Tours to France are one of the most popular destinations among all lovers and connoisseurs of quality rest. This multifaceted country is incredibly attractive for both beginners in terms of overseas travel, and for sophisticated travelers.
France fully satisfies the curiosity of connoisseurs of sights, replenishes the wardrobes of stylish fashionistas, tempts gourmets with the splendor of its cuisine. Bustling cities, picturesque provinces and gorgeous beaches - no one can resist such beauty and diversity!
So different and always beautiful
The starting point for most tours in France was and remains Paris. But after paying due attention to the capital with its brilliant gloss, be sure to visit other major cities of the country. By visiting the cities of Normandy - Rouen and Deauville, Etretat and San Malo, you will get a complete impression of the culture, history and modernity of France.
You can enjoy the mild climate of the southern regions and watch the life of movie stars on the coast of Nice, Cannes, Marseille and Monaco. Tours to France, including visits to these cities, will appeal to connoisseurs of beauty and harmony. After all, here for every lover beach holiday hotels open their doors to suit every taste and budget.
French provinces witness centuries of history
Traveling to various provinces with their unique sights will plunge into the depths of the fascinating history of these places. And the tour operator in France VAND will help you with this.
Normandy, Brittany, Alsace and Lorraine, Corsica ... - they are all known to us from books and films. With VAND you can see the beauty of these provinces of France with your own eyes and, like a time machine, travel back to the distant past. You can trace almost all the milestones of European palace architecture by visiting the Castles of the Loire Valley.
Intoxicating atmosphere
Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, Cognac - “fragrant” names of these regions and cities give rise to memories of the best French wines, famous brands of champagne and cognac in the minds of a sophisticated connoisseur. With the leading tour operator VAND, everyone has the opportunity to touch the mystery of the production of real wines and brandy, which have no analogues in any country in the world.
Cozy cafe on the streets with wicker furniture
Warm, hospitable and generous, Provence, warmed by the southern sun, appears before tourists. Cute provincial towns are home to numerous gastronomic masterpieces that attract travelers from all over the world. Juicy fruits, real French cheeses, exquisite seafood, aromatic Provencal herbs - this unforgettable cocktail will not leave indifferent any gourmet.
Buying a ticket to France and not visiting Provence is just a crime for lovers gastronomic tours who know a lot about really good food.
Better than mountains there can only be mountains of France
The fertile nature has awarded this hospitable country not only with a magnificent coastline, but also one of the most picturesque mountain ranges. The French Alps can offer a holiday for all tastes.
Modern comfortable hotels in the ski resorts of France: Courchevel, Chamonix, Meribel, Les Menuires will become ideal place to celebrate the New Year.
Another Paris
This was my first trip to France. Gray and wretched - here it is, my impression of Paris! Either my friend stabbed me and brought me not to Paris, or the emigrants changed the city beyond recognition. Although how do I know what he was like before my arrival ?! I know Paris from Hugo's stories and from the film Amelie. The French women also turned out to be different from the films. Ordinary, not Catherine Deneuve.
Provincials
I didn’t see Paris normally, I didn’t go to the famous “Moulin Rouge”. We were taken to the provinces, the French track is boring and not brutal. There is no mystery in it, like we have, when you do not know what awaits you. You go too smoothly, you don't feel the steering wheel. I got the idea to do Dakar here. Let them feel what real off-road is! The French are spoiled for good roads, quality wine and welfare benefits. We have developed immunity even to the apocalypse, so I sarcastically glanced at my escorts.
We drive past French villages. Our guide says that the French themselves love the provinces, they are attached to their homes and neighbors. Oddly enough, but about Paris, he speaks casually, as a bustling and dirty city. I agree with him. But I am silent, the guide and so sideways in my direction. He is pissed off by my impeccable English and my ungodly pronunciation of merci, excusez moi.
After a 7 hour flight and disappointment in Paris, I want to send a friend. He deprived me of my Thai massage and hotel all inclusive. Mark saves him. He is the owner of a winery with bottomless barrels of red and white wine. Red wine with a lightly roasted steak was a great end to the evening.
Morning in the village
The morning in the French countryside is not the same as ours. There are no crowing roosters and, in principle, living creatures. This pleases, no one intrusively wakes up. But lying in bed when the owners are already working, I found it uncomfortable. They get up early. Mark rides a 56 hectare farm on a horse - Domain Sant'Anne. Driving through the vineyard can ruin him. I join Mark, get into the carriage, his son talks about the family business.
Red, white and rosé, still, semi-sparkling and sparkling wines are made under 60 different names, which differ in appearance from very dry to very sweet. Four completely different types of wines are produced from Chenet Blanc grapes: dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling. These are the traditions that arose under the influence of the whims of the local climate. This grape variety has an inherent excess natural acidity and if it receives enough sunlight, it has a high sugar content. But, from a viticulture point of view, the Loire Valley is considered a northern region, wine producers are obliged to take into account late frosts, cold winds and changeable weather in summer. In sunny years, winemakers strive to produce the most intense wines from sweet and savory grapes, but in other cases they only manage to make semi-sweet or dry wines. Species diversity is at the heart of the Loire winemakers' predicament, since a reputation cannot be built on inconsistency. With the exception of wines such as the finest Savenniere, dry chané blanc wines are too often dry, coarse and sour. They do not add to the reputation of the Loire, but their characteristics are similar to Champagne wines. While still wines with such characteristics are disappointing, sparkling wines are delight. It is not surprising that during the period of the rapid development of the champagne trade in the 19th century. the production of sparkling wines began in Saumur. Today the Loire is renowned as the largest sparkling wine market outside of Champagne itself.
Spirit Hunter Louis
My friend clearly liked France. What makes free wine and pretty French women! I was still thinking about Thai massage and ocean relaxation until Mark suggested I go to Chambord Castle. This is the hunting lodge of the kings, where, I suspect, they took their girlfriends. Previously, turners also bought houses with servants, arranging dinner parties in the castles, while the legal wife decided the fate of the people in Versailles. I was more interested in the legends of local ghosts. I don't believe in them, but the French are sure that they are found here. Actually, that's why I went to the hunting lodge of Louis. Now these same hunting lodges are being bought by our oligarchs.
I lagged behind the guide and turned on the headphones for Russian-speaking tourists. If we omit the long introduction, then the story of Chambord is interesting.
Chambord Castle is a citadel of medieval architecture. It was built by order of King Francis I in 1519 and served as a hunting lodge. King Francis spared no expense for the construction of the castle, he was not embarrassed by his debt to Spain. He threw all the forces of engineers and workers to build his "house". Moreover, he raised the tax to the church and forced his subjects to smelt silver. The design of the building was developed by the Italian architect Domenico da Cortona, but it is also rumored that Leonardo da Vinci had his hand in the work. It was he who suggested the elements for the decoration of the building. Also Leonardo da Vinci designed the stairs in the castle. The central staircase is made with a double spiral winding. There are 77 staircases in the castle. They say that Francis specially ordered the construction of many stairs so that his favorites did not collide with each other. The beautiful Constantinople with numerous columns served as the inspiration for the creation of the Chambord castle.
Smelly cheese or fries
After a long excursion, a zhor attacked me. In my search for a cafe, I was helped by French women who were leaving the castle. They turned out to be atypical Europeans, they knew where Kazakhstan and Astana were. The feeling of pride was replaced by a momentary anger after the mention of Borat. They apparently expected me to wash my hands in the toilet, but I decided to disappoint them and behaved like an English dandy. In a cafe, we ordered oysters, somewhere I read that they have a positive effect on potency. I don’t know about the wellness functions, but it tastes like a nightmare! Nothing beats horse meat, oysters and frog legs in the furnace! Send brie cheese there, too, which smells like bachelorette socks.
"Southern Provinces" is a fascinating and unusual excursion route that will acquaint you with the southern part of the country. The cities in the south of France, with their unique charm and ancient flavor, are not alike, and each opens up some new facet on the way to knowing this amazing country.
Tours in the Southern Provinces of France
Tour date in 2020: on request
Paris, even being one of the most romantic cities in the world, is just a fraction of what must be seen in France with your own eyes.
« Tours in the provinces of France"Is a fascinating and unusual excursion route that will acquaint you with the southern part of the country. The cities in the south of France, with their unique charm and ancient flavor, are not alike, and each opens up some new facet on the way to knowing this amazing country.
The tour includes not only a rich cultural program but also a tasting of famous French wines.
Tour itinerary: Marseille - Toulouse - Montpellier - Nimes - Avignon - Marseille.
Tour duration: 8 days / 7 nights.
Direct flight regular flight a / c "AirFrance" AF4317 / AF4316, "Moscow - Marseille - Moscow".
Departures: Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday.
Tours in the Southern Provinces of France - Marseille.
Tour program:
1st day
Arrival at the airport of Marseille. Transfer to your hotel in Marseille. Late check-in at the hotel.
2nd day
Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby. Transfer to the train station. Transfer to Toulouse, 4 hours. Transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon: sightseeing tour of Toulouse, 2 hours.
3rd day
Breakfast in the hotel. Free time. Afternoon: transfer to the train station. Moving
in Montpellier, 2 hours. Transfer to the hotel.
4th day
Sightseeing tour in the central part of Montpellier, duration of the excursion -
2 hours. Transfer to the train station. Moving to Nîmes, 30 min. Afternoon: sightseeing tour of the historic center of Nimes, duration of the tour - 2 hours.
Tours in the provinces of France - Nimes.
5th day
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free time or an additional excursion to the ancient Roman Garsky bridge, the duration of the excursion is 4 hours (for an additional fee). Transfer to the train station. Transfer to Avignon, 30 min. Afternoon: sightseeing tour of the historic center of Avignon, duration of the tour - 2 hours.
6th day
Breakfast in the hotel.
Visit to the Provencal market, the duration of the excursion is 2 hours. If you wish, you can continue the excursion with a wine tasting in the tasting center of the Papal Palace, surcharge for a guide and tasting - 40 euros + 6.50 euros / person. Afternoon: free time.
7th day
Breakfast in the hotel. Moving to Marseille, 40 min. Transfer to the hotel. Sightseeing tour of the old part of the city, the duration of the tour is 2 hours. Afternoon: free time, individual program.
8th day
Breakfast in the hotel. Free time, preparing for departure, checking out of rooms, checking out from the hotel. Late transfer to the airport at 12:00. Departure.
Tours to the provinces of France - Marseille.
Tour cost per person in EUR:
The tour price includes:
- accommodation in a hotel of the selected category;
- meals - breakfasts;
- excursions according to the program;
- transfers "hotel - station - hotel" in Marseille, Montpellier, Nimes, Avignon, Toulouse;
- railway tickets along the entire route;
- transfers "Marseille airport - hotel - Marseille airport".
What you should definitely try when visiting these places are, of course, "rillettes" (finely chopped and fried in lard pork or goose meat), "rillons" (cracklings), pates and many other dishes typical of this region, made from wild boar and pork. Do not forget about some of the best goat cheese varieties in France. As for sweet dishes, they are also at their best here: is it necessary to present one of the most famous French desserts "Tarre Tarin" - hot apple pie with caramel. The region also produces numerous wines: reds, whites, rosés, dry, soft or sparkling, among which the most famous are Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray, Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume. or Cheverny (Cheverny).
Poitou Charente
Poitou-Charentes
From Poitiers to the "walled city" of La Rochelle, cross the town of Cognac, whose name is associated all over the world with the famous alcohol, take this opportunity to taste the amazing local cuisine, which originates in vineyards and fishing harbors Atlantic Ocean... Mussels alone are prepared here according to unique traditional recipes ...
Poitou Charentes is a place that invites travelers to discover a unique union of maritime and land culture, gastronomy and landscapes. As for cheese, there is not much of it in this region, but the oil is excellent here: this region, the only one in France, produces high quality branded butter with a delicate nutty flavor, which passes the strictest control.
North - Pas-de-Calais
Nord-Pas-de-Calais
The Pas-de-Calais region offers travelers its seaside landscapes of dunes and cliffs. The traditional view of the region paints a picture of flat, deep countryside, dotted with large, low and square farms, where mussel dishes know no end and beer flows like water. Of course, there are also ports and beaches in the north where you can see fans of all sports, such as sailing, and where you can have fun in the many casinos along the coast. The favorite sweets for children and adults are waffles, cakes with sugar and locally made mint candies ("Betises de Cambrais").
Ile de France
Ile-de-France
Historically, the Ile-de-France region has always supplied Paris with vegetables, fruits, dairy products and meat. But despite the fact that intensive development around the French capital has seriously changed the environment, the region has remained agricultural on a massive scale. Every year, festivals and fairs of local products are cheerfully celebrated here: wines and cheeses, of which the most famous varieties are "Coulomier" and "Brie", as well as watercress, strawberries, blueberries, mirabelle, apples, hops, from which beer is made , cider and turkey. Some of the foods used in cooking still bear the name of the city in which they were produced, such as the famous Chantilly cream.
In this region, moreover, very close to Paris, you can quickly find yourself in nature, in a small hotel located next to the Fontainebleau forest in the charming village of Barbizon - a wonderful place known for its school of landscape painters, which gave birth to the nineteenth century such famous names as Corot, Millet, Rousseau; or visit Auvers-sur-Oise, where Van Gogh spent the last years of his life and painted the most famous paintings such as "The Church at Auvers".
Champagne-Ardennes
The Ardennes: all seasons are good for visiting this region, which has managed to carefully preserve its natural beauty! In winter it is ideal for skiing, in summer - for walks in the forest, in autumn - for hunting and contemplating magnificent landscapes, golden colors of falling leaves ... mountain ranges, or they will hide in the thick of the forests, which have given rise to a lot of all kinds of fantastic legends that have been brought down to this day. The Champagne region, located right at the foot of the mountains, by its name alone makes it clear where the champagne was born, whose producers, from the most famous to the independent, compete in the field of quality and sophistication. Champagne produces wine for solemn events and holidays, presenting it all over the world as a unique drink that symbolizes luxury in French.
Alsace-Lorraine
Alsace-Lorraine
Known by Voltaire as the "Garden of France", Alsace-Lorraine is a land of prosperity, and this prosperity is very contagious here. Mountainous and lowland areas impartially divide the territory of the region, stretching across the expanses to the Rhine itself, the natural border with Germany, and towering over the Vosges and Jura mountains. On this land, nature has not suffered from industrial expansion. The local gastronomy is very varied and skillfully combines French and German cuisine. For those with a sweet tooth, there are many local delicacies such as the "Kugelhopf" - something like a bun with raisins and almonds. When you know that this region is rich in apples, pears, cherries, mirabelles, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, blackthorn berries, lingonberries and much more, it becomes much clearer why the Alsatians give such a preference to confectionery with a particularly high reputation. Almost every city has its own specialty, such as "Bergamotes de Nancy" (candies with bergamot flavor from Nancy), "Madeleines de Commercy" ("Madeleine" sponge cake from Commercy) or the famous "Sauciases de Straubourg" (Stpacburg sausages).
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comte
The best period to visit this region, from April to October, will allow you to fully enjoy the sun, gently warming over the herbs and flowers, enveloping the air with thousands of delicate aromas. Franche-Comté invites you to wander through the mountains and sample a special local gastronomy in which cheese is the main ingredient, for example in dishes such as "raclette" or "fondue", which are based on hot cheese. There is even a variety that bears the name of the region - "Comte", which is produced in the mountains and has a special sweetish flavor. At Franche-Comte, you will also taste the traditional divine taste (and name) "Jesus de Morteau" ("Jesus of Morteau") made from pork shoulder. It should be noted that the city of Morto is posed with its sausages of all types and varieties, thereby conquering gastronomes.
Cheeses: local cheese "Morbier" ("Morbier"), easily recognizable by the strip of grayish color in the middle. Another variety, "Beaufort" ("Beaufort"), is produced in summer in wooden huts in high-altitude pastures with cows. And then he is placed in a damp basement room, where he "comes" for another two years. The texture of the fabric of this type of cheese is quite grainy, and the taste is floral-sweet. It has a mild hazelnut flavor and rich mountain aromas.
Burgundy
Bourgogne
Burgundy is an area whose name speaks volumes to wine lovers. The natural beauty of this land is varied: on the one hand, it is spread out with carefully manicured vineyards, protected by forged iron trellises - the pride of happy owners, and on the other, it is bordered by dense oak forests. Burgundy is a country of farms, fairy tales, delicious wines and black currant cream liqueur, which gave birth to the famous throughout France and widely consumed aperitif "Kir", named after one of the mayors of the city of Dijon, who served this drink at every official reception in the city hall ... But above all, Burgundy is a land where you will feel at home thanks to the exceptional hospitality and friendliness of the locals.
The cheeses you should definitely try during your visit are Epoisses, Langres and Charolais; as for the cheeses made from cow's milk, and from spring to late autumn, fresh goat cheese Chevre frais and Montrachet for lovers of goat's milk cheeses. It is also impossible to forget that Burgundy is unusually rich in high quality wines such as Nuits-Saint-Georges, Chablis, Meursault, Montrachet, Pommard, Beaune, Bourgogne-Aligote, Volnay and Vosnes-Romanee. Among the local products, it is worth mentioning sausages and, of course, the famous mustard from Dijon, which is famous all over the world.
Auvergne et Center
The center of France remains for the most part a sparsely populated area, due to the harsh conditions of internal communication for many centuries and the harsh climate. This land will reveal to you all its breadth and beauty of volcanic landscapes, green troughs, turbulent streams, pristine lakes and warm springs from healing water... The chain of mountain ranges has 8 volcanoes, "dormant" for eight millennia, and is the largest volcanic ensemble in Europe.
The region has an enormous civil and military heritage dating back to the Middle Ages, and the castles and Romanesque churches towering on mountain ledges testify to a rich past, ranked among the masterpieces of French architectural art.
Akiten and the Atlantic Pyrenees
Aquitaine et Pyrenees-Atlantiques
Traveling through this region, you will take a real journey back in time! This is where the center of the prehistoric world is truly concentrated, in periods from 300 thousand years to 10 thousand years BC. Many thousands of deposits and about half of the caves of all of France have been preserved here, including the famous grotte de Lascaux cave, listed as a world heritage of mankind.
Land of sun, fishing and mountainous landscapes, this marvelous area stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. It is nice to sunbathe on the white sandy beaches or hide in the shade of pine forests.
Southern Pyrenees and Languedoc-Roussillon
Midi-Pyrenees et Languedoc-Roussillon
This region of France, rich in rivers, lakes and ponds, will captivate lovers of fishing, light clothing and the sun! Mosaic paintings of vegetable gardens, orchards and vineyards give a complete picture of the local nature, which has favored the development of the region from time immemorial, which at the same time explains the richness of culture - the cradle of Romanesque-French art.
The wines of the southwestern part, less well-known compared to those of Bordeaux, are strong and their taste is generous: among them you will find Bergerac, Montbazillac, Pecharmant, Jurancon, Cahors and Bearn ... The Roussillon region specializes more in soft and sweet wines. such as Muscat de Rivesaltes and Banyuls.
Provence and Cote d'Azur
Provence et Cote d "Azur
The Cote d'Azur, which is a place of resort life of stars and popularity, is famous all over the world for the splendor of hotels, luxury yachts, the Cannes Festival ... barren landscapes, where the ocher colors of the earth echo the bright blue of the sky and the sea, and the green of the pine and oak forests with the whiteness of limestone. The Cote d'Azur is dazzled with whole carpets of lavender and fluffy mimosa, enveloping villages and villages in multi-colored fog.
Each individual market in Provence has its own characteristics and its own unique character. Here delicate roses of local gardeners coexist with fresh fish caught overnight, and vegetables and fruits of local gardeners decorating the counters are generously saturated with the sun. This whole bunch of the freshest products makes up wonderful salads, for example, the famous "Nice salad" with anchovies or "mes-clun" (a mixture of different types of salad and aromatic herbs), so refreshing in summer time of the year.
And the Mediterranean Sea endows, in turn, with fish "stone", which is perfectly included in such dishes as "bouillabaisse" (fish soup with garlic and spices) and "bourride" (burrida - a kind of fish soup with garlic sauce), so typical for Marseille and the Côte d'Azur The local cuisine perfectly matches the surrounding sunny landscapes and warmth: the high quality of olive oil, honey and nougat, fruit jams and goat cheese speaks for itself.
The cheeses, as noted above, are mainly made from goat's milk: Banon de Provence, Picodon and Pelardon.
Some of the region's finest wines include Gigondas, Beaume-de-Venise, Bandol and Cassis.
Rhone-Alpes
From the Rhône Hollow to the Swiss border, an area of Grenoble walnut trees and vineyards flaunts as a staircase above the river below. For most French people, Lyon today bears a huge resemblance to the Paris of 30 goals. Indeed, a passing tourist, finding himself in the second largest city in France, can get acquainted with the past and the present, from traditional, unshakable cuisine to the gastronomy of tomorrow, thus crossing several decades in just one day. It should be noted that in terms of gastronomy, Lyon and its region occupy one of the most privileged places, largely due to the huge number of bistros here called bouchons ("bouchon", that is, cork), which comes from the usual corks that close bottles from - under the wine. Authentic homemade dishes are prepared here according to local recipes that have no analogues: "poulets de Bresse", "gratin dauphinois", local sausages and sausages of all types and colors, all served with young Beaujolais wine. The region also knows how to please lovers of sweets. In Lyon, for example, one of the world's best chocolate makers, Bernachon, is an excellent cook for both confectionery, like the President cake, specially produced in honor of François Mitterrand, and chocolates. And Bress waffles with cream and sugar are so tasty and popular that they are sold in all bakeries and pastry shops in the region.
Cheeses: "Arome de Gene" refers to the cheeses typical of the Lyon region, which are usually soaked in grape pomace vodka. And here is another type of cheese, "Saint-Marcelin", made from cow's milk and looking like a small, flat, washer-shaped spool. In Savoy, there are dozens of different varieties of "Tommes de Savoie" (special Savoy cheese), some of which have spicy or peppery aromas.
In terms of wines, Beaujolais, Vin de Savoie, Vin de Paille, Vin Jaune, Hermitage and Cote-Rotie are worth trying.
"Privilege", No. 2, 1997
The genre of "Great walks" emerged in the late 60s of the XX century and today has become one of the most popular types of recreation in France and Europe.
Active tours in the provinces of France for a duration from 5 to 8 days They consist of "Big Walks" between villages, castles, landmarks, rural landscapes or wilderness.
On foot or by bike 2-3 hours before lunch and the same after, with overnight stays in rural hotels, guest houses, tourist centers. A real trip - after all, every night is in a different place!
A separate, more sporty genre is a sea kayak trip along the coast of Corsica or a canoe trip along the rivers of the reserves of France.
"ProjectFrance"- an information bureau in Russia, designed to popularize active tours in the provinces of France from the French tour operators of the group
On your own or with a guide
Self-guided with tour guide and GPS
A guide is not always necessary if a quality guide is available and GPS track... The navigator will not let you get lost. The guide will describe the attractions. And the assistance service will help you in case of difficulties.
Not having a guide will save your budget and give your travel across the province an unforgettable taste of adventure.
Small and cozy rural hotels with half board, located in old, often historical buildings, are booked. Baggage transfers between hotels are reserved.
You can go starting with a group of 2 people and on any dates.
The flexible formula, and the excellently developed tourist infrastructure in the provinces of France since the 70s, ensured the genre of travel "Great Walks" extraordinary popularity, without destroying the wildlife and provincial atmosphere of towns, villages and farms.
With a guide
If you don't want to bother with worries about where to turn on a rural path, leave it to the guide.
Guided tours of the province are designed for both scenic countryside full of historical sites and those interested in the wilderness of France. There are combinations of the first and the second.
The duration is the same - from 6 to 8 days.
Private guided tour requires a minimum 4-6 people in a group and up to 12 people maximum (limited by the concept itself, as well as the small capacity of rural hotels).
If you speak French, you can join a French group on fixed dates.
By default, the guide is a French anglophone. Since the genre of active tours in the provinces of France is just entering the Russian market today, there are no Russian-speaking guides in this travel package, with rare exceptions.
Optionally, you can order support by a Russian-speaking translator.
SPA-tours "Relaxation and form"
It can be both independent walks with a guidebook and GPS, and guided walks.
For all 7 days tour You are accommodated in a spa resort in the mountains or by the sea.
First half of the day You devote to invigorating, refreshing walks along scenic trails that combine local attractions.
In the second Relaxation awaits you: SPA-procedures, thermal baths, balneo-, thalassotherapy.
The combination of balanced physical activity, fresh air and relaxing treatments has an effective regenerative effect on the body weakened by the urban lifestyle.
How tedious are “Long Walks”?
Each active tour of the province is assigned from 1 to 3 stars.
One Star: 2 hours of leisurely walks before and after lunch on flat terrain, for example, on the seaside.
"Three stars": 3 hours of walking before and after lunch along the paths in the highlands. Such walks can already be called light trekking.
The undoubted plus of "Great Walks": accessibility to everyone.
If you haven't had enough activity since your last vacation, then fresh air and a uniform load from walks for 7 days will put you in good shape.
- Learn more about exercise while traveling
Total duration of the trip
Regardless of which individual tours in the provinces of France you choose, the total is a classic two-week vacation.
It takes 1-2 days to get to the town "A", where the travel route through the province begins.
The same amount - from the town "B", where the tour ends, to Paris, for example, from where you fly home from France. Let's round up to 4.
In total, we get 7 + 4 = 11 days.
For a couple more days, you will probably want to spend in Paris or the regional capital (Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lyon), go to see the nearby classic sights (Carcassonne, Pont du Gard, etc.) or lie on the beach.
This is another 3-5 days.
Total, 11 + 5 = 16 classic vacation days.
Optional booking of hotels and train tickets in France
Everything that is located before the aforementioned town "A" and after town "B" is not included in the price of the provincial catalog tour.
You have the right to purchase either only the catalog package, or add options to it:
- Railway tickets,
- hotels in regional capitals and small towns,
- necessary transfers, meetings.
An example of a trip to France
in 14-16 days
Let's say you are arriving in Paris
You can immediately change to a domestic flight to the regional capital of France (Lyon, Toulouse, ...), or you can book a night in Paris and on one of the following days a train network to the regional capital. On the high speed TGV (from 2 to 6 hours) or on the night sleeper train.
You fly directly to the regional capital
Usually after making a change in Europe. You immediately arrive in Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Marseille, Perpignan, etc.
In the French hinterland
You book a night in a regional capital and explore.
On one of the following days you board regional train and you get to a certain town. It can be like the aforementioned town "A", from where the program of your big walks in the province of France begins, or you may also have to use a regular regional bus or a ordered transfer.
In Town A, you may also want to reserve a day to explore the sights. Grasse is a great example!
Return trip
The return journey, at the end of the provincial catalog tour, follows the same logic.
In details
Baggage
The walks are lightweight. Luggage is transported by car between hotels.
In addition to your large travel bag, take a light urban backpack for 30-40 liters for personal items such as: windbreaker against rain, jumper if it gets cool or windy, sun cream, personal first aid kit, bottle mineral water, sometimes a picnic.
- Recommendations for a personal first aid kit on the Health page
There are a number of routes through the province with a donkey of burden! In this case, your luggage travels, or rather, walks next to you during the walk. This happens either in the case of hiking routes in the wild, where you sleep in a tent, or the owners of rural hotels take care of the donkeys (included in the price).
Nutrition
Lunches for walks are organized in village cafes or in the form of a picnic, and then taken with them. Breakfasts and dinners - at the owners' place or in a restaurant near the place of residence.
- The self-guided tour assumes half board by default,
- Private guided tour - full board
You can choose options for every day. For example, in big village or in a town where there are restaurants and cafes, you do not have to book dinner and breakfast at a hotel or guest house. And in small villages and farms, on the contrary, there may simply not be an alternative.
Moving
Active tours of the provinces of France are full of sights, natural and / or cultural, which makes it possible to realize the concept of a "Great Walk" in itself.
Where the density of attractions drops, a private car or local bus transfer is usually planned, depending on the program.
Get there yourself / estimate the total budget
If you decide to independently order train tickets in France, book hotels on the way to the tour location and back, or just want to estimate the total travel budget, below the link we provide a list of some reliable companies with a convenient online booking system, with which you can confidently start.
- Get there on your own
Included in the price of the catalog package
The cost of an individual tour of the province is calculated using the formula "From town A to town B".
Not included in the list price
- Dossier fee 15 euros (for self-guided tours);
- Your journey to town "A" and after town "B";
- Air tickets;
- Insurance and visa;
Individual tours, what they are
Independent travel
You know English or French, you are not traveling in Europe / France for the first time, you want to look beyond the classical tours or have dropped in more than once. The French province and its hinterland intrigue you.
You love an active lifestyle and are happy to have the opportunity to get out into the fresh air, prefer freedom of decisions to follow a guide.
Then an Independent Travel is your choice. To help you:
- detailed travel guide designed for each individual tour,
- pre-booked hotels on the route with or without half board, at your discretion,
- transportation of luggage between hotels,
- transfers when needed.
The cost of an independent individual tour in France does not depend on the number of people in your company, but only on whether it is even or odd (due to the accommodation formula and the availability of ordered transfers).
- To learn more
- View catalog
Active premium tours
Combine the sophisticated comfort of original French guesthouses, castles and historic residences with outdoor activities such as refreshing walks or bike rides through the countryside of the French countryside between historic towns, villages and attractions. On your own, with a detailed guide and GPS navigator, or with a guide.
Travel alone, with family, with friends or colleagues - we will provide memorable nights, gourmet cuisine, transportation of your luggage and necessary transfers.
An individual premium tour is designed for a group of 2 to 8 people.
- To learn more
- View catalog
Individual tours for families with children
You are waiting for walks in the fresh air, on foot or by bicycle, which combine the historical sights of the provinces of France, meetings with local residents, for example, with artisans, farmers, shepherds and foresters of Natural Parks, game plot, the basics of sports activities (cycling, canyoning, acrobranche, etc.) and acquaintance with nature.
The Big Adventure-style program is organized by professional children's guides.
An individual family tour is usually for a group of 6 to 12 people, including children.
An active and educational vacation that will tone the whole family in good shape!
- To learn more
- View catalog
Private guided tours
Walks in the French provinces - among picturesque countryside or wilderness, paths in the mountains or hilly plains among vineyards, on the Atlantic or Mediterranean coast, between picturesque old towns and villages.
A professional English- and French-speaking guide, a native of the region, will guide you through the natural beauty and sights.
Individual guided tours of the provinces of France are designed for a group of 4 to 12 people.
- To learn more
- View catalog
Individual travel to order
If you have your own idea, or you would like to transform the catalog tour to your requirements, then this can be done either directly from a French tour operator (negotiations in English or French), or by sending your request through us.
- To learn more
Find your customized tour
by provinces of France
You can choose an individual tour in the catalog:
- by region
- by duration
- according to the preferred season for this trip
- by the level of comfort
- by activity (walking, cycling, canoeing, sea kayak ...)
- by topic (for example, wine tours, castles, thermal springs…)
- by relief (for example, seashore, mountains ...)
The label "Comfort", for example, means accommodation in rural hotels or guest houses with shower and toilet in the room throughout the tour, probably with the exception of one or two nights, which is stipulated in the description of the program.
Additionally, in the "tag cloud" at the bottom of the page, a selection of popular and interesting topics, such as, for example:
- Holidays on the coast of France
- Historical tours
- Cycling ...
Let's summarize
The concept of individual tours
- Active lifestyle, travel on the move, in the fresh air;
- Great walks in the provinces of France: on foot, by bike, by sea kayak, canoe - in mini-groups up to 12 people;
- Always light- transportation of luggage from overnight to overnight;
- Real journey- overnight stays each time in a new place. Or stationary accommodation in a hotel / chalet with outings for walks;
- Comfort- from simplicity to sophistication. Wherever possible - in old houses, interesting from the point of view of history and cultural heritage: small original hotels in the city, cozy village hotels or in private houses in the countryside, and in the wild - in camp sites, mountain shelters or even in tents;
- Discoveries- a live acquaintance with the people and nature of the French province beyond the classic routes. Meetings with residents who are remarkable in their life, profession, creativity;
- Safety and thoughtfulness routes. Both in the countryside and in the wilderness;
- Escort professional guide(spoken English and French) or independent travel with a detailed guide and GPS navigator;
- For families with children- active and educational adventure travel;
- "Relaxation and form". A separate direction of tours aimed at rest and peace: a combination of walks on the mountain or sea air with thermal baths, spa treatments, balneo or thalassotherapy.
Do not confuse outdoor activities with hiking trips
All individual trips offered in the catalog refer to active recreation. However, they should not be confused with sports or hiking tourism.
Photo of sights of France
France is more than we imagine it. Provinces, all different from each other: nature, architecture, mentality ... You draw in your imagination: castles, lavender fields, vineyards in the hills, Paris, Cote d'Azur, skiing in the Alps, something else ... But you will not immediately imagine how much more this "even"!
To get inspired by new ideas to independently design your own tours of the provinces of France, you can take a look at a selection of Google Panoramio photos taken along the itineraries of individual tours on the Photos of France page.
Or just open Google " Planet Earth"! A file is attached on the page of each individual tour kmz(Google Earth format). Click on the file, and the program will take you to the place of travel action with scattering of photos!
