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Paris
Louvre to Montmartre—iconic art, Seine walks, and curated pacing for groups to absorb the city.
Places
Explore key regions, cities, sites, and routes in France.
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Lyon
UNESCO old town, Presqu’île food halls, and Rhone/Saone viewpoints with easy day trips to Beaujolais.
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Nice
Mediterranean promenades, market mornings, and hilltop vistas anchoring French Riviera itineraries.
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Strasbourg
Alsatian half-timber lanes, cathedral climbs, and Rhine canal cruises with quick TGV access.
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Bordeaux
Revitalized quays, Gothic spires, and wine culture—walkable core with easy vineyard extensions.
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Provence
Hill towns, lavender, and Roman relics—Avignon, Gordes, and Luberon villages at a relaxed pace.
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Normandy
Coastal villages, D-Day heritage, and Mont-Saint-Michel pairings with space for reflection.
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Loire Valley
Châteaux corridor between Tours and Blois—gardens, cycling paths, and flexible coach routes.
region
French Riviera
Coastal arc from Nice to Monaco—glamour, art villages, and alpine-backdrop excursions.
site
Mont-Saint-Michel
Tidal abbey island with medieval streets—sunrise walks and choir-led worship options.
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Palace of Versailles
Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments, and grand gardens—timed entries with estate cycling add-ons.
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D-Day Landing Beaches
Omaha to Utah—memorial services, museums, and local guides grounding WWII narratives.
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Lourdes
Pyrenean pilgrimage sanctuary—processions, healing pools, and contemplative retreat spaces.
Why France
France blends iconic art, sacred architecture, and culinary experiences in one itinerary—ideal for choirs, alumni communities, educational travelers, and donor groups. Paris anchors with museums, cathedrals, and Seine evenings, while Normandy, the Loire, and Provence add pilgrimage routes, memorials, vineyards, and Mediterranean light. High-speed trains and motorcoaches make region-hopping easy so leaders can focus on storytelling, partner connections, and fundraising gatherings.
Top Highlights by Theme
- Paris: Notre-Dame (exterior restoration), Sainte-Chapelle, Sacré-Cœur, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Seine cruises.
- Normandy & Brittany: D-Day beaches, American Cemetery, Bayeux Tapestry, and Mont-Saint-Michel pilgrimage.
- Loire Valley: Château de Chambord, Chenonceau, vineyards, and abbeys for donor dinners.
- Provence & Avignon: Pont du Gard, Avignon Papal Palace, lavender fields, and Aix-en-Provence arts scenes.
- Lyon & Taizé: Culinary capital, Roman amphitheater, Basilica of Fourvière, and ecumenical community retreats.
Sub-Regions & Routes
Paris & Île-de-France
- Base near the Seine for walkable access to Île de la Cité, Louvre, and Latin Quarter.
- Include art museums, Montmartre, and a Seine dinner cruise for donor appreciation.
- Day trips to Versailles or Chartres Cathedral add royal and pilgrimage context.
Normandy & Brittany
- Coach or high-speed train to Bayeux for tapestry, then move along Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc for remembrance services.
- American Cemetery ceremonies, chaplain-led reflections, and Mont-Saint-Michel pilgrimage with quiet moments.
- Brittany add-ons (Saint-Malo, Dinan) introduce coastal culture and community partners.
Loire Valley & Central France
- Tours or Amboise base for château tours (Chambord, Chenonceau), vineyard tastings, and abbey concerts.
- Leverage monastic guesthouses or château salons for fundraising dinners.
- Connect with humanitarian partners or faith-based NGOs in the region.
Provence, Avignon & Côte d’Azur
- Avignon’s Papal Palace, Pont d’Avignon, and Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction offer spiritual heritage.
- Provence villages (Gordes, Rousillon) and lavender fields create reflective retreats.
- Côte d’Azur (Nice, Cannes) adds seaside rest and creative arts connections.
Lyon & Taizé Community
- Lyon for culinary traditions, Basilica of Fourvière, and Roman ruins; host donor dinners or cooking classes.
- Taizé ecumenical community fosters reflection, silence, and youth engagement.
- Optional Burgundy (Dijon, Beaune) for vineyard visits and community partners.
Trip Length & Pacing
7 Days
- Arrive Paris; Seine sunset cruise and reflection.
- Paris icons (Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Louvre) with evening gathering at Sacré-Cœur.
- Day trip to Versailles or Chartres for royal/pilgrimage context.
- Travel to Normandy; Omaha Beach reflections, American Cemetery service.
- Bayeux and Mont-Saint-Michel pilgrimage; evening partner briefing.
- Return to Paris for donor dinner and free exploration.
- Depart via CDG or ORY.
9 Days
- Adds Loire Valley overnight with château visits, vineyard tasting, and fundraising dinner.
- Includes Taizé attendance or Lyon culinary day for partner engagement.
- Provides rest/flex time for small-group planning and donor strategy sessions.
12 Days
- Full sweep: Paris, Normandy, Loire, Provence, and Lyon/Taizé at a calmer pace.
- Adds Avignon/Papal Palace, lavender fields, and Côte d’Azur rest time.
- Flex day for service project, leadership development, or extension to Spain/Italy.
Best Time to Go
- April–June delivers spring blooms, moderate temps, and festival season—ideal for outdoor gatherings and walks.
- September–early November offers harvest markets, wine season, and comfortable weather with lighter crowds.
- Advent (late November–December) features Christmas markets, cathedral concerts, and fundraising-friendly ambience; plan for cooler weather.
- July–August is peak tourist season; early entries and evening events manage crowds (note July heat waves).
Group Logistics
- Airports: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY) for primary arrivals; Nice (NCE), Lyon (LYS), or Marseille (MRS) for regional combos.
- Rail & coach: TGV links Paris ↔ Normandy, Loire, Lyon, and Provence; private coaches for regional loops and sites with limited rail access.
- Typical drives: Paris ↔ Bayeux ~3 hrs; Bayeux ↔ Mont-Saint-Michel ~1.5 hrs; Paris ↔ Tours ~2.5 hrs; Avignon ↔ Aix-en-Provence ~1 hr.
- Lodging: 3–4★ city hotels, château stays, monastery guesthouses, or Provence villas with meeting rooms.
- Meals: hotel breakfasts/dinners, Seine or Rhine (Seine) cruises, wine tastings, and market picnics; dietary needs coordinated in advance.
- Walking level: moderate—cobblestones, cathedral stairs, and museum days; we secure elevator access, coach drop-offs, and rest windows.
- Fundraising moments: Seine cruises, château dinners, cathedral concerts, and partner storytelling nights.
Extensions & Combos
- Spain: connect via TGV or flight to Spain for Camino routes or Madrid/Barcelona collaborations.
- Italy: extend to Italy for Rome, Assisi, or alpine combos.
- Belgium & Netherlands: pair with Belgium or Netherlands for WWII heritage and community partners.
- Switzerland: link to Switzerland for alpine retreats.
- Holy Land: finish with Israel for pilgrimage completeness.
Safety & Stewardship Notes
France offers dependable infrastructure, high-caliber guides, and crowd-aware site management. We coordinate timed entries, transport, and partner connections, with contingency plans and 24/7 support so leaders can focus on shepherding people and stewarding donor relationships.
FAQs
- Q: How much walking is involved in Paris and Normandy? A: Expect 3–4 miles daily with cobblestones; we plan coach drop-offs, elevator access, and resting spots for varied mobility.
- Q: Can choirs perform in cathedrals? A: Yes—venues in Paris, Chartres, Tours, and Avignon host visiting ensembles; we handle applications, repertoire guidelines, and donation logistics.
- Q: When should we book for high-demand seasons? A: Reserve 9–12 months ahead for spring, summer, and Advent to secure tickets and venues.
- Q: Are there community partners in France? A: We collaborate with community organizations, refugee programs, the Taizé community, and heritage preservation groups.
- Q: How do we manage budgets amid exchange rates? A: Packages include breakfasts/dinners; we advise on VAT, tipping norms, cashless payments, and sponsorship models for special events.
Explore fundraising ideas in our travel commissions guide, or start planning via the lead form.
Highlights
- Paris icons, museums, and sacred spaces
- Normandy, Mont-Saint-Michel, and D-Day history
- Loire Valley châteaux and vineyard gatherings
- Provence, Côte d’Azur, and pilgrimage routes
Fundraising for Churches
How Churches Use France
- Paris pilgrimages with cathedral worship, art-as-discipleship, and Seine gatherings for donors
- Normandy remembrance journeys integrating D-Day reflections, chaplain services, and Mont-Saint-Michel devotions
- Loire Valley and Provence retreats with monastery stays, vineyard dinners, and mission partner storytelling
- Taizé and Lyon experiences for youth/adult discipleship, ecumenical worship, and culinary hospitality
What Works Well
- 7–10 day itineraries anchored in Paris plus one or two regional hubs (Normandy, Loire, Provence)
- One main worship/teaching/partner touchpoint per day with time for small-group debriefs
- Built-in fundraising dinners (Seine cruise, château salon, Provence villa) and partner briefings to engage donors
- Flexible pacing with TGV + coach transfers, early museum entries, and mobility-aware routing
We align venues, partners, and daily rhythm so pastors can shepherd people, deepen community, and cultivate donor momentum.
Sample Ministry Focus
- Paris arrival devotion at Seine banks; evening worship in Sacré-Cœur or a partner church
- Art + faith day (Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle) followed by donor dinner cruise and testimonial sharing
- Normandy remembrance service at Omaha Beach, American Cemetery, and Mont-Saint-Michel pilgrimage worship
- Loire Valley château retreat with communion in a monastery chapel and vineyard fundraising dinner
- Provence/Taizé extension for contemplative worship, prayer walks, and mission partner engagement
What ETS Tours Provides Here
- Custom routing through Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, Lyon/Taizé, and Provence/Côte d’Azur with bilingual guides
- Reserved cathedral chapels, château salons, Seine boats, and monastery spaces for worship, concerts, and donor events
- Mission partner vetting (church plants, refugee ministries, Taizé community, heritage organizations)
- Coordinated TGV tickets, coach transfers, museum timings, and accessibility solutions
- Lodging blocks in city hotels, monastery guesthouses, or villas with meeting rooms for devotions and donor briefings
- Group air, pastoral comps, fundraising strategy support, and 24/7 on-the-ground coverage
Talk with us to map a 30-minute plan your team can run with, or add France to your request at the lead form.
Ready to explore France with your group?
We’ll map a simple plan, budget fit, and timeline.