23 days in France Itinerary
23 days in France Itinerary
Created using Inspirock France travel route planner
Start: Johannesburg
Fly
1
Paris
— 2 nights
Train
2
Lille
— 1 night
Drive
3
Rouen
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Rennes
— 2 nights
Fly
5
Bordeaux
— 1 night
Drive
6
Toulouse
— 3 nights
Fly
7
Marseille
— 3 nights
Train
8
Lyon
— 2 nights
Drive
9
Dijon
— 1 night
Train
10
Strasbourg
— 1 night
Train to Paris Est, Train to Orleans
11
Orleans
— 2 nights
Drive
12
Paris
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Johannesburg
Sat, Sep 4 - Sun, Sep 26
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See full calendar
Paris
— 2 nights
©
City of Light
A beautiful and romantic city fit for any itinerary, Paris brims with historic associations and remains vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.Your day by day itinerary now includes Walt Disney Studios Park, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris and Louvre Museum. On the 5th (Sun), admire the landmark architecture of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, discover the magic at Walt Disney Studios Park, and then admire the masterpieces at Louvre Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get a taste of the local shopping with Champs-Elysees, then admire the striking features of Arc de Triomphe, then contemplate the long history of Eiffel Tower, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Paris Plage.
To see ratings, reviews, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Paris vacation maker.
Johannesburg, South Africa to Paris is an approximately 15-hour flight. The time zone changes from South Africa Standard Time to Central European Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. Traveling from Johannesburg in September, you will find days in Paris are little chillier (24°C), and nights are about the same (13°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Mon) so you can catch the train to Lille.
Things to do in Paris
Side Trip
Find places to stay Sep 4 — 6:
Highlights from your trip
Lille
— 1 night
©
Cultural Heart of Northern France
On the Deûle River near the Belgium border, Lille has a very active cultural life as France's fifth-largest metropolitan area and the fourth-largest urban area with a large college student population.On the 7th (Tue), get a taste of the local shopping with Vieux-Lille, see the interesting displays at Le Musee de Plein Air, then hunt for treasures at La Grande Braderie de Lille, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Paroisse Saint Maurice.
For ratings, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Lille online trip planner.
You can take a train from Paris to Lille in 2 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive; or take a bus. In September, daily temperatures in Lille can reach 23°C, while at night they dip to 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Tue) so you can drive to Rouen.
Things to do in Lille
Find places to stay Sep 6 — 7:
Highlights from your trip
Rouen
— 2 nights
©
City of a Hundred Spires
Rouen is situated on the River Seine, about 90 minutes from Paris.Kick off your visit on the 8th (Wed): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, get to know the fascinating history of Cote Sainte-Catherine, then admire the masterpieces at Ceramics Museum (Musee de la Ceramique), and finally admire the masterpieces at Musee des Beaux-Arts de Rouen. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: steep yourself in history at Place de l'Aitre de St. Maclou, wander the streets of Rue du Gros-Horloge, make a trip to Parlement de Normandie, admire the landmark architecture of Palais de Justice, then see the interesting displays at Musee de la Corderie Vallois, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilique Notre-Dame de Bonsecours.
To find traveler tips, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, read Rouen trip planning site.
Traveling by car from Lille to Rouen takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In September in Rouen, expect temperatures between 23°C during the day and 11°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can drive to Rennes.
Things to do in Rouen
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 7 — 9:
Highlights from your trip
Rennes
— 2 nights
©
Many tour guides skip Rennes, a "City of Art and History," but that doesn't mean you should.On the 10th (Fri), take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise Anglicane Saint Bartholomew, step into the grandiose world of Chateau - Tour du Coetquen, explore the historical opulence of Chateau de Dinan, pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Saint-Malo de Dinan, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Abbaye de Lehon, and finally delve into the distant past at Chateau Fort de Lehon. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 11th (Sat): take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathedrale Saint-Pierre, pause for some serene contemplation at Basilique Saint-Sauveur de Rennes, take in the spiritual surroundings of Couvent des Jacobins, then pause for some serene contemplation at Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine, then examine the collection at Musee de Bretagne, and finally see the interesting displays at Espace des Sciences.
To find out how to plan a trip to Rennes, use our trip itinerary maker.
Getting from Rouen to Rennes by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus; or fly. In September in Rennes, expect temperatures between 25°C during the day and 13°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Bordeaux.
Things to do in Rennes
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 9 — 11:
Highlights from your trip
Bordeaux
— 1 night
The Port of the Moon
With a long history of producing regional wines since the Romans brought grapevines here during the first century, so many people consider Bordeaux to be the wine capital of the world.On the 12th (Sun), get to know the fascinating history of Place de la Bourse, then see the interesting displays at Musee d'Aquitaine, then don't miss a visit to Porte Cailhau, and finally take a stroll through Port of the Moon.
To find where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Bordeaux travel route planning tool.
You can fly from Rennes to Bordeaux in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train; or fly. In September, daily temperatures in Bordeaux can reach 28°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Toulouse.
Things to do in Bordeaux
Find places to stay Sep 11 — 12:
Highlights from your trip
Toulouse
— 3 nights
©
La Ville Rose (Pink City)
On the Garonne River, Toulouse is on the site of an ancient Roman settlement, and even today, many of the smaller streets follow their Roman counterparts, while many of the red brick buildings are built in a pseudo-Roman style.Discover out-of-the-way places like Eglise Saint-Nazaire and Church of Les Jacobins. Attractions like Cité de Carcassonne and Basilique Saint-Sernin make great kid-friendly stops. Change things up with these side-trips from Toulouse: Carcassonne Center (Le Pont Vieux (The Old Bridge) & Centre Culturel De La Memoire Combattante). And it doesn't end there: examine the collection at Musee du Vieux-Toulouse, take an in-depth tour of Musee Saint-Raymond, view the masterpieces at Hotel d'Assezat, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Chapelle des Carmelites.
For ratings, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, use the Toulouse vacation maker app.
Traveling by car from Bordeaux to Toulouse takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 29°C, and evening lows to 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) to allow time to travel to Marseille.
Things to do in Toulouse
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 12 — 15:
Highlights from your trip
Marseille
— 3 nights
©
Gateway to Provence
The 2013 European "Capital of Culture," Marseille is the largest port city on the breezy Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in France.You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Eglise St-Trophime and Espace Van Gogh. Visit Palais des Papes and Palais Longchamp for their historical value. Change things up with these side-trips from Marseille: Arles (St-Trophime Cloister (Cloitre St-Trophime) & Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue) and Avignon (Palais du Roure, Musee du Petit Palais, &more). It doesn't end there: take in the spiritual surroundings of Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde and see the interesting displays at Musee Regards de Provence.
To see where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Marseille trip planner.
Getting from Toulouse to Marseille by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: fly; or drive; or take a train. In September in Marseille, expect temperatures between 30°C during the day and 18°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Sat) early enough to catch the train to Lyon.
Things to do in Marseille
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 15 — 18:
Highlights from your trip
Lyon
— 2 nights
©
Culinary Capital of France
Lyon is a historical city with a vibrant cultural scene as the birthplace of cinema, the silk capital of the globe, and the second biggest Renaissance city following Venice.On the 19th (Sun), admire the landmark architecture of Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, then take an in-depth tour of Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon, then admire the striking features of Cathedrale saint Jean-Baptiste, and finally examine the collection at Institut & Musee Lumiere. On the next day, get a taste of the local shopping with La Place Bellecour, wander the streets of The Presqu'ile, then take a stroll through Place des Jacobins, then examine the collection at Fresque des Lyonnais, and finally explore the world behind art at Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.
To see other places to visit, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Lyon trip planner.
Traveling by train from Marseille to Lyon takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive; or fly. Plan for a bit cooler temperatures traveling from Marseille in September, with highs in Lyon at 27°C and lows at 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) early enough to drive to Dijon.
Things to do in Lyon
Find places to stay Sep 18 — 20:
Highlights from your trip
Dijon
— 1 night
©
Gateway to Burgundy
Perhaps best known for its locally produced mustard, Dijon also makes a wonderfully flavorful crème de cassis, or blackcurrant liqueur, and boasts excellent examples of regional architecture with polychrome roofs made of tiles in terracotta, green, yellow, and black placed in geometric patterns.On the 21st (Tue), take in the architecture and atmosphere at Paroisse Notre-Dame De Dijon, examine the collection at Mulot & Petitjean, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, then get outside with Aqua-City, then steep yourself in history at Halles de Dijon, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Eglise Saint-Michel de Dijon.
To find photos, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Dijon trip itinerary maker site.
Drive from Lyon to Dijon in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. September in Dijon sees daily highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Tue) so you can take a train to Strasbourg.
Things to do in Dijon
Find places to stay Sep 20 — 21:
Highlights from your trip
Strasbourg
— 1 night
©
Crossroads of Europe
Strasbourg is famous for its beautiful historical center, the Grande Île, which was the first city center classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.On the 22nd (Wed), wander the streets of La Petite France, take in the spiritual surroundings of Eglise Saint-Paul, see the interesting displays at Pixel Museum, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise Saints-Pierre-et-Paul de Rosheim, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise Saints Pierre et Paul, and finally stop by La Petite Manufacture des Reves.
For more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Strasbourg trip planner.
Getting from Dijon to Strasbourg by train takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In September, daily temperatures in Strasbourg can reach 25°C, while at night they dip to 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed) to allow time to travel to Orleans.
Things to do in Strasbourg
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 21 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
Orleans
— 2 nights
©
Orléans is a city in north-central France, about 111km southwest of Paris. Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Thu): pause for some serene contemplation at La Collegiale Saint-Liphard, pause for some serene contemplation at Basilique Notre-Dame de Cléry-Saint-André, see the interesting displays at Musee Campanaire Bollee, then grab your bike and head to Loire a Velo Cycle Path, and finally steep yourself in history at Hotel Groslot.
To find photos, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Orleans online trip itinerary builder.
You can take a train from Strasbourg to Orleans in 5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive; or do a combination of train, flight, and bus. In September, daytime highs in Orleans are 25°C, while nighttime lows are 12°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Fri) so you can go by car to Paris.
To find photos, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Orleans online trip itinerary builder.
You can take a train from Strasbourg to Orleans in 5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive; or do a combination of train, flight, and bus. In September, daytime highs in Orleans are 25°C, while nighttime lows are 12°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Fri) so you can go by car to Paris.
Things to do in Orleans
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 22 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
Paris
— 2 nights
©
City of Light
Kick off your visit on the 24th (Fri): visit 1st Arrondissement, pause for some serene contemplation at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, then see the interesting displays at Musee de Montmartre, and finally wander the streets of Le Marais. Here are some ideas for day two: admire the masterpieces at Musee Jacquemart-Andre, admire the masterpieces at Musee Marmottan Monet, and then explore the world behind art at Musee d'Orsay.
To find where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Paris route builder site.
Traveling by car from Orleans to Paris takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) so you can travel back home.
To find where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Paris route builder site.
Traveling by car from Orleans to Paris takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) so you can travel back home.
Things to do in Paris
Find places to stay Sep 24 — 26:
Highlights from your trip
France travel guide
France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for decades, and geographically, it is one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Its cities are holiday hot spots and contain some of the greatest treasures in Europe, its countryside is prosperous and well tended, and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions, like Paris, the French Riviera, the Atlantic beaches, the winter sport resorts of the French Alps, as well as the castles of the Loire Valley, Brittany, and Normandy. The country is renowned for its gastronomy, particularly wines and cheeses, as well as its history, culture, and fashion industry.
You'll find that the French people are very polite and may react coldly to you if you forget this. You might be surprised as you're greeted by other customers and the proprieter when you walk into a restaurant or a shop. Be sure to take your sightseeing off the beaten path in France. Besides the famous Eiffel Tower and the chic resorts of the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) you'll find many places to visit in the form of museums filled with fine art, crafts, and archaeological relics, wonderful medieval villages and castles, diverse national parks, and local shopping direct from artisans themselves.
Whether you're touring the Christmas Markets or going skiing during winter, viewing the springtime influx of color in Provence, sunbathing on the Mediterranean coast in the summer, or watching the fall foliage against the backdrop of the châteaux in the Loire Valley, you're sure to find just the right place to be. Spring is a time when the tourist attractions are just starting to expand their hours, but it may still be cold in the mountainous regions and the north. Summer is the busiest time in France with the longest hours for many museums and attractions, but it's often when you will experience the most crowds. Winter in France is filled with winter carnivals, Christmas Markets, and of course, skiing. Fall is a time to celebrate the release of Beaujolais nouveau wine in November, as well as experience Nuit Blanche, a day in October when major attractions, museums, galleries, parks, and swimming pools remain open all night.
