Paris & the Heart of France in 11 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Throughly enjoyed our guide, Jennifer and our tour group was amazing. Everyone was friendly, respectful, inclusive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The highlight of our tour for me was the day at Normandy Beach. Such a beautiful beach that was the site of such devastation. Hard to wrap your head around it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip exceeded our expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Utah and Omaha Beaches and American Memorial Cemetery"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Guide, Jennifer, was an absolute delight. Informative, light and funny. Practical advice, experienced traveler, insightful, professional and thoughtful. The Tour is so well planned. Plenty of sights, destinations and learning every day. Enough free time to strike out on your own to savor and immerse yourself into the local culture. I couldn't have had a better time. We had a lovely group of fellow travelers, and forged friendships and great memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views and walk up to Chenonseau had to be my wow moment. Such a graceful and elegant Chateau, the setting is magnificent. The gardens were important to me, and they were gorgeous. Throughout my visit, I was captivated by the architecture, the carved and fitted stone, gargoyles, copper and ironwork. The massive timbers, along with the carpenter's joinery of pegs, mortise and tenon construction. Then outdoors to see the size of the rose bush trunks, the pleched and espaliered allees of trees."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all our guide, Jennifer was the best. Always cheerful, very knowledgeable and organized. I couldn't have asked for a better guide. Rick would do well to hold on to her. I feel like we got a very good overview of France and the French experience. The right amount of time was split between famous sites and free time to explore on our own. Although the trip is somewhat rigorous, it was well worth the effort and I would highly recommend this trip to anyone.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beaches of Normandy for sure. I've read about D-Day all my life and it was quite an emotional experience to actually walk on Utah and Omaha beaches to see what those brave men endured."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and it was great! - well planned, impeccably organized and well paced, down to the minute. I was able to sit back and relax knowing that my every need had been anticipated and provided for. I had complete confidence in our guide and I learned a lot from the extremely well-qualified local guides even as we revisited places I had already visited on previous trips to France. I'm so glad I hit "send" and reserved a spot on this exceptional tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Attending the Laudes service at the monastery on Mont Saint Michel. The monk came down with his big key and led us up even more stairs into the cathedral. We watched the sun grow stronger through the beautiful east-facing stained glass windows as the monks and nuns sang the liturgy of the hours. Stunning, moving, probably the only time in my life I will ever do that! So worth waking up early and climbing, climbing, climbing! Also the 11am Mass at St. Sulpice and organ concert (on my own)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved not only the guided tours but also the free time. This tour was organized, interesting and lots of fun. Be ready for lots of stairs and walking.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monet’s Garden"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was incredible. Our tour guide Marie was fabulous. We saw so many sites and had ample time to explore on our own. Marie was so knowledgeable in history, current events. She brought a great energy to the group. Our fellow tour members were great fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think Monet’s garden garnered the wow factor. It was breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really well-paced tour with a good mix of planned activities and free time. Our guide was great--knowledgeable and very helpful. The site specific experts were good and one of the reasons why we like Rick Steves tours--you don't just look at the buildings, you learn a lot about the people who made them and lived in them. The hotels were good and centrally located.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many. Going with a few of our tour members to listen to Lauds on Mont St. Michel. The voices of the members of the Fraternites Monastique de Jerusalem were outstanding as they greeted the sunrise with morning prayers and psalms. Our fellow tour members--intelligent, curious, fun people. Our group dinners and standing on the bridge and watching the lighting of the Eiffel Tower afterwards."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Although I had visited several of the areas other on my own or on a previous tour, I was excited to revisit with the benefit of additional time to enjoy them. I very much enjoyed exploring new areas and places I had always wanted to visit such as Mont-Saint-Michel and Giverny.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was seeing Mont St Michel in the distance. It is a very dramatic sight rising in the distance. I appreciated our guide Marie alerting us all to this incredible view."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time on our trip, from the good folks that were tour companions to Marie our tour guide. Saw so many places in a single trip, yet still had some time to do our own thing. Hotel locations were top notch and made for easy access to sights. The Montparnesse location we initially thought was a bit remote, but train and bus access was great and the trains and buses we felt safe and they were clean.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many choices, I don’t think I can pick just one. First one that comes to mind is Monet’s gardens in Giverny, beautiful! Pictures don’t do justice really. A spot that surprised me was Gueledon, the castle being built with Medieval methods. And Da Vinci’s home and gardens in Amboise was amazing. We really enjoyed Amboise, location of hotel was great. And the cave homes were interesting, would love to see inside one of those."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great itinerary and guides, nice rooms, average breakfasts.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots - all visits were what I thought they would be and lived up to expectations."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful experience. Hotels, local guides, activities all special and well done. Loved the balance of activity and free time in Paris.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When Dale Booth got on the bus for our day at the Normandy beaches, and you realize the "expert" is going to spend the day with you."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first group tour experience and it really exceeded my expectations. My husband and I travel independently.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Chateau de Chenonceau was like something out of a fairy tale. The setting was as beautiful as the chateau. Our guide Marie gave us some of the history helping us to imagine what it was like to have lived there. The other tourists visiting also made the day special. Truly a wonderful experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic experience and so fortunate to have Marie as our guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably two. Staying on Mont Saint-Michel and Monet's gardens in Giverny. Just incredible.."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed that our time with the group of 28 persons was balanced with opportunities to explore on our own. As this was our first visit to Paris, we appreciated the orientation to the city, various neighborhoods and metro system. Our RS guides were super and local experts in Bourges, Guedelon, and Normandy fabulous!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I cannot pick just one! Getting to explore / stay in Mont St Michel and the tour of Omaha and Utah beaches, American Cemetery and other nearby WWII sites were both very special."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day was better than the last

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, but staying on property at Mont St Michel was over-the-top amazing"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed mix of free time and guided experiences. We loved our tour guide, and the local experts/guides were also very informative. There were some stops on tour that I would not have picked on my own, but were worthwhile stops. One of the benefits of having a tour that knows the area and finding good stops we would have missed. For example, outside of Paris, the stop where they are building a chateau using old methods was interesting

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mount St. Michael. Being there at night."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had an opportunity to see many things we had wanted to see for years. The RS tour allowed us to enter facilities quickly and easily with some important tips and information to make each visit more enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Attending Lauds on Mont Sant Michele"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We arrived in Paris a couple days prior to our tour (and our second anniversary, covid-delayed, honeymoon), which gave us time to address jet lag. The first days of the Paris tour were nice because it allowed for free time in the afternoons. The rest of the tour was great, and our tour guide and bus driver were excellent! For the most part we had ample time at all of the stops, the exception was in Normandy, where things felt a bit rushed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Coming up on Mont Saint Michel and staying at the upper-most room on the island. We had a big balcony which overlooked everything below, and we were at the base of the church/monastery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Eiffel Tower lit up at night"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great itinerary with lots of variety and amazing sites. Chris Coleman was fantastic! She made everything seamless, gave lots of extra information and language tips. Local guides were stellar, as always. Nice that the trop started in Montparnasse area - hadn't been there before an it was great. Spending the night on Mont-St. Michel was the absolute best way to experience the island. Guedelon castle was so educational. Paris was the amazing city I remember from my first RS tour in 2000!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything was "wow" as usual on RS tours - hard to decide among Chenonceau, Guedelon, Paris and others, but I will give the nod to Mont-St. Michel - arriving late afternoon, spending the night, then leaving in the morning was brilliant!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We like this trip very much. Christine is so well organized. She made all events go efficiently and smoothly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Neiboughood Paris and Louvre, led by Elizabeth. She is truly amazing, knowledgeable and funny. We had a wonderful time with a real local guide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderful trip through some of the most interesting parts of France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spending the night at Mont-Saint-Michel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A good mix of big city (Paris) and small city (Amboise, Bourges, Bayeux) sights. This was our first-ever group tour and the experience was quite positive. The tour design made things easy for us and the guides provided education and context. Smooth, efficient, well-organized and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Always wanted to see Mont St-Michel so spending the night on the island had to top my "wow" for the trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual, the tour was well organized. Our tour guide, Vero, was awesome. Very knowledgeable and helpful. Her passion for France was most evident.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to Mont Saint Michel was our "wow" moment. The private tour was wonderful. But, attending the morning service in the Abbey was spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour leader Vero was great as were all of the local guides, especially the D-Day beaches guide. Vero took very good care of us the whole time and expressed a heart-felt story of her own family.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was surprised to find out that the D-Day paratrooper was caught on the back side of the church steeple at St Mere Eglise and not of the city square side as portrayed in the movies. Also that the German reeled him in to free him from the predicament."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first time in France and I felt that this tour was a perfect introduction to many of the beautiful sites and history in France. I found that the locals were all very nice, our guide helpful and knowledgeable, and fellow travelers pleasant and easy going.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning more of the history of Normandy and what occurred on D-day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I could tell that every aspect of our tour, transportation, guides, hotels, restaurants and destinations had been carefully crafted to give us a realistic yet picturesque view of France. We were fortunate to have Veronique as our tour guide. She is extremely knowledgeable but just as importantly she knows how to deal with groups and their needs. Thank you, Vero!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I expected Mount St Michel to be my “wow” and it did not disappoint, but Chenonceau was a a real surprise. It is meticulously cared for inside and out. The flower arrangements in each room add another layer of beauty to the already spectacularly decorated rooms. Outside the pristine gardens surrounded the chateau like a colorful apron. Chenconceau was definitely my “wow.”"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Despite rain, Veronique set the day's expectations with a positive, let's do this attitude

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying in Mont St. Michel and hearing the monks chant the sunrise service on top"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cycling in the Loire valley"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour packs a lot of different times in history into one tour! It offered art, architecture, food, gardening, Middle Ages, and D Day. Veronique was a fantastic guide and paid attention to the needs of the group. Another well balanced, between group and individual time, tour from Rick Steves Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely Monet’s Gardens in Giverny. If you are a fan of Claude Monet, the wait to get in the house to see his studio is worth it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Despite the rainy weather, I completely enjoyed our France experience. Our guide and our fellow tour members were great company. I would highly recommend this trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oh so many. Best wine tasting. Best women built chateau. And somber WWII monument reminding all that our freedom is very fragile."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I did not feel like having guided tour, more like "on my own". None of the majored sites were guided: Louvre, chateau. Few briefly walks in Paris. That was disappointing. I would like to have more local countryside meal experience- did not have it this time on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No wow factors somehow."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This is a well-constructed tour - nice mix of city and country time. The group was great, with fun adventurous participants. Our guide, Veronique, took very good care of us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was more of a "wow" day. We started the day on Mont Saint Michel (get up for the early abbey prayer service, you won't regret it!) with our walking tour before the crowds arrived. After lunch we were in Bayeux for the Bayeux Tapestry. No photo I've ever seen of it does it justice! An incredible work of art from the 11th century. We ended the day at our hotel in Arromanches, overlooking one of the D-Day beaches. What a day!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderfully structured experience of some of the most beautiful creations in the world (Chenonceau Chateau, Mont St. Michel, Monet's Giverny and Paris's Sainte-Chapelle) interspersed with great history and heritage (the D-Day Normandy Beaches and Cemetery, medieval castle construction at Guedelon, and Bayeux Tapestry). Truly the heart of France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I especially enjoyed the scenery and floral beauty both inside and out at the beautiful Chenonceau Chateau in the Loire River Valley, and the uniqueness of Mont St. Michel."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Veronique, made this tour delightful for me. There was a good mixture of information and context of history and culture throughout the tour. I was taken by the richness of France as I experienced many beautiful sights and landscapes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think I enjoyed most the small towns and countryside. Being immersed into the charming, simple life of the small towns in France reminded me of my the culture I grew up knowing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The only reason I didn't mark it as "Outstanding" was because the weather we happened to have in France. Other than that it really has been an outstanding experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments on this tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Chris, our tour leader, was great. Very cool informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The loire valley was beautiful. The Orsay museum was great"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The experience was very good. I learned so much about France and its history. Our guide was excellent in giving us additional information while traveling on bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The small church where soldiers were treated during WWII."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed our guide and group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mint St Michelle"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was everything I expected and more!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monet's Garden"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Saint Chapelle. The stained glass windows were outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful variety of sceneries, every guide had great knowledge to share and our driver was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moment was the Mont Saint Michel!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour visits the iconic cultural, historical, and landscape locations of northern France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St-Michel and the early morning visit to the top of the Abbey for the singing service"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well run and informative tour. Guides were excellent! All hotels were good, comfortable beds, and good breakfasts. I would definitely recommend this tour to others.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably our most favorite experience was staying and visiting Mont-Sainte-Michel. Definitely a wow moment!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Julie, our apprentice, Lewis, and our fellow travelers made this tour a wonderful experience. When we had an injury, it became clear how important having an assistant could be.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having our guides figure out how to get us into the Louvre during a protest was just incredible! I felt like no obstacle could get in our way!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a visual feast, well organized and active

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Mont St Michel for the first time"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 7th RS tour and came recommend from a good friend. We enjoyed all the information Julie our guide provided. The food on this tour fantastic. Loved the wine tasting. The unplanned French country side we saw as our new to RS tour bus driver took a few detours getting to our destination was a fun. All of the cities we visited were enjoyable. The hotels were typical RS hotels covering the spectrum from funky to upscale. I highly recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wine & cheese tasting at Chateau de Selles Sur Chev with Nicholas and Steve was my wow moment. Nicholas did a great job explaining French wines and the wines they produced. The cheese paring made this a very unforgettable experience!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great 11 day trip during the Heart of France tour this past April 2023. Our tour guides Julie and Lewis were excellent. The group we toured with were wonderful people. The hotels were fun and the food was wonderful. We learned SO much history and art information. This was our first trip to France and it did not disappoint, This was our first Rick Steves tour and we will definitely sign up for another one. Having knowledgeable guides was the key to our great trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There wasn't a single WOW moment because there were several. We loved Normandy and the wonderful award winning tour guide. We loved the museums, tours and Eiffel Tower in Paris. Monet's Gardens and Giverny were wonderful. Mont St. Michel was fabulous. The food and markets in Bourges, excellent. Seeing the castle being built in Guideon, wonderful. Driving through the countryside and seeing the cows and homes was great. We wouldn't have enjoyed it so much if not for our guides!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As with all Rick Steves tours, it was well organized with great guides (thank you Julie and Lewis), great hotels, good meals and a nice blend of group tour time and free time. Having two guides proved to be advantageous since one of the tour members needed medical help and the second guide was able to accompany her to the hospital while the first guide continued with the group. A nice mix of activities: the Louvre, wine and cheese tasting, Bayeau tapestry, Monet's home, and so much more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As beautiful and awe inspiring as the many cathedrals were, and despite the unreal charm of Mont St Michel abbey, my favorite part was suprisingly the many small French towns and villages we went through on the way to these sites. Truly like stepping back in time. Not easy to maneuver in a large bus and sometimes the buildings were feet away, but a fascinating look at small town French life and history."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Each day was excitingly unique & packed with experiences, due to super behind-the-scenes organization. Julie AND Lewis are both real experts on all things French. They prepared us for our adventures and shared in the fun. It was so important to have Lewis along to accompany one of our travellers who fell on Mont St. Michel. He was able to accompany her to the hospital and assist with getting her admitted there while Julie gracefully kept the tour running on schedule.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There seemed to be a new WOW moment every day! Maybe it's the peaceful moments that will stick in my head...Opening the room window at dusk on Mont St Michel as the gulls soared and screeched over that mystical setting of stacked-up rooftops, passageways and narrow stairs. Tides going in and out are fascinating for someone like me, who grew up in Nebraska."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great trip providing an excellent overview of France. It was well organized and orchestrated. The local guides were quite informative and Julie was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two things really jump out. One was not a "moment" but rather an accumalation; everyone we interacted with was great, friendly and willing to join in "pidgin" communication with us. The stereotype of the French as being unfriendly to tourist was completely demolished. The second was the wine and cheese tasting at Château Selles-sur-Cher. It was informative and a beautiful setting."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Every day had its own special highlight, but I particularly loved the bus rides through the pretty countryside.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Claude Monet's pond Guedelon and the "picnic" lunch Mont St-Michel"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall, the pace was good. Most of sites we visited were excellent. The French country side was beautiful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We stumbled upon a choir rehearsing in the cathedral at Bayeux. The voices accompanied by the organ and strings were beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying overnight at Mont St Michel was the highlight of the trip for me— but it was just one among many!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time in France I loved the cafes and the professional manner of wait staff and hotel staff. I also liked the small hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Museum d’Orsey"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good. The guides were all great and the other tour members were all very friendly and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Mont-st-michel."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderfully designed tour carried out very well. I've been on a number of international tours, but this was my first with Rick Steves, and I'm impressed - the choice of places to visit, the places where we stayed, the pace of events, the quality of the leaders and tour guides - all were excellent. This was an outstanding tour of Paris and northern France, and I'm very happy to have taken it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have many more than a single favorite moment: the Orsay museum in Paris, spending a night on Mont St Michel, the guided tour of Normandy beaches and cemetery, the gardens at Giverny, the excellent (!!) group dinners, viewing the Bayeux tapestry, visiting Chateau Chenonceau, and more. It was a wonderful 11 days."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Paris and Heart of France tour was incredible! The tour was a perfect mix of learning from the very competent guides, to learning how to navigate the location, to having free time to explore on our own!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow” moment was Normandy and D-Day beaches. Dale Booth, our guide for the day, was very knowledgeable and interesting, and gave an incredible, personal account of what our soldiers were experiencing on that day 79 years ago."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was great! Had an amazing mix of free time and organized activities. Our guide Patrick was amazing. He gave us very clear instructions and recommendations. Plus he was very informative on each location we went. The local guides were all amazing. Would 100% recommend.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont Saint-Michel. Walking around the abbey at day during low tide was beautiful. Then after our group dinner I walked around at night during high tide. All the crowds were gone and you could hear the waves hitting the walls. It was magical."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Each day was packed with several important experiences, but each one experience had enough time to allow us to really absorb what we were seeing/learning. I also appreciated the wide range of experiences and places we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I say the overall experience of being in Paris and absorbing the sights, people, and beauty. Also, the Beaches of Normandy, Chenanceau, and Giverny were fantastic."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour great guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Quality of the Normandy guide and tour"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

excellent guide(s), fellow tour members, and learning experiences in France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is always such a difficult question to answer. Every day is filled with fun and adventure. Most sobering were the Omaha and Utah beaches, and the American cemeteries. Giverny was a visual feast, and Versailles opulent grandeur gave good reason for the people to revolt."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, memorable tour stops, excellent tour guide and assistant as well as local guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many..... I loved Chenonceau chateau but would have to say the D-Day sites and the local guide's explanations at each one ended up being the most emotional day. He really brought the heroism, determination and struggles to life."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was excellent, fellow travelers easy to be with and our primary guide exceptional. Patrick (our RS guide) was very good at describing expectations, schedules and activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting a small country church that served as a hospital during WWII, hosted by a lady who was 10 years old during the D-Day invasions"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The usual quality RSE experience: excellent guides, great organization and logistics, interesting and impressive sights and sites, a congenial group, good food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It had been gray and rainy much of the day. But as we approached the coast, the clouds lifted, the sun came out, and Mont Saint-Michel appeared almost as if by magic. It's always seemed to me to be such a mystical place, and my introduction to it in person was all that I could have wished."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful. Food was wonderful. Tour Sights were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"If I had to pick one it would be Mont St. Michele. Its big, beautiful and was a treat to experience"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed this trip because of all the wonderful sites we visited. My favorite three were Mont St. Michel, Giverny, and the castle construction at Guedelon.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying the night at Mont St. Michel was magical. The packs of tourists were gone and we had the town to ourselves. Getting up before dawn to hear the monks and the nuns sing their morning prayers was a beautiful gift to us."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Saw many places; learned many things—only negative: too much packing/unpacking. Although, we knew that we would have “one night” stays per the itinerary……knowing that and doing it are two different things.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Normandy"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I was a good tour, nice guide and good group of tour travel mates.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St Michel: as beautiful as you can imagine. Listening to the monks chant"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very good. All group members interacted well with each other and were fun to be with. There was a nice balance between activities and bus rides. The bus was spacious and comfortable, and our driver was excellent. I found there to be plenty of time for individual adventures after the group activies most days. Our guide, Chris, was great! She is very knowledgeable, was attentive to both group and individual needs, and fun to be with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Like many others, my favorite "wow" moment was rising early and climbing the many steep steps in the dark at 6:50am to attend Lauds in the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey. The voices of the nuns and monks blended beautifully. It is an experience I will never forget."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a wonderful tour and a great way to see the countryside of France and the city of Paris. Everyone in our group was great and I had wonderful conversations with almost everyone. Some of the things that we did weren't my favorite--the reason for only a "very good" rather than an "outstanding". I know that you need to target all types of interests with such a variety of people and it's helped me narrow down my tour choices in the future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monet's Garden and house! Mont St Michel was wonderful, too, and such an unusual experience!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I've been dreaming about this tour for 16 years, ever since good friends took it in 2006. It absolutely met all of my expectations. If I had to nitpick, I'd say that I would have spent more time at some stops (Normandy beaches/museums/etc.) and less at others (neighborhood walking tours in Paris), but that probably reflects my personal priorities and not the overall design and feel of the trip. Simply put, you made my dreams a reality!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Imagine walking out of your hotel room and into the dark cobblestone streets of centuries past, climbing hundreds of steps to a beautiful but austere abbey and listening to its resident monks and nuns sing an early morning church service. Visiting Mont St. Michel was a transformative experience."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We’ll organized tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St Michel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Incredible trip that included a great tour of Paris plus all of the expected and unexpected parts of France!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying on Mont Saint Michel was incredible from the guided tour, to the fun waiter with delicious food, to the view of the abbey from our hotel room window!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent! Highly recommended

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Normandy tour was outstanding. The local guide was excellent."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well planned and packed full. Probably would have liked an extra day in Normandy to spend more time at the WWII sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mt. St. Michel. Just incredible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I would be hard-pressed to find anything to complain about. The tour was truly amazing. Everything was done with the utmost care and thought, the sites we saw, our guide, our driver, our accommodations, our meals, our city guides. I had a wonderful, memorable time, and feel so fortunate to have been able to go. The only time I felt rushed was at Omaha and Utah beaches. I wished we'd had more time there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I knew it all would be amazing, and it was, but having a channel-side room at Normandy and hearing the waves outside my open window was definitely my favorite."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed all the different stops. Would have liked to have more time at some of the sites. Overall the tour is well thought out with a mix of city and more rural stays.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had been to most of the places before on my own, so not any real wow moments. Enjoyed the wine and cheese tasting very much as I particularly like to have that interaction with people from the area I’m in."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Trip was superbly organized & executed throughout. Our group of 28, our guide - Rebecca, our bus driver - Henri - all were wonderful traveling companions. Very educational, entertaining, & enjoyable. No real complaints. Learned loads about France & enjoyed every day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire day spent at Chateau de Chenonceau (AM) & then Chateau du Clos Luce (Parc Leonardo da Vinci (PM). Leonardo's residence should be a scheduled visit on this trip. It is outstanding in every way! Luckily, I took Rebecca's suggestion & visited it for the afternoon on an otherwise free PM. It was valuable in so many ways. I would highly recommend it to any visitor in the Loire Valley & I would certainly suggest that you add it into the schedule of this tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was absolutely fabulous. I cannot say enough good things about Rebecca!!!! She was instrumental in making the tour one of the best vacations ever for my wife and me. Organization was impeccable. Tour stops were great and Rebecca always added colorful information regarding the places we were visiting. Our group was wonderful and everyone bonded together to make the trip seem like a family affair.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Mt. St. Michel and Normandy. These were two bucket list items for us and they didn’t disappoint!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous tour. Terrific guide Rebecca! Believe the info that says lots of walking and climbing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. My wife’s dad had been off shore on D-day that day was so meaningful to her. I was amazed at the beauty of Monet’s gardens in October!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fabulous tour from start to finish! The itinerary a perfect mix of modern and older cultures, museums and neighborhood tours, wine tasting and eating, and time as a group and on our own. But, it was our guide, Rebecca, who was the real star of the tour, cultivating an esprit de corps among the group and adding so much extra value to every experience with her insightful commentary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Attending the sunrise service at the Mont Saint Michel abbey--with the beautiful singing, chanting, and recorder playing of the monks and nuns--was a real highlight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was an exceptional travel experience and we enjoyed all of it. Our tour guide was excellent, the other travelers were a lot of fun, logistics great, sites great, weather great, food was delicious! Great tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day had wow moment sites! Chenonceau is spectacular, Normandy is very moving, Giverny is beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great tour. Our group was amenable, the weather far better than expected, and our guide was fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Mont Saint-Michel rising like a mirage out of the sea surrounding it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well paced, great variety of places/experiences, outstanding guide Rebecca. Her knowledge, humor and grace set the tone. Our group became close and looked out for one another. Everyone brought their open attitude toward experiencing as much of France as possible and getting to know everyone in our group. The different types of activities at each location meant there was something for everyone. Highly recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Guedelon Castle--essentially a medieval construction site. Building a castle with period methods and tools was amazing to see. Also Monet's gardens on a picture-perfect day, Normandy with guide Daniel Booth, and Chateau Chenonceau. Markets in several towns, Fourgeres' crepes, cider & gardens, Paris cafes & cemetery, Normandy hotel by the sea..."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

WOW AND WOW...From start to finish the Paris and the Heart of France tour was full of amazing sites, and so much historical information from our fantastic guide, Rebecca, and from all of the other guides she booked for us at the various sites we visited. We were blessed to have a tour group of 26 other lovely people to travel with and get acquainted with. Our bus driver, Henry, was a great addition to the group, as well. Such a gentleman! Plus, the weather was better than expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I will say that as soon as I could see Le Mont Saint Michel on the horizon from the bus window, I was full of anticipation and practically pinching myself! It was a dream come true to see it, and then to experience it overnight. Getting up very early to go to the Lauds service in the Abbey was very special. Hearing the nuns and priests singing the Psalms brought me to tears!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Very satisfied with having seen and experienced so much of France in one trip. Although we could have lived without the Metro experience in Paris at the high traffic times and the pick pocket experiences we had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont Saint Michel. The Bayeux Tapestry."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall this was an absolutely wonderful experience. I loved every stop on the tour and wished a few spots were a day longer. Our tour guide, Linda, was amazing. Very informative, helpful, down to earth and funny!! Our local guided were great too-so much knowledge shared. Our bus driver was the best!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Paris - Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, Orangerie; Mont St Michel; Normandy (the lowering of the flags and taps) and Giverny (Monet’s gardens)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Linda was a delightful tour guide. She was full off information about French culture, had a delightful personality and ran the tour without flaws. I traveled with a great group of people. The French countryside was fabulous. I so enjoyed the wine and cheese tasting in Salles Sur le Cher, seeing a Parisian neighborhood,touring Mont St. Michael and the Normandy beaches. Well, I could go on. Suffice it to say, this tour was close to perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wonderful experiences during this tour. My “wow” moment was seeing the Bayeux Tapestry. What a breathtaking work of art! I also loved the Loire Valley, my favorite chateau has to be Chenonceau."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Linda our tour guide was amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monet’s Garden"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a fantastic tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing chateau Chenonceau, the city of bourges, mont st Michel, giverny."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group of traveller’s. Tour leader Linda was great. Tour was a very good mix of city, countryside, and coast. Local guides were informative and personable. The weather was spectacular.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the visit to Guédelon for the castle construction and overall site quality and craft demonstration. Local guide was exceptional."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed it all. From the sights of Paris to Giverny, the beaches of Normandy and Bourges. All the meals, hotels and tours exceeded my expectations. All guides were outstanding especially Ms. Linda.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St Michelle! From the room to the local guided tour, it was spectacular!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was more than I could have expected. Everything from the hotels selected, the activities and excursions, the food and service, and especially our tour guides, were above and beyond excellent. Linda was especially professional and knowledgeable about France, the slice of life, the history and the social and cultural aspects. She was so comfortable to be around and really engaged our group. It was fantastic experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St. Michele! WOW! Incredible opportunity to stay on the island and to have such exposure to the Abbey, experiencing the Monks and Nuns chanting in the early morning, and getting the extended tour of the entire monastery. Loved it!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour met and exceeded all of my expectations. Our guide, Linda, was excellent! She shared her wealth of knowledge about the history of France and french culture that greatly enhanced this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many “wow” moments that I could mention but I would say visiting the Normandy/D Day beaches and the American Cemetery was outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Linda set a very good tone for a truly memorable trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St. Michel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second Rick Steves' tour and surpassed our every expectation. Linda, our Guide, was exceptional. She has a wonderful sense of humor and a treasure trove of knowledge, that she truly loves to share of her French homeland. Our bus driver, Hans, was a delight to chat with and a marvel at negotiating both the busy city streets and the tight rural lanes. The group meshed seamlessly and was a joy to share these amazing new experiences with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is impossible for me to choose just one. The mystique of Mont St. Michel, the moving story of Normandy, the magnificent Chateaus and the splendor of Monet's Garden were all very special "Wow" moments for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Linda was French down to her toes and had a great sense of humor. The other members of the tour were a joy to be with and Hans the bus driver was delightful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The trip was wonderful and as difficult as it is to pick one highlight, it would have to be Mont St-Michel. Arriving as we did at the end of the day gave everything a slightly magical air. It really seemed like we had the island to ourselves. Our hotel room seemed perched on the side of the mountain and the view was breathtaking. We got up early for the morning prayers of the monks and sisters at the abbey and it was an experience I will never forget."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour itinerary was a good mix of big city, beautiful countryside, chateaux, gardens and French history. The local guides add so much to the history of the area and I appreciate the free time to explore on our own. Our guide, Arnaud, and bus driver were great. The majority of our tour members were friendly and fun to travel with. The only downside were a few inconsiderate and irresponsible tour members who did not always comply with schedules and masking requirements.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is difficult to choose one "wow" moment. The highlight of the tour was spending a night on Mont St-Michel, climbing the stairs to our hotel, walking the ramparts to dinner, climbing up to the abbey in the morning with our local guide and experiencing the beautiful view. The day spent touring Normandy's D-Day beaches with a local expert, from Sainte-Mere Eglise to Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the American cemetery for taps was powerful and unforgettable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great way to learn about the French history and culture! Arnoud and the local guides did an excellent job - both provided a wealth of information about the places we visited. Aside from very inconsiderate tour members which ignored the masking and timing requirements, most members were fun and great company. Loved chatting with the octogenarians and learned a lot about life in general.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The back-streets of Paris and its museums, Notre Dame Cathedral and it's reconstruction, Mount Saint Michel, Monet's Garden, and all the tours of the old Chateaus. As an aficionado photographer I really enjoyed taking pictures of the urban and country side but nothing beats Monet's gardens."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Arnaud was very informative and funny. The local guides were outstanding and Dale in Normandy educated us on details of D Day that we would not have learned on our own. The private wine and goat cheese tasting was fabulous. We loved the back roads, seeing more then most tourists.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being on St Mont Michelle at sunset and sunrise, watching the tide come in."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I thought our guide went above the norm to satisfy everyone's,dietary restrictions His historical knowledge of our destinations made the journey come alive. He was welcoming and open to questions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Normandy tour guide, Dale Booth created a very emotional background for this sacred place. It was quite awe inspiring."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous trip for my daughter and I to share for her 50th birthday celebration 2 years late!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The full moon over Mont-ST. Michel!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful itinerary, food, lodgings, guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spending the night on Mont St. Michel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful, well organized, and filled with enjoyable folks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sunrise and sunsets from Mont St-Michel, the historical knowledge of Arnaud, and the wine and cheese tasting in Selles sur Cher."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fun every day! A good balance of experiences, lively tour guides, sweet group of people to do it with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Chateau de Quedelon! Transported us back in time; gave us a real appreciation for the technology of the period."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Local tour guides were GREAT. Our tour guide for the whole trip on the bus was good with the group but did not seem too helpful one on one. Made it seem he did not to be disturbed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Good hotels, no driving, great local tour guides"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour offers an excellent overview if Paris, along with traveling in rural areas where we gained a better understanding of France’s history and charm.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The presentation at Normandy was riveting. I left with a much deeper understanding of how things unfolded on June 6, 1944."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The “Heart of France” tour was wonderful. Marie, our guide and Rudy, our driver were awesome!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, the tour was great but unfortunately for us the trip was cut short by my husband contracting Covid 6 days into the 11-day tour. But for the time we were there, I loved what we did and saw. The hotels we stayed in were very nice and so convenient to wherever we wanted to go.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one and also there was so much we didn't get to see (missed Mont St. Michele!!) but I just loved the architecture of Paris. I loved the way the buildings blend and conform-so lovely and pleasing to the eye."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The tour felt rushed. There was much to see and experience, and the time was not adequate to fully experience the described itinerary. An additional day would have helped.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me the wow moments were the exposure to village architecture, with both the old and new, and how the traditional forms are being interpreted in the new residences."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It exceeded our expectations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont Saint-Michel"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good tour.......all of the usual great experiences as expected on a RSE tour.

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was great, our guide had so much information to share that really made everything so much more enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying at Mt. St. Michel was a highlight with our room having a fantastic view !"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide was excellent at providing historical and cultural information as well as being helpful in picking out restaurants. We enjoyed her stories and motivational French lessons to encourage us to speak the local language.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont Saint Michel- Having dinner in the evening with the group after the tourists have left the island was magical. Being able to get up early to attend the 6:50 mass was very special. Staying in a hotel on the island. Combine all of these and WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

France was everything we expected and much more. With a wonderful group of travelers, a super guide and a packed schedule we loved it. The variety of towns, museums, churches and activities made for an unforgettable experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several of us rose very early the morning we stayed at Mont St Michel to attend the Lauds service at the Abbey. The a capella singing by the priests and nuns was so beautiful in that space. Simply gorgeous! Our emotional day at the Normandy beaches with our excellent guide was very meaningful."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall the tour was very good. All the people were very nice and easy to travel with on the bus.The itinerary was good. There were some stops along the way that were not up to expectations. The bus was nice and clean and the driver (Walter) was fantastic. For some reason I thought there would be more room on the bus so everyone could spread out but that was not the case.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were two "wow" moments. The first being the all day tour of the D-Day beaches. The guide (Colin) was an expert on the landings. His explanations of the airborne drops, Utah Beach and Omaha Beach landings was excellent as well as Pont-du-Hoc. He made history come alive. Waking through the cemetery when taps was played summed up the experience. The second "wow" was spending the night on Mont St. Michel and going to the early morning service. It was definitely worth the climb so early."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide and fellow travelers were a delight! We packed a lot into each day and had wonderful meals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giverny.....just beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first Rick Steve"s tour and was definitely impressed by how well run it was.....

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Mt.St Michel the experience was incredible followed by the beaches oof Normandy....."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was wonderful from start to end! Our guide, Rebecca was simply fantastic--knowledgeable personable and made our trip even more memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St. Michel was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I've been on.several of your tours and this one would not be in my top 3. Our guide, Rebecca was great and put a positive spin on everything even when it wasn't that great. EX. Some of the hotels were run down, but clean. Paris and the museums were the highlight as was the.food, wine and the Chateauxs! I found no real interest in Bourges. Staying in Bayeux would have been much more interesting than our seaside hotel. Normandy was extremely interesting and Giverny delightful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St. Michel has always been on my bucket list. It was very interesting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rebecca was an outstanding tour guide. We truly visited what appeared to be the Heart of France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"An evening walk during our stay on Mont St Michel. The evening lights and sky made for an inspirational experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful. I enjoyed the variety of sites and experiences. I felt as though got a great introduction to lovely France and it’s people. I would like to return. Rebecca was such a knowledgeable guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the Normandy tour with Dale Booth meant so much. I am veteran myself and I wanted to pay my respects to The Greatest Generation"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The camaraderie between the other tour members and our guide was outstanding

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our 2 favorite destinations were Mt St Michael and Normandy. Being raised on 2 Ohio farms meant learning how to navigate the Paris underground metro was out of our comfort zone but a proud moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned and we had THE best guide , Rebecca!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont Saint Michele"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and first extensive Europe vacation. Overall I enjoyed all aspects of the tour and it was well organized and execution was pretty flawless. I got a great feel of France and the culture and Vero the tour guide was always helpful. The other guides, especially the Normandy guide added special knowledge to the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A couple of Wow moments. Mont St. Michel going there and staying overnight. Just magical. Second would be visiting Normandy. That was moving for sure."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary, the guides, and the tour members were wonderful. The love of travel and the willingness to learn was shared by all. Veronique and the local guides were informative and gave us context for what we were seeing. Our experience was enhanced by their knowledge.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monet’s garden. Seeing Monet’s inspiration before seeing his masterpiece of the Water Lilies at L’Orangerie for me was a highlight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our first Rick Steeves tour and we loved it. Our guide Veronique was very professional and nice. She set a great tone for the whole group. Guy our driver was excellent. We enjoyed the entire trip and the group we toured with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Absolutely loved Château de Chenonceau . I could picture people living here."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lots of interesting places to see. Excellent guide. Great hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mt St. Michael"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very good value for dollar. Covered a lot of territory. Very knowledgable tour guides and an artful bus driver. A nice mix of outings with the group and time to explore on our own. An amiable group of travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were fortunate to be at Giverny and Mont-St-Michel when there weren't many other tourists there which made them extra special."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Mont Saint Michel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I took this tour as a solo traveler because my previous plans to travel to Paris with a friend were canceled. I didn't feel comfortable traveling entirely on my own, so I booked this tour. I saw, did and learned so much more than I would have traveling solo or even with my friend. This was my sixth Rick Steves' tour and I have never been disappointed. I always experience and learn so much.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Mt. St. Michel for the first time from a distance, staying overnight on the Mont and the Normandy experience. Wandering the streets alone at night on Mt. St. Michel was a very unique experience. I did not expect the tour of Normandy to be a "wow" moment, but it was. Hearing the side stories from our guide, visiting the German Cemetery, the Utah Beach Museum, the plaque to honoring Operation Tiger loses and the flag lowering and taps at the American Cemetery. Very chilling."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great. You get a really good “taste” of various places in the heart of France and can decide if you want to return to those towns and areas. The logistics was handled great by Veronique and background information on France and the towns we toured. The additional tour guides in certain points of the tour were universally excellent. An outstanding tour and great taste of France outside of Paris…!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Obviously, Mont St.-Michel, spending the night at a small hotel on the island, avoiding the crowds, and the 7 am service by the monks and nuns was really special. However, so many Americans and French were impacted by WWII, it is hard not to be seriously moved by Normandy and seeing Utah beach, Omaha beach, the American cemetery and related sites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Been to Paris 4 years ago, so my favorite part was everywhere else we went..the Loire valley, Mt. St. Michel and Normandy..great to see that France is so much more than Paris

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The overnight stay at Mt St Michel..we had a wow room and the sunrise with the bells chiming from our terrace was sensational..what a magical place"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great first tour for me, with the motor coach bus driver and the tour guide showing me around. I really enjoyed making new friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How big the Lourve is and the scenery in the Loire Valley with the chateaus."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really like the Rick Steves tour format - not having to worry about getting from point A to point B, hotel selection, restaurant selection (for the group meals) and having all the excursions / tours pre-planned and guided by local experts. The tour guides are top notch.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really liked finally getting to see the beaches of Normandy and listen to the local tour guide's description of what happened on D Day. Being there and visiting the American cemetery were sobering."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a great blend of guided activities along with sufficient time to explore areas on your own. It was an efficiently run operation from start to finish, expertly led by our guide Virginie!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our day spent at the DDay beaches, particularly the daily flag lowering ceremony at the American cemetery. Poignant does not begin to describe it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a very well curated and planned tour led by an “A” list guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Toss-up: shuddering at what the US 29th Division faced at Omaha Beach vs. the sheer humanity of Claud Monet’s home and landscaping at Giverney,"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A long awaited dream come true. Parts met expectations and other parts exceeded expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Guedeleon castle. I saw a documentary about the castle building project about 10 years ago and was amazed at how far it had come in that time. The tour and explanations were excellent. The gardens of Giverny were also amazing and special."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All the hotels were comfortable, their locations allowed you to immerse you in the neighborhood. The local guides were knowledgeable and informed you what was available visit during free time. The sites selected for visits provided an exceptional cross-section for French culture. Most of the provided meals allowed a selection to fit tastes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spending the night on Mont St-Michel"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was my first time on a RS tour and I enjoyed it a lot . I liked all the different experiences .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I did not have one specific moment but liked the diversity of being in Paris ( museums , walking through different neighborhoods ), enjoyed driving through small villages in the Loire Valley and Brittany, Mt. St-Michel,Normandy beaches, Giverny, chateaus etc"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Having scheduled this tour first on a two-part tour of France (Loire Valley was 2nd), we relied on Rick Steves to give us excellent guides, tour, history, and "did you know" moments. This tour, like others in the past, exceeded expectations. I highly recommend the tour and our guide, Arno!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "wow" moment was the realization that I walked the same footpath as Monet and di Vinci; stood the same distance from some of the world's most famous and magnificent paintings as the artists themselves, and came to an understanding that the more I learn, the least I genuinely know. Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Starting in Paris was wonderful! The trip was a nice blend of old and new, small town and big city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The American Cemetery in Normandy brought me to tears, especially the evening ceremony where they played Taps while lowering the American flag."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I specifically went on this tour to revisit Paris and the Normandy beaches and spend the night on Mont St Michel, see Giverney and see the Bayeaux Tapestry (the topic of my twelfth grade thesis). These places did not disappoint.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dale Booth was a wow from start to finish. What a gifted storyteller and historian. Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Sainte Mere Englese, Pointe du Hoc, American Cemetery. All very moving and personalized. And I had been there before!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Was a wonderful trip and I found a tank museum

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Omaha beach"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall, tour was good, lot to see and highly structured so not always enougf down time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Normandy and the D-Day Beaches"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tours and guides. Loved it and would do again

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Normandy trip and the fantastic guide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My third RS tour. I loved everything about our tour. Blessed with good weather, very friendly group of people, and wonderful guide, Arnaud(he was funny, creative and very organized), our tour turned to be unforgettable, memorable one. Everyone stayed healthy during the entire tour which was very important for tour participants.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every moment. Normandy, DD tour. Mon-Saint Michelle. Money’s garden. I enjoyed the demonstration by our guide how to get onboard crowded metro train without getting lost nor being pickpocketed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide and the local guides were enthusiastic and committed to making our experience the best it could be. We met and traveled with nice people and had a rich experience in the history, culture, and food of France. As I process what I learned over the months and years, I know it will help me understand the people in my own community and country better. We like traveling independently and making all our own arrangements. Rick Steves is a company we will always bring with us

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Normandy experience was riveting. Not D-day on the beach as much as what preceded and followed it. Of that, the story of the 101st airborne paratroopers who set up a field hospital in a church in the middle of a battlefield was the most poignant."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

We had a wonderful time overall. Our guide Claire was so helpful, cheerful, informative and a pleasure to travel with. This was our 3rd RST & I have to say my least favorite. I think there was too much crammed into the time frame. There's a lot of transit time & time spent at the various places seemed rushed. I am very fit & had no trouble with walking etc. but it was exhausting. I didn't have this issue on the previous 2 tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St. Michel is without a doubt worth seeing ... It was especially wonderful to be able to spend a night there. Meandering around the ramparts at night was fantastic. Our room was superb ... at the very tippy top near the Abby. I would have loved to stay another night."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour provided many different kinds of experiences of French life, culture, and history. From the busy museums and cafes of Paris, to the vast chateaus of the Loire Valley, then the historic siof Normandy, this tour provided an overall excellent travel choice.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite part of the tour was the day spent touring the Normandy towns and beaches, and then ending at the American Cemetery. Very moving. Our guide that day provided excellent historical commentary throughout the day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was excellent, especially our guide and the local guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to list but clearly the most impactful was the tour at the D-Day beaches in Normandy."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Covered a lot of ground of France that I had not experienced in depth. I enjoyed every site we went to. I was particularly impressed with Guedelon.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several wow moments. Revisiting Chenonceau and updating my long ago memories was one, Mont St Michel and spending the night there was another. Visiting D’Vinci’s home in Amboise was impressive, especially with the special exhibit of the unfinished painting of St. Jerome and it’s mysterious whereabouts through the ages."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A pleasant blend of city & country; scheduled & unscheduled time, activities, & meals; exposure to the culture, language, people, customs, & foods of France; a well-organized, versed, & humored guide; and fun traveling companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sleeping on Mt St Michel … during a Super Tide!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great tour. Our guide was amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the American cemetery. It was beautiful and so well cared for. I also loved that our guide taught us about the French way of life and the differences in healthcare, schooling, etc. in the US."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

After waiting and planning since 2019, this tour was all I had hoped it would be! Super!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying overnight on Mont St Michel - with a Super Tide, besides."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We were very satisfied with our overall experience. Our guide, Virginny was very knowledgeable and fully engaged. We liked them smaller size of the group which made it more personal and less like being herded around. We felt out bus driver, Guy, was a very good complement to the tour; his command of English was quite good and it felt like he was part of the tour, not just the driver. This was our first time doing a tour; in the past we had always traveled to Europe on our own, so a new xperience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably a tie between Mont St Michel or Normandy"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall experience was incredible. There really was nothing left to chance; everything was well thought out and planned. The timing of our arrival at points of interest was done so that waiting in lines was minimized. The tour had a great balance of planned group activities and free time. I have nothing critical to say about the tour. And our guide was wonderful. The bus was great and the bus driver did a great job.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It would be hard to pick one wow moment from the tour. There were so many. Maybe beaches and cemeteries at Normandy might be the one moment because of the emotional impact of that place."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour experience was fabulous, an excellent tour guide sharing information and ensuring that all were cared for and got to everywhere we wanted to be.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Mont St. Michel, Monet's gardens, Chenenceau and, well, ok , I can't narrow it down to one wow moment. It was all memorable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second tour with Rick Steves and again, it was fabulous. Our guide Virginie, was funny, very knowledgeable and really enhanced our experience. The hotels were noticeably nicer than the ones we had in Italy several years ago. We saw so many really great things on our tour, the water lily panels at the Orangerie, the Mona Lisa, Mont Saint Michel, the D-Day sight and finally Monet’s house and garden. All that’s left is figuring out which tour to take next!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day was another wow moment! Walking up the stairs into the chapel at Sainte-Chapelle to see the stained glass nearly took my breath away. It was absolutely stunning! I got a Venice vibe at Mont Saint Michel, and the Loire Valley chateau’s were impressive. But my “wow” moment was Normandy. Ever since I first learned of D-Day, I’ve wanted to go stand on those beaches and try to imagine the hell that those brave boys faced. Being at the American Cemetery for TAPS topped off my wow Day."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Had a fantastic guide who really knew how to communicate and organize well and was extremely knowledgable about both French and American history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the super tide at Mon St. Michelle"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a fast paced tour that covered much information. For the most part that information was explained very well. Our tour leader, Veronique, was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was a fast paced tour that covered much information. For the most part that information was explained very well. Our tour leader, Veronique, was excellent."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first time visiting France. Tour members had the opportunity to visit most the the main attractions in Paris as well as walk through a couple of very different neighborhoods with a local guide. Sufficient time was allowed for visits to Bourges, the Loire Valley and Normandy. One night at St-Michel was enough time to experience the Abby. Overall. Rick Steves tours provide enough time for tour members to see additional sites on their own or shop for souvenirs.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was the stop in Giverny. Monet’s Gardens we’re much more beautiful than I expected."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It went beyond our expectations. Great food eaten, good people met, outstanding guide, very nice hotels, up close look at a variety of experiences, tons of French history, and lots and lots of smiles.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St. Michel or Burgandy castle building, or wine tasting.... several moments makes it hard to choose."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour was a wonderful overview of Paris and northwestern France. Veronique was an exceptional tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the Chenonceaux Chateau."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well run, with good itinerary. Balanced independent time with structured activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"At Omaha Beach our guide made a point of stopping at a location near where my father landed on D Day."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Rebecca, our tour guide, was phenomenal. She really made the tour interesting and personal for my husband and me. The Loire Valley was spectacular and the environment was beautiful and gentle. It was a perfect mix of urban and rural sites and experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The museum presentation of the Bayeux Tapestry was so well done and presented. This time of year, the crowds were small and I had the time to view and "read" it. Also, the Palais Jacques Coeur and medieval Bourges were a surprise that I really enjoyed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour. The guide, the bus driver and the site experts were all wonderful. They all really increased my knowledge, gave good insights, and added to the pleasure of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Since I was fourteen years old I had wanted to visit Bayeux and its tapestry. As I learned, the tapestry is actually an embroidery. The listening devices really contributed to the various parts' explanations, but attempts to increase the volume were futile (not the Vox devices). The Bayeux embroidery was everything I thought it would be, and more. My travel partner's "Wow!" moment was visiting Clos-Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's home in France."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my 11th Rick Steves tour. As always, it was well organized, with the perfect mix of organized/group activities and free time. For Paris, it's always wonderful to be handed a carnet of Metro tickets and a Museum pass first thing. Rebecca, our guide, was a wonderful guide, with the added bonus of having lived in France for 40 years; she had many wonderful stories to share with us about life in France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being able to spend the night on Mont Saint-Michel, something I've dreamed about since the first time I saw a photo of the medieval abbey. As an artist, I was able to get hundreds of "paintable" reference photos on the trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall it was a wonderful experience! Great guide, great group! You have to go knowing that, in Paris especially, you simply can't do it all. So you have to make choices. There are some things I wish I had done instead of the choices I made, but overall it was a really wonderful, memorable experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont-Saint-Michel--The whole visit was amazing, but spending the night there & attending the morning service at the abbey was fabulous!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Linda really made this tour and why I gave an outstanding rating!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Mont St-Michel after 38 years!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the meet & greet meeting in our first hotel to the farewell breakfast, our guide Linda was amazing. She is very kind, fun, and easy-going. She holds so much knowledge regarding French culture and history! She was destined to be a tour guide! I enjoyed the food at the restaurants, I didn't know that the French ate so much fish and veal, it did seem that these were the only two choices (besides vegetarian) for a number of the group dinners together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying on Mont St. Michel was simply amazing! I can't imagine just being a day tourist to this historical and idyllic spot. Walking the tiny and twisting cobblestone streets and ramparts, especially at night and in the early morning mist before morning prayers, was magical! Getting to know Linda and the tour participants was a lot of fun too!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of Paris and the other parts of France were spectacular. Paris looks just like it does in the movies, and then some. I was overwhelmed by the culture, the architecture is incredible, centuries old and in such good shape. The castles, the château’s are beautiful, the small towns and the countryside makes me want to move to France. Just loved the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many WOWs. To narrow it down to one is difficult but Mont Saint-Michel is the most amazing. To see this huge abbey dominate the island it’s on was spectacular. So many steps to climb but it was worth it. It dates back to the 8th century."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great. Saw so much of France that would be difficult to see on my own. Each location was special in its own way. The group members were friendly and fun to be with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cannot pick a favorite one, as each location had it’s own wow moment. The blue light festival at Bourges, the tide coming in at Mont St Michel before the Abbey tour, the wine tasting at the castle, the D Day beaches and just being in Paris. It was all a wow moment"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my second RS tour and has a great experience. I continually recommend these tours to our friends and family.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Linda, our tour guide, was phenomenal. It’s hard to pick one moment to highlight but the variety explored on the tour impressed me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the tour is exactly what was promised. Knowledgeable guide, wonderful history, art, and architecture, and the food was lovely. We were more than satisfied with our trip. It may seem "minor," but we truly appreciated the space allowed to us all on the bus. No feelings of being "cramped up." That's important when you spend eleven days with total strangers!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to Normandy was especially moving. So long ago and yet so many of our tour members were deeply touched on a personal level. Our local guide, Sabrina, was knowledgeable and engaging. The American Cemetery was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"D-Day sights"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well planned with alot of attention to comfort. The group was a grate match. We saw ALOT our first 2 days, maybe stress arriving a day or two early.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The new castle construction and our guide for the DDay sights."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything and more than we expected. The pace was good. Recommendations of time on our own and options available were logical and easy to implement.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spending the night on Mt. St. Michel and being able to savor the atmosphere of the island when it has its lowest "population.""

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

very well organized; outstanding guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mt San Michel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Linda was very knowledgeable and very interactive with the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Night on Mont-Saint-Michele"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We did a tour on our own starting from Amsterdam to Venice with Rick Steve’s book. I was able to compare both and the main difference was that I did not have to do anything but show up on time. So I was definitely impressed by the organization, accuracy and effectiveness of time if the tour. It was better than doing it on our own with my husband.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My WOW moment was definitely Mount Saint Mitchel. It was beautiful, in your face experience. Normandy beaches was also a wow moment because of the history and how it connects to our country."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful tour and felt comfortable traveling abroad thanks to our great tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, the best part of the tour was that it we were handheld by our tour guide which made sure that everyone was comfortable, safe and happy while also providing geographic and historical context."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The tour was well organized and the guides were very good. The group in our tour was a mixture of very friendly people a some that were not very friendly and did not try to fit in.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire day of the Normandy tour was spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great! Great sights, people, cities, and more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"seeing the first chateau"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour: we became friends with everyone in the group and Arnaud was great. My only complaint would be about the weather, which, obviously, you can't control. One thing that COULD be done to improve is to have the hotels with no air conditioning to install ceiling fans. Spending hour afer hour on Mont St. Michel with the temperature above 106 degrees was challenging.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention: Sainte Chappelle, the Louvre, Orsay Museum, Bayeux Tapestry, Pointe du Hoc, Cathedral at Bourges, Normandy Beaches and Cemeteries."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Arnaud is all around fantastic! So bright, well educated, energetic, organized and patient with our group. I had my own guest room. The single room at Mont Saint Michel was horrible but besides that, my single rooms weren't bad. For summer tours, I would definitely say NOT to stay at Mont-Saint-Michel because it is insanely busy. Instead, I would incorporate a guided walk across the bay there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"learning about French history and culture across the ages."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it, we booked the trip to be in Paris for July 14th, excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"D-Day beached with private guide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a fantastic experience for us. We had originally planned on a tour to celebrate our son's college graduation in 2020, but COVID intervened. I can say we all feel the wait was worth it. Our guide, Arnaud Servignat, was 10 stars on a scale of 1 to 5. He was very engaging, nothing threw him off his game. We were very surprised at his depth of knowledge about everything. His sense of humor was so enjoyable. Our driver, Vim, was a standout. He was quite skilled, funny & outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a hard question because there were so many but the American Cemetery at Normandy and Monet's Pond and Garden standout as very powerful moments. We enjoyed numerous meals with our group that were terrific as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful experience. a great guide and a fun group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The building of the castle Guedelon with period construction and Chenonceau with it's rich history.( Rob) The tapestry Bayeux and the stained glass windows at Bourges. ( Ellen)"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through the streets of Paris and seeing the amazing architecture. I loved the variety of wrought iron on the buildings. Truly beautiful. I never tired of it."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was better than I expected - I had gone on the long Best of France in 2004; my sister really wanted to do this tour. Our guide added some new and interesting twists to places I had been - really enjoyed myself.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The unscheduled experiences that let me feel like I was experiencing the true essence of France: Cancale for oyster tasting; Chateau de Selles-sur-Cher for wine tasting; the lunch stop in Villedieu-les-Poêles where Mauviel copper pots are manufactured (great to see where my newly purchased Mauviel copper paella pan from E. Dehillerin in Paris was made, learn a little history) - brand new experiences that gave me a better -back door- taste of France."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From start to finish, this tour was everything I expected it to be and more. In spite of an unexpected walking issue, I was able to participate in many of the activities and learned far more than I would have anticipated about France and its history and modern-day living. Our guide, local guides, bus driver, and tour participants were all kind, caring, interesting, and fun people!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many "wow" moments -- Medieval Guedelon, Chambord, Chenonceau, Mont St-Michel, Bayeux Tapestry, D-Day beaches and cemeteries, Monet's Gardens!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just the right blend of guidance and commentary with chances to explore on your own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St. Michel coming into view."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved everything about it: the places visited and the food we enjoyed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Even though every place was magical, we'd have to pick Chateau Du Clos Luce where we were amazed and awed by the creative genius of Leonardo da Vinci"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day was thoroughly enjoyable. Our guide, Linda, was really fabulous at bringing the rich French culture and deep history to us. I was surprised at just how delicious the food was. I was unexpectedly pleased with Guedelon castle, the Bayeaux tapestry and expansive châteaus. I enjoyed every day. All the tour members were great, thoughtful and kind.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying on Mont St-Michel and attending the morning prayer service in the Abbey was wonderful. Also being at the American cemetery in Normandy when they played taps was moving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Marvelous tour specially the country side of France, lovely towns with amazing cathedrals, be prepare the tour it's intensive but it's worth every moment, you will not regreat at all

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mount St Michele, amazing island with small street and an amazing cathedral."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day provided something that was interesting, different, and informative. No low points at all!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Prior to the tour, the site I was least interested in visiting turned out to be the one I was most mesmerized by. It was Monet's gardens. His paintings are beautiful, but the gardens around his home may be his greatest works of art. So colorful. So peaceful."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very well organized, friendly and willing to go out of their way to assist. Our guide Linda was amazing with great sense of humor and lots of interesting facts and stories about France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont Saint-Michel. Staying the night and exploring in late eve and early morning in the quiet with hoards of people. The morning prayer service was a wonderful spiritual experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Rebecca was very helpful and friendly to our tour group. She was focused and knowledgeable about French history. All of the hotels in our “Paris and the Heart of France” tour were clean, the staff was helpful, and the location was convenient for all of the tour sites we were visiting for that day or few days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment from the tour was trying traditional French food on the first night of the tour and wondering how the cooks made the food taste so good."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved everything about it !

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the gardens at Giverny. And the cemetery in Normandy, for the other kind of wow."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a fantastic time exploring places we'd only heard about before. Our guide Rebecca was nothing short of amazing - knowledgable, grace under fire, unfailingly pleasant and helpful

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St Micheal - our hotel room window looked directly up to the Abbey - first thing we saw when waking up each morning."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour itinerary was excellent. The guides were awesome. It was fun to share this experience with a great group of tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many so to mention a few: Experiencing Mont St-Michel and morning prayer service. The day exploring the Normandy Beaches. Exploring the chateaus in the Loire Valley."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent. Organized. Outstanding tour guide, Rebecca, and apprentice, Claire. A great team!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Giverny - Claude Monet's Garden and seeing the pond w/water lilies, after seeing the paintings in the Orangie Museum"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Paris HOF was a wonderful tour experience. This would be our 5th RS tour. My wife and I agree that this is our favorite tour to date. While all the tour guides have been great, Rebecca really made it her mission to make sure that all the tour members were well taken care of. From her top notch tour information, checking up on us daily, great conversationalist, giving us treats, ever cheerful demeanor, evening toast on Mont St. Michel - she made the tour experience truly special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Looking at the fields from Mont St. Michel ramparts and also walking along the shore of Mont St. Michel during low tide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guides, sites, and transportation were all great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Listening to the clerical chants on Mont Saint Michelle"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really loved our tour guide Rebecca, the group of fellow travelers, and diverse and historically rich destinations such as Paris, the World War II beaches of Normandy, and the spiritually rich traditions at Mt. St. Michel. This tour really covers so much art, history and culture in one of the best Rick Steve's itineraries ever.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Waking up at 6:30 a.m. after sleeping overnight at Mt. St. Michel and joining the clergy at the Abbey for a truly uplifting singing and chanting session at the crack of dawn."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was so well thought out that it felt like I was just moving from one delight to another the whole trip. Our guide was very good, and we were fortunate enough to also have an apprentice guide along, which added to the experience because she was also wonderful. My fellow tour members were thoughtful and kind. I just really loved my trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Early morning on Mont Saint-Michel was magical--the chance to see the sun rising over the water, and especially to hear the Brothers and Sisters sing matins at the Abbey in such peace, without the chaos of the crowds. It was just beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the cultural immersion that our tour guide provided on this tour. In Paris, our guide educated us on how to use the various forms of mass transit to get around Paris. We had an opportunity to put our skills to the test during our free afternoons. Next time I get to Paris, I feel empowered to navigate the City without having the security blanket of a guide or group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Do I have to pick one? Seeing the Mona Lisa in person (and the Louvre) was spectacular. However, seeing and staying on Mont St Michel (especially at sunset, and on the morning of the solstice listening to “mass” sang in chants in the Abbey) was sublime. Walking Normandy beaches and visiting the Cemetery (during their EOD taps ceremony) was incredibly moving. Two surprise gems were Amboise castle (and the little winery below its walls); and Bayeux during its summer solstice music festival."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall I cannot say the experience was all that I hoped for as we had to leave the tour halfway through due to coming down with and testing positive for Covid! (It was the first time either of us had been affected by the virus. Fortunately, the symptoms were very mild and shortlived). Even so, the first half of the tour was wonderful and more enjoyable than I could have imagined.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The truth is I never had much desire to tour Europe until I became a fan of The Rick Steves series on PBS. His approach and philosophy of interacting with the people who live in other parts of the world appealed and intrigued me. Turns out he is right! The people we met and interacted with, both during and after we left the tour, were the "wow" factor of the trip. The kind and cordial behavior of nearly every person we encountered was remarkable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the Tour Guide, the sites, the hotels, the food, the history, the education, the fellow travelers, the entire experience was wonderful and memorable!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day was a "wow" moment as a first-time international traveler. My biggest "wow" was Mont St-Michel."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a fabulous trip! Our guide Virginie made the experience educational and fun filled. We saw so much and learned a great deal about French customs, history and people. The tour was well organized and I was able to simply relax and enjoy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Bayeux Tapestry was more than I anticipated it would be. As a British history major, I knew about William the Conqueror but had no idea that the tapestry was more of a story cloth. The audio guide was excellent. The National Night of Music on Summer Solstice happening that evening added to the wonder of the time in Bayeux."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour guide, sites, meals, hotels, and planning all exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many “WOW” moments. Being at Mont St Michel was wonderful, but so were the gardens at Giverny, and the listening to taps above Omaha Beach."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding & informative

Favorite "WOW" moment

"First glimpse of Mont St Michel while riding on bus"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall it was a very good tour! We were worried about Covid interrupting, but we stayed healthy. Our tour guide is what made the tour so good! She was outstanding!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Mont Michele in the distance as we approached."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour gave us an understanding of France, its history and its culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The chateau at Chenoceau, and the Mont St. Michele, but spending the night there did not enhance the experience. Our favorite towns were Bayeux and Amboise."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the guides and of course Virginie was so wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"no way to narrow down to one moment, it was an experience with many pieces of wonder."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, beautiful, great learning experience, amazing food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tie between the breathtaking stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle and Mont St Michel…. Being able to stay overnight there and experiencing the matins the next morning was really moving. Even though they chanted in French, I knew enough French to follow along as long as I could find the right page in the book….and a very gracious French woman sitting beside me solved that by pointing the page numbers out."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt like the tour was very well balanced overall. I loved the mix of being in Paris and the time in smaller areas around the country. This was my first Rick Steves' tour, and I had such a wonderful time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The night we spent on Mont St. Michel also aligned with a particularly strong high tide, and being able to watch the tide rush in around the Mont while having dinner was just incredible. (Also, the view from my room absolutely was worth all the stairs I had to climb!)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well run and orchestrated. Both Verinigue and her assistant John were informative and organized. They were on top of things and kept the tour moving which added to the enjoyment of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The American Cemetery at Normandy, everything about it but the playing of taps as the flag was lowered was overwhelming! These few minutes was so emotional it brought us to tears. The tragedy of all those lives lost was so emotional."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded our expectations. It was well paced, providing a good balance of tour time and free time. Our tour guide, Veronique, shared her vast knowledge of Paris and France and was also fun and excellent at handling logistics. The meals provided a good exposure to French cuisine. Our tour group members were enjoyable and respectful of one another.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were two. Mont Saint-Michel was awesome! Staying overnight and watching the water surround the island was special. Touring the abbey was also a highlight! The 2nd wow moment was the lowering of the American flag at the Omaha beach cemetery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Veronique was fabulous. A native French women who lived and worked in the Northwest had a depth of insight in both cultures. What a treasure to have her guide us through Paris and France. My 18 year old granddaughter and I learned so much about history, art, culture and food that has enriched our lives in ways that are still unfolding. Veronique gave very clear instructions and most of us already knew the Rick Steves way of travel;buddies, timeliness, no grumps, pack light.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My lifetime dream was to visit Mont St Michele. It did not disappoint!! Our room had a fabulous patio where we could watch the amazing tide. It was like a Harry Potter fairy tale. Truly, there were many WOW moments, I didn’t see coming. The wine and goat cheese tasting at Chateau Selles-Sur-Cher was an absolutely fabulous experience. My granddaughters first wine tasting. The owner was a delight and I hope this will always be on the tour?? Veronique was always finding ways to surprise us."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This being our second RS tour we knew about the general routine. Our overall experience was unbelievably positive with so many wonderful towns and villages to see along with learning about French culture and meeting so many friendly French people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had so many “Wow” moment’s especially seeing the beaches and American cemetery in Normandy. Another wow moment for me was seeing Mont Saint Michel! All the personal stories of young soldiers and their heroism in Normandy was another “wow” for my husband and I."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was a satisfying blend of the city experience in Paris and country experience the rest of the time. The activities and meals were varied and all extremely enjoyable. It was extremely well-organized; even when there was a problem with our bus, we travelers were barely aware of the effort required to get a replacement. Shout-out to our delightful guide, Veronique, and our bus driver, Byron. I'd had my eye on this tour for a while, and it completely met my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite day of the tour was the visit to Monet's house and gardens. I could wander in those gardens for hours. For sheer WOW, however, seeing the Abbey from our hotel window on Mont Saint-Michel was tops. And very honorable mentions go to the wine-tasting picnic and seeing the tapestry in Bayeux."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent introduction to France. Sites visited were well selected to give a solid overview of the culture and history of the country. Rebecca Berry was an outstanding guide (5 out of 5)! She was knowledgable in the customs and history of France and was extremely well organized, funny and really cared for her guests. Hotels were clean and each was unique. Plenty of planned activities while givings us free time to enjoy France on our own. Tour members were excellent as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"D-Day beaches was a "bucket list" visit for me. I have wanted to see this since I was 10 years old! Excellent local guide too.,"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I saw all the places I wanted to see and appreciated having excellent narratives

Favorite "WOW" moment

"First glimpseof Mont-Saint-Michel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful time! Was, finally!, able to go to Normandy, Guedelin, Giverny and see the Bayeux tapestry. These places can be challenging to get to but the tour made it possible!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Bayeux Tapestry. I’m a stitcher and being able to see the Tapestry (ok it’s an embroidery) was fabulous! Spent most of my time admiring it, went thru a couple of times. The shop on the way agreed to stay open past closing (thanks Rebecca!) which enabled me to go back and do some shopping—my work will not be on the level of the Tapestry however I’m going to love stitching the pieces I got and have fond memories of my trip!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was wonderful in every way! It was our first trip to France, so we appreciated seeing the different regions we visited. The group was very congenial; everyone was friendly and got along well. The pace of the tour was relatively fast…but we know that is the price one pays to see more. I wouldn’t want to eliminate any of our overnight locations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me (Melinda), it was probably spending the night on Mont SM—and going to the 6:50 a.m. service in the abbey, with very few people out and about. For my husband (Lindsay), it was probably the American Cemetery in Normandy. He has a distant cousin buried there, and Cemetery personnel took him to the grave and performed a little ceremony. It was very touching."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My Rick Steves trip experience was so much more than I expected. France was brought to life to me once again with the outstanding and energetic Rebecca as our guide. Rebecca made me feel like I was a true Parisian for 11 days and I can't wait to come back.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The winery tour. The owners were beautiful people. I learned so much. I pick out wine differently now. They gave me a whole new understanding of what it takes to love what you do for a living. They put their heart and soul in their wine and that came through as they passionately taught us how to taste and enjoy their wine."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fast paced and at times felt somewhat frantic to make the most of every moment and opportunity each day. Guide, Rebecca, was fantastic always tuned in and always ‘on.’

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking tour of Paris, Mont St. Michel, Normandy Beaches and monuments. It was all sort of ‘wow.’"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Merveilleux! We had a wonderful time. We enjoyed our tour buddies and absolutely loved Rebecca!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Don't think we have 1 - Brouges, Normandy, Giverny, Mt San Michel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Under the leadership of Rebecca, our tour guide, we had a wonderful experience. She set such a positive tone that our group quickly became a friendly, cooperative large family.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The German Cemetery on Utah Beach. The black crosses and the black modern statues of grieving parents really drove home that these were young soldiers who were killed no matter which side of the war. Their youth and the fact that most were not in the war to support Hitler was really poignant."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 2nd RS tour with our 4 kids (ages 15-22) and we loved knowing that all the ‘details’ (hotels, transportation, entrance to attractions, guides, some meals, overall route) were taken care of by NOT us! All we had to do was pay+show up then enjoy our kids experiencing the WOW of the destinations and adventures. Our French guide Arnaud and driver Henri along with the local guides were outstanding, knowledgeable, entertaining and enthusiastic and our entire group stayed COVID free!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont Saint Michel - arriving as the crowds were leaving in the late afternoon so we had the whole space to ourselves including sleeping overnight and waking at sunrise to climb up rampart walls to the abbey at the very top for the early morning service was utterly WOW! Also having our whole group make an early morning bus stop at the tiny train station in Amboise to pick-up our oldest child who had just finished her school year studying in France and had taken the overnight train to join us!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a wonderful combination of sightseeing, history and culture (both current day and historical). The schedule was busy (I didn't take a RSE tour to relax), but also there was also downtime if a person was interested. The RSE guide book and audio guides were very helpful in preparing for the trip. I would definitely take another RSE tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As a 40 year fan of Impressionism, standing in Monet's garden and touring his home was a high point. Also viewing the Eiffel Tower at night when the lights went on at 10:00 pm was magical."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very impressed. We covered a lot of ground and it was all interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire Mont St Michal experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very positive. Lots of interesting experiences that were even better than anticipated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Spending the night on Mont St. Michel."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized, and the guide excellent. The food and accommodations were excellent. I gave taken several RS tours and like them this more than lived up to my expectations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Waking up on Mount St. Michael and seeing it before all the crowds arrived."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour with great guides.

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, it was a good tour. I especially enjoyed the local guides, especially at Guedelon and Mont St-Michel. This tour lacked the some of the camaraderie of my past three tours, which I attribute to the constant threat of being dropped from the tour due to Covid. We lost ten people, beginning about three days in.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite was staying in a room with a terrace overlooking the rooftops at Mont St-Michel and attending the morning singing service in the Abbey."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the time I arrived at the first hotel in Paris everyone treated me like a VIP. I had never been on a tour before but the guide Chris and personnel at each hotel made it easy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Either tossing a memento of my late husband into Jim Morrison’s gravesite (total bullseye) before the first tour meeting or sunrise chanting service on top of Mont St Michel. Amazing every day tho, really."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the tide come in around Mt Ste. Michele…..attending early morning church service at the abbey…."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Wonderful itinerary with great travel companions in our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont St. Michel visit."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was very well-planned as I expected from a RS tour. This was my first one but I hope there are many others. Our French guide, Patrick, was outstanding as were all the local tour guides that were hired. The visited sites were amazing and I would highly recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mont Saint Michel"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good. Our tour to Paris and France was delayed by 3 days. Because of that we were touring on a Natioanal Bank Holiday 26-29 MAY 2022. The Louvre on a Sunday was not enjoyable 22 May. Need a tour guide for help. Mt St Michel was so crowded (26-27 MAY) it was unbelievable. Leaving the area the traffic was backed up for miles....but Patrick Vidal made the most of it. without his decision making it would have been a lot worse.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Normandy Tour with Rudy. Very very excellent."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a wonderful tour, the guide was very knowledgeable and did a very good job of making everything run smoothly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"If there was a "wow" moment, it was probably the American cemetery in Normandy. But really, there were numerous small moments that made it a memorable tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experience! Great to be back traveling in France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"D-Day tour of the Normandy beaches and American cemetary"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the France tour and Patrick who lead the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Just being in Paris was my biggest Wow. The beauty and the energy of that city is amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was busy, but also had a good amount of free time, particularly in Paris. I didn't feel trapped into doing activities that didn't interest me and felt like I got to choose what I wanted to do there. Once we left Paris, the tour included things I likely would not have thought to see on my own, but thoroughly enjoyed, like Guedelon castle and the Bayeaux tapestry. I enjoyed every day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day at Normandy was incredible. It was invaluable to have a guide with us all day to explain everything and make it come to life. It would not have been as meaningful if I had just gone on my own to see the beaches without really understanding what happened there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our France tour was fabulous. We enjoyed all of the boutique hotel in Paris, Bourges, the Liore Valley and Normandy. Our guide Patrick was alot of fun with unlimited energy. We were impressed with the ease of navigating the city vis the metro system, busses and trains. The French people were very cordial and helpful. We plan to come back soon

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mt. St Michel was a wow! We stayed at a hotel there. We had a fabulous room with a large terrace overlooking the town The timing of our arrival and departure from Mt. St Michel was well planned and strategized to mimize the crowds to provide the best experience. Our local guide was great."