Villages of France

9 Days Paris Return
Villages of France
Villages of France
Villages of France
New Release Coach Group Scenic

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Trafalgar's 9 Day Villages of France. Journey through the villages, towns and countryside that define the French way of life. Starting in Paris, travel through Burgundy, Alsace and Champagne, uncovering vine-covered slopes, colourful half-timbered streets and bustling local markets along the way. From cheesemakers and Champagne cellars to riverside walks and storybook squares, this is a France trip that captures the country’s charm, one village at a time.
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Our Price From
US$2,700 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $462 per person
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Trip Length
Trip Length

9 Days

Trip Starts
Trip Starts

Paris

Trip Ends
Trip Ends

Paris

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Operator
Operator
Trafalgar
Trip Style
Trip Style

Country Explorer

Accommodation
Accommodation

4 Star

Budget
Budget

Premium

Age Range
Age Range

5-99 Years

Max. Group Size
Max. Group Size

52

Guide Style
Guide Style

Fully Guided

Tour Code
Tour Code

FVOF

Itinerary

Welcome to Paris. After settling in, you'll join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner – the perfect chance to get to know each other over classic French flavours. If you're keen to see the city from a different angle, join an Optional Experience Seine river cruise and take in the sights of France's capital. (D) Stay: Oceania Paris Porte de Versailles

Follow the story of Joan of Arc and her role in the city's siege as you explore Orléans at your own pace, visit the medieval centre or browse the local boutiques. In Bourges, join a guided walking tour and visit two of its most impressive landmarks – the UNESCO-listed Cathédrale Saint-Étienne and the 15th-century Palais Jacques Cœur. If you're looking for something special this evening, you can choose an Optional Experience that includes a regional dinner. (B) Stay: Hôtel de Bourbon Mercure Bourges

Travel through the Bourbonnais countryside, where vineyards and fortified villages shape the landscape. Stop at Château de Vieux Chambord for a Be My Guest experience hosted by Marie and Stéphane Devaulx de Chambord. Set within their 14th-century family estate, you'll learn about the château's history and everyday life in rural Burgundy, followed by lunch served in one of the original towers.

Later, continue to Beaune, the wine capital of the region. Join your Travel Director for a walk through the historic town centre, known for its colourful rooftops and medieval streets. Visit the Hôtel-Dieu and explore one of Burgundy's best-known landmarks, a former hospital with a legacy that spans centuries. (B/L) Stay: Mercure Centre, Novotel Beaune

Join your Travel Director in the mustard capital of France for an orientation of Dijon's historic centre, where elegant streets, timber-framed buildings and local delicacies come together. On market day, visit Les Halles – the covered market designed by Gustave Eiffel – and see Burgundy's food culture in full swing. Then Dive into Culture at the Moutarderie Fallot to learn how mustard is made and enjoy a tasting of unique flavours. Spend the afternoon as you please before returning to Beaune. (B)

In Colmar, your Travel Director leads a walking orientation through canal-lined streets and colourful timber-framed houses. In Strasbourg, explore a city where you'll see both French and German influences – from its open squares and historic centre to the architecture that reflects its blended past. (B/D) Stay: Hilton Strasbourg

Explore the city with a Local Specialist on a guided walk through the city's historic centre. Visit Strasbourg Cathedral, stroll through Petite France and see central landmarks like Place Kléber, each offering a glimpse into the city's unique character. As part of your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you'll stop in at Cafe Joyeux, where your visit helps champion equal access to employment through hospitality training. The afternoon is yours to explore further or relax.

In the evening, join an Optional Experience to enjoy a regional dining experience featuring classic Alsatian dishes in a welcoming local setting. (B)

Travel to Metz, where you can take in the cathedral and explore the city's historic centre. Continue into the Champagne region and arrive in Épernay for a tasting of the drink that made the region world-famous. In Hautvillers, stop to see the statue of Dom Pérignon, the monk whose name lives on through one of Champagne's most prestigious labels. The day ends in Reims, where you'll gather with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a final dinner, toasting to the journey through Paris, the French countryside and villages. (B/D) Stay: Reims Hotel Tribe

Visit a cheese dairy in Meaux and Dive into Culture as you learn how Brie de Meaux is made using traditional methods. Enjoy time to explore the local farmers' market, where stalls are filled with fresh produce and regional specialities. Back in Paris, spend the afternoon your way, you might explore landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or Montmartre.

In the evening, an Optional Experience invites you to enjoy dinner and a Parisian cabaret show: a lively night out filled with music, movement and classic French flair. (B) Stay: Oceania Paris Porte de Versailles

So, it's “adieu Paris,” and farewell to your Travel Director and fellow travellers who've shared this journey through France. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Explore Paris, Orléans, Bourges, Beaune, Dijon, Colmar, Strasbourg, Metz and Meaux
  • Discover Paris, Beaune, Dijon, Colmar and Meaux
  • Visit St Stephens Cathedral & Palais Jacques Coeur, Hotel-Dieu Museum, La Citadelle de Besançon, and Strasbourg Notre-Dame Cathedral
  • See Quartier de la Petite France, River Rhine and Place Kléber, Vineyards of Champagne, and the Statue of Dom Pérignon in Hautvillers

Be My Guest

  • Bourges: Join Marie and Stéphane Devaulx de Chambord at their 14th-century family home, Château de Vieux Chambord, once visited by King Henry IV of France. Tour the gardens and explore the main living areas, defensive fortifications, dungeon, Courtyard of Honours and the king's throne. Then gather for lunch in one of the original towers, surrounded by stories and local flavours.

Iconic Experience

  • Orleans: Stroll through the medieval streets of Orléans, once the stronghold of Joan of Arc. Explore timber-framed houses, lively squares and riverside views at your own pace. Uncover its past and present as you walk through the same streets that helped shape French history.
  • Bourges: Explore the medieval centre of Bourges with a Local Specialist. Hear the stories behind its timbered lanes and grand landmarks as you visit the 13th-century UNESCO-listed Cathédrale Saint-Étienne and the ornate Palais Jacques Cœur – a merchant's palace that reflects the city's wealth and power in the late Middle Ages.
  • Beaune: Join your Travel Director for an orientation walk through Beaune's medieval centre. Pass wine shops, timber-framed buildings and lively market squares as you get a feel for this historic Burgundy town. Along the way, hear how wine, trade and tradition have shaped daily life in one of France's best-loved wine capitals.
  • Beaune: Step inside the 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu, once a hospital for the poor and now a museum showcasing Burgundy's medieval heritage. Admire its colourful patterned roof tiles, gothic architecture and beautifully preserved interiors as you explore the stories behind this historic building at the heart of Beaune.
  • Dijon: Join your Travel Director for a walk through the heart of Dijon. See elegant squares, timber-framed buildings and the city's iconic mustard shops. On market day, step inside Les Halles – the covered market designed by Gustave Eiffel – where stalls brim with Burgundy produce and regional specialities.
  • Dijon: Tour Burgundy's last independent mustard mill, where traditional stone-grinding methods are still used. Discover how Dijon's most famous condiment is made, then sample a variety of bold and unexpected flavours during a guided tasting that showcases this regional favourite.
  • Colmar: Join your Travel Director to explore the heart of Colmar, where colourful half-timbered houses, canal-lined lanes and flower-filled squares give the town its storybook charm. As you walk, you'll discover why this Alsatian gem has inspired artists, winemakers and visitors for centuries.
  • Strasbourg: Join a Local Specialist to discover Strasbourg's blend of French and German heritage on foot. Walk through the city's historic centre, learn about its shifting identity and see how different cultures have shaped its architecture, food and atmosphere over the centuries.
  • Strasbourg: Stroll through the timber-framed houses and cobbled canals of the Petite France district. Take in the views of the River Rhine, then head to Place Kléber – the city's central square and a hub of daily life, surrounded by cafes, shops and Alsatian character.
  • Strasbourg: Admire the pink sandstone facade and towering spire of Strasbourg Cathedral – one of Europe's finest examples of Gothic architecture. Inside, look up to see the intricate stained glass and the astronomical clock that's drawn visitors for centuries.
  • Metz: Stop in Metz to admire its impressive cathedral and medieval architecture before continuing to Épernay, set in the heart of Champagne country. This elegant town is home to grand boulevards lined with some of the world's most celebrated Champagne houses.
  • Champagne Region: Travel through the vine-covered slopes of the Champagne region, shaped by centuries of cultivation. Neatly aligned rows of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier stretch across chalky soils, forming the landscape that defines this world-famous sparkling wine.
  • Champagne Region: Sample Champagne in the region that gives it its name – and its character. Made using the méthode traditionnelle and a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, each glass reflects the region's unique terroir and craft.
  • Champagne Region: Stop in Hautvillers, the village where Dom Pérignon lived and worked. See the statue that honours the Benedictine monk whose name now appears on one of the world's most prestigious Champagne labels.
  • Meaux: Stop in Meaux, a riverside town known for its Brie and mustard. Browse the farmers' market, where stalls brim with seasonal produce, cheeses and local specialities. The market reflects everyday life in this part of France, with fresh ingredients and small producers at the centre of it all.
  • Meaux: Learn how Brie de Meaux is made on a guided visit to the Saint Faron dairy. See traditional techniques in action, from curdling to ageing, and hear how this soft, creamy cheese became one of France's most iconic regional products.

Make Travel Matter®

  • Strasbourg: Visit Cafe Joyeux in Strasbourg, where people with disabilities are trained and supported to build careers in hospitality. You'll meet staff working towards greater inclusion in the industry. Stop in for a light refreshment and see how this local cafe is creating meaningful change through practical training, real opportunity and everyday interaction. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Optional Experiences (Additional Cost) and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised

  • 3 Dinners (D)
  • 8 Breakfasts (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Operator

Trafalgar
 (1,001) Reviews
Total No. of Tours & Cruises267
We are the world’s leading and most awarded travel brand spanning all 7 continents of the globe. From the iconic to the unexpected our guests connect to the real depth of the places we go. They will break bread with the locals at our exclusive Be My Guest experiences and unlock local secrets of our Travel Directors and more Local Specialists. Everything is taken care of, so they travel with true ease and get the real thing without worrying about a thing.

We consider how we can positively impact the communities we engage with. Through our JoinTrafalgar initiatives powered by TreadRight, guests don’t just leave footprints on the ground, but leave a lasting legacy for the betterment of locals and the future of their communities.

It’s 72 years of destination experience and feedback from over 5 million happy guests that fuels our innovation to continually delivery simply the best holidays.
Must-sees to Local Secrets
Must-sees to Local Secrets

You’ll enjoy the icons and hidden gems with a Local Specialist by your side. Read more

Connect with Locals
Connect with Locals

With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you. Read more

Stay With Stories
Stay With Stories

Find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. Read more

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Trafalgar Europe (2025-26)

Explore the essence of Europe with Trafalgar. Engage with a rich blend of cultures, languages, and cuisines as you cross borders. Delve into the spirit of every location, from the captivating canals of Venice to the allure of the French countryside. Be awe-inspired by the Swiss Alps, the lively markets of Istanbul, the tiled streets of Lisbon, and the more limitless diversity that characterizes this remarkable continent. The Trafalgar difference means seeing the not-to-miss man-made and ancient wonders, and discovering some of the best natural phenomena Europe and Britain has to offer.

Dates & Pricing USD USD

Saturday 11 Apr 2026 11 Apr 26 Paris
Sunday 19 Apr 2026 19 Apr 26 Paris
Details
Definite Departure
Exclusive Savings
Was: $3,125
US$2,700
Save $425
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Trafalgar. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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