Loire to the South of France in 13 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Chris was very organized and a wealth of information. The best guide of our 3 Rick Steves tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The light show on the Chartres cathedral. This was totally unexpected and beautifully done."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 5th R.S. tour and Jane judged it our very best. I love all our tours (haven't had a bad one) and don't want to diminish any of them, but this one is freshest in my mind and may be the very best for me too. Chris went out of her way to fill our days with wonder & excitement. Thanks to her we saw Roc St Christophe at the end of season so Fethi could drive bus down the one-lane road to the parking lot not full of cars; lunch at St Leon-sur-Vezere; balloons over Dordogne; exceptional vineyards

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I've become a big fan of Leonardo di Vinci, seeing his artwork on previous tours. Standing in his bedroom where he breathed his last breath in 1519 was particularly meaningful to me. We had been there on a previous tour but all my photos were lost so this was my opportunity to document and commemorate my visit. This tour was full of 'wow' moments - picnic lunch at vineyard Domaine Guinand, St Christol, Jane's best food of the entire trip & touring Sebastian's vineyard at Chateau du Petit Thouars"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour! Our best Rick Steves tour yet. A superior guide - Chris. A super skilled and very kind bus driver - Fethi. A compatible group of tour mates. Extremely interesting and diverse places. I felt privileged to visit these amazing places and people. Of special note, an expert guide, Malcolm Miller at Chartre. (I wish I had taken notes, but I bought his book.) Loved both wine tours and tastings. A very active paced tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A WOW DAY! We descended by tram into the Rouffignac Cave to see prehistoric drawings of wooly mammoths, then drove to La Roque St. Christophe, where we climbed the stairs to the site of medieval cliff dwellers. After lunch in a charming village - St. Leon-sur-Vezere, with a stop in its Romanesque church, we took a boat down the Dordogne River at La Roque-Gageac. Our day ended at Point de Vue by Chateau de Beynac, for panoramic views over the valley, as hot-air balloons rose in the distance."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first tour with the company and it definitely did not disappoint. Our tour guide, Chris, was absolutely outstanding and we could not have asked for a more knowledgeable and fun guide with a great sense of humor! We felt the itinerary was just right, some days were jam packed and others were a little more laid back. Our driver, Fethi, was a truly professional driver, safety first and very courteous, always looking out for us … and he kept the bus immaculate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were lots of wow moments, from architecture to cave dwellings, but I think the most memorable moment was our al fresco lunch at one of the wineries. The sun was out, everyone was relaxed, the food and wine were excellent and then Chris threw in a fun word game that we all sort of groaned when she announced it! In the end it was absolutely hilarious and everyone was roaring with laughter. It was just a really great day!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our favorite of our 3 tours so far. Our guide Chris was wonderful. She made the bus rides so interesting with lots of information. We had to change our itinerary one day last minute due to high water on the Dordogne, and it was a day I will never forget. There was so much to see on this tour but we never felt rushed. The balance of free time and group tours was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view over looking the Dordogne river with the hot air balloons rising. That whole day was a wow moment : the cave drawings, the cliff dwellings, lunch in Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere, and the Dordogne river."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Though I've traveled extensively on my own and with friends, I'd never been on an organized tour like this before. I loved the variety of experiences - from touring chateaus and gardens to tasting regional foods, learning from local experts and exploring on my own. I loved not having to worry about logistics, and was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the bus transportation was (both in terms of seating and time spent on board). I even plan to visit some of my new tour friends soon!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Only one!?!? TOP PICK: Touring Rouffignac cavern and seeing actual prehistoric cave paintings. RUNNERS UP: cliff community in La Roque St Cristophe; the immersive Carrières des Lumières multi-media show in the bauxite quarry in Les Baux-de-Provence; traversing the Pont du Gard. HONORABLE MENTIONS: tour of the stained glass school in Chartres; night-time walk in and view of Cité de Carcassonne."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 7th Rick Steves tour and it was amazing! Visiting the impressive chateaus of the Loire Valley and staying in small villages with a great group of people was wonderful. Our guide, Patrick, was energetic, entertaining and full of insider knowledge about French culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow” moment was seeing the evening Chartres Cathedral en Lumière with it’s spectacular light and sound show!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experience. Exceeded my expectations for my first RS tour. Good balance of group/guide activities as well as plenty of time on your own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct crossing the Gardon River in southern France."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Nina did an excellent job. Obviously very experienced and skilled. She worked hard to make sure everyone had

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Roman aqueduct is stunning! Carcassonne is also a favorite. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed everything about our RS travel experience...our tour guide, Nina, was excellent; we had the best bus driver, Magali; the itinerary was fun, interesting and had plenty of free-time included; the food we shared as a group was memorable and delicious; and our fellow travelers were some of the nicest travel companions we've ever had the pleasure to share a trip with!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"PEOPLE: Our tour guide, Nina, impressed us with her knowledge, caring and fun-loving nature, and her steady leadership; our fellow-travelers were just plain nice humans as was our bus driver, Magali! ITINERARY: Every rest-stop, city and site we visited was so well planned and chosen for its charm, history and "wow" impact! FOOD: Even the group meals were chosen for their local culinary relevance...and they were delicious too! WOW: This was our first RS tour...but it won't be our last!! Thankyou!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I found that this tour offered a good variety of different locations and experiences. Our tour guide, Nina, was very knowledgeable and always helpful. I really appreciated the great locations of all of the hotels on this trip. I enjoyed meeting my fellow travelers and our meals together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed our boat ride on the Dordogne river. I felt like I was a part of one of Martin Walker's novels about this area. His books were one of the reasons that I chose this tour. Walking around the medieval city of Sarlat and seeing the cave drawings at Rouffignac added to this experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide and tour companions were fantastic. The itinerary was outstanding. We experienced all of the areas of France -the Loire Valley, Dordogne, Provence and the Cote d' Azure to the fullest.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick just one. However, walking through the Pont du Gard was definitely a highlight. This is just one example of what differentiates Rick Steves Tours. We also had Wow moments with the information that was shared by our tour guides. Nina was excellent as well as all of the locals guides selected."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 3rd Rick Steves tour and it was a wonderful experience. We saw so much of France and it was a varied and educational tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many! The Chartres Cathedral light show was incredible. Château de Chenonceau had so many unique rooms and what a setting! The gardens at Villandry. The site and story behind the discovery of the old barge in the Antique museum in Arles. Moonlight over the deserted Amphitheatre from our hotel room in Arles. And of course the beyond magnificent Pont du Gard!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, an excellent, well-organized tour with tons of fun surprises mixed in for good measure. Our guide, Nina, was personable, knowledgeable, and had many interesting and fun treats in store for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Arles for the first time from the window of our tour bus. I was moved to tears. I signed up for this tour primarily to see Van Gogh sights in Arles and was not disappointed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Having Virginie, Steve, and our very engaged driver Fehti made this a special trip. Virginie was a fount of knowledge about the places we saw, life in France, politics in France, and everything French. Steve was always available to answer questions. Fehti did everything he could, like slowing down when Virginie pointed out something significant we should look at.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Chartres Cathedral at night, Chenonceau, Villandry, and the Pont du Gard were a few of my Wow moments."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We saw so many beautiful cities and chateau's and historical sites in parts of France we had not been in before. Virginie was a great tour guide. She did an excellent job helping us understand French culture. I believe the fact that she had lived in the US for over 10 years across 3 very different parts of our country really enabled her to explain the differences between our cultures. She was also excellent in telling us ahead of time what to expect. Great trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pont Du Gard - such an amazing feat of engineering. Loved walking across the bridge and taking some excellent photos with that in the background. That fact that it was sunny and warmer helped make it special too."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

France is a beautiful country and this south France/Loire Valley tour takes one through much of that beauty. Our guide, Virginie, was absolutely outstanding. We experienced a goodly amount of rain over our two weeks but she was able to navigate us through it keeping us relatively dry! And Fethi, our bus driver, did a wonderful job handling the narrow, winding roads of France. The French people were warm and welcoming. And the French towns/villages - so quaint!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Market day in Sarlat when the sun came out! It was beautiful. Also, the Pont du Gard was a surprisingly “wow” moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Virginie our guide and Fati our driver were great— fun and full of information about France! The group interactions were enjoyable; we saw interesting things and enjoyed the food/wine too

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The gardens of Villandry blew us away! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tour of Cave paintings "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour guide, Virginie, and the driver, Fethi, were a great team who made us feel welcome in France and were also knowledgeable and very helpful. Also the apprentice, Steve, was also very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor! Our tour ran very smoothly and even though France was slammed with rain during those days, we were still able to see and experience most everything that was scheduled. Great people, great food, great trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably my favorite scene was the castle at Carcassonne from our room balcony. Lit up at night, it was beautiful. I had read a historical fiction novel set in Carcassonne, so that made it stand out for me."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very good. Virginie was outstanding !

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking on the top of the Pont du Gard ?…"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Learned a lot, had fun, met nice people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through the Pont du Gard aqueduct ."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Even though the weather was not great, Virginie did all she could to make the tour an enjoyable experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was walking across the top of the Pont du Gard aqueduct bridge. To see the inside of the channel and then to take pictures of the bridge was really amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour guide with Claire. Learned a lot about history, culture, and values of past and present French society. Of course, experienced wonderful locations, scenic areas and historical places. Enjoyed the food as part of the French culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Due to weather, we took a diversion to Lascaux 3 exhibit which was an incredible surprise and bonus."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great mix of sites and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say - there were so many. I really enjoyed the cave etchings at Rouffignac and Arles."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a beautiful tour! We had a great group and an amazing guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Market day in Sarlat!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was nervous about joining a tour, unsure about traveling with 26 other people but surprise surprise, my fellow travelers added so much to the total travel experience. I thought a perfect balance was struck between group time and free time. Our tour guide, Nina was fantastic in every way as were the local tour guides. We have already signed up for another tour....

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not sure that I had a particular wow moment, every stop was different and had different highlights. I loved it all. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed all the towns and places we visited. Each member of our tour group was friendly and fun to share the tour with and our guide Nina was excellent!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite "Wow Moment" was the Dordogne Canoe trip and the 13,000 year old drawings of Rouffignac cave. All 3 of the chateaus, Carcassonne, and The French Riviera were also amazing!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first group tour experience. It far exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a really hard question because there were so many memorable moments. One special memory was the night show at Chartres that projected amazing images on the church. Another was the market experience in Sarlat. And this was followed by walking through the Roman aqueduct at Port du Gard. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Seeing mostly rural and small village France was just what I was hoping for and RS did not disappoint

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gardens at the chateaus were absolutely beautiful even in the autumn "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steves has once again delivered an incredible tour! It exceeded all expectations and then some. Our guide, Nina, was exceptionally knowledgeable and did an outstanding job. Everything was meticulously planned and organized, and the sites we visited were absolutely breathtaking.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were countless "wow" moments, but my main goal for this tour was to experience chateaus and castles. Visiting the Château de Villandry and its stunning gardens definitely ranks at the top of my list. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour. Exceeded my expectations in all aspects. The tour had a good balance of structured events and free time for exploring independently. Great group of tour members. Our tour guide, Arnaud, was awesome. He was very knowledgeable, organized, helpful and pleasant. He made the tour a delight.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments. One was certainly walking through the Roman aqueduct: the Pont du Gard. What an amazing achievement and extraordinary engineering!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful. It met our expectations and more. The hotels were comfortable. The tour dinners and lunches were outstanding. The itinerary was excellent. Our tour guide Arnaud was exceptional. His knowledge of French history and culture, his humour and friendliness really enhanced the tour. I’d love to take another tour with Arnaud. After using Rick Steves books etc. for many years of travelling in Europe it was great to experience an actual Rick Steves tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many ‘wow’ moments. My favourites were canoeing on the Dordogne R., visiting the winery in Saint Cristal with the wine tasting and wonderful four course meal in the garden and visiting Sarlat!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great guide and tour members. Tour activities as described. It was great first RS tour for us. I can see why there are so many repeat clients.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Pont du Gar was one of the reasons we chose this tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A very different view of France from our Paris tour last year. Loved seeing the regional variety, in landscape, culture and cuisine. Arnaud is a great history teacher and the regions have a long history!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"WOW moment was night light display in Chartres--went twice! Most impactful was Oradour-sur-Glane, site of WWII massacre by Nazis of a village. Given our current political climate, very sobering. Watch Rick's Travel As a Political Act show."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well-structured, comprehensive, fun, and informative, with a much-appreciated break in the middle.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That prehistoric people would risk life and limb to travel deep into caves to draw; it makes me wonder what inspired them to do so."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is the second tour with Rick Steves' Europe. Had a wonderful time. The most compelling reason to go is the self-selection that happens among potential travelers -- those who choose Rick Steves' are of "our tribe" and that makes all the difference.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The light show on the cathedral at Chartres."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour leader, Julie Sonveau, was terrific! And so was our bus driver Margali! She was so sweet, friendly, and an excellent driver! It was clear that Julie was chosen carefully for her perfect background (having lived in US and France, perfect French speaker, expert knowledge of French culture, historic sites, etc.) She was very friendly, organized, and supportive when my friend and I got sick. Plus, the group of people on the tour were all very compatible. The sites chosen were lovely!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to give just one “wow” moment. The light show at the Chartres Cathedral was pretty spectacular. Amboise, Chateau de Villandry, Dordogne, the Cave Art, (canoeing would have been great if it hadn’t rained!). Carcassone stands out as pretty spectacular. And Nice and the surrounding area were amazing, too! But I think the picnic at the Domaine Guineans Saint-Christol Winery was one of my favorites - a beautiful day, outside, delicious food and drink and company. What’s not to love?!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really enjoyed our tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"1. Our guide was exceptional. 2. Carcassonne. The local tour guide was excellent. 3. Pont du Gard"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved the Southern France tour! Saw so many historic castles and sites, drank so much great local wine, and ate some wonderful French classic foods like cassoulet.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I cannot pinpoint one thing-I loved the market in Nice, and walking the promenade along the Mediterranean. I loved canoeing on the Dordogne River. We loved the prehistoric caves. And we loved walking through the Pond de Gard where the water used to flow. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great group of people. Unfortunately some fell ill, everyone handled it well. The weather may not have been what we wished for but everyone made the best of it. Overall it was a positive experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Chenonceaux chateau was particularly impressive and was one of the reasons I chose this tour. I wish we would have had a little bit more time there. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

An educational and fun experience. The price to value (included meals and hotels) was not as high as we expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lunch at the winery was lovely with very good food. The tour guides for the cities we visited were outstanding and had the local knowledge. Enjoyed the wine tasting in the cave at Chinon. The beauty of Nice! "

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

This is my fourth RS Tour and it was the most disappointing. The sites were amazing, but the timing at the site and tour guide personality were disappointing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Chateau de Villandry. The castle and grounds were the best site of the tour for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed this Tour very much because of the smaller group. We also loved our Tour guide and the Bus Driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery is exceptional and the timing of each city we visited was amazing and well planned."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves Tour. I went as a single traveler. I felt very comfortable traveling alone with the group. The tour guide was phenomenal. I am used to traveling internationally by myself. I was not used to so much planned events every day. I did miss having the availability to have a little more downtime and some of the villages

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was the beauty of France. It was almost too much to take in."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour guide, great sites and a community of tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many but one that stands out is our winery tour with a lunch at the winery in the yard under the trees. So French!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything ran smoothy. The whole experience was stress free and full of options. I have been on 2 other RS tours and it seems like they are always extremely fun and quality experiences. This one was even better showing the continued growth and excellence the RS group does in planning the tour. The information was clearly passed to us so we all knew what to expect and do.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard question because every day had "wow" moments! My favorite is each of the places we visited and stayed. All unique locations and also full of excellent hotel hosts to great food. One of my wow's was the light show at the Limestone quarry at Les Baux."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a very good group and an outstanding tour leader. Each activity and experience was well conceived and managed very well. This was different than many RS tours we've taken because we were not visiting any major museums or sites. This meant our experiences were more about taking in all the smaller details and riding the joy provided by our guide and fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The access to Pont du Gard was special and spectacular. It was a perfect weather day and everything fell into place nicely. Our local guide was terrific and I was surprised to be emotionally taken by the entire experience. A close second was "canoe day." We've been on the water a lot at home, but this was a combination of amazing views of chateaus and nature as well as good fun provided by other paddlers. This was probably the surprise "fun" part of the trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As always with RSE tours, we saw and did things the average tour group doesn't (I assume -- I'm a loyal RSE person, never tried another) But I don't think many get to walk the top level of the Pont du Gard for example. Every day was full, sights, tastes, fun with the group & Linda managed us with grace & humor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pont du Gard. Canoeing the Dordogne. And Oradour sur Glane Even though that was a heavy, stark, experience, I think it's important to keep them in the tours. Went to Dachau on the 12 day tour, same thing. We need to see those horrors so as to (maybe) not allow them again."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful blend of tour leader led activities and freedom to wander.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Canoeing on the Dordogne. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour had a perfect balance of group activities and time for independent explorations. Our guide, Patrick,, had a marvelous sense of humor and was able to convey facts and information in a conversational, relatable way so you never felt as if you were a student attending a lecture. Instead, it was like you'd come to visit your friend and he was showing you his favorite places. Group meals were fantastic and the hotels couldn't have been closer to the sights we'd come to see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Paddling down the Dordogne River on a warm, sunny afternoon and enjoying the views of the medieval castles and villages from the water."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful and the group was delightful. The history provided by Patrick was amazing and very informative. We especially enjoyed the variety of sights and the food. Stopping in the little village of Mont Mart was special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cathedral in Chartres, the Pont du Gard and the fortress in Carcasonne. Wish we had a little more time in Carcasonne. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great itinerary, great guide. Would have liked more time at some locations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many, but I think the movies in the quarry-so unique!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through the aqueduct at Pont du Gard and viewing Carcassonne lit up at night from the bridge. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour packed in more sights and experiences than I ever could have travelling independently. Several times, especially at Villandry and the Pont du Gard, I found myself longing for more time but that would have meant missing out on something else. So many places I want to return to. At each stop, Patrick helped us understand the culture, history, architecture, and food, plus how to make the most of our free time. Driver Jamel navigated the narrowest streets and was kind and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This tour packed in more sights and experiences than I ever could have travelling independently. Several times, especially at Villandry and the Pont du Gard, I found myself longing for more time but that would have meant missing out on something else. So many places I want to return to. At each stop, Patrick helped us understand the culture, history, architecture, and food, and how to make the most of our free time. Driver Jamel navigated the narrowest streets and was kind and helpful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great way to explore the smaller villages of France. Claire kept us organized and on time while also honoring the needs of fellow tour members. Feti, our driver, was friendly, helpful, and maintained an immaculate bus. Good mix of group and independent time, delicious food, and comfortable hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the little things you don’t do on your own. Local tour and picnic lunch@ Mortemart, winery picnic lunch@Domaine Guinand, Claire’s treats and her enthusiasm for French food and culture, Art 61@Aire du Lauragais, making friends with fellow travelers, and arriving at most sites before the crowds. Also, the light shows in Chartres and Les Baux were a big surprise. Don’t miss them!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

great pace, a wow moment every day, but still with plenty of free time to explore

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are too many, but I can sum it up by saying: enchanting medieval French villages."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From Chartres to Nice the tour was beautiful and interesting. Local guides excellent and our tour guide Claire too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Van Gogh’s other, earlier Starry Night in Arles. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was well coordinated with towns and hotels near sights worth seeing. Stops were frequent at rest areas. Claire did an excellent job of narrating what we were going to see and background information. Walking tours were a little too fast for me over uneven pavement and stairs.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was touring Chateau Villandry and its gardens."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was full of all the history I was hoping for and well paced. I appreciate that these small group tours periodically leave free time for further exploration or for relaxing. The small number of participants also creates a closer group camaraderie.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I time my trips for when the poppies are blooming. The beautiful castles, farmland, villages etc. are enhanced by the bright red poppies."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had an excellent time on the tour. it was a good combination of ancient sites, small towns, and lovely travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking across the upper level inside the Pont du Gard."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every stop was well orchestrated and our guide Chris was excellent!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through the channel of the Port du Gard was an unexpected and fun surprise!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour started with unusually cold and rainy weather. On the AirFrance flight to Paris 4 days previously my wife contracted Covid which I got just after the tour started. In spite of this it was one of the best trips of our lives. Chris, our tour guide, and Eric, our bus driver, were amazing. Chris, along with Eric, brought the history, culture and politics of France to life for us! Chris, with her great insights, turned what could have been a miserable time into an enjoyable one.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There so many "wow" moments. Chartre, Pont du Gard, Nice. It was an everyday occurrence. But if I had to pick one it would be walking into and around the medieval city of Sarlat. So perfectly preserved it was like being transported to another time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the variety of experiences and education. It was a good group, and our guide was wonderful!

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent trip overall. For the most part, enjoyed the activities and places we visited as well as learning about French culture. The tour made efficient use of our time. The main guide, Chris, was knowledgeable and helpful; the local guides for the most part really enhanced our experience. The driver, Eric, was outstanding. Would have rated the trip "outstanding" but for a couple of the activities we did, which were only so-so, and two of the hotels that were below expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Difficult to pick just one! Pont du Gard, Riviera, Chateaux, Chartres, Carcassone, Roman ruins and antiquities museum in Arles, wine-tasting and lunch at a family-owned vineyard were fantastic. Didn't attend the Dordogne canoe trip but my sons loved."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent main guide Excellent agenda Good pace Good tour group

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several: 1. Walking inside Pont du Gard water channel 2. The 12,000 year old cave engravings at Rouffignac Cave 3. Carcassone 4. Chartres at night with the amazing light show"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cave drawings and the aqueduct."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Another great RS tour, our 10th in the past 17 years! Chris was a really fun tour guide and the local guides were so engaged, adding much more to our experiences at all the places we visited. The itinerary was jam packed with sites and towns all worth the time spent in every location. And I thoroughly enjoyed an evening cafe gourmand after many of our dinners!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of the Cathedral in Chartres and the nighttime light show on the Cathedral and other buildings in Chartres."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour guide and bus driver, interesting places, and enjoyed most of the other tourists. An enjoyable 12 days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoyed the Dordogne region especially the canoeing, hot air ballooning (side trip), and seeing Josephine Baker's house (side trip)."

This was my third RS tour and was as interesting and well-organized as the others. Our guide Chris was knowledgeable, creative, and flexible. Our charming driver Eric was an artist with a motor coach. I especially enjoyed the variety of experiences and soaking in the different vibe of France south of the Loire compared to Paris and the north.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the illuminated fortress at Carcassonne from a distance and the Chagall Museum in Nice."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A variety of interesting and lovely experiences. Excellent Guide and local guides. A delightful group of fellow travelers. Delicious food and lots of wine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to choose one. The light shows at Chartres Cathedral and the quarry at Les Baux-de-Provence; the prehistoric cave drawings at Rouffignac Cave; the gardens at Villandry; Medieval Carcassonne; the Roman ruins in Arles."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, the experience was very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Villandry gardens"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Claire, was wonderful. The local guides were great. We are always looking to learn and grow when I travel, and Rick Steves tours provide us with that. I felt it was good value for the money. Not crazy about the Chinon hotel however, too many rules from the host for a place that was not that great. I do realize it was a good location.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, the walk across the Pont du Gard. My husband found the village of Oradour-sur-Glane to be very powerful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I took this tour with my sister and we had a great time learning the history, experiencing the French countryside and travelling with our guide Claire. We liked the food, art, French markets and the shopping.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rouffignac Cave "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I looked forward to this particular tour for many years and it did not disappoint.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cave paintings were a highlight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Each day was even more amazing! And we could not have had a better tour guide than Claire! She was an exceptional story teller and had a massive knowledge of history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cro Mag cave tour and the magnificent canoe trip that followed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great Guide, Great Itinerary in a beautiful country. Nice balance between planned activities and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Rouffignac Cave--Seeing the cave drawings was amazing. Also free time in Arles to visit the Van Gogh Foundation Exhibit, Van Gogh and the Stars--truly an out of this world experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent value for the price. Informative guides and efficient use of time. Great itinerary. Friendly and fun group members. I would have liked more time in Amboise and less in Chinon. All hotels were great except for Chinon which was not warm and welcoming. Our guide Claire was fun and knowledgable and provided lots of little extras like wine tastings and local treats. Also enjoyed our bus driver who fit right in.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Canoe trip and the Aqueduct were standouts. Also loved just simpler moments like picnics and family style meals with the group. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

There were 27 of us, a great group & awesome guide/driver Chris & Eric. Unfortunately a nasty virus swept through the group &n caused several to miss dinners and activities. I tested positive for Covid just prior to flying home & was not surprised! I did not find this tour as interesting/picturesque as the other 5 RS tours I've taken. Several of the hotels were disappointing compared to others I've experienced. I also missed there not being a group cooking activity as they are a lot of fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The light show at Chartres Cathedral. This is a spectacular sight to see!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Had a good group of people to be with on the tour,as always from all parts of the US and Canada... Chris,our guide was very informative, helpful to individual needs and if needed something specific would aim to please and direct us to accomplish our goals...

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Would love to say it was the canoe trip near Chinon but it had rained too much in May and the river had swelled to the point the trip was cancelled and we did a boat cruise instead.... I enjoyed the Lumieres in Chartres and at the quarry near Les Baux....Both unbelievable and nothing like I've ever seen before.... Of course the whole food experience was phenomenal with many a visit to the patisserie "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

RSE comes through again with another high-quality tour experience. I know people think they can create the same tour on their own, but they really can't. Whether it is the top-notch local guides RSE uses or the fast-friends you make on each tour, you really can't duplicate what makes RSE tours great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I know there were varied opinions about him, but Malcom Miller - the 90 year old local guide for the Chartres Cathedral - really was a "wow" moment for me. Yes, he did have AV issues, but his wit was quick and his knowledge of the cathedral is immense. I loved it when he said even after 66 years he is still LEARNING about it!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was perfectly curated. Great balance of planned events and free time. We left inspired.and exhausted!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments. The cave drawings were amazing. Sarlat is a gem; I could have stayed there much longer. Nice is breath-taking! But our time in Oradour-sur-Glace was especially impactful. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We’ve watched Rick Steves for years on PBS and wanted to give one of his tours a try. Our tour guide was excellent and the group was delightful. We found the experience very tiring moving from one hotel to another often so it is important to be prepared for the rigors of the trip. During Covid we had signed up for a tour and Rick Steves promptly refunded our money…a company with great integrity and customer service.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the cave paintings"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great group and an amazing tour guide. I left almost every place not ready to go yet because the curated stops were so interesting. It was my first Rick Steves experience, and it surpassed expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Villandry was the most impressive site overall because of the gardens, but I also loved the feeling going into Carcossonne and experiencing the centuries old surroundings"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Wonderful tour, although a couple of the places visited were one another tour I had been on. It never hurts to visit a place more than once.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Possibly the "wow" moment was the short boat ride we did on the Dordogne river with a chateau high above us on a hill."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third RS France tour. We had an excellent guide in Veronique Savoye. She is professional, knowledgeable, friendly and charming. I had a minor medical issue which unexpectedly arose in Chinon and she directed me to medical treatment that resolved the issue. We had the opportunity to see parts of France we had never seen before. Although our schedule was busy we were given the opportunity to rest periodically through the tour. Also, tour members were a congenial group. All good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The light show in the quarry in Les Baux. I had never seen anything like it and I was blown away."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and we were not disappointed. The guide was excellent, the arrangements were perfect, and our group was friendly. The local experts enhanced the sites and our group dinners were great fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We visited the cathedral in Chartes on a day when 18,000 pilgrims arrived from different parts of France and beyond. The guides took all of this in stride and accommodated the necessary changes from the large crowds. We were inside the church when groups arrived singing in harmony, which was very moving. We could not have planned a better visit."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was great, our guide was outstanding...the only thing holding me back from outstanding was the number of people, 28. At times it was difficult to see what the guide was showing due to crowding or city tours with 28 people trailing down the street in single file due lto limited space..

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cathedral light show...I have never seen anything like it. It was stunning."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Veronique, was great. She was organized and fun and energetic. She taught us a lot about French history and culture. Thoroughly enjoyable. I loved all of the sites we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The ancient cave art. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking the narrow streets in every stop on the tour, the Saturday market in Sarlat, sitting in the Mediterranean Sea in Nice on my birthday."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 7th RS tour, and this itinerary exceeded expectations, as we’re learning there is so much to take in & enjoy as you get away from the big cities. Veronique was very engaging, with so much history to share. Jamal, our driver, always had a smile on his face, and our fellow travelers were a fun bunch of folks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Where do I start? 18,000 pilgrims happened to end their journey in Chartres while our group was there and what a peace-filled experience to witness. Pont du Gard was the incredibly engineered aqueduct from 20 centuries ago, & we traversed across the very top tunnel of this marvel. Oradour-sur-Glane was a significant & thought-provoking stop in so many ways."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good tour overall. I learned much more about France thanks to our guide, Vero. We also had the kindest bus driver, Jamal. I enjoyed seeing parts of France that have not been covered on other tours and touring with some nice new friends. There was a good balance of tour and free time. A few more experiences vs walking tours would make the tour even better. Other than a little rain, the weather was very nice.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Maybe not as many strong “wow” moments on this tour as there were on the two other Rick Steves France tours, but I enjoyed: seeing the pilgrims singing in Chartres Cathedral, the late night cathedral light show, the lovely terraces at several hotels - including a rooftop bar with sea views in Nice, wine tasting in a cave, walking to the top of Pont du Gard, seeing Carcassonne lit up at night, and the wine!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my fourth RS Tour, so I was not surprised at the general excellence of the experience. I am always impressed by the way in which the experience is obviously curated for maximum enjoyment. This time, more than any other tour, I felt the tour gave us a lot of "bang for the buck." It would be easy to "mail it in," take the money and show us all the pretty sights, but we've come to expect more and RS always delivers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" It's hard to choose, but the night view of Carcassonne and the Rouffignac cave were certainly highlights."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first organized tour in Europe after having backpacked several other times and we loved it. We saw wonderful towns and villages and learned so much more than if we had "freelanced" it as in the past.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cave drawings from 17,000 BCE were amazing and likely our favorite tour. We also loved walking through the Roman aqueduct in southern France."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 4th Rick Steves tour. We keep returning to the Rick Steves company because of the quality of the tour guides, the planning and logistics and attention to detail Rick puts into his tour packages. This tour was exactly what we were looking for.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cave art and the gardens at Villandry."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was very knowledgeable and very willing to help with needed information. Local guides were all outstanding as well. But the "whisper" systems seem to work well when a guide is standing still and facing the group. When the guide walks and the group is following, the reception is not of the same quality.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Returning to Chartres Cathedral 43 years after having first visited; seeing drawings in 40,000-yr-old caves; seeing and being allowed to walk through the water channel of Pont du Gard. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Your tour "customers" embody the best human qualities. Inquisitive, interested, well mannered and very kindly humans. Your tour guide also...a very gifted man. I just wish I hadn't missed many of his comments. His obvious knowledge was wonderful and I wish it was recorded....the best history teacher ever!

Favorite "WOW" moment

" My first reaction after a full nights sleep at home....I want to do it all over again! Still feel that after a week at home. Thank you for gathering the best staff and putting together a great tour ance. My WOW is THANK YOU!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had never been outside the Ile de France. The tour gave me the opportunity to visit and experience four different regions of the country: the Loire valley, the Dordogne, the Languedoc, and the Cote d’ Azur.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The column sculptures on the cloister of the cathedral in Arles."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was GREAT!!! Our main guide (Patrick) was exceptional (our bus driver too!) The local guides really added to the information at the key sites/towns. The hotels were in great locations and had lots of ambiance. Breakfasts were excellent with lots of choices. We had regular stops for breaks while on the longer bus rides which was helpful too. All the sights we visited were fascinating, historic, and memorable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had so many WOW moments but visiting all the chateaus took my breath away. I loved all the gardens, historic furnishings and flowers. One totally unexpected WOW moment was visiting the "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th RS tour and we loved it. The food was excellent - the best we've had on the tours. The bus trips between cities were well planned. There were interesting (often delicious) stops - enough to keep us from getting restless or bored. The country side was beautiful and we had an energetic, enthusiastic guide - Patrick. Because of him I know more about the French Resistance and the French language. And I so appreciated that on our last day he had reserved taxis for everyone!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our incredible walk through the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct 20 centuries old!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Christine was excellent, the local guides always informative and our driver Jamal’s professionalism something to behold, while the trip itself was a constantly rewarding journey through fifteen millennia of human history and a great way to see France beyond the périphérique of Paris. In short, the tour was everything I was hoping for.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"If I can only have a couple, it was the first glimpse of the expanse of the Pont du Gard followed by meeting Sébastien at his winery. But also great were those extra proposed by our guide – such as seeing Carcassonne at night from the lower town – or those we found on our own such as Vespers in French in evening at Chartres."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Our guide, Christine, was wonderful. She was informative, helpful and very fun. The locations we visited were great. Our bus driver was exceptional. He was kind and very professional. The worst part of the trip were the hotels. They were way below par and not the quality expected. I expected better service and quality after being on previous RS tours, The service, especially in Sarlat was abominable. None of the rooms we stayed in had a view and that's a lot of rooms.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pont Du Gard. What a site and experience. Also the location where the light show in the ancient quarry was great."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As with all the RS tours we've taken this one was excellent. Our progression through France from Chartres to Nice was complemented by knowledgeable commentary from our guides and unique opportunities to sample the differences between each of the areas through which we travelled.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Do I have to pick just one? If so, it would be the prehistoric art at Rouffignac caves."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

In typical Rick Steves fashion which we've come to appreciate, this tour was a wonderful mixture of planned events and free time, castles and monuments and neighborhood strolls. It was well-organized with a number of surprises thrown in along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oradour sur Glane -- N"oubliez jamais !"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour had a wide range of experiences and sights to see. It was incredible to see prehistoric cave paintings and buildings from Roman times to modern times. Our guide, Chris, was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions, while also giving us great background information and telling us about French culture and life. Her enthusiasm and joy added a marvelous dimension to the tour. I really enjoyed this tour and had a wonderful time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's really hard to pin down a single "wow!" Highlights for me were the Rouffignac caves with the 15,000 year old paintings, the incredible stained glass windows of the Chartres Cathedral, and the moving sights of Oradour sur Glane, with the memorial of the death and destruction of World War II."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well planned. Great tour guide. Great sights. Mediocre rooms, but I understand why. A couple of in city tour guides that could be better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gardens at Villandry. Roman aqueduct "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour of Western France with a “mix” of must see sights and “off the beaten path” experiences. Wonderful knowledgeable tour guide with a great schedule and flexibility.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The unexpected came when our schedule called for canoeing on the Dordogne river but recent rain made the river too high. Our guide took us to the quaint town of Domme which was featured on the History channel’s Curse of Oak Island where Knights Templar’s were held in prison. Graffiti in the prison matched findings on Oak Island. It was awesome to visit the prison and see the graffiti. Has created an interest in the history of Knights Templar and perhaps their presence in North America. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic itinerary! Our tour leader, Chris Coleman, was amazing - always prepared, friendly, helpful and a wealth of knowledge. It's great to have someone with an American perspective to describe customs and day-to-day life in France. Bus Drive Jamel was great - safe, polite, friendly and helpful. RS tours get to do things that very few if any other tours get to do, and there is no tipping, so the tours are a tremendous value. This was my 10th tour and I havee 4 more this year.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to compare Chartres cathedral, Pont-du-Gard, Rouffignac caves, Roman arean in Arles and Chenonceau castle, but perhaps it was in Chartres cathedral, listening to 90-year old Malcom, who has spent 66 years studying the UNESCO-listed cathedral and is the foremost expert in the world on it. His insight and knowledge were fascinating. Such an honor and privilege!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it. Loved the locations, proximity of the hotels we stayed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Chateaus, Sarlat, Arles. There were many"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

This tour, for the first time, had two local tour guides that were in our estimation very poor. Unfortunately, these occurred during two of the featured "wow" moments of the tour - Chartres Cathedral and the Pont du Gard.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cave art at Rouffignac Cave with a very good guide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a fun and educational experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two of them. The light show on the Chartres cathedral and the light show in the quarry about ancient Egypt. These were phenomenal. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a wonderful trip with the exception of being somewhat too energetic on the walks to have an overview of every town.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cave dwellings and the painting reproductions "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Loire Valley to the South of France Tour was fabulous. So much of France was covered in a very organized, well planned way. The balance of group time and on our own time was just right. As with a past Rick Steves tour - when conditions required a change of plans - a great alternative was provided. Rick Steves guides deserve so much credit for their professionalism, knowledge, and ability to create a great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A favorite? There are so many. Here is one of them, sitting on the bank of the Dordogne River in La Roque-Gageac and looking up at the village built into the rock. Sorry, I have to add more. We had two vineyard wine tasting opportunities. At both our group gathered at a long banquet table outside. It was a lovely experience, learning, visiting, being served food and wine in such beautiful settings."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour. Enjoyed every minute of it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking around Arles"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was entertaining and fast moving.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pont du Gard and Da Vinci"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We experienced all that we expected from the tour but at a slower pace than what we interpreted from the advertised description.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The caves tour !"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Tour dinners were average. We had much better meals on our own. Tour guide was informative, though not very interactive and easily distracted. She asked if there were any questions during the bus rides but only allowed a couple of seconds before she'd say "no?" and move on. The guides at the tour locations were great, very entertaining, interactive, and informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oradour-sur-Glane was an emotionally powerful place to visit. It would have made a lot more sense if there was a short film going through the timeline and had actual interviews with the few survivors."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour overall was very good. It was both educational and fun. Our tour guide Linda was very knowledgeable and nice. The local site tour guides added value with more detail about their specific location. We realize no one can control the weather but it did limit our ability to take in all the details at each site.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rouffignac Cave was my wow moment. To see what those ancient artist were able to create on the cave ceilings with minimal tools was amazing. Knowing that bear wallows were right beside them. The owners of the cave are to be congratulated for mining the cave to get back as far as necessary to see the art and then not disturb the surroundings. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour and guide were terrific. I liked that there was a wide variety of planned experiences and locales so that there was always something different and enticing to look forward to. And every town was delightful enough to make us want to come back on another trip! The only downside was the weather, which even Rick Steves can't control. But really, only 2.5 days of sunshine against a lot of rain?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments, but if I had to pick one it would be the cave of Rouffignac with its 16,000 year old etchings and drawings of mammoths, bison, horses, and rhinoceroses. And I can't leave out the wonderful day at the Pont du Gard where we not only had some sunshine but a chance to walk through the ancient aqueduct's water channel high above the river below."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We didn't expect to be so cold on this tour. And wet! I won't go this early again unless it's a southern location. But, Rick can't control the weather, only the tour, so tossing the weather aside, I'd say the tour was not one of my favorites (this was #11) but I did enjoy it especially after we had already experienced Paris and the Heart of France last fall.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow for me was the boat ride down the Dordogne. We were supposed to ride in canoes, but because of the weather forecast, our guide got us a boat with a cover. But it turned out to be a glorious day, no rain, nice and cool, and the clouds and blue sky added to the enjoyment of peacefully floating down the river. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had not been to France in over 20 years, so I enjoyed seeing new places and revisiting places I had been many years ago. This was my first ever group tour. I was a solo traveler, the only one in the group. (The other three singles were part of a group of 9 traveling together.) It was occasionally awkward for non group meals, but I was able to sometimes join one of the couples, or eat on my own. I never felt we spent too long on the bus, and the variety of locations was good. Loved the guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two wow moments: Chartres Cathedral, including the evening light show, and market day in Sarlat."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cave art and viaduct."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

5th RS tour. We brought 7 friends with us. Great to visit some familiar places and discover several new spots. Can't wait to enjoy tour #6!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Chartres en Lumiere; Returning to Amboise, Duck Confit, Market day in Sarlat, Walking through the Pont du Gard"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic group of travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The surprise "DeVermeer a Van Goh" show in Les Baux-de-Provence."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I never could have planned this experience on my own (and I am a very seasoned traveller). It was such a luxury to have someone else do the driving, to have nice hotels in fantastic locations all reserved, and to have expert guides with us on the tour and on the ground.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say... I never thought I would ever see prehistoric cave drawings - but there I was in a prehistoric cave, looking at beautiful sketches of wild horses and woolly mammoths...... Canoeing down the Dordogne River on a gorgeous day with chateaux and castles on either side was like a dream. Carcasonne fortress lit up at night- you have to see it to believe ...."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed our France tour. Great guides, great places and great people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several, one was our private walk on the Roman aqueduct. Another was the canoe trip down the Dordogne River floating past chateaus. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was absolutely superb, with a variety of activities for all tastes. There was an adequate amount of free time built in, which I much appreciated! This may be my favorite of all the RS tours I have taken, though that is a hard choice to make!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many that it is hard to choose, but I think it might be the night walk that the guide Patrick took us on at Carcassonne as we exited the fortress after dinner. That was such fun and simply stunning! But, as I said, this was a very hard choice--the Roussignac cave, the canoeing on the Dordogne, the walk along the top of the Pont du Gard, the Chartres light show at night--all worthy of WOW! And the food, especially the cassoulet in Carcassonne--marvelous!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Patrick, was outstanding! His energy and knowledge of the towns and sights that we visited were informative and interesting! He treated each of us with care and kept us entertained throughout the tour! Our group was incredible! Each person was easy to be around during our dinners and bus trips. A memorable tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was canoeing on the Dordogne river. The sights along the way were spectacular!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

On our tour we saw and experienced France with a high level of personal involvement which made it very real and interesting. We had a terrific group of fellow travelers and excellent tour guides. I had a few favorite events/locations, but only by minor degrees because everything we saw gave us the culture, history, language and geography of a true French experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me my “wow” moment was the day we saw the cave art followed by this rather lazy canoe ride. I’ve read a lot about prehistoric cave drawings, watched some documentaries about them, and had always wanted to see them however, I didn’t think that would happen. In fact, many of the caves are closed to the public now so it was a real treat to be able to see them. And the canoe ride was really lovely…dreamy."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Virginie was great! Really enjoyed all of our excursions and the hotels were very comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 2,00 year old cave paintings and canoeing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 15th tour so I was sure it could not exceed expectations but it did. Virginie’s level of professionalism, knowledge, enthusiasm and compassion are unsurpassed in my experience. She made this tour come alive while patiently guiding a lot of senior citizens. Her command of English is incredible. If I could recommend one RS tour to a total stranger it would be this one with Virginie because she does it all so well and France is just that beautiful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lascaux Caves. I thought this would be hokey as it is a reproduction. It was not hokey. I finally understand why the history of Western art starts here, where the caves are not only beautifully painted, but done so in a mysteriously meaningful way that cannot be appreciated from 2D photos. The 3D experience and the breadth of the work were mind boggling."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Tour was Fabulous due to our guide - Virginie

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Virginie arranged for a group of us to see the Lascaux Caves on our free afternoon. My wow moment was seeing the ceiling of one of the caves."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

tour was expertly run. Other participants were great. Guide was fantastic, as was the bus driver

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The light show as Les Baux"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip itinerary was great. We have taken over 15 Rick Steves trips and our guide Virginie was the best one we have ever had. She was incredibly organized, unbelievably patient, and always upbeat and helpful for the entire 2 weeks. She did a first class job from beginning to end.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Roman aqueduct and the Lascaux Caves "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour due to the tour members and our guide, Virginie. Seeing so many amazing things and experiencing the foods of each region, learning about the history and culture of the french was wonderful

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Canoeing on the Dordogne River, Chartres en Lumieres, the light shown in the quarry in Les Baux de Provence"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a truly outstanding tour. Everything about the tour was well organized and executed . A nicely curated itinerary with an amazing guide/teacher along with a fantastic group of travelers made for a memorable and fun trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed every part of the tour and there were many "wow" moments, but the Chartres Cathedral light show, the Carrieres des Lumieres exhibit , the Rouffignac caves and kayaking down the Dordogne River were my biggest "WOW" experiences."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was better than my expectations. This is the 4th October that I signed up for this tour. We all know what happened in 2020. I had to have a complete ankle reconstruction in 2022 & a hip replacement this year so keeping my fingers crossed & masked indoors even if others didn’t for weeks before I flew out for this tour. Wanted to make sure that the 4th time was a charm. The whole tour was great, I did everything for a great experience, thanks to a great tour guide, Virgjnie.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had a few WOW moments on this tour. Canoeing on the Dordogne River was an awesome experience. With my injuries, surgerues & atrophy as a result, I was stressing that I wouldn’t be able to do this. There is always the option of meeting up with the tour after the canoe ride & taking the bus to the end. I did it, I rowed hard. I wasn’t even sore. I didn’t fall in. Totally loved it. My other WOW moment was walking through the aqueduct where the water flowed in Roman times in iconic Pont du Gard."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an action packed tour loaded with history, scenic activities and lots of wonderful wines.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking in the actual tunnel of an intact Roman aqueduct. I never really understood or appreciated the engineering genius of the Romans who supplied fresh water which enabled cities to flourish. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great! From the first day, we felt welcome and important. This being our first Rick Steves Tour, I was astounded by the sheer number of tours our traveling companions had taken. Our guide was outstanding. So many sights! Such a wonderful variety of food and wine. I think we spent just the right amount of time at each stop. I never felt rushed. Our 25 or so traveling companions were delightful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think it was a toss up between the astounding cave drawings that were 20,000 years old and the up close look at Roman engineering and architecture."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide Virginie was amazing helping us to understand the French culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of my "wow" moments was canoeing down the Dordogne on a beautiful day seeing the Castles and Chateaus. We ended up with an incredible picturesque walk in the town of La Roque-Gageac. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great trip! The itinerary got us into the kind of “back doors” that reflect the RS style of travel. The days were busy, but the interspersed free time and stops during bus days helped alleviate the feeling of being rushed from one sight to the next. I was worried that I might get a little “chateau-ed out”, but each had a different emphasis that kept the experiences fresh. Claire’s enthusiasm for France and the French people added a special je ne sais quoi to everything we did.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The food! It was just one wow moment after another. Duck confit in Sarlat, cassoulet in Carcassonne, bull stew near Arles, saucisson, cheese, and baguettes from the markets, the wine everywhere – I felt we were truly getting a taste of French culture."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and it was fantastic! The best thing was not having the stress of making hotel and travel reservations; we could just enjoy. We visited places that we wouldn't have had we been on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to say what the favorite wow moment was...there were so many! The canoe trip down the Dordogne was probably my favorite, although the cave visit and light show were also "wows"."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an exciting and active tour. I liked that our experiences were mostly in smaller, less congested cities and provided a good look into the history, culture and natural beauty of the areas. We were fortunate to have a great group of travelers, good weather, a highly skilled bus driver and Claire, an excellent guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many! Chartres - the light show and the treasured Malcolm came first. Next was the prehistoric art in the Rouffignac Caves and the canoe ride down the Dordogne."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well run tour. Many amazing sites seen.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lumiere on buildings in Chartre"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great trip with an amazing mix of history, from ancient to WWII, plus art, food and experiences. The bus time was nicely broken up so it didn't feel excessive and there was a good mix of group visits and free time. Claire was an excellent guide, keeping us on track, giving us good context for our visits and ensuring we knew what we'd be doing at each stop so we knew what to expect and could be travelers not tourists on a bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many: the Lumieres at Chartes, cave paintings, shopping all the markets to create lunch picnics. Oradour-sur-Glane was very emotional."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it! The itinerary was wonderful. The only tweak I can think of is to make the visit to Carcassonne two nights instead of one. We needed a second day to unwind.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Rouffignac Cave visit was AMAZING ! The "light' show, Carrières des Lumières, defies description. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour and guide were great. Because it rained a bit in the beginning things changed a bit. But overall a very good tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking on the aqueduct. That was incredible. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pretty much a continuous "Wow"."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

4th tour - great itinerary , wonderful guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Between Chinon & Sarlat , stopped in the tiny town of Mortemart where the lovely lady mayor gave us a 15 tour of her village in torrential rain . We had a picnic in the town hall . That intimate experience could only happen on a RS tour !! 2) walking inside the roman aqueduct nr Arles ( Pont de Gare )"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We appreciated the expertise of our guide Nina

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really enjoyed the wine tasting and lunch, since we come from Sonoma county "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

ooh-la-la, this was a wonderful tour and we saw so much. There were churches and chateaux to admire; prehistoric paintings to gaze at; an old Roman aqueduct; a walled medieval city; wine tastings and great food; the thought provoking visit to Oradour sur Glane and last but not least, the gorgeous Cote d'Azur.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments: the light and sound show outside Chartres Cathedral, the spectacular gardens at Chateau Villandry, the Rouffignac caves, paddling down the Dordogne, seeing Carcassonne, climbing to the top of the Pond du Gard, and walking in the footsteps of Van Gogh in the town of Arles."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Covid interrupted our trip on day 9.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"None on this trip. I skipped the canoe ride which might have been a "wow" moment for me."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The guides (Arnough and trainee, Richard) were delightfully funny, enthusiastic, and very knowledgeable. This fact coupled with a very interesting group of co-travelers made the trip especially nice. Oh yes, and the tour of castles, cathedrals and small towns of France absolutely exceeded our expectations. This tour was filled with ancient world history and stunning scenery.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me it was the Quarry of Lights Carrieres de Lumieres in Les Baux-de-Provence. The music and laser art show was un unexpected treat. For my wife, it was the castles, surrounding gardens and the markets (Sarlat and St. Remy)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second Rick Steves’ tour, and we highly recommend it. Our tour guide Arnaud was very knowledgeable, and being French gave us wonderful insight into French history and culture. He shared experiences we could never get from a tour book. His assistant Richard was also amazing. He was very helpful & patient with us seniors. Our fellow travelers were so much fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moments: At least one each day, the ones that stand out were: Night illumination of the Chartres Cathedral; beautiful Chateaus & gardens; WWII martyr village of Oradour-sur-Glane; Pont du Gard; the luminary in the quarry and Canoeing down the Dordogne River. Also enjoyed the free time we had to walk the quaint streets throughout the tour and sampling the various flavors of Gelato. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guide, Julie, excellent driver, love the itinerary, the meal together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Private tour into La Grotte de Rouffignac and the 13,000 - year old drawings ! Amazing !!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was phenomenal! The guide did so well even with pretty major travel difficulties! The local guides were awesome and gave so much in depth detail on their tours. The local specialties were a fun treat, and the sites we stopped at reminded me why I love to travel. There is always something new to discover.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stop at Les Baux was awesome! I could have spent way more time there exploring the medieval ruins. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a fun and interesting tour, with our experiences mostly in line with our expectations. The cathedrals and churches were amazing, the châteaus were interesting, the history of the places we visited was fascinating, and it was great to see parts of France that we hadn't seen before. We enjoyed seeing the remains of Roman constructions and the remnants of buildings and traditions/culture that have survived the centuries in many of the places we visited. The tour group was fun and flexible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As a gardener, the landscaping at the Château de Villandry was insipring; and as a hydrologist, I found the Pont du Gard to be amazing. The tour had many memorable moments spanning the range of thought-provoking (the martyr village of Oradour-sur-Glane) and historical (Carcassonne) to fun (the canoe trip), but Villandry and the Pont du Gard provided the most "wows" for me."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Actual itinerary accurately reflected description on website in terms of physical demands etc. Two factors contributed disproportionately to our positive experience: terrific tour guide and amazingly agreeable group of tour participants - there were NO GRUMPS. Several activities on tour we would have never scheduled if traveling on our own were true highlights. Sadly COVID impacted our group but protocols were enforced in a professional manner as described on website.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Motor coach left us stranded on side of the road after multiple previous mechanical issues. Our tour guide quickly surveyed alternatives, polled the group and explained options. The group decision was made that we would walk back to town. I was very favorably impressed with the guide's process of decision making ."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had the most wonderful tour guide, Claire, who, despite several challenges (two buses that broke down, record heat approaching 100 degrees and three couples who had to leave the tour when they tested positive for covid) gave us all the promised trip activities with more thrown in! Sometimes the worst things turn into the best things such as when an empty local bus appeared at the very time we needed a ride after our own bus broke down in 100 degree weather! How did that happen?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pont du Gard and its tour by the local guide who took us through the channel where the water used to flow. Amazing! Also, the canoe trip down the Dordogne River where we saw beautiful French chateaux along the way. And the very special cassoulet dinner in Carcassonne presented in a huge caldron by a robed chef! Delicious beyond words followed by a heavenly raspberry pastry. Yum!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was superb—such a perfect mix of medieval villages, towering cathedrals, formidable castles, river views, beautiful chateaus and gardens, plus French food & wine. A definite winner!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pont du Gard was an absolutely wow! To think that something that intricate, important, and huge was built over 2000 years ago and is still standing is simply amazing. Totally blew away my expectations!"

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

Our tour guide, Claire, was excellent, however. the group's bus broke down three times. But for luck and Claire's quick thinking, the final breakdown would have caused us to have to walk along side the road for 1.5 miles with our baggage. Yikes. My wife and I caught Covid midway into the tour and had to go our separate way. Claire was very helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cathedral at Chartres, its rose window, and the spectacular light show in the evening."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I was looking forward to a less touristy area of France and this fit the bill. Loved the countryside.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Leonardo's workshop, gardens at the Chateaus, and the ducks we stopped to photograph! Also, the food was excellent wherever we were. All the wines were excellent too! Oh, just everything was WOW."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was a blast. This was our 14th trip with RSE and we enjoyed from beginning to end.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many 'wow' moments, including the Chartres' cathedral & glass stain museum, the castles and their gardens, Sarlat, the Point de Gard aqueduct, Arles' Arena, the wines tastings, Nice and their museum. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I was impressed! The itinerary pushed me to go places I wouldn't otherwise visited and do activities I wouldn't have imagined doing. I definitely benefitted from the tour's planning. Better yet, our guide Patrick was a gem of information and entertainment!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Canoeing on the Dordogne River was so much fun!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Patrick made each day of our tour special. First time to France and Patrick packed so many things into each day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking down the hill in Carcassonne after dinner with Patrick and stopping on a bridge for a champagne toast, turning around to see the cathedral lit up at night. Or, canoeing down the Dordogne river and getting stranded (temporarily) on the rocks and having a good laugh. Or sitting at a cafe on market day in Sarlat and watching shoppers and then watching the vendors take their displays down. Quite a feat maneuvering vehicles on those narrow streets crowded with people. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I have a lot of experience in France because my daughter lives there (I went on this tour with 5 friends at their invitation - I'm invited, i'm not about to turn it down...) Despite that, this tour was excellent with lots of things that I hadn't had a tour of before with a guide who told me things I actually hadn't previously researched! He was a real resource and added a lot to my store of useless facts that I love!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The night pictures on the side of the Chartres cathedral were good. The canoe ride down the Dordogne was good though very hot and I didn't know where it ended. Villandry."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great Hotels, excellent food, terrific tours, fantastic Guide; Claire

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Light show on the Cathedral in Chartes"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

When I think of this experience, I describe it as magical. Visiting the Loire Valley was amazing! From the villages to the people we met, the sites we visited and the food we ate. The experiences were fabulous!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the Chartres Cathedral, there were so many other well moments the markets with the fresh produce, spices, the lavender in Provence. There was a WOW moment every single day I think."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our 4th RS tour. They have all been very good which is why we have taken 4 tours. The people on the RS tours are similar to my wife and me, i.e. mature, retired or about to, nice, and appreciative of the work done by the RS organization and the guides in putting the trips together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pont de Gard"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very interesting and informative. I appreciated the wealth of history and information provided by our guide Claire. Philippe was an awesome driver and made great vinagaret! Claire did a great job of finding traveler’s special talents and incorporating their expertise into the day to day touring. Travel group was compatible with interesting individuals. Claire introduced local specialties thoughtfully which allowed the travelers to try them out.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many great moments! My bucket list opportunity was the cave exploration and the troglodyte sites. I was hoping to get to spend our vacation day from the tour exploring other caves since we were so close."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized. A nice balance of group activities and free time. We were able to experience far more than if we had traveled on our own. Loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was “wowed” by most of the tour! I particularly enjoyed the tour of a small town in the Dordogne countryside given by it’s former mayor (a lively lady with great pride in her community!). It provided insight into the everyday lives of those not living in large cities. A beautiful spot I would have never gotten to experience on my own!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent. Claire was excellent guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The prehistoric cave drawings at Grotte de Rouffignac."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We traveled with a great group of positive & flexible people. All of the sights were lovely, varied & well chosen. The hotels were comfortable, air conditioned & centrally located - each with its own personality. Claire was an excellent guide who made everyone feel included & taken care of.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the beautiful French countryside - especially the Loire Valley & the Dordogne region. It’s hard to pick one wow - it was all wonderful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Although I have planned many European tours using Rick's travel guides, this was our first tour! I love planning trips and it is one of my favorite parts of travel but as I researched how to travel in France it became clear that this was a good opportunity to try a tour and of course the best tours are with Rick Steves. My husband and I were so amazed that we experienced and learned so much more on a tour than we could ever do ourselves traveling independently for about the same cost.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose a favorite. The Pont du Gard guide was hilarious and the aqueduct was spectacular. Medieval Carcassonne was a place we wished we could have stayed 2 nights. The vineyard picnic was a delight too. Rouffignac cave was breathtaking. We enjoyed getting to know our guide and fellow travelers so much."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A quality guide has the ability to elevate a tour and the exceptional Arnaud did that for us. He helped forge a bond among the participants and was able to pivot with well-researched options when rain impacted activities. He shared himself, his life, and his love and knowledge of France. This tour covers a lot of territory and a broad range of activities. One day you're admiring glorious castles, soon you're looking at prehistoric cave drawings or the remains of a village destroyed by the Nazis.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is always a difficult question. The caves at Rouffignac were jaw-dropping. I knew the gardens at Villandry were spectacular, but I loved the castle with the family photos as well. Finally, there was the impact of walking through the streets and cemetery of Oradour-sue-Glane."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 8th tour with RS, and it did not disappoint. A great collection of sights, meals, hotel, and company.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sarlat and Arles were my favorite towns. Standing in the places where Van Gogh's works were painted."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed this tour as a survey of different regions of France, spending several days in each area to get a feel for the local culture, history, and cuisine. And this was enhanced by the information and stories shared by our guide, Arnaud. We appreciated the kindness of our driver, Phillippe. Contrasting with my experience on Rick's South England tour last year, I see that start times were comparable, but dinner times on this tour were about an hour later, and that did make the days feel longer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite "wow"s: * I could listen to Malcom Miller all day, sharing a lifetime of knowledge of the cathedral at Chartres. * I loved Rouffignac Cave, and our guide there was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic -- she was a gem. * The images and music at Carrières des Lumières are beautiful. Sometimes the quiet moments are especially memorable: wandering the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau or Carcassonne on my own, lunch with the group in the quiet village of Mortemart, sitting in the Roman arena in Arles."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experience and great guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to Chinoceau chateaux"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

fabulous old world feel in the modern age

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! Chartres night light show was spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 3rd Rick Steve’s tour and we thoroughly enjoyed it! Our guide, Arneau was super entertaining, funny and we learned so much about France and the French culture from him. Each area we went to was wonderful but my favorite was Sarlat and the Dordogne region - so incredibly beautiful! I would highly recommend this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Dordogne region and the town of Sarlat. The market in Sarlat was amazing! My second favorite was the Carrieres de Lumieres - an immersive art exhibit in an abandoned quarry. SO DREAMY! "

We had a great time and met some fantastic new friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"With some free time in Salat we went on a long bicycle ride through the countryside."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the whole tour. It felt like there was a good balance between group time and free time. The hotels were fine although some will need to install air conditioning as Europe gets warmer. The food was great and I was pleased to have shrunk by one belt notch due to the daily walking. The sites were well selected and I enjoyed our guide, Arnaud, and his talks on the bus about French culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I especially appreciated the Rouffignac Cave. It was the unique experience of the trip and exceeded my expectations."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Canoeing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was an incredible time of learning, exploring and enjoying great experiences. I was blown away by how many times we saw and experienced things that I had never seen or heard about. Great job!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The light show in the quarry."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fantastic. So many experiences and locations with wonderful history, food, and fun. I really felt the tour covered a vast part of France that I have never seen. I highly recommend. Our guide Clair was fun, patient and very knowledgeable- she made the trip a super fun time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many- seeing the pilgrimage arrive at the spectacular cathedral in Chartes, walking through the aqueduct at Point du Gard, the moving experience of seeing the WWII martyr village of Oradour-sur-Glane, Chalets, magnificent flowers, markets and food for the foodie’s! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Guide Clair was engaging, helpful, knowledgeable and fun, our 6th RS tour a very good mix of experiences, we have many cathedrals and stained glass so the first day in Chartres was a tad repetitive for us, but both local guides we very good so I don’t want to be off putting. Chartres is a delightful start town so arrive a day or two early. The rest of the tour was really great, just the right amount of Chateaux, the hotels charming, a lot of thought has gone into the planning of this tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many, Canoeing down the Dordogne, sure a splash of rain added to the thrill. The pont du Gard as you actually get to walk through it, the extremely touching visit to Oradour-sur-Glane, which everyone should see so we never forget to stay human "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great guide. Really enjoyed the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the gardens at Chenonceau and the cave art."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Checked off a number of bucket list boxes, including Arles, Carcassonne and Chinon.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sarlat was a surprise. What a stunning town. The market was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

So much fun! Traveling with kindred spirits was so enjoyable. Claire, our guide, covered history and culture and current issues in a delightful way. The excursions and field trips were rich. Local tour guides were great (just one was very difficult to understand).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"First--experiencing the prehistoric cave art was priceless! The bison, horses, mammoths and other animals were breathtaking and so beautiful! I will never forget being in the presence of such priceless art! Second--I loved the animated light show in the quarry and wanted to see it again! "Starry Night" was wonderful! Third--Oradour was such an important history lesson. Thank you for making it possible for us to be there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group of people, wonderful guide & bus driver plus lots of new, exciting places visited

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I visited so many new places! I can only narrow it down to three: Chateau Villandry with it's gorgeous gardens; the Dordogne River area with towns like Les Eyzies; and the lovely hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great, as all my Rick Steves tours have been. Good guide, good local guides, well-located hotels, well-planned itinerary. And our fellow travelers were thoughtful, considerate and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the almost 2,000 year-old boat in the museum in Arles. The idea that a wooden boat could survive all that time was almost unimaginable. It also allowed me to step back to that moment in history."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Itinerary, food and guide (Claire) were outstanding. Tour was full of laughs and great fun. The group bonded together really quickly; I think, thanks to Claire’s impromptu social events! Loved the fact that food quality was good and we bought our own wine - very fair and meant those who like good wine (me) could choose from a list. One of the best RS tours I’ve been on (my 6th). Sarlat was a good choice for the vacation day - the kettle in the room was most appreciated!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mammoth cave and the beautiful Dordogne scenery. Loved the churchyard picnic and the breakfast with the cocker spaniel wandering about (Carassonne). Great bunch of people and enthusiastic, friendly, lovely guide. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour had a lot of variety and as always with at Rick Steves tour, we got very "up close and personal" with the people and places we encountered. The accommodations, with the exception of Chartres, were excellent and well-located. The local guides were also very strong. The tour leader used the meals provided by the tour to give us a wonderful experience with local food and gastronomy. The bus driver was fantastic. As tour leader, Claire was very well-organized and well-prepared.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two....One was while visiting the cave drawings in Dordogne, which exceeded every expectation tI had. Many years ago when I was teaching French, my textbook had a reading on the cave drawings. I only wish that I had experienced the caves before I taught students with this reading. The other was while visiting Oradour-sur-Glane, a village which the Germans destroyed and killed its inhabitants. This reminder of inhumanity and disregard for the dignity of life was sobering. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 8th Rick Steves tour, and yet again it surpassed our expectations. The hotels were in central locations, and clearly family run. Every room on our tour was clean, and very functional. In other words to North American standards. The buses are large enough for everyone to get a window seat, and the driver was very safe. Arno (our guide) was excellent, as were the specialist tour guides. The group meals were also ace, as were the enroute picnics. Looking forward too tour #9.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seriously there were many wow moments like the 13,000 year old cave paintings at Rouffignac Cave, but equally Carcassonne, Arle, and its museum stand out as does the ability to walk through the aquadute at Pont du Gard. Then again Chartre is incomparable, and Nice was also wow. On a tour like this a single wow moment can't exist but every day had wow moments that will stick for ever."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip was a genuine study of France. Our guide Arnaud introduced us to the culture and daily life in France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Canoeing on the Dordogne River"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Arno, our guide was very experienced and provided a great deal of information as we traveled. The guides where we had guides in each stop were excellent. The tour was good, but no real wow moments.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No real wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The beautiful French countryside with all of its glorious castles and gardens was everything I thought it would be! What surprised me were the 13,000-year-old cave drawings on our way to Sarlat, and how buildings were built right into rock walls in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac. Loved relaxing and having lunch at Domain Guinand Winery - Saint Christol…felt like a backyard picnic with family and friends!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I feel like I had many “wow” moments, but two that stand out are walking the quaint, cobbled streets of the medieval town of Carcassonne and seeing and walking across the Pont du Gard…the fact that it was built 20 centuries ago is utterly amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderful tour of France, with a nice variety of activities. Our guide Arnaud and driver Phillip were fun, humorous and had a great attention to details.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That’s a hard one, I loved the smaller medieval towns. One of my unexpected favorites was Les Baux de Providence. We loved getting into town and wondering around the narrow streets with maybe a stop for a glass of Rose."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I’m so glad I picked this tour - I enjoyed learning more about France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can’t say there was a single “wow” moment on this tour but a lot of “that’s neat” experiences such as the light show on the Chartres cathedral, the chateaus - especially the gardens, wine and food tasting experiences, Arnaud’s French lessons, Nice, etc."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyable trip

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Villandry gardens"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The one thing I hate about rick Steve tours is the name game. We are not children and do not want to have extra stress on vacation. Arnaud our guide never mentioned this obnoxious event and did not do it. For this alone he receives an outstanding job from me. Arnoud and Phillipe, our bus driver, made a great comedy team and it was a pleasure spending time with them. on the train ride from Nice to Monaco, it was so crowded a fist fight broke out when someone couldn't get out.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We love to wander in wonder in all the medieval towns."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Patrick Vidal assisted by his son Patrick as well as our driver were exceptional in every way. The meals and accommodations provided were very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pont du Gard - as an engineer much respect for the Roman design and construction of the aqueduct. Also memorable was the canoe trip down the Dordogne followed by a view of the river from above, viewing the fortress of Carcassonne from below at night and the pre-historic cave tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Small town France does not disappoint. I loved the scenery, the chateaus, the food, the old town walks, the valley views, all the evidence that the Romans were there. Patrick and Richard were consummate professionals, taking care of every detail with humor and grace and made it look easy. I loved the people we met in our tour group who shared their delights with us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The light show on Chartres Cathedral was fantastic. Canoeing down the Dordogne followed by seeing stunning ancient cave paintings was wonderful. But the best moment was when, as we were giving up our picnic table to a large Pyrenees choral group, they "paid" us by gathering around us and singing a Pyrenees shepherd's love song in 4-part harmony. It was the kind of moment that makes you feel travel rich for years afterwards. Magical!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Patrick was an outstanding guide, making accommodations for us as a non-drinking couple in wine country. Loved seeing the small town nooks and crannies of Southern France. The stops were perfect. All were interesting; we didn't feel rushed and we were ready to move on as the group needed to go. What can I say? another great RS trip. Only downside. The tour sizes keep creeping up and make it feel less intimate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being serenaded by a Pyrenees Shepherd choir in Sarlat, after picking up lunch items from the open markets. The dozen singers broke into four part harmony for a ten minute song when we gave up our picnic table for the group."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Been on 6 RS tours and this was one of the best. Each town/village was unique.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a fabulous time on this tour (my 13th). The itinerary was great, the guide (Patrick) and assistant (Richard) were outstanding, and the group of very interesting people melded well. I enjoyed all the planned (and unplanned) activities from the opening light show in Chartres to deciding on an ice cream from the huge selection of flavors in Nice.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour started with the WOW of the light show in Chartres (so good I went back to see just the front of the cathedral the next night) and then more WOWs - all the beautiful stained glass, the cave art, canoeing, walking atop the Roman aqueduct, the immersive lightshow in the quarry (!!!), the intricate garden at Villandry , the beautiful roses in the towns, seeing Carcassonne from a distance, market day in Sarlat, and plenty of time to wander the streets to make my own discoveries."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Morning at Pont de Gard"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the in depth information provided by Patrick our guide and being in just one country. Flawless

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Carcassonne castle at night from the bridge."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved every minute. Our tour guide was exceptional, Patrick. He was efficient, caring, knowledgeable, informative, funny, prepared and devoted to us learning about France and the sites we visited. Would tour France again with him!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, many but the standouts are: walking over Pont du Gard, canoeing down the Dordogne and walking through old town of Sarlat in the evening with the lights making the buildings glow. Of course, Carcassonne was a dream."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had an amazing tour! It felt like we saw all the most fascinating places at just the right time ahead of the crowds. Patrick was an absolutely brilliant tour guide and I met so many wonderful people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So difficult to pick just one!!! I loved seeing Chateau Chenonceau and Villandry in person!! But walking on the Pont du Gard was spectacular!! I also loved being in Sarlat. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The country was beautiful and your locations were perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was not one thing that truly stood out as a wow moment since the scenery seemed to keep giving me that "WOW"! I will say, though this really isn't a wow moment, it was very important to me. After a fall on my first night I could not have asked for a better guide, Patrick, and his assistant, Richard. They went so far and above to make sure I was ok, helping me negotiate the French health system. One of them was by my side the whole time. I can't say enough of their kindness and help!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fun and memorable experiences, knowledgeable and delightful guides, and a great group of tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many very memorable sites and experiences, but for me the most "Wow!" moments were witnessing the magnificence of the Chartres cathedral, Carcassonne, and the Pont du Gard. I am always amazed at the construction skills of workers so long ago and humbled at the thought of how many lives preceded us here. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Patrick was so wonderful! He was full of knowledge, experienced at keeping the whole group moving together and made every step comfortable and fun with good anticipatory information. Chartres Cathedral was grand, the Loire Valley enchanting, the Dordogne so lovely and full of history (and foie gras)! Arles and Nice were great, with a different flavor than the above. So very fun, well planned and excellently guided! Thank you!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved canoeing on the Dordogne. Stunningly picturesque, and again, Patrick just mustered us all up, got those of us ready who wanted to canoe, and off we went!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have worked in design and construction for 50 years and I have always been intrigued with the knowledge, capabilities and results of the western world covering the roman and middle ages. From Chartres to the Pont du Gard to the Roman Arena and Theatre at Arles it was all interesting. I would like to have seen Julie Sonveau's (SP) castle building project some time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was looking up at the large arches in the Pont Du Gard and discovered that because of the lift limitations of the stone pieces the arches where not constructed of single depth or course of stones but three. This means that arches of the larger structures are actually three parallel structures, yep 3 stones deep. I love this stuff. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my 3rd RS tour. The itinerary was well thought out, logistics were handled smoothly and the guide was outstanding. There was a wide and interesting variety of geographies and experiences on this trip. As usual, I learned a lot. Unfortunately the weather was marginal and more significantly, there was a Covid outbreak during the tour which affected over 50% of the group by the time we got to Nice. Claire handled it as well as could be expected but it brought things down.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Best day for me was Day 6 starting with the stunning Rouffignac cave and ending with the canoe trip down the Dordogne river. Our picnic in the park after "hunting and gathering" at market day in Sarlat was also a personal highlight."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Rick Steves tours are a great balance between group and individual experiences, and this tour was just that. Except for a few welcomed “surprises” by our guide, the tour played out exactly to itinerary expectations. This tour was well planned, fine tuned, with safety and guest satisfaction in mind. You cannot beat an itinerary that starts outside of Paris and meanders through lush river valleys and rugged limestone mountains, ending up in the beautiful Côte d’Azur. This was our 8th RS adventure!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moments: Walking across the Pont du Gard aqueduct, tracing the water flow of the ancient Roman waterway while experiencing gale force wind (Le Mistral). The “Vermeer to Van Gogh” art immersion set in a fantastic venue - an old quarry. Being fascinated by a well-seasoned stained glass art historian who explained the meaning of key windows in Chartres Cathedral. Chateau Villandry and the medieval fortress of Carcassone, both stunning in different ways. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a delightful tour, and that says a lot, since I believe it rained -- hard -- most days of the tour. Yet we still had an enjoyable and interesting experience, so I expect the tour in nice weather would be spectacular. I think the tour plan was a good mix of experiences: we saw some spectacular chateaux and cathedrals, but it wasn't overdone, and we were exposed to food specialties of every region and lots of interesting stops and plenty of free time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! Most breathtaking was definitely the Rouffignac cave drawings; I can't describe the feeling of seeing them in person. I also appreciated the thoughtful way the stop at Oradour-sur-Glane was handled, to allow people to be with their own thoughts, although I really wish we had more time. And I had the most fun on the canoe ride on the Dordogne, which, thankfully, was on one of the only nonrainy days we had."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour itinerary description received before the trip was followed very closely on the actual tour. The tour guide Claire was excellent. Very knowledgeable, easy to understand, very clear about telling the group the plan for the day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a few but I would say the Villandry chateau. Beautiful gardens, I could have stayed there longer!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Mediocre in retrospect. Guide was good but itinerary too repetitive. Group dinners forgettable steam table fare covered by poor sauces. Except for duck in Sarlat, wish we had eaten on our own. Too many chateaux some of which were empty (Azay-le-Rideau poor after Chenonceau). Yet we purchased visit to DaVinci house and garden and was fun, but not on ourtour. A few awful local guides (M, Miller). (I hated Oradour- sur Glane; French promotion of hate, Stupid! Pointless visit to J. Baker Chat.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rouffingac Cave paintings. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the variety of experiences included in this tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The most impactful experience was at Rouffignac Cave - felt awe and timeless connection to our pre-historic ancestors who created 16,000 years ago these masterpieces on the cave’s walls and ceilings. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour guide Claire, and beautiful venues.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Josephine Baker house in the Dordogne Valley."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The history of the regions we visited helped connect other tours together. The quality of local guides make the tours shine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the cave paintings from 17,000 years ago, and traveling inside of the Pont du Garde where the water a thousand years ago traveled."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Liked the diversity of experiences on RS tours (e.g. WWI / WW II sites, art immersion, ancient and medieval venues) and time for my own exploration.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the village of Oradour-Sur-Glane destroyed by Nazis. Vermeer to Van Gogh art immersion in Les Baux de Provence. Ordering12 fantastically delicious escargots several times during the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was great. Our guide, Claire, was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow moment for me was seeing actual 17,000 year old cave drawings in Grotto de Rouffignac. The paintings of horses, woolly mammoths, etc were amazingly well done and proportioned. These paintings were done one and a half to two miles into caves (where these people did not live). There were drawings that were on the ceiling of an area only two feet high. They would have been done Sistine Chapel-like on their backs without being able being able to see the whole. Mind blowing!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a wonderful experience, visiting many of the less explored areas of France. Our tour guide was fantastic. Her enthusiasm for France and her vast knowledge of French histroy made this tour so much more than the average tour. Our guide also took us to restaurants that specialized in regional dishes such as cassoulet and fois gras. Yummy! I would have given this an outstanding experience except that the weather was cloudy with showers for almost the whole trip. l

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite " wow" moment was the immersive exhibition "From Vermeer to Van Gough" the Dutch Masters. It was the Louvre on steroids! Incredible. I only wish I could have gone through it again."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Loire to South of France tour was everything we hoped it would be, except the weather which was unseasonably cool and wet. Our guide Claire and driver Phillpe were both great at what they did. The hotel rooms were good, some excellent. In all cases, the beds were super comfortable and showers great. Some were larger, some smaller and one had no elevator (we're not on the trip for the hotel rooms, right?). The tour sights we visited were all amazing. Great variety of activities. Good pacing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There wasn't just one "wow" moment that stands out, there were several. The light show on the Chartes cathedral at night, our private walking tour with the town mayor of the small village of Mortemart, the special priviledge of walking atop the Pont du Gard where the water would have actually flowed, the outdoor lunch at the family winery. Can I just say, REAL French bread every morning!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was outstanding because it was splendedly planned and led by your wonderful guide Virginie. I came home with an understanding of France's history dating from prehistoric caves to the French Riveria. Our guide carefully explained how each of the places fit together and make today's French culture. Seeing rural France made me realize that just as New York is not the US, Paris is not all of France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"At about midpoint in the trip, I stood on the top level of the Pont du Gard. I looked out over the beautiful valley and realiized I was standing where Romans stood over two thousand years ago. It is a monument of unbelievable engineering and how fortunate I was to be there as a small part of history."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first RS tour and we can’t wait for our next RS tour next year. The tour was well organized and included so many interesting sites that we would not have seen if touring by ourselves. Our guide Virginie More was great, we learned so much about French culture and history. We enjoyed the food and wine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Carcassonne"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful! We had a great time. Virginie was excellent and very well organized. The weather was a little less than wonderful, but that can't be helped.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"1. Chartres cathedral, now gleaming cleaner than it's been in hundreds of years. Its beautiful blue stained glass. 2. The Pont de Gard, and being able to walk across the top of it in the water channel on a very blustery Mistral-y day. 3. The sound and light show in the quarries of Les Baux--amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Nice"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had an amazing time exploring a region of France that was new to me. The tour was a great mix of good food, wine, and cultural sites. Virginie was amazing and ensuring that the needs of everyone in the group was included and helped to build a family feeling among members.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful despite the frequent rain and the Mistral with the best guide ever-Virginie.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting Rick Steves in person in Nice was the biggest unexpected wow but of France itself, the Light Show on the Chartres Cathedral and the DaVinci House (optional). But then there was Carcassonne, the Pont du Gard, seeing places in Arles that inspired Van Gogh, the Light Show in Les Baux, all the markets and, of course, Nice which is fabulous."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thanks in part to our wonderful guide Virginie More, we were well informed, educated, entertained and enlightened to the special places we visited in France. The weather was challenging from the beginning with rain and winds of 50 mph! Hahaha and we persevered throughout with humor and enjoyment. The group was good and everyone got along great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was wowed by the gardens at Villandry being a gardener myself. I was also wowed by the cave drawings and the caves themselves. Well, the whole Dordogne region was some of the most beautiful country I’ve ever seen. I could live there. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The Loire Valley was beautiful in spring. Southern France was even better!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved evening (after dinner) walks around the places we stayed. And the food!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thought it was well planned, well paced, and made excellent use of our time in France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cave paintings. It was really special to be in the presence of something so old and so mysterious."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first tour with the Rick Steves’ Touring Company. I had always wanted to tour southern France, and your touring company did an excellent job of showing me all the wonderful sites of this part of France. I will consider Rick Steves’ other tours in my future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two favorite “wow” moments. One was spending the day at the market in Salat. The other was the wine tasting and dinner at the scenic Languedoc-Rousillon region. The sister and brother who own the winery were so kind as well as being quite informative about how their wines are produced."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide was knowledgable, a good story teller and worked seemingly effortlessly with the group. Obviously he was working very hard.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Light show in the underground quarry."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The pace was just right for my wife and me; we couldn't have processed or managed any faster while slower would have meant skipping some places. The percentages of meals together and apart seemed just right. The wonders packed in as we wound our way southward were consistently astonishing. How can you choose and nail down so many warm, charming hotels and find such great guides?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sixth day of our tour, In the morning, we saw for ourselves cave drawings rendered 1000's of years ago. Breathe-taking! In the afternoon, we paddled canoes on the Dordogne River, admiring chateaux on the cliffs above us. Those who wished could wade in the refreshing river afterwards!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

well organized tour guide. excellent local guides. overall very nice accommodations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cote d' Azur really is the most AMAZING blue"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I took this tour to see castles (chateaux) and the south of France. It was amazing. The churches and chateau, the small towns, the countryside, everything was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the stained glass windows in Chartres. I had visited nearly 40 years ago, before most of the glass had been cleaned and repaired. The beauty brought tears to my eyes."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an incredible adventure! Every day was a sensory delight. Our tour guide made every day so special, and our tour buddies seemed to coalesce into a fun-loving group very quickly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many, but one in particular was the cave at Rouffignac. Seeing *original* etchings and drawings from tens of thousands of years ago was very moving. I appreciate that Rick Steves tours went the extra mile for us to see the the original drawings - not some replica. Well done!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Loved the scenery, history, people, and wine of France.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Cathedral in Chartres."