights of France and Barcelona

More days in Paris would be nice No Novotel in Nice this was not up to par Loved Arnaud our trip director-very rich with history and charming Loved the tango dancer...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Walking French riverra

Excellent guide, Sandrine. Exodus must retain her!! Routes, excellent variety, interest and length. Good hotel. Below average breakfast. I had a very good room, b...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Menton

This was another delightful walking trip with a good group. The leader Jessica was born locally and is passionate about the history of her region, so that we now ...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Walking the French Riviera

Stunning scenery. Walks a little slow as we stopped a lot to look at the flora but sufficiently challenging. Views and visiting Eze which was optional at lunch stop...

A

Anonymous

Nov 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

Walking The French Riviera 2017

Perfect break away - good capable leader - perfect hotel and wonderful location in Menton. We had a good week and walked to some super places. We enjoyed great ...

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France Tour Selection Trips

  • France is so rich in cultural opportunities and activities of all sorts that you can’t expect to see it all in one trip. Pick a tour that visits a region or two and get to know that area well, then return to other regions you want to visit on subsequent tours.
  • On a tour of France, you can choose anything from luxury on down to basic accommodations, dining, and transportation -- something to fit every budget.
  • Specialty tours are a good way to experience France: culinary, wine, art and architecture, walking, biking, World War II history, even religious pilgrimages are all available.
  • Don’t overlook river and barge cruises, which offer a convenient, leisurely way to see the country, stopping both at important ports such as Rouen and Lyon and small villages as well.
  • Don’t be put off from visiting France by the reputation of French people -- especially Parisians -- as rude to visitors. A simple greeting such as “bonjour, madame,” and a smile will almost always win you good service and a return
  • When planning your tour, keep in mind that almost all of France goes on vacation during the entire month of August, so for the full French experience you may want to pick a different month.

Additional details

Weather in France

The geographic diversity of the French regions, as you might imagine, lends itself to diverse weather patterns. In general, it will be temperate with summer averages ranging 61-75°F and winter averages ranging 32-46°F. 

Winter weather is gray although milder in the south uness the wind is blowing; colder and wetter in the north. Snow could be an issue during the winter months if you are in higher elevations. 

As for the summer, recall the record heat France sweated out during the summer of 2019 when temperatures reached 115°F in Verargues, Southern France while even further north in Paris, thermometers hit 108°F! 

There are four climate zones in France:

  1. Oceanic (Atlantic) climate of western France - Brittany, Normandy, Loire Valley, Western Loire - average rainfall spread over many days and modest average temperature variations

  2. Continential, or transitional, climate of central and eastern France - Champagne, Alsace, Burgundy, Ile de France (Paris) - cold winters, hot summers 

  3. Mediterranean climate of southeastern France - Provence, Cote d’Azur, Corsica - hot, dry summers and while damp but mild, rainfall between October and April 

  4. Mountain climates above 2,000’ see heavy rainfall with snow falling 3-6 months a year  

Best Time to Visit France

Late Spring and Fall

Late Spring and Fall is the time to avoid crowds while still being relatively assured of good weather. You will miss the summer festivals but for those that are crowd averse, this may not be a factor. 

Note that a few National Holidays fall in May: Labor Day and WWII Victory Day are May 1st and 8th respectively; Ascension Day falls 39 days after Easter Sunday. 

July or August 

Traveling in July and August? Be prepared for hoards of crowds in the Riviera, coast of Brittany, Dordogne and Alps as these are hot spots for vacationing Europeans. In August, businesses often close although not to the degree noticed by tourists. If you enjoy festivals, there are plenty to choose from!

Winter 

Winter has its own beauty but during the winter months, some tourist sites and information offices might not be open or they might have limited hours. Smaller towns and villages might also be hunkered down with closed restaurants and shops. 

Is France Expensive?

If you’re wondering how much it costs to vacation in France, like anywhere you may travel, it depends on how you plan your trip. France is one of the top destinations in the world and Paris, in particular, does have a reputation for being expensive. 

But so does New York and just like France, traveling there for the budget minded can be accomplished. 

Some things to consider when traveling to France on a budget

  1. Factor in the time of year you’re traveling - shoulder seasons are less costly for air and hotel; regardless, book flights well in advance

  2. Factor in your mode of travel: barge, river ship, self-guided, cycling, train, etc.

  3. Exchange rates

  4. To avoid inflated tourist rates while dining out, first look at the menu posted outside then take note: if locals are eating there, it’s most likely a good choice

  5. Sit at the bar, where prices are cheaper, not at a table

  6. Most expensive French cities: Nice, Paris, Bordeaux and Lyon 

  7. Most expensive French regions: the Dordogne, Meditteranean and the Loire Valley

  8. Less costly: central France 

  9. Shop at local open air markets and second hand flea markets (brocantes)

France tours on Stride features per day costs. Using the price filter from lowest to highest you’ll find 4 day trips for as low as $71/day and on the higher end, ultra luxury 7 day trips costing over $7,000/day. 

Who Will Enjoy Traveling to France

Perhaps the question is, who wouldn’t enjoy traveling to France?! There is so much for the French traveler to experience, it’s no wonder that France is a top worldwide destination. 

Beaches, mountains, valleys of grapes and lavender, rivers to cruise, 45 natural and cultural world heritage sites, Disneyland Paris, gastronomy, wine and shopping...there’s something for just about everyone.

If mobility and / or walking on uneven ground is a concern, speak with your tour operator as many of the smaller towns and villages have uneven cobblestone which may not be suitable, depending on your situation. If traveling through subways, they involve quite a bit of stair climbing and while many of the accommodations are historically charming, they might not be fully accessible for those using a walking aid.   

While it’s hard to go wrong with a trip to France, if you’re not curious about the language, people and its customs you might have a harder time making meaningful connections. Of course, this isn’t unique to France. Be respectful and courteous. Say “hello” and even better, “Bonjour” (“hello” in French) to start a conversation. 

Make an effort to speak the most basic of phrases - this can go a long way. Just as Americans don’t expect a foreigner visiting America to speak English, we shouldn’t expect the French to speak to us in English. Many do speak English by the way, especially in Paris, so be mindful - if you are complaining about something, a local might be listening. And do keep in mind that Americans have their own reputation, one that isn’t always positive. 

Learn some French etiquette, a word derived from French after all. Doing so will give you a much deeper appreciation - and connection to - the country and its people, as will learning some common phrases.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 1325 trips to France and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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