France My Way - First Time

Welcome to the forum!
I assume you've read the reviews on the tour page?
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/france/my-way-france
Other than that, perhaps specific questions you have may get a better response.

Here is a link to my experience on the My Way France tour in spring 2022. It is a very long winded trip report, your mileage may vary.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/my-way-france-before-during-and-after-the-rs-tour

Feel free to send me a private message with any questions.
Scott

Here is a link to my experience on the My Way France tour in spring 2022. It is a very long winded trip report, your mileage may vary.

Scott,
Thank you so much for your excellent trip report. More than anything, it got me excited to book this tour.

Neal

My Way tours are what I would call quasi group tours. Your transportation and hotels are arranged for you and you’ll ride an immaculate spacious bus from location to location with your group. Other than that, you are on your own to plan your activities. I’ve taken eight RS tours and they are well planned, with incredible guides, great group tours, and a good balance between scheduled and free time. The hotels are centrally located and clean, often charming, but certainly not luxurious. You handle your own luggage and are encouraged to limit your luggage to a carryon and topper. The My Way tours feature the same type of hotel and the guide will still be top quality and helpful but you decide your own schedule. It seems like a good choice for people who don’t want the hassle of hotel and transportation arrangements but prefer not to see the sights with a group. You’ll want to be mindful to reserve tickets well in advance for major sites. It sounds like you are seasoned travels and have that part mastered. I suspect My Way tours attract a younger crowd than the typical RS group, which rarely includes 30 somethings or even 40 somethings. My husband and I love the open minded, non-complaining, PBS watching folk who choose RS tours. Now in our later seventies, we are looking to set the pace ourselves, so we’re considering My Way France.

I haven't done a My Way tour because the itineraries move too fast for my choice. But if the itinerary appeals to you and the duration fits your calendar, why not go for it? And if you have more time, spend it on your own at the starting and/or ending city or nearby. I've taken several fully guided RS tours, and I agree with the other comments -- excellent guides, good hotels, easy bus rides, pleasant companions. But I've also scheduled several days on my own before and after, to get over jet lag, experience more of the country I'm visiting, and justify the cost and misery of the transatlantic flights.