Top France Historical Tours

Immerse yourself in the Palace of Versailles's history, learning more than you would if visiting independently, with this group tour. Follow your guide as you explore the interior of the former royal residence, including the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors. Post-tour, enjoy taking in the estate's gardens at your own leisure.

Explore beyond the D-Day beaches and the Bayeux Tapestry and get to know Bayeux city better on a two-hour tour in English. This walking tour focuses on local history, so is a must for history enthusiasts. Check out the beautiful medieval architecture, including the cathedral, and listen to your guide’s stories from Bayeux’s long and colorful past.

Discover one of the most important landmarks in Paris from both inside and out–and take the guesswork out of sightseeing–on this tour of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral. Explore the outside to uncover the history of the building, discover its architectural highlights, and learn about its restoration from your guide. Inside, continue independently at your own pace and appreciate the sights more deeply thanks to your new knowledge.

Visitors to Bayeux who want an easy way to tour nearby Mont Saint Michel will love this hassle-free day tour. In a small group you’ll spend the day exploring the amazing island and the abbey that sits at the top. Learn about the island’s significance and its medieval history. Enjoy the sweeping ocean views and learn more than you would touring independently from your informative guide.

Discover one of France's most picturesque historical sites on this 2-hour walking tour of Mont-Saint-Michel. Walk along its narrow cobblestone streets and ramparts, soaking in the charm of the medieval village. Learn about its rich history and significance as a pilgrimage site from your guide, and conclude the tour at the summit, where you can explore the abbey at your own pace.

In the company of your guide, gain access to the tower's second level. Delve into the history of one of the world's most famous monuments and discover the exhibits and maps on display. Then, instead of rushing down, have free time to soak up the views on your own once the tour has finished.

The Louvre’s collection spans worlds from ancient Egypt to Renaissance Italy and 19th-century France and you could spend days exploring and still not see it all. Hit the highlights without sacrificing swathes of your vacation on this tour with an art historian guide. As well as icons like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, see gems that larger tours miss.

The world-famous Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris is chock full of history that’s all too easy to miss if you explore its halls on your own. But with a guide to show you around, you get not just the best stories from Notre-Dame’s past, but your guide’s unique perspective as a Paris local, too.

Retrace the steps of American D-Day troops on a full-day tour of Normandy’s US landing sectors from Bayeux. Travel by air-conditioned minivan with your expert guide, and stand at key landing and drop points, including Omaha Beach and St-Mere-Eglise. See the battle sites at Pointe du Hoc and visit the Utah Beach Museum and Normandy American Cemetery to remember those who gave their lives in June 1944.

Experience the Eiffel Tower the way Gustave Eiffel himself would have by climbing its stairs on a guided adventure. Learn about its history, hidden stories and engineering feats along the way. Then from the second level, take the elevator to the top (optional extra) for panoramic views of Paris, where you can stay and explore at your own leisure.

Discover the opulence of Versailles with a personalized guided tour. Choose from a range of packages depending on how much time you have to explore. Explore the King’s State Apartment, Hall of Mirrors, and magnificent gardens, with the flexibility of transportation options, including hotel pick-up. Durations vary, allowing you to immerse yourself in history at your own pace, including an optional independent visit to the Grand and Petit Trianon palaces.

Chart the story of the World War II D-Day landings by American forces on this day trip from Bayeux. Learn about the objectives and achievements of the US assaults on June 6, 1944 as you visit the key beaches of Utah and Omaha, and German battery at Pointe du Hoc. Plus, visit the Airborne Museum at Sainte-Mère-Église and the US cemetery overlooking Omaha. Air-conditioned minivan transport, entrance fees, and central Bayeux pickup and drop-off included.

We will guide you through beautiful Provence on this spectacular full-day tour. See all of the highlights in one unforgettable day. Experience Provence’s breathtaking perched villages and stunning landscapes. We will take you back in time from the Middle Ages to the Romans at Pont du Gard. Enjoy lunch on your own while exploring the colors of Roussillon. Together we will visit Nostradamus’s birthplace in St Remy and learn about Van Gogh’s fascinating life. Special stops at a lavender field (during blooming season only/ mid-June to end of July) and the L’Isle sur la Sorgues market on Sunday mornings. Why Choose This Tour? "Discover the very best of Provence with a stress-free, unhurried pace." Perfectly suited for all tastes, whether you are passionate about history, art, or the Provençal landscape.

Visit historic D-Day landing sites on a full-day trip from Paris that coordinates transportation, guided tours, and a sit-down lunch to make each moment count. Exploring sea-front bunkers, cliff-top German positions, and the hard-fought terrain of Omaha Beach highlights every angle of the Allied effort—and time at the Normandy American Cemetery is a chance to pay your respects to fallen soldiers.

Head to the coast of Normandy to visit Mont-Saint-Michel on this day tour from Paris. You'll receive an orientation from a guide, and then enjoy time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site independently with an audio guide or by wandering the hilly streets at your leisure. Transportation is by coach from Paris.

Discover Lyon’s highlights, and wend your way past major landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites alike, on this small-group walking tour. Meet your guide in the afternoon at the Bartholdi Fountain, and set off on foot. Over the course of several hours, you’ll learn all about the city’s history and gourmet traditions, will stroll through Vieux Lyon (its Old Town), will travel by funicular up Fourvière Hill, and more.

Ensure you won't miss any of the famous masterpieces at Paris’s Louvre Museum on a small-group tour. Avoid getting lost in the large museum and follow your guide to collection highlights, including the "Mona Lisa," "Venus de Milo," and more. Learn the backstories of these works and enrich your understanding of the art.

Step into the heart of Paris on a guided walking tour of Île de la Cité, home to Notre Dame Cathedral and centuries of fascinating history. Stroll along the Seine, learn about the island’s transformation from ancient village to cultural hub, and admire the cathedral’s ongoing restoration. Upgrade to step inside Sainte-Chapelle, then finish at the storied Pont Neuf—Paris’s oldest bridge.

Explore the dark underworld of the Paris Catacombs, and enjoy a hassle-free way to discover the always-in-demand sight, on this small-group tour. Skip the long lines and head inside this macabre tunnel system, filled with the skeletal remains of more than 6 million Parisians. Learn more about the remarkable construction of the catacombs from your guide, and even gain special access to a range of chapels and chambers.

Discover masterpieces by artists from Monet to Renoir on this small-group tour of Paris’ renowned Musée d'Orsay. With numbers limited to just six people, enjoy personal attention from your guide as you learn about the birth of impressionism, discover the unique techniques of Van Gogh and Cezanne, and see exquisite artworks by Manet, Degas, Gauguin and many other artists. Includes admission to the permanent exhibits.

The Louvre's 35,000 artworks can overwhelm even seasoned museum-goers. This focused tour cuts through the chaos, guiding you straight to the collection's must-sees, including the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory. Your guide shares the history behind each masterpiece and shares lesser-known stories of art heists and hidden details. Personalize your tour to suit you, with group, small-group, or private options to match your budget.

There are few palaces as world-famous as Versailles, but with some 10 million annual visitors, you could spend longer queuing outside than exploring inside. This half-day tour from Paris ensures a hassle-free experience with round-trip train transfers from the city and a guided tour of the staterooms, palace gardens, and Marie Antoinette’s hamlet (if option selected).

While the afternoon away discovering charming hilltop villages in the Luberon region on this 6-hour tour from Aix-en-Provence. Admire breathtaking Provencal landscapes as you explore Gordes, Lourmarin, Bonnieux and Roussillon. An informative guide shares historical commentary and takes you to the most picturesque spots, including Pont Julien, a 12th-century church and more. Round-trip transport by minibus included.