France Itineraries

The following itineraries are designed to lead you up, down and round about la belle France – picking out the crème de la crème of the country’s cities, valleys and mountains, vineyards and coastline.

Itinerary tips from Sabine: your France travel expert

From the iconic Eiffel Tower to the lavender-filled fields of Provence, the country has so many experiences to offer that you'll wonder why you didn’t visit sooner. 

That said, France is massive, and unless you’ve got a whole year to explore, there’s no way you’ll see it all in one trip. That’s why a good itinerary is key—without one, you could spend more time navigating train stations than enjoying a glass of wine in Bordeaux.

That’s where Sabine comes in, our in-house travel expert who’s native to France and explored every inch of the country, from the cheese caves of Roquefort to the glamorous clubs of St. Tropez. She's made the mistakes so you don’t have to. 

So, let’s work together to create a journey that truly reflects your interests, pace, and style, making your time in France truly your own.

Recommended France itineraries

If you are planning your travel to France yourself, use these itineraries created by our travel writers as a starting point for inspiration. For more ideas, check out our itineraries tailored to different lengths: 7 days, 10 days, and dedicated Southern France and Northern France itineraries.

7-day France itinerary

This itinerary gives you a bit of everything—French culture, food, and scenery—covering everything from Paris’s city life to alpine lakes, sunny Provence, and the Riviera’s glamour. 

Your trip will start in Paris, where you’ll spend the first two days checking out Le Marais, hitting top museums like the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, and, of course, seeing the Eiffel Tower. On the third day, pick a day trip: head to the Palace of Versailles, Mont St Michel, or the Loire Valley’s famous châteaux.

On day four, you’ll move on to Annecy, known as the "Venice of the Alps," to explore its picturesque old town and scenic lake. Next up on day five is Aix-en-Provence, where you can soak up Provençal culture and stroll through its elegant streets. 

Day six takes you through the lavender fields of the Valensole Plateau. Finish your trip on day seven in Fréjus, on the French Riviera, where you can explore Roman ruins and relax on Mediterranean beaches.

10 day France itinerary

This ten-day tour of France starts off in Bordeaux, where you’ll spend the first two days exploring the historic city center, checking out Cité du Vin, or enjoying some wine tasting in the Chartrons district. On the second day, you can go on a wine tour to Saint-Émilion or Château Loudenne, or stick around to see more of Bordeaux’s attractions.

Day three takes you to Sarlat in the Dordogne region, famous for its stunning scenery and over 1,500 castles. On the fourth day, explore more of the Dordogne by visiting La Roque-Gageac, taking a gabarre boat ride, and touring Château de Beynac and the beautiful Jardins de Marqueyssac.

Next, head to Toulouse on day five to see its unique pink terracotta buildings and landmarks. On day six, travel to Aix-en-Provence, stopping at the medieval citadel of Carcassonne on the way. Spend day seven exploring Aix-en-Provence by visiting local markets, strolling through the old town, and sampling Provençal cuisine and art.

On day eight, take a day trip to Calanque de Sormiou for some hiking and swimming in the crystal-clear waters. The ninth day is all about visiting the lavender fields at Valensole Plateau and the charming village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Wrap up your trip on day ten in either Nice or Fréjus, where you’ll get a mix of history, culture, and coastal views.

Northern France itinerary

This 10-day northern France itinerary gives you a well-rounded taste of the region's culture, history, and natural beauty. You’ll kick things off with two days of Flemish-tinged charm in Lille, strolling through the old town and visiting the fine arts museum.

Next, spend two days in Rouen, famous for its stunning Gothic cathedral and its connection to Joan of Arc. On day five, head to the coastal town of Étretat to visit the chalk cliffs, and follow that up with day six spent at charming Honfleur's picture-perfect harbor. 

Devote days seven and eight to the D-Day beaches – a sobering yet essential history lesson. Spend your time here visiting the D-Day landing beaches and related memorials. 

Finally, wrap up your trip with two days in Saint-Malo, a walled city in Brittany. Scale ramparts, feast on seafood, and if time allows, detour to Mont Saint-Michel

Southern France itinerary

Dive into the heart of southern France with this 7-day itinerary that'll have you swooning over Provence's lavender-scented hills and the glittering Côte d'Azur. Start your journey on day one in Aix-en-Provence, browsing lively markets for local delicacies and relaxing at cafés that once hosted Cézanne himself.

From there, step back into history on day two in the dramatic hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence before meandering through Luberon on day three. Here you'll find villages bathed in ochre and framed by fields of lavender. Day four is spent in Calanques National Park where you'll visit turquoise inlets carved into towering white cliffs.

The arty crowd will be in their element on day five in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a medieval village turned open-air gallery, followed by a visit to the opulent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.  By now, perhaps, you will be craving a beach day, the glamorous Riviera won’t disappoint on day six with its sun-soaked shores. Finally, wrap up your trip in Nice, where you'll visit the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais and the maze-like old town on day seven.

The best time for a French trip

For the best experience in France, late spring (April to mid-June) and early fall (September to October) are ideal. You'll avoid the heaviest crowds and highest prices, while enjoying either vibrant spring blooms or stunning fall colors.  Summer (mid-June to August) is peak tourist season, with long, warm days. It's a great time to visit, but be prepared for more tourists and steeper prices.

Find out everything you need to know about the weather in France throughout the year in our guide.

How to get around France

For a trip spanning multiple regions, mixing train travel and car rental is the way to go. Use trains for longer journeys between cities, and rent a car to explore rural gems like the Dordogne or Provence at your own pace. Booking high-speed trains ahead of time will get you the best prices.

• Train: Northern France’s rail system, run by SNCF, is excellent. The high-speed TGV zips you from Paris to Lille in just an hour. For shorter routes, regional TER trains are the best option.
• Car: Nothing beats the flexibility of driving in Northern France. Renting a car is ideal for exploring Normandy’s D-Day beaches or the charming villages of the Somme Valley. The autoroutes (highways) are easy to navigate, but have some euros on hand for tolls.
• Bus: Long-distance buses like Flixbus and Blablabus offer budget-friendly rides between major cities in the north. Though slower than trains, they’re a solid option for areas with fewer rail connections.
• Bike: Northern France is more bike-friendly than you might expect. Cities like Lille and Rouen have convenient bike-sharing systems, and there are fantastic long-distance cycling routes.
• Ferry: Planning to explore the coast? Local ferries can take you across river estuaries or to offshore islands. The ferry between Le Havre and Trouville-sur-Mer is a scenic shortcut across the Seine estuary.