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25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
“
The villages visited were absolutely amazing, so much beauty and history.
This was the first time this trip was done
Highly recommend this new tour
Interesting and good hotels used
Vanessa | Traveled in April
5 - Excellent
Carbon neutral
CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
Villages of France
BM-52399Share this tour link.
4.4Based on
9 days
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
4.67/5
Excellent based on 846 customer reviews from
Anonymous
Guillia put a great self-drive tour together for us and Susana looked after us as we travelled.
(Even when we got lost)
The car and accommodation was good and the guides patient and informative.
Only issue we had was parking in small villages, garages, and cities.
Apart from the parking we had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday, thank you.
Visit St Stephens Cathedral & Palais Jacques Coeur, Hotel-Dieu Museum, Moutarderie Fallot home of the French mustard & Les Halles on Market Day in Dijon, Strasbourg Notre-Dame Cathedral & Le Petite Paris, and Champagne House in Epernay.
See Quartier de la Petite France, River Rhine and Place Kléber, Vineyards of Champagne, and the Statue of Dom Pérignon in Hautvillers
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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What's Included
Accommodation
Cherrypicked hotels, all tried and trustedAll hotel tips, charges and local taxesOn occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
Meals
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Transport
Luxury airconditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Guide
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Others
All porterage and restaurant gratuitiesMustsee sightseeingAudio headsets for flexible sightseeingOptional Experiences and free time
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.
day 1Bonjour Paris!
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.
Meals
Dinner
Location Visited
Paris
Accommodation
Oceania Paris Porte de Versailles
day 2Discover Orlans
day 3From Bourges to Beaune
day 4Flavours of Dijon
day 5Through the Countryside to Strasbourg
day 6Discover Strasbourg
day 7Journey to Wine Country
day 8Through Meaux to Paris
day 9Your Journey Comes to a Close
A
AnonymousVerified Traveler
3.0 | Average
This was our first Trafalgar trip. Although there were some really good experiences and highlights and we had a good Tour Director, overall the tour was less than exceptional for a number of reasons: for example, there were too many people (42) on the trip for our taste; too much on the bus off the bus trying to do too many stops/activities, which left us with a feeling of superficiality and not enough time to delve more deeply into local culture; more often than not, the optional activities, which overall were quite pricey, were disappointing; although some of the included meals were exceptional, others, especially on some of the optional activities, the food offerings and quality were astonishingly poor (given that this is France after all!); and the hotels were not consistently of the same quality -- some very nice and others just average. Although some of our fellow travelers had taken numerous other Trafalgar trips and spoke very highly of them, they seemed to share some of our feelings that this trip left something to be desired. Perhaps some of these issues were due to the fact that, as we understood it, that this was only the second time that the Villages of France trip had been offered. If in fact that was the case, it would seem important to note in the marketing materials that this is a new trip offering. It wasn't a bad trip, but we expected more from Trafalgar, given its generally good reviews. However, given the notable inconsistencies we experienced on this trip, we'd have to give careful consideration as to whether we would take another Trafalgar trip.
R
Robert M.Verified Traveler
5.0 | Excellent
A
AnonymousVerified Traveler
5.0 | Excellent
A
AnonymousVerified Traveler
4.0 | Very Good
Hotels were comfortable. Some of the suppers were very good
A
AnonymousVerified Traveler
5.0 | Excellent
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