The Prices of Historical Tours to France
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If you're a history buff, France has an adventure waiting for you where the past comes alive. Historical tours give you the chance to explore everything from ancient ruins to charming old towns, all while gaining unique cultural insights. With expert guides leading the way, you can step back in time without worrying about any of the planning. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the costs of historical tours in France, highlight some of the best tours on offer, and showcase the popular destinations where history truly lives. Ready to travel back in time?
To help you choose a tour that's both enriching and budget-friendly, we've done the homework for you. We've thoroughly analyzed a wide range of historical tours to find the typical price points and uncover the best values. By comparing cost, quality, destinations around France, and included amenities, we've identified tours that offer the perfect blend of education, exploration, and affordability. So, get ready to pack your curiosity - your next journey through time, and France, is just around the corner!
Why does France appeal to history enthusiasts?
France captivates history enthusiasts with its wealth of historical sites, spanning from ancient times through more recent history. Paris, Versailles, and Mont-Saint-Michel offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Paris is known for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. These regional destinations provide a perfect mix of history, culture, and adventure in an affordable package. Plus, the fun and easy itineraries make for a stress-free adventure while creating lasting memories.
How much do historical tours in France cost?
The average price per day for historical tours in France is $287, based on our analysis of 63 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $127 to $526 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $169 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $420 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in France
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable historical tours in France average $169 per day, with daily prices from $127 to $200. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out São Miguel & Madeira: Island Hopping in the Atlantic Ocean (from Ponta Delgada to Porto) here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical historical tours in France that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $273 per day. Daily prices range from $210 to $356. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Independent Paris & London City Stay.
Luxury Tours
Luxury historical tours in France average around $273 per day, with daily costs ranging from $358 to $526. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is France Family Journey: From Paris to Normandy and Beyond.
Which tour companies offer historical tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer historical tours in France. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Contiki
Contiki is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Great Britain, Italy, France, and Germany. Younger travelers looking for adventures love this company. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as island hopping, snorkelling, wine tasting, surfing, camping, whale watching, diving, rock climbing, white water rafting, and jet boat rides.
Collette
Collette is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Italy, Great Britain, and France. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and camping.
journaway
Journaway is a large multi-national travel company which offers safaris to destinations around the world. Many of their safaris visit Asia and Europe. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Thailand, South Africa, and Indonesia. Traveling with journaway provides for a very personal experience, because most of their safaris have less than 2 people. This company's safari offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as camping, island hopping, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking, whale watching, water sports, cooking classes, white water rafting, wind surfing, and jetskiing.
G Adventures
G Adventures is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Thailand, Peru, South Africa, and Vietnam. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, island hopping, snorkelling, surfing, wine tasting, kayaking, cooking classes, water sports, jungle surfing, and canyoning.
See All Tours from G Adventures
Historical Destinations in France
Wondering where historical tours visit in France? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Paris
Paris is not only the capital city of France, but it is one of Europe's most iconic cities. For many visitors, its a dream destination that is filled with wide boulevards, charming cafes, and world class landmarks. The food is widely recognized as some of the best in the world. The city sits along the River Seine, and a stroll down the river at night is a quintessential Parisian experience.
Calais
Many people overlook this part of France for the more popular southern regions, but those who do visit can enjoy sandy beaches and nice wine and cheese. UK visitors often arrive by ferry and enjoy some shopping as they pass through.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a the heart of France's winegrowing district. It's also a port city that's filled with a lot of history and architecture. The surrounding countryside is filled with vineyards and the city has many great restaurants where you can sample traditional cuisine and local wine.
Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a former royal residence that has been turned into a public museum showcasing the decadent lives of the historic French royalty. It's also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and it's easily accessible as a day trip from Paris. It has become an iconic symbol of France's grandeur and opulence, renowned for its breathtaking architecture, sumptuous interiors, and sprawling gardens. This magnificent palace was originally built by King Louis XIII in the 17th century but was transformed into a lavish royal residence by his successor, King Louis XIV. With its magnificent Hall of Mirrors, ornate apartments, and impressive galleries showcasing artistic masterpieces, Versailles epitomizes the pinnacle of French Baroque architecture and interior design. The palace's extensive gardens, meticulously landscaped in the French formal style, feature fountains, sculptures, and meticulously manicured lawns, providing a stunning backdrop for leisurely strolls and elegant photos. Today, the Palace of Versailles is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a symbol of France's rich history and cultural heritage, attracting millions of visitors from around the globe who come to marvel at its splendor and immerse themselves in the grandeur of the French monarchy.
More
Other popular destinations for historical tours through France include Saint-Malo, Arromanches-les-Bains, Bayeux, Meaux, and Amboise.
Historical Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're torn between arranging your own trip and booking a guided tour, take a moment to weigh the differences between the two approaches.
Organized Tours
Pros- Learn detailed stories and context from expert guides.
- Visit significant landmarks efficiently.
- Access exclusive areas not open to the public.
- Guides bring history to life with engaging narratives.
- Save time on researching destinations.
- Enjoy a curated itinerary of top historical sites.
- Guides answer questions for deeper understanding.
- Group tours can provide a social learning experience.
- Avoid logistical challenges like tickets or reservations.
- Guides help connect the dots between events and eras.
- Less flexibility in the itinerary.
- Group size might impact the experience.
Independent Travel
Pros- Full control over your itinerary and pace.
- Focus on sites that interest you most.
- Flexibility to spend more time at certain locations.
- Explore at unconventional hours to avoid crowds.
- Customize your trip around niche historical themes.
- Requires time-consuming research to plan.
- Risk of missing key details without a guide.
- May overlook important or lesser-known sites.
- Difficult to understand the full historical context.
- Navigation and logistics can be more complex.
- No expert to answer questions during your visit.
- Potential for long waits without pre-booking tickets.
- Self-guided tours may lack the interactive element.
Which is cheaper?
Can you save money by traveling independently instead of joining guided historical tours? It's not a simple yes or no. Tours usually include key expenses such as lodging, transportation, meals, entry fees, guides, and activities, which you'd need to manage and pay for individually on your own trip. To figure out the difference, compare the total tour price with the cost of making your own arrangements. Depending on your choices—like opting for budget hotels or premium dining—the cost of a tour might be higher or lower. Be sure to examine the tour inclusions carefully when comparing.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
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Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Strasbourg, The Best 3-Day Tours from Paris, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lyon, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Nice, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bordeaux, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Avignon, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Strasbourg, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Marseille, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Arles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Blois, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Dijon, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bastia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chamonix, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tours, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Arles, The Best 10-Day Tours from Nice, The Best 10-Day Tours from Chalon sur Saone, The Best 10-Day Tours from Lyon, The Best 10-Day Tours from Marseille, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Nice, The Best 2-Week Tours from Arles, The Best 2-Week Tours from Marseille, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Chamonix for more package tour options.
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