Top France Private and Luxury - page 5

France’s Palace of Versailles is so massive, that if you explored it on your own, you’d surely miss something worth seeing or knowing. This Palace of Versailles Small-Group Tour takes you through the royal apartments with a guide in a small-group atmosphere so you don’t miss a thing.

Discover the City of Light when you book this pay-as-you-wish walking tour of Paris. Stroll along the Île de la Cité and the Seine River, uncovering secrets behind landmarks like Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. Learn about Paris's 2,000-year history, including tales of Napoleon, Gustave Eiffel, the French Revolution, and World War II, all while enjoying stunning views of the city.

Paris can feel overwhelming when you don’t know where to begin, especially on a first visit. Get oriented on a guided walk through Île de la Cité, where your guide connects riverside landmarks with stories spanning medieval Paris, royalty, and revolution. Then deepen your experience at Sainte-Chapelle or Notre-Dame, combining historical context with time inside one of the island’s defining landmarks.

Explore the scenic Alsace region from Strasbourg, without hiring a car or planning a day trip yourself, with this small-group tour. Let your guide handle the day's logistics and activities, so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience. Enjoy an itinerary that includes the High Koenigsbourg Fortress, Colmar, Eguisheim, and Riquewihr.

Tick off some of Paris’ most iconic attractions at your own pace on a private walking tour. Alongside your personal guide, head to one of Paris’ oldest districts, the Île de la Cité, and past world-famous Notre-Dame Cathedral. Visit Place de la Concorde and delve into Paris’ turbulent history as you amble along the Champs-Elysees toward the Arc de Triomphe. Avoid the risk of getting lost with a guide.

Visit Normandy's D-Day beaches and the American Cemetery in just one day on this tour from Paris, ideal for travelers who want to make the most of their time. See Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, and Pointe du Hoc, a historic cliff-top site from the landings. Gain insights into WWII sacrifices and the liberation from your guide.

Venture into the heart of the Champagne region—and step off the crowded tourist trail—on this immersive, small-group tour. Pick between morning and afternoon departure times, and set off from central Reims. Venture first to the village of Hautvillers—where Dom Pérignon is buried—before visiting two independent Grand or Premier Cru producers. Enjoy in-depth tours, taste numerous Champagnes, and learn all about the wine’s rich heritage.

Known as “the empire of death” and home to the remains of some 6 million Parisians, the Paris Catacombs are lined with centuries-old skeletons—and are one of the city’s spookiest sights. On this small-group, skip-the-line tour, you’ll get to explore the medieval tunnels, view hidden chambers most tourists miss, learn about the landmark’s revolutionary and wartime history, and even stumble upon a resident ghost or two.

Ticking off the top sights in Louvre’s extensive collection can be tricky for time-limited travelers. Optimize your visit on a tour of the gallery’s must-see masterpieces, benefiting from reserved access to minimize time spent waiting to enter. Follow your guide past the crowds and straight to highlights such as the Mona Lisa, Nike of Samothrace, and Venus de Milo. You can also upgrade to a small-group tour for a more personal experience.

Versailles, once home to French royalty, is among the world’s largest and most opulent palaces. With this tour, you can get the most out of your palace visit, without having to put in hours of research time. Your guide's commentary, delivered through provided headsets, enriches your journey through this renowned landmark as you explore highlights such as the Hall of Mirrors, the State Apartments, and Versailles' gardens.

Take off from Lyon and make your way to the beautiful southern Beaujolais region. First, journey into a vaulted cellar for an introduction to wine tasting with two distinct wines and a local pastry. Then, pass by the 12th-century village, Oingt, to see its medieval monuments, and end your tour at a winemaker’s estate with more tastings.

With just one day to experience Provence, this full-day tour from Avignon includes the famous lavender fields (seasonal), picturesque hilltop towns, and Provencal markets. Visit historic landmarks such as Senanque Abbey and the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard; explore the towns of Roussillon, les Baux de Provence, and Gordes; and follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh in Saint Remy de Provence.

Enjoy a more personal way to explore the hilly streets of Montmartre and follow in the footsteps of the artists who lived there (including Monet, Van Gogh, and Cézanne) on this private or small-group tour. Look forward to seeing the best of this popular Paris neighborhood in one excursion, from Sacré-Coeur Basilica and the Moulin Rouge to Van Gogh's former house. You can even discover a historic cabaret and Montmartre's only vineyard.

Breeze around the Burgundy wine region by bike on this memorable full-day wine tasting tour, including lunch. Glide through the vineyards of the Côte de Beaune, stopping to snap photos of picturesque villages and majestic châteaux. Learn about the importance of ‘terroir’ and the fine art of wine production as you visit family-run wineries and wine cellars, and taste a variety of regional wines.

Discover the darker side of the City of Light on a small-group tour of the famed Paris Catacombs. Explore these fascinating underground passageways lined with the bones of thousands of former Parisians, and learn the history of the mesmerizing and macabre labyrinth. Get special access to restricted areas that the general public cannot usually enter. Enjoy the personalized attention of a small-group tour, and the chance to ask questions.

The Burgundy wine region is renowned for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, and lies about two hours southeast of Paris. With this tour, discover the region on a day trip, visit three different wineries, and learn about Burgundy's rich winemaking history and heritage. Sample red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines during three expert-led tastings, and stop for lunch (own expense) in the medieval town of Chablis.

Experience the oldest part of Paris with this guided small-group or private walking tour of Le Marais. You'll explore this historic district, passing through old parks and courtyards as your guide regales you with historic tales. You'll also get to spend some time in the old Jewish Quarter, full of kosher shops and restaurants and home to a large Parisian Jewish population to this day.

Spend a half-day with a knowledgeable guide on an Alsace wine tour along the scenic Alsace Wine Route. During this half-day tour from Strasbourg, visit two charming towns for two wine tastings. Sample some of the region’s notable wines, including gewürztraminer and Riesling, as you learn about how the wines are produced. Select either a morning or afternoon tour, whichever suits your itinerary, and enjoy a more personalized experience with a small tour group limited to eight people.

Witness a profound side of French and American history with a visit to Omaha Beach from Bayeux. On this 3-hour small-group tour, you’ll stroll the Normandy beaches, explore critical wartime sites like Pointe du Hoc and the Normandy American Cemetery, and learn fascinating facts and histories about WWII from your guide. In the company of a small group, you’ll have the chance to personalize the journey, stopping to take souvenir photos and ask questions.

Champagne tasting at small Champagne houses is a not-to-be-missed experience for connoisseurs of vintage French bubbly. This small-group tour of the Champagne-producing region of Reims, France also includes a stroll down the Avenue de Champagne.

Located on the German border, the Alsace region is famed for its scenic vineyards and medieval villages. On this tour from Colmar, benefit from a small group size as you follow the Alsatian Wine Route, stopping to sample Alsace wines at a local wine cave (own expense), and visit the "Four Wonders of the Alsace"—the picturesque villages of Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé, and Riquewihr.

Explore the Palace of Versailles on a day trip from Paris by train that includes time to discover the palace gardens and the Petit Trianon, where Marie Antoinette spent much of her time. Inside the palace, you'll see the Hall of Mirrors and the state apartments before heading outside to the private domain of the former French Queen. Many visitors to Versailles don't take the time to visit the queen's separate home and village with its farm and gardens, so don't miss this more in-depth experience.

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.

Devote a day to the wines and traditions of one of France’s most celebrated wine regions on this full-day small-group tour from Bordeaux. Traveling by air-conditioned minivan, criss-cross Bordeaux’s vineyard-covered hills and visit several wineries to indulge in tastings. A gourmet picnic lunch is included.