Rick Steves France Guide: What He Gets Right (and Wrong)
I need to say this upfront: Rick Steves gets more right than wrong. His France guides have sent millions of Americans to Europe with reasonable expectations and solid planning. I respect that.
But after living in France for 6 months and visiting 15+ times, I have opinions. Rick's approach works for a specific type of traveler—and if that's not you, following his advice blindly will frustrate you.
This is an honest breakdown of Rick Steves' France tours and guidebooks from someone who's actually tested his recommendations across Paris, Provence, Loire Valley, and beyond.
Who Is Rick Steves, Anyway?
For the uninitiated: Rick Steves is America's PBS travel guy. He's published 100+ guidebooks, runs guided tours across Europe, and has influenced American travel culture for 40+ years.
His philosophy:
- Travel as education, not just vacation
- Budget-conscious but not cheap
- Cultural immersion over luxury
- Public transit over rental cars
- Small towns over tourist megacities
His target audience: 50+ Americans, first-time Europe travelers, those who want structure and guidance.
If you're a 25-year-old backpacker looking for nightlife and spontaneity, Rick Steves isn't your guy. If you're a 55-year-old couple wanting to see the "real France" without screwing it up, he's perfect.
Rick Steves Tours of France: The Numbers
Tour prices (2025):
- 14-day "Best of Paris & Heart of France": $4,795 per person (double occupancy)
- 13-day "Village France": $4,595 per person
- 7-day "Paris & Normandy": $2,695 per person
What's included:
- Accommodations (mid-range 3-star hotels)
- All breakfasts, about half the dinners
- Guided sightseeing (museums, monuments)
- Transportation within tour route
- Local guides in major cities
What's NOT included:
- Flights to/from Europe
- Lunches and non-group dinners (€15-30/meal)
- Personal spending (souvenirs, extra wine, etc.)
- Tips for guides (€5-10/person/day suggested)
Real cost: Budget $5,500-6,200 per person all-in with flights from US.
What Rick Steves Gets RIGHT
1. Realistic Pacing
Rick's tours don't try to see all of France in 10 days. His 14-day "Best of Paris & Heart of France" covers:
- Paris (4 nights)
- Giverny
- Normandy (2 nights)
- Loire Valley (2 nights)
- Burgundy (2 nights)
- Lyon (1 night)
- Provence (2 nights)
This is reasonable. Compare this to other tour companies cramming Paris, Versailles, Loire, Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel, Bordeaux, and Provence into 8 days. That's vacation torture.
Pro tip: If a tour averages less than 2 nights per location, you're spending more time on buses than experiencing places. Rick avoids this trap.
2. Public Transit Emphasis
Rick pushes trains over cars. He's right.
France has the best train network in Europe (TGV high-speed rail). Paris to Lyon: 2 hours. Paris to Marseille: 3 hours. City center to city center, no airport security, actual legroom.
TGV ticket prices (booked 2-3 months ahead):
- Paris → Lyon: €35-65 ($38-71)
- Paris → Bordeaux: €45-85 ($49-93)
- Paris → Marseille: €55-95 ($60-104)
Rick's guidebooks include detailed train schedules and booking tips. This alone saves first-timers hours of confusion.
Where he's wrong: Small villages. You NEED a car for Loire châteaux, Provence hilltop villages, or Dordogne. Rick underestimates this. His walking/biking suggestions work in theory but fail in 90°F July heat.
3. Accommodation Strategy
Rick recommends 3-star family-run hotels over chains. Smart move.
Average prices (Rick-recommended hotels):
- Paris: €110-160/night ($120-175)
- Lyon: €85-120/night ($93-131)
- Small Provence towns: €75-110/night ($82-120)
These aren't luxury, but they're clean, central, and often include breakfast. I've stayed at a dozen Rick Steves recommendations—8 were solid, 2 were excellent, 2 were mediocre but acceptable.
His picks prioritize:
- Walking distance to old town/attractions
- Family ownership (better local knowledge)
- Breakfast included (saves €10-15/person daily)
- Free WiFi (not a given in small French hotels)
4. Museum Strategy
Rick's "buy tickets online in advance" and "go early or late" advice is gospel. I've tested this religiously.
Rick's timing recommendations vs. my experience:
| Museum | Rick Says | My Data (2024-2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Louvre | Wed/Fri evening | Correct. 40% less crowded |
| Orsay | Thursdays after 6 PM | Correct. Almost empty |
| Versailles | Tuesday/Thursday, arrive at opening | Correct. Lines form by 10 AM |
| Mont Saint-Michel | Arrive by 9 AM or after 4 PM | Correct. Midday is hell |
His museum advice alone justifies buying his guidebook.
5. Food Philosophy
Rick advocates eating where locals eat. Obvious advice, but he provides specific addresses.
His rules:
- Avoid restaurants with picture menus in English
- Look for handwritten daily specials (plat du jour)
- Cafés on main squares = tourist pricing
- Side streets = better value
I tested 20+ Rick Steves restaurant recommendations across France:
- 15 were good to excellent
- 3 were okay but overpriced
- 2 had closed or changed ownership
Hit rate: 75%. That's better than TripAdvisor (maybe 50% success rate for top-rated places).
What Rick Steves Gets WRONG
1. The "Crowds Don't Bother Me" Lie
Rick downplays summer crowds. His books mention them but don't convey the reality.
Summer crowd levels (June-August):
- Louvre: 40,000+ visitors per day
- Versailles: 30,000+ per day
- Mont Saint-Michel: 25,000-30,000 per day
- Notre-Dame (pre-fire): 30,000+ per day
These aren't "busy." These are theme park-level crowds. Shoulder-to-shoulder, can't-take-a-photo, sweating-in-the-sun crowds.
Rick's advice: "Go early, be patient, it's worth it."
My advice: Don't visit these places in July/August unless you have no choice. Come in May, September, or October. The experience is 10x better.
2. Provence in Summer
Rick loves Provence. His "Village France" tour spends significant time there.
Reality check: Provence in July/August:
- Temps: 85-95°F (29-35°C)
- Tourists: Everywhere
- Prices: 30-40% higher than off-season
- Traffic: Nightmare (small roads, tour buses, Parisian vacation drivers)
I've been to Provence in April, July, and October. April and October were magical. July was sweaty, expensive, and frustrating.
Rick mentions heat but treats it as minor inconvenience. It's not. It defines the experience.
Better approach: Visit Provence in April-May (lavender starting to bloom) or September-October (harvest season, fewer crowds, perfect temps).
3. Car Rental Downplay
Rick's train obsession makes him underestimate car rental value.
Places where you need a car:
- Loire Valley châteaux (distances too great for biking)
- Provence hilltop villages (buses are infrequent)
- Dordogne valley (no practical public transit)
- Normandy D-Day beaches (scattered sites)
- Burgundy wine villages (wineries aren't walkable from train stations)
Car rental costs (France, 2025):
- Compact car: €45-70/day ($49-76)
- Automatic transmission: +€15-25/day ($16-27)
- GPS: €10/day (unnecessary if you have data)
- Full insurance: €20-30/day ($22-33)
- Fuel: €1.85/liter (≈$7.50/gallon)
My calculation: For 2 people spending 4+ days in Loire or Provence, car rental beats trains + taxis by €100-200 ($109-218) AND provides better flexibility.
Rick's books acknowledge this but don't emphasize it enough. First-time France visitors follow his train advice, then realize they're screwed trying to reach Château de Chambord by bus.
4. Restaurant Budget Underestimates
Rick's budget estimates for meals are 15-20% low for 2025 prices.
Rick's France budget (2024 guidebook):
- Breakfast: €8-12
- Lunch: €12-20
- Dinner: €20-35
Reality (2025, actual spending):
- Breakfast: €10-18 (coffee + croissant at café, not bakery)
- Lunch: €15-28 (sit-down restaurant with drink)
- Dinner: €28-50 (appetizer + main + wine at modest bistro)
Real daily food cost: €53-96 ($58-105) per person, not Rick's €40-67 ($44-73).
This gap matters. Budget €70-80/person/day for food in France if you're eating out for all meals. Less if you hit supermarkets for picnic lunches.
5. "You Don't Need Much French" Nonsense
Rick says: "English is widely spoken in France, especially in tourist areas. Learn a few polite phrases and you'll be fine."
Partially true in:
- Paris (tourist zones)
- Nice/Monaco
- Major hotel chains
Complete BS in:
- Small Provence villages
- Rural Loire Valley
- Normandy countryside
- Anywhere 50+ km from major cities
I speak intermediate French (B1 level). I STILL struggled in rural Burgundy. Signs aren't translated. Restaurant staff don't speak English. Train station announcements are French-only.
My recommendation:
- Learn 50-100 essential French phrases minimum
- Download Google Translate offline for your region
- Accept that some places require pointing at menus and smiling
- Bring humility and patience
Rick's "few polite phrases" approach works if you're on his guided tour with a bilingual guide. Solo travelers need more prep.
Rick Steves France Tours: Who Should Book
Book a Rick Steves France tour if you:
- Are 50+ and want structured travel
- Are visiting France for the first time
- Prefer group travel over solo planning
- Want guaranteed hotel quality and logistics handled
- Value cultural education over spontaneity
- Don't mind 20-28 people in your tour group
Skip the tour if you:
- Are under 40 and want flexibility
- Enjoy nightlife and bar scenes (Rick tours are mellow)
- Want luxury accommodations
- Prefer solo or couple travel
- Have visited France before
- Can plan trips independently using guidebooks
Alternative: Buy his guidebook ($24), plan your own trip, save $3,000+ per person. You'll get 80% of the tour value with 100% flexibility.
Best Rick Steves France Guidebook
My ranking:
-
Rick Steves France (comprehensive guide) — $27, 1,200+ pages, covers everything. Worth it for first-timers.
-
Rick Steves Paris — $24, 500+ pages. If you're only doing Paris, buy this instead.
-
Rick Steves Provence & French Riviera — $22. Detailed region-specific info.
-
Rick Steves Snapshot guides — $14 each. Good for short trips to specific regions.
I own the comprehensive France guide and Paris guide. I reference them every trip. The neighborhood maps alone justify the cost.
Digital vs. physical: I buy physical for planning, then use his free audio tours (available via Rick Steves Audio Europe app) during the trip. Best of both worlds.
Budget Breakdown: Rick Steves Tour vs. DIY
14-day Rick Steves "Best of Paris & Heart of France" tour:
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Tour price | $4,795 |
| Flights (NYC-Paris) | $650 |
| Meals not included | $420 |
| Personal spending | $300 |
| Tips for guides | $100 |
| Total | $6,265 |
DIY equivalent (same itinerary, mid-range comfort):
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Flights | $650 |
| Hotels (13 nights, mid-range) | $1,560 |
| TGV trains + car rental (4 days) | $520 |
| Meals (14 days) | $1,120 |
| Attractions + museums | $380 |
| Misc (parking, tips, etc.) | $200 |
| Total | $4,430 |
Savings: $1,835 per person going DIY.
The tour premium pays for:
- Zero planning time
- Guided expertise
- Guaranteed reservations
- Social aspect (traveling with group)
- No logistical stress
Worth it? Depends on your values and budget.
FAQ
Q: Are Rick Steves tours worth the money?
A: If you value structure, guidance, and hate planning, yes. If you're budget-focused and enjoy independent travel, no. You're paying $1,500-2,000 premium over DIY for logistics and expertise.
Q: What's the average age on Rick Steves France tours?
A: 55-65 years old. I've asked Rick Steves tour alumni—the range is typically 45-75, with the median around 60. Rarely anyone under 40.
Q: Do Rick Steves tours include flights?
A: No. You book flights separately and meet the group at a designated Paris hotel. Tours include transportation WITHIN the tour route.
Q: Is Rick Steves too touristy?
A: Yes and no. He prioritizes major sights (Louvre, Versailles, Mont Saint-Michel) but balances with lesser-known spots. His tour groups hit popular places at smart times to avoid worst crowds. It's "intelligent tourism," not off-the-beaten-path adventure.
Q: Can you do Rick Steves tours solo?
A: Yes. About 30-40% of tour participants are solo travelers. You'll pay single supplement fee (usually $800-1,200 extra) unless you agree to room with another solo traveler.
Q: Best Rick Steves France tour?
A: "Best of Paris & Heart of France" if it's your first visit. Covers the greatest hits efficiently. "Village France" if you've already done Paris and want deeper regional exploration.
The Bottom Line
Rick Steves is the training wheels of European travel. For millions of Americans, he makes France accessible and non-intimidating. That's valuable.
His strengths: logistics, timing, museum strategy, realistic budgeting (mostly), cultural context.
His weaknesses: underplaying summer crowds, car rental needs, language barriers in rural areas.
My recommendation: Buy his guidebook. Test his advice. Take what works, ignore what doesn't. You don't need to follow Rick like gospel.
France is amazing with or without Rick Steves. But he's a solid starting point.
Last updated: February 2026. Rick Steves tour prices verified from official website. I have no affiliation with Rick Steves' Europe.