A Week in France: The Riviera, Provence & Paris
9 days | 12 days with Normandy & Paris extension |
Lovely beaches. Lavender fields. Lantern-lit lanes. Tres magnifique.
Splashes of color and the spray of the sea abound in southern France. The best way to pair them with the allure of Paris? This trip. In just a few days, you’ll swing from the glitz of the Cote d’Azur to the pastoral elegance of Provence, finishing with a three-night stay in the cosmopolitan French capital. The storied shores of Normandy await on the extension, too—add it to step back to the not-so-distant past.
Your tour package includes
- 7 nights in handpicked hotels
- 7 breakfasts
- 3 dinners with beer or wine
- 3 sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach
- 1 train ride
Included highlights
- French Riviera
- Calanques of Cassis
- Avignon’s Papal Palace
- High-speed TGV train ride
- Eiffel Tower photo stop
- Place de la Concorde
Itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Nice today.
Nice2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Nice
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Bonne arrivee! After clearing arrivals, transfer from the airport to your hotel to recharge. Then, get to know your Tour Director and fellow group members at a welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Nice
Included meal: Breakfast
Nestled between Cannes and the Principality of Monaco on the Cote d’Azur, Nice is part cultural hub, part coastal resort, and entirely fascinating. Fall in love with La Belle—the Nicois’ affectionate nickname for their hometown—during a guided tour of the city this morning, and see which of its quarters claims your heart.
- Drive along the Promenade des Anglais, a waterfront walkway dear to locals and tourists alike. Spot the various highlights called out by your Tour Director, like the distinguished Hotel Negresco and the iron sculpture known as La Chaise Bleue.
- Stop in the upscale Cimiez neighborhood and take in a pair of legendary landmarks: the second-century ruins of a Roman amphitheater and the thriving, calming gardens of the Cimiez Monastery.
- Conclude with free time in Nice’s Old Town, a labyrinth of narrow streets connecting bustling squares, quaint cafes, and the vibrant Cours Saleya market. (Looking for souvenirs? Pick up tapenades, candied fruit, and other local specialties for the gourmand in your life.)
Mega yachts. Movie stars. Formula 1. In Monaco, luxury reigns, and tonight’s optional excursion will give you a taste of life in the world’s second-smallest country—complete with a visit to the opulent Monte Carlo Casino. Alternatively, sneak away to Cap Ferrat and enjoy a short hike on the coastal Sentier du Littoral.
Please note: On some departures, when Cours Saleya market is closed, it will be replaced with a visit to an antiques market.
Avignon2 nights
Day 4: Avignon via Cassis
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, you’ll take a slight detour: Instead of driving inland to Avignon, you’ll first cross the French Riviera and stop in Cassis. Bobbing sailboats and towering cliffs typify this fishing village, and you’ll get to see it all from the water during an included cruise.
- Board your boat and motor into the Bay of Cassis, keeping your eyes (and cameras) trained on the craggy coastline.
- Pause to snap photos of the Port de Cassis and the village’s famous calanques—fjord-like inlets carved by the elements out of white limestone.
Return to shore, explore Cassis, and grab lunch in your free time, then finish the final leg of your journey to Avignon. There, you’ll gather for an included group dinner, served with beer or wine, before spending the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Please note: The cruise in Cassis is weather-dependent. In case of inclement weather, it will be replaced with another activity.
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Avignon
Included meal: Breakfast
Sited along the Rhone River, Avignon—the City of Popes—has long sat at the confluence of history and culture. With a local guide leading the way, you’ll discover its architectural and artistic legacies (as well as the origins of its reverent nickname).
- Spot the four remaining arches of the Pont Saint-Benezet. Though ruined in the mid-17th century, this stone bridge is a symbol of the city and inspired the children’s song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon” (“On the Bridge of Avignon”).
- Step inside the cavernous Papal Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Its fortress-like walls soar more than 160 feet tall—a surefire way to protect its former residents.
- Stroll through the heart of the city, its historic center unfolding before you, past old streets and imposing walls that still stand guard today.
Up for a day trip? Spend your afternoon and evening in Aix-en-Provence, wandering through medieval cathedrals and sampling regional wines, on our optional excursion. If not, hang back in Avignon and stroll down the cobbled Rue des Teinturiers—and consider stopping at a canalside cafe for a snack.
Paris3 nights
Day 6: Train ride to Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
Start your day by transferring to the train station and boarding the TGV. (That stands for Train a Grande Vitesse—literally “high-speed train.” With speeds capping out at 200 mph, they mean it!)
After a zippy ride through landscapes that inspired France’s most virtuosic artists, arrive at your tour’s last stop: Paris. If you add our optional excursion to your itinerary, you’ll take to the waters of the Seine for an evening cruise and dinner. Otherwise, enjoy a free night beneath the city’s glimmering lights.
Please note: Porterage isn’t included on train transfers. You should be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into storage.
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
Ready to be dazzled by the City of Light? Follow a local guide on a sightseeing tour to get an overview of its most recognizable landmarks and a feel for the character of its arrondissements. (That’s French for “districts,” and it’s how Parisians refer to the city’s neighborhoods.)
- Drive down the sycamore-lined Avenue des Champs-Elysees and take in the magnificent Arc de Triomphe, originally built to commemorate one of Napoleon’s many conquests. A dozen different avenues spoke from this epic arch, making it Paris’ symbolic heart.
- Pass the 16th-century Pont Neuf, the oldest stone bridge in Paris, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Watching over its arrondissement from an island in the Seine River, this French Gothic masterwork is a veritable icon.
- Stop for a photo at the Eiffel Tower (you know this one!) before viewing the Palais Garnier opera house and the Place de la Concorde, the city’s grandest square.
- Pass by the I.M. Pei-designed Louvre Pyramid—the grandiose glass gateway to the world’s preeminent art museum.
- Marvel at the Hotel des Invalides: Erected in the 17th century and built to a height of roughly 350 feet, this gold-domed structure is the largest church building in Paris and serves as the final resting place of its greatest military leaders.
If you need a break from the buzz of this electric city, seek royal refuge by adding an afternoon outing to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles. You’ll encounter gilded walkways, fresco-adorned ceilings, and close to 2,000 acres of immaculate green space—all just a few miles west of Paris. Or, stay in town and use your free time to amble to the Champ-de-Mars and savor a picnic in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
Day 8: Free day in Paris
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Claude Monet once said, “All my money goes into my garden.” Today, you can see the wondrous results of the artist’s dedication to his blooms. Add our optional trip to Giverny to your itinerary to visit his home and cherished gardens. To admire a different side of France’s artistic pedigree, consider visiting one of Paris’s many stellar museums. (Take your pick from the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, or the Musee de l’Orangerie.)
Finally, come together as a group one last time for a farewell dinner, served with beer or wine, and toast to a trip well-spent.
Flight Home
Day 9: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Not ready to say goodbye? Add our extension to hit the road for Normandy, where stunning villages, somber beaches, and more await.
Normandy & Paris extension
Normandy’s more than its war-scarred past: It’s a clutch of pristine towns, a collection of medieval monuments, and the cradle of a cuisine that’s equally rich and refreshing. For two days, you’ll embark on an on-the-ground history lesson, framed by the magnificence of the Norman landscape and the resilience of its people.
Normandy Coast2 nights
Day 9: Normandy coast via Rouen & Honfleur
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting
Leave Paris, watching as the cityscape transforms into a medley of rolling hills, open farmland, and sleepy villages. Before arriving on the Normandy coast, you’ll make a pair of stops.
- Visit Rouen, home to the Gothic, two-towered Rouen Cathedral; dreamy half-timbered medieval houses; and the Gros-Horloge, a giant clock whose mechanism dates to the 14th century.
- Walk through the Old Market Square where Joan of Arc, the famed French heroine, was executed in 1431.
- Head to seaside Honfleur and gaze upon its port, once the launch point for expeditions across the Atlantic to Quebec, Canada. If it looks picture-perfect, that’s because it is—the inner harbor has inspired impressionist painters, poets, and playwrights for centuries.
- Sample cheeses—including Camembert, Pont-l’Eveque, and Livarot—paired with cider and Calvados, the region’s distinctive apple brandy.
Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Normandy
Included meal: Breakfast
Think of Normandy, and you’ll likely think of one thing: D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history. Today, you’ll tread the same shores that saw one of the most epic battles of World War II and look firsthand at its enduring remains.
- Pause at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, the final resting place for more than 9,000 American soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of Normandy.
- Walk along Omaha Beach, the landing site of American troops on D-Day, and visit the Pointe du Hoc to view a granite monument honoring the 2nd Ranger Battalion, which took and held the promontory under heavy resistance.
Continue to Arromanches-les-Bains, where you’ll have free time to explore and eat lunch. The town is famous for its remnants of a Mulberry harbor, an artificial port built by the Allies to supply troops. At low tide, large concrete blocks and the harbor’s ruins are visible on the beach, creating a striking contrast against the coastline.
Paris1 night
Day 11: Transfer to Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
Return to Paris and enjoy a farewell drink with your group this evening.
Flight Home
Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Nice - Hôtel Mercure Nice Centre Notre-Dame
This vibrant hotel is located in the heart of Nice’s city center. Guests enjoy the rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city, rooftop bar, fitness center. Nearby, you’ll find the Promenade des Anglais, the Notre-Dame...

Avignon - Novotel Avignon Centre
This relaxing hotel is located just outside of Avignon’s city center. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, on-site coffee house, and wellness center. Nearby, you’ll find the Walls of Avignon, several museums, and a variety of dining...

Paris - AC Hotel Paris Porte Maillot
This contemporary hotel is located in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. Guests enjoy a fitness center, a small on-site supermarket, and deluxe pillowtop mattresses. Nearby, you'll find the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and...

Normandy Region - Hotel Mercure Cabourg Hippodrome
This contemporary hotel is located in downtown Cabourg. Guests enjoy a fitness center, pool, and bar. Nearby you’ll find the Hippodrome de Cabourg, Plage de Cabourg, and Pavillon Charles Bertrand.
Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
FAQ
- In order to enter France, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- Beginning in 2026, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2026, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code PPR.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Nice and depart from Paris.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Nice, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a moderate physical activity-level tour. You can expect casual walks and plenty of time to explore throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a steady-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Most transportation by motor coach, some by train and boat
- About 3 hours of bus time daily
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2-3 miles per day on city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.
Climate Considerations
- In France, temperatures range from 40 F in winter to the low 80s F in summer, with occasional heatwaves from June to September.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including train and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- A train ride from Avignon to Paris is included in the price of your tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- European train stations typically operate similarly to airports where security measures, such as baggage and body scanners, are common. Platforms are often spread out across large distances and require travelers to manage their luggage on escalators or stairs. Porterage services are not offered on train transfers and luggage storage on trains is extremely limited. Please keep in mind that trains may only be stopping at the stations for a few minutes; speed with loading and unloading may be imperative.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- France operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- This tour includes three dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- For a picnic with French flair, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, pâtés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread, and fruit. In the cities, sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, while mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from cafes. In restaurants, the prix fixe option is a popular way to enjoy a set three- or four-course menu for a good price.
- Although lunch is generally served from noon until 2pm in France, dinner is served from 7:30pm onward. Those wishing to eat earlier can stop at a cafe, where light entrées and sandwiches are available throughout the afternoon and evening.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the euro on this tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- France is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
- When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.















































































