• Boy with baguettes, Provence, France

October Tour News

Hi From Rick: A Perfectly French Vacation

My favorite street in Paris is a cobbled market lane called Rue Cler. Rather than giant department stores and noisy traffic, it's a street of cafés, flower shops, and the incessant kissing of cheeks. I love to grab a tiny outdoor table, swirl a little wine, and watch Parisians mix daily chores with a love of life. Punctuated with a montage of friendly encounters, they assemble their evening meal: Bread from the boulangerie…vegetables from the produce stand…and always…wine from the cave à vins on the corner. The entire street is that hungry daily derby of classic shopping trolleys, where each stop offers a tasty nibble of French culture.

Every stop also comes with a conversation. Imagine: On a French market street — big city or small town — people know each other…and they have time to talk… Read more

In This Issue


Five Tempting Tastes of France

From its remarkable wines and cuisine to its sophisticated cities and countryside charms, France is simply irresistible. But where does one start? Here's a sampling of our five itineraries… Read more


Carcassonne, France

Slideshow: Loire to the South of France, Day by Day

Everyone knows that France is blessed with beautiful sights. But what will you see on our Loire to the South of France tour? Well, we start in the cozy, historic town of Chartres… Read more


julie sonveau

Meet France Guide Julie Sonveau

Originally from Kansas, Julie and her family ended up settling in the French countryside, where she began leading tours of Guédélon — one of our favorite castles in Burgundy… Read more


Playing boules

Raves About Our France Tours

France serves up a rich tapestry of fine culture, sublime cuisine, dramatic natural beauty, thundering history, jaw-dropping art, and an undeniable joie de vivre… Read more


Rick and friend shopping, Rue Cler, Paris

Video: Paris’ Rue Cler Street Market

Paris' most inviting market street is Rue Cler. With help from a local friend, Rick shops for dinner: stopping at the small specialty stores brimming with fresh produce, meat, bread, seafood, and smelly cheese… Watch the video


Tours 101

Is a Rick Steves Tour Right for You?

Ask your questions, get answers from our tour experts, and find out if a Rick Steves' Europe tour is right for you at our upcoming Tours 101 sessions on Nov. 10… Register


man on right mountain water sheep on right

Coming Soon to Monday Night Travel

Join us for Beyond the Best of Ireland with Pat O'Connor on Oct. 19, Travel Horror Stories with the MNT team on Oct. 26, and The Political View from Europe with Cameron Hewitt and Travis Parker on Nov. 2… Register