8-Nights Villages of France from $3,195

Villages Of France
Journey through the villages, towns and countryside that define the French way of life. Starting in Paris, travel through Burgundy, Alsace and Champagne, uncovering vine-covered slopes, colorful half-timbered streets and bustling local markets along the way. From cheesemakers and Champagne cellars to riverside walks and storybook squares, this is a France trip that captures the country’s charm, one village at a time.


Dining Summary

• 3 Dinner (D)
• 8 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Lunch (L)

• Bourges: Join Marie and Stéphane Devaulx de Chambord at their 14th-century family home, Chateau de Vieux Chambord, once visited by King Henry IV of France. Tour the gardens and explore the main living areas, defensive fortifications, dungeon, Courtyard of Honours and the king’s throne. Then gather for lunch in one of the original towers, surrounded by stories and local flavors.

• Orleans: Stroll through the medieval streets of Orléans, once the stronghold of Joan of Arc. Explore timber-framed houses, lively squares and riverside views at your own pace. Uncover its past and present as you walk through the same streets that helped shape French history.
• Bourges: Explore the medieval center of Bourges with a Local Specialist. Hear the stories behind its timbered lanes and grand landmarks as you visit the 13th-century UNESCO-listed Cathédrale Saint-Étienne and the ornate Palais Jacques Cœur – a merchant’s palace that reflects the city’s wealth and power in the late Middle Ages.
• Beaune: Join your Travel Director for an orientation walk through Beaune’s medieval center. Pass wine shops, timber-framed buildings and lively market squares as you get a feel for this historic Burgundy town. Along the way, hear how wine, trade and tradition have shaped daily life in one of France’s best-loved wine capitals.
• Beaune: Step inside the 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu, once a hospital for the poor and now a museum showcasing Burgundy’s medieval heritage. Admire its colorful patterned roof tiles, gothic architecture and beautifully preserved interiors as you explore the stories behind this historic building at the heart of Beaune.
• Dijon: Join your Travel Director for a walk through the heart of Dijon. See elegant squares, timber-framed buildings and the city’s iconic mustard shops. On market day, step inside Les Halles – the covered market designed by Gustave Eiffel – where stalls brim with Burgundy produce and regional specialties.
• Dijon: Tour Burgundy’s last independent mustard mill, where traditional stone-grinding methods are still used. Discover how Dijon’s most famous condiment is made, then sample a variety of bold and unexpected flavors during a guided tasting that showcases this regional favorite.
• Besancon: Visit La Citadelle de Besançon, a masterpiece of 17th-century military architecture designed by Vauban. Set high above the town, its stone ramparts and views over the Doubs River reveal the scale and strength of this historic stronghold – now home to museums that explore its military and cultural significance.
• Colmar: Join your Travel Director to explore the heart of Colmar, where colorful half-timbered houses, canal-lined lanes and flower-filled squares give the town its storybook charm. As you walk, you’ll discover why this Alsatian gem has inspired artists, winemakers and visitors for centuries.
• Strasbourg: Join a Local Specialist to discover Strasbourg’s blend of French and German heritage on foot. Walk through the city’s historic center, learn about its shifting identity and see how different cultures have shaped its architecture, food and atmosphere over the centuries.
• Strasbourg: Stroll through the timber-framed houses and cobbled canals of the Petite France district. Take in the views of the River Rhine, then head to Place Kléber – the city’s central square and a hub of daily life, surrounded by cafes, shops and Alsatian character.
• Strasbourg: Admire the pink sandstone facade and towering spire of Strasbourg Cathedral – one of Europe’s finest examples of Gothic architecture. Inside, look up to see the intricate stained glass and the astronomical clock that’s drawn visitors for centuries.
• Metz: Stop in Metz to admire its impressive cathedral and medieval architecture before continuing to Épernay, set in the heart of Champagne country. This elegant town is home to grand boulevards lined with some of the world’s most celebrated Champagne houses.
• Champagne Region: Travel through the vine-covered slopes of the Champagne region, shaped by centuries of cultivation. Neatly aligned rows of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier stretch across chalky soils, forming the landscape that defines this world-famous sparkling wine.
• Champagne Region: Sample Champagne in the region that gives it its name – and its character. Made using the méthode traditionnelle and a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, each glass reflects the region’s unique terroir and craft.
• Champagne Region: Stop in Hautvillers, the village where Dom Pérignon lived and worked. See the statue that honours the Benedictine monk whose name now appears on one of the world’s most prestigious Champagne labels.
• Meaux: Stop in Meaux, a riverside town known for its Brie and mustard. Browse the farmers’ market, where stalls brim with seasonal produce, cheeses and local specialties. The market reflects everyday life in this part of France, with fresh ingredients and small producers at the center of it all.
• Meaux: Learn how Brie de Meaux is made on a guided visit to the Saint Faron dairy. See traditional techniques in action, from curdling to ageing, and hear how this soft, creamy cheese became one of France’s most iconic regional products.

• Strasbourg: