Top France Historical Tours

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.

See the highlights of the Orsay's collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art on a private or small-group tour of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. Let an art historian guide lead you straight to masterworks by Monet, Cézanne, Renoir, Degas and more. Enjoy personalized attention from your guide and learn the history behind the art for a truly immersive experience.

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 culture and art through the ages with a small-group or private guided tour of Paris’s Louvre Museum. With skip-the-line access, you'll avoid long queues and have more time to discover many of the museum's best-known collection highlights. Your guide shares stories about the artworks and discusses the museum's long history—leave the brochure at home, your guide has better stories to share.

Admire a new side of the City of Light on a sightseeing nighttime bus tour. See Paris landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower illuminated after dark from the vantage point of an open-top bus. Listen to recorded commentary in eight languages to learn the stories behind the sights, and bring your camera to capture the special views.

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.

See the best of Marseille without worrying about getting lost by booking this group tour, led by a local guide. You'll start at the old port, making your way through the Panier neighborhood. Then, you'll head onwards to the 17th-century Centre de la Vielle Charite. Finally, you'll wrap things up with a bus ride over to the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, the best-known site in the city.

Spend the morning exploring Marseilles’ historical neighborhoods on a half-day shore excursion with a guide. Perfect for visitors looking to maximize their time in the city, the tour covers many of the city’s main sights in half a day. Peruse shops and restaurants along the water in the old port, and climb up to the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde to take in panoramic views.

Visit two of the most impressive Roman ruins in Provence and sample the region’s renowned wines on this half-day small-group tour from Avignon. Marvel at the grand aqueduct of Pont du Gard, visit the UNESCO-listed Roman Theater in Orange, then enjoy wine tasting at a Chateaneuf du Pape winery.

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.

Discover Bordeaux on a 3-hour guided bike tour covering 9 miles (14 km) of historic streets, green spaces, and street art. Hear stories and secrets as you ride comfortable Dutch bikes, with helmets, baskets, and an exclusive tasting of Bordeaux’s canelé pastry included. Choose between regular and electric bikes for a personal and eco-friendly experience.

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.

Discover the Palace of Versailles—one of France’s most popular attractions—on this half- or full-day sightseeing tour from Paris. Meet your coach in central Paris and head straight to the palace; upon arrival, thanks to your timed-entry tickets, you go right in for a guided tour. After, explore the ornate gardens and either return to Paris or continue touring the grounds, depending on the tour option you booked.

Pay tribute to World War II’s American heroes on this half-day tour of Normandy’s defining D-Day sites. Start at Omaha Beach, where your driver-guide takes you back in time to the brutal landing depicted in the opening scene of "Saving Private Ryan"; continue to the towering Pointe du Hoc cliffs, boldly scaled by US Rangers; finish at the Normandy American Cemetery and visitor center. Travel between locations with ease—and without having to plan or navigate—thanks to comfortable private transport.

Visit some of World War II’s most important battle sites—and leave all the planning and navigation to someone else—on this full-day tour of the Normandy landing beaches from Bayeux. Walk the battlefields and beaches where thousands of Allied troops took part in history’s largest seaborne invasion, including key sights such as Utah Beach, Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc. Then, pay your respects at the Normandy American Cemetery.

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.

Visit the Palace of Versailles with timed admission. Follow a knowledgeable guide on a 90-minute tour through the palace to see the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors. Then head outside independently to explore the expansive gardens at your leisure (note: an additional fee for the garden is required on days when the fountain show or musical show take place).

Head into the home of the "Mona Lisa" on a tour of the world's largest art museum. Once inside, your local art historian guide will provide you with background about some of the Louvre's most stunning pieces of art. Expect to see masterpieces by the likes of Da Vinci, Raphael, Veronese, Titian, and Botticelli, not to mention the French Crown Jewels.

Short on time in Bayeux but keen to see Normandy’s World War II US D-Day sites? Visit some key 1944 American locations on a half-day tour from Bayeux. Travel by air-conditioned minivan to Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc, where US troops landed. Your guide shares details and stories of the landings. Finish at the American Cemetery to pay homage to those who lost their lives.

Especially in peak season, the lines at the Palace of Versailles can be hard to believe. On this eminently civilized guided tour with a round trip transportation from Paris. Your guide will show you the most magnificent of the 2,000 rooms, including the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s State Apartments, and the King’s Private Apartments, then introduce you to the magical 2,000-acre (800-hectare) gardens.

It is the most complete walking tour in Bordeaux and also the best rated in the city! An exclusive tour designed so you can get to know the attractions of Bordeaux in the most complete, entertaining and fun way.

See the best of beautiful, medieval Avignon without worrying about language barriers on this walking tour. Learn the history of this exquisite UNESCO-listed city with ancient Roman roots and celebrity as the 14th-century seat of the Papacy. Admire hilltop views of the Rhône River, tour the ornate chambers and chapels at the Palace of the Popes, and enjoy a glass of Côtes du Rhône wine near the Place de l’Horloge.

Marvel over the masters of Impressionism on a private or small-group tour of the Musée d'Orsay (Orsay Museum) in Paris. Enjoy the undivided attention of your expert guide, who introduces you to famous works by artists including Renoir, Cézanne, and Manet, while explaining the innovative techniques used by Monet and Van Gogh. A must-do tour for art enthusiasts and anyone wanting to learn more.