France Experiences

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To help you make the most of your trip to France, kimkim has curated a list of our top activities. Try soaking up the Parisian skyline on a Seine River cruise with live music and fine dining, visit a perfumery in the heart of the French Riviera, or immerse yourself in the history and architecture of Bordeaux. You could also add a day at Château la Coste, combining art, architecture, and vineyards, or a rich historical tour of Avignon. Be sure to review our recommended activities in Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, Aix-en-Provence, and Avignon for your next trip to France.

Sweet treats!
Paris
Sweet Food Tour of Paris
4.0
(1)
2 hours
·
Small group
Sink your teeth into the most luxurious treats the City of Light has to offer with a discovery walk led by a passionate food connoisseur. This pastry and chocolate tour explores the sweet and sultry side of Paris. A friendly foodie expert will be your secret weapon as you partake in the ultimate...
Saint Paul de Vence
Full Day in Cannes, Antibes, & Saint-Paul de Vence
1.0
(1)
Private
Enjoy an entire day on the luxurious coast of the French Riviera, starting with Cannes. Spend the morning exploring this vibrant city, complete with the Old Port at its heart. Although it lost some of its nautical importance following the construction of the new and bigger Port Canto, the old...
Avignon
Cycle Avignon's île de la Barthelasse
2 hours
·
Small group
Discover what's beyond the center of the medieval Avignon with a bike tour of its scenic île de la Barthelasse, an island in the middle of the Rhône River. You'll cycle through over 1,500 acres (700 hectares) of green space, complete with scenic bike paths and rich animal life. Enjoy the...
MUCEM
Marseille
Cruise in the Bay of Marseille & View Château d’If
2 hours
·
Small group
Enjoy a cruise through the Port of Marseille with a stopover on the island of If to visit the mythical Chateau d'If. For 2,600 years, the Phocean city of Marseille has been the reflection of French history. As you cruise out along the port, enjoy the views of the city's host of monuments,...
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas Wine Tour
Private
Located in southeastern France's Provence region is Avignon, a well-preserved medieval city on the Rhône River. The entire area is an important winemaking region—a legacy that began with the Papacy. Avignon was the seat of the Catholic popes from 1309 to 1377, a heritage that's reflected in the...
Saint Jean Castle, in the port of Marseille
Marseille
E-Bike Tour of Marseille
Located on the west coast of the French Riviera is Marseille. With 2,600 years of history under its belt, this is France's oldest city, and the best way to explore it is on an electric bicycle tour with a local guide. This 23 km (14-mile) circuit covers some of Marseille's most impressive and...
Water mill in the Old Town
Bayeux
Walking Tour of Bayeux
Private
Enjoy a walking tour of the city of Bayeux, tucked in Upper Normandy, not far from the English Channel coast. One of the highlights includes visiting the famous Tapestry Museum, which houses some of the world's finest cloth works. However, in the nearby cathedral is where you'll find the renowned...
Lyon
Discover Lyon on e-Bike
2 hours
·
Small group
Lyon sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, creating scenic bike paths perfect for city exploration. First, get suited with all your gear, including an easy-to-use e-bike that will allow you to zip up hills without much effort. Then, you'll set off on two wheels to discover Lyon’s...
Selection of cider from calvados
Normandy
Gourmet Cheese & Cider Tasting in Normandy
6 hours
·
Private
Take your time exploring Normandy, a large, diverse region with a unique and rural way of life. The area is known for its rustic agricultural landscape, tasty cheeses, hard apple cider, and calvados brandy. Start with a well-rounded cheese experience, as the region is known for its fine...
Bordeaux
Gourmet Food & Wine Tour in Bordeaux
3 hours
·
Small group
Enjoy the day uniquely exploring Bordeaux with a gourmet food and history tour. You'll stroll around the old city streets, visit the famous Capucins Market to taste local specialties, and dive deep into local legend and lore. The market offers several restaurants and stands, giving locals and...
Paris
Montmartre Local Food Walk
3 hours
·
Small group
Join a passionate foodie guide for a stroll through Montmartre, the historic hilltop village beloved for its bohemian charm. Hear about the Parisian neighborhoods' rich cultural and artistic legacy as you explore its steep cobblestone streets, and take in some of the city's best views from the...
Lavender fields of Provence
Gordes
Lavender Tour of Provence
8.5 hours
·
Private
Explore Provence's beautiful lavender fields, focusing on the picturesque Sault or Roussillon areas, where the most colorful lavender plants bloom. Along the way, discover authentic Provence, with its typical villages, lively markets, amazing landscapes, and more. Start by immersing yourself in...
Lyon
Culture and Tasting Tour of Lyon
Set in eastern France on the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon is a grand foodie city in a famously food-centric nation. However, there is much more to this metropolis than a rich culinary heritage. Lyon enjoys about 2,000 years of history, dating back to when it was a provincial capital in the...
Notre Dame Cathedral
Paris
Bike Tour of Paris
3 hours
·
Small group
A sightseeing bike tour offers a unique way to take in the streets of Paris. You get to see more than a bus tour but cover more ground than on a walking tour. After meeting your guide and getting acquainted with your bike and gear, set off through the trendy and stylish streets of Le Marais, the...
Marseille
Marseille Markets & Cooking Class
Explore Marseille's culinary scene and end your day enjoying a delicious meal you created in a cooking class! You'll start by perusing the city's markets with a local gastronome, beginning with Vieux Port, Marseille's famed fish market. Shop here for the day's catch: red mullets, sea breams, or...
Bayeux
Tour the D-Day Sites of Normandy
8 hours
·
Small group
Normandy is well-known for its important war sites from WWII. Spend an emotional day touring some of the most important areas, discovering the powerful legacy of D-Day on Normandy's landscape, as well as its effect on the world. A local specialist will lead you across Normandy's coast, and as an...
Chateau de Blois
Blois
Explore the Castle of Blois
Self guided
Visit the royal castle of Blois, known as the Château Royal de Blois. Classified as a historical monument since 1845, the royal chateau presents a magnificent panorama of the art and history that filled the castles of the Loire Valley. Surrounding an inner courtyard, its four wings constitute a...
Calanque National Park
Half-Day Cruise to Calanques National Park
Located just outside of the city of Marseille lies Calanques National Park. This is one of the European continent's newer protected areas, as it was established in 2012. It's also unique in that it comprises 520 square kilometers between Marseilles and the seaside town of La Ciotat, protecting...
Paris
Dinner & Cabaret at Chez Michou
3 hours
·
Small group
The Cabaret at Chez Michou, located on the Butte Montmartre, is France's most famous transformist cabaret, where you can enjoy stunning imitations, humor, and burlesque enacted in the purest tradition. Let yourself be captivated by the warm atmosphere, professionalism, and hilarious...
Bordeaux
Bordeaux City Walking & Boat Tour
6 hours
·
Private
Enjoy discovering all of Bordeaux with a city tour and boat ride along the scenic Garonne River. Bordeaux combines every ingredient of the quintessential French "art de vivre,” including history, culture, architecture, wine, and food. During this private day tour, you'll explore Bordeaux from two...
Marina in Honfleur
Giverny
Discover Art in Honfleur & Giverny
9 hours
·
Private
Discover a bit of French art history by traveling to the two charming cities of Honfleur and Giverny, both center of the Impressionists movement and home to the one-and-only Claude Monet. You'll start in Honfleur, with its narrow cobblestone streets surrounded by half-timbered houses. Walk...
Versailles Courtyard
Versailles
Versailles Kings & Queens Family Tour
5 hours
·
Private
Travel back in time over the centuries and explore what life was like living in the splendor of the Palace of Versailles and amongst the kings and queens of France. Alongside a specialist and accredited historian, your family will discover the magnificence of Versailles. Indulge in the ornately...
Vineyards of the Luberon
The Luberon Valley
Wine Tour of the Luberon Region
10.5 hours
·
Small group
Enjoy a day spent savoring the famed countryside of Aix-en-Provence, starting with views of the Sainte-Victoire Mountains, a source of inspiration for the famous painter Cézanne. Your first destination is the Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire vineyards, set just east of the city of...
Nice
Perfume Tour in Nice
Explore the local side of Nice with a tour of the city's vibrant perfume history. Start the experience with an exclusive presentation of the Chanel perfume collection with a brand expert. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how the world-famous scent came to be and how it's produced. Then,...
Start the day with sunrise hot air balloon ride
Lyon
Hot Air Ballooning in the Beaujolais
1.5 hours
·
Small group
One of the best ways to see the historic and scenic Beaujolais Province is floating in the sky. Get a bird's-eye-view of the Tuscany-style rolling hills with an exciting hot air ballooning experience. You'll sail over the countryside, admiring the vineyards of Beaujolais underneath you. Lyon is...
Paris
Unique French Food Tour in Paris
2 hours
·
Small group
France is celebrated worldwide for its cuisine, but some “exotic” French dishes have become infamous rather than famous! So we invite you, if you dare, to join us to taste some of these traditional yet unique staples. Snails, frogs legs, duck liver, and more await you on this tasting of some of...
The canals and streets of Annecy
Annecy
Explore the Lakeside Town of Annecy
Self guided
Nestled by the northwestern shore of its namesake lake, Annecy is the jewel of the Haute-Savoie. From its crowning Château d'Annecy down to its gurgling canals, Annecy's Vieille Ville (Old Town) is infused with antique charm. Made great by the medieval Counts of Geneva and augmented by the Dukes...
Aerial view of the Mediterranean from Eze village
Nice
Visit Monaco, Monte Carlo, & Medieval Eze
Private
In the morning, make your way to Monaco, a 12-mile (20 km) drive from Nice, for a guided tour. Monaco is one of the world's smallest countries and is considered a city-state. Visit the famous Monte Carlo district with its legendary casino, see Prince Rainier's car collection, and continue to the...
Mont-Saint-Michel
Horseback Riding at Mont Saint Michel
2.5 hours
·
Private
Enjoy a unique memory with your friends, partner, or family with a horseback riding experience through the tidal flats and beaches surrounding the mainland of Mont Saint Michel. The trail depends on tides and your interests but typically takes a few hours. Start with a welcome coffee or a cold...
Honfleur
Honfleur
Honfleur & the Pays d'Auge in Normandy
8.5 hours
·
Private
Discover one of the most traditional areas of Normandy, the Pays d'Auge. When the French picture Normandy, they imagine fields of dairy cows, apple tree orchards, and half-timbered houses with thatched roofs. You can find that and more in the Pays d'Auge area. You'll start with a drive through...

Best Experiences in France

Hiking in the French Alps
Best Things to Do in the French Alps

With towering snow-capped peaks, charming alpine villages, some of Europe's best skiing, and epic hikes to famous spots like Mt. Blanc, there's always something to enjoy in the French Alps. Ride a cable car to catch impressive views across the mountain range, boat or stroll around crystal-clear lakes, explore cultural towns, and taste the delicious food that keeps the locals warm and full all year long (we're talking cheese) all while breathing in that crisp alpine air.

Claude Monet's Gardens
Top Cultural Experiences in France

Many travelers choose France specifically for its unique and diverse culture. Explore Paris for its food, literature, and cabaret, visit Normandy for its art (including Claude Monet's gardens), and escape to the Loire Valley for chateaus, palaces, castles, and more. When ready, head to the south and peruse the unique cuisine and culture of the French Riviera and Provence, plus romantic hilltop villages and medieval riverside hamlets.

Beaches of the French Riviera
Best Things to Do in the French Riviera

The French Riviera evokes images of glitz and glamour. Still, you can also balance a trip with authentic experiences like making your own perfume, learning how to choose the best products at the market, and sipping wine in vineyards set against medieval villages. Then, of course, there's always the history of Monaco and the Monte Carlo to tempt you, plus sailing excursions and visits to the popular coastal hotspots of Antibes and Cannes.

A family visiting Paris
Best Family Experiences in France

Because France is so large and diverse, it's an ideal location for a family trip. From art-centric and foodie cities like Paris to outdoor playgrounds like the French Riviera and the beaches of northern France, there's always something to do with activities appealing to various ages and interests. Along the way, make unique family memories you can only create in France, such as riding horses through the surf at Mont-Saint-Michel, learning to bake macrons, or enjoying a treasure hunt at the Louvre.

Wine tasting in France
Top Culinary Experiences in France

France has always been the center of culinary envy, known worldwide for its signature cuisine consisting of traditional techniques, ancestral secrets, and home-cooked comfort dictated by high-quality standards. From morning pastries to afternoon macrons, farm-fresh cheeses to wine, cider, and olive oil, and fresh food markets offering the freshest produce to unique dishes like snails and frog legs, you can truly enjoy it all in France.

The beauty of Nice
Best Things to Do in Nice

Nice is brimming with unique cultural aspects, including vibrant markets showing off its signature Niçois cuisine, tiny multi-generational wine regions, a gorgeous coastline dotted with historic villages, and the title of the birthplace of perfume. Explore the city by diving deep into its culture, enjoying those legendary sunsets, and discovering neighboring villages and cities, such as Monaco, Eze, Cannes, and Antibes.

Charming streets of Aix
Best Things to Do in Aix-en-Provence

Known as "mini Paris," Aix-en-Provence sits in the heart of the Provence region, known for its charm, lavender, wine, and unique signature cuisine. Spend time exploring these claims to fame with cooking classes, wine tastings, drives through lavender fields, and walking tours. Then head out into the countryside and discover more Provençal charm, such as in the city of Avignon, the scenic hilltop villages of Luberon, or the impressive Verdon Canyon.

The French Alps
Top Active Experiences in France

France is an active traveler's dream, with sandy beaches in the north, the towering Alps in the southeast, several river valleys across its heartland, and a rocky southern coastline dotted with inlets, caves, and coves. You can easily spend your time cycling through vineyards and from one chateau to another, riding horses in the surf, kayaking the famous Calanques, and hiking in the mountains. Or, if you're more of a city person, add a bike tour or vineyard stroll to your exploration of hubs like Paris.

Historic towns of Provence
Top Historical Experiences in France

France is a historical goldmine, from ancient, medieval, and early modern experiences to the events of the 19th and 20th centuries. Spend your time learning about the occupied and liberated Paris of WWII, exploring ancient castles and villages, and diving into what it was like to live in France during the Middle Ages. In every corner of the country, you'll find significant history that shaped France, Europe, and the world.

The lavender fields of Provence
Best Things to Do in Provence

Provence's claim to fame might be its rolling lavender fields, but there's a lot more to enjoy in this region of France. It's a gastronomically rich area filled with vineyards, olive groves, and agricultural land, so tasting or preparing its Provençal cuisine is a must. You can also enjoy wine tastings and exploring historic villages like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, and other hamlets dotting the hills.

The beauty of the Loire Valley
Best Things to Do in the Loire Valley

Known for its wine and imposing chateaus, France's Loire Valley gives you those quintessential French vibes and experiences, with rolling hills dotted with fairytale-like castles and endless vineyards stretching across the region. Visit Leonardo da Vinci's mansion, sip on organic wine, cycle between chateaus, take a hot air balloon ride above the landscape, and discover humble villages, all within one compact area.

Aerial view of Marseille
Best Things to Do in Marseille

Marseille unites two very different worlds: the vibrant coastal French Riviera and the charming rolling hills of Provence. In addition, it's France's oldest city, founded by the Greeks in 600 BCE. So in just Marseille alone, you can enjoy a diverse trip strolling through the historic districts while nibbling on traditional food, discovering the renowned world of Marseille soap, sipping rosé among the lavender fields, and cruising or kayaking along the famed Calanques inlets.

The harbor town of Honfleur
Best Things to Do in Normandy

Set in northern France along the coast of the English Channel, Normandy is known for its chalky-white cliffs and beaches, the famous Mont-Saint-Michel island, the WWII D-Day landings, and picturesque half-timbered houses surrounded by dairy farms. History is the region's highlight, but you'll also find treasured towns like Honfleur and the Pays d'Auge, gourmet cheese, cider farms, and many sites of famous Impressionist works of art, plus the home and gardens of Claude Monet.

The historic skyline of Lyon
Best Things to Do in Lyon

Lyon often escapes the list of must-sees in France, but the city and its surrounding areas offer a lot to do, see, and experience. Spend your time exploring historic neighborhoods filled with Renaissance-era architecture and hidden courtyards, tasting the internationally recognized Lyonaisse cuisine, savoring historic sites like the Fourviere Basilica, and exploring the traditional world of silk. With more time, take a day trip to the surrounding vineyards or historic cities like Annecy.

Scenes of Paris
Best Things to Do in Paris

As "The City of Love," Paris is known for its romantic charm, impeccable cuisine, and vibrant history, which is why it's always topping the list of the most popular tourist destinations. You can hop from district to district and experience various scenes, from artsy to bohemian, historic to trendy. Try some of France's acclaimed gastronomy, dig into the city's history, and take in the sweeping views from atop sites like Montmartre or the Arc de Triomphe.

Bordeaux's stunning architecture
Best Things to Do in Bordeaux

Known for its signature wine, Bordeaux's surrounding vineyards and La Cité du Vin museum might be its biggest draws, but there's plenty to enjoy in the city and beyond. With the Garonne River weaving through Bordeaux's center, you can explore the city by foot and boat. Stop at vibrant markets and wine shops, tasting gourmet goodies like canelé, oysters, cheese, chocolate, and, of course, a glass of red. Then, enjoy discovering the countryside havens of Gironde and Dordogne, full of picturesque hamlets and vineyards.

Palace of the Popes in Avignon
Best Things to Do in Avignon

The historic town of Avignon sits on the left bank of the famous Rhône River, its claim to fame being the incredible Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace ever built. Explore the city by walking or cycling among grand 14th-century monuments while surrounded by unique history. Then take advantage of Avignon's surrounding countryside and discover the heart of Provence, from lavender fields and vineyards to the region's signature cuisine.