📍 France

FRANCE'S GREATEST CITIES: ART, STONE AND ELEGANCE

Gothic spires piercing northern skies, Riviera light bathing facades, Renaissance squares still alive with their past. Twenty cities, one journey.

≈ 25
Days
2536
Km
20
Stops
📖 11 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Journey through artistic France from Paris to the Mediterranean. Discover Rouen and its Gothic spires, wander through Strasbourg and its half-timbering, then explore Lyon and its Renaissance squares before reaching Nice and the Riviera where history meets the light.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Paris

marble monuments timeless grandeur

Paris - Photo 1Paris - Photo 2Paris - Photo 3Paris - Photo 4Paris - Photo 5Paris - Photo 6Paris - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Montmartre District
2
Marais District
3
Tuileries Gardens
4
Notre-Dame Cathedral of Rouen
+3 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Seine
→
Cultural evening: theater, opera or concert in Paris
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 145.7 km
Travel time: 2h26
2
Day

Rouen

gothic spires medieval stone

Rouen - Photo 1Rouen - Photo 2Rouen - Photo 3Rouen - Photo 4Rouen - Photo 5Rouen - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Old Stock Exchange of Lille
2
Palace of Fine Arts of Lille
3
Notre-Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg
4
Petite France District
🎯

Activities

→
Stroll through the cobblestone squares and markets of Rouen
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 249.9 km
Travel time: 3h07
3
Day

Lille

old flanders flemish heritage

Lille - Photo 1Lille - Photo 2Lille - Photo 3Lille - Photo 4Lille - Photo 5Lille - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
European Parliament building (exterior view)
2
Little Venice District in Colmar
3
Saint-Martin Collegiate Church of Colmar
🎯

Activities

→
Wandering through the lively neighborhoods of Lille
4
Day

Strasbourg

half-timbered grace alsatian soul

Strasbourg - Photo 1Strasbourg - Photo 2Strasbourg - Photo 3Strasbourg - Photo 4Strasbourg - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Unterlinden Museum
2
Place Stanislas in Nancy
3
Ducal Palace of Nancy
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of traditional breweries and markets of Strasbourg
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 80.8 km
Travel time: 1h21
5
Day

Colmar

canal-side cottages wine-dark charm

Colmar - Photo 1Colmar - Photo 2Colmar - Photo 3Colmar - Photo 4Colmar - Photo 5Colmar - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Historic district of Nancy's old town
2
Palace of the Dukes and States of Burgundy
3
Museum of Fine Arts of Dijon
🎯

Activities

→
Walk through the historic center and discovery of the Alsace wine route
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 143.3 km
Travel time: 2h23
6
Day

Nancy

art nouveau elegance gate gold

Nancy - Photo 1Nancy - Photo 2Nancy - Photo 3Nancy - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Historic quarter of the old town of Dijon
2
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
3
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral and Old Lyon
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of museums and art galleries of Nancy
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 226.8 km
Travel time: 2h50
7
Day

Dijon

ducal palaces burgundy pride

Dijon - Photo 1Dijon - Photo 2Dijon - Photo 3Dijon - Photo 4Dijon - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Traboules of Old Lyon
2
Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse
3
Old town of Annecy and its canals
🎯

Activities

→
Les Halles market and discovery of Burgundian specialties
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 226.1 km
Travel time: 2h50
8
Day

Lyon

renaissance plazas confluence majesty

Lyon - Photo 1Lyon - Photo 2Lyon - Photo 3Lyon - Photo 4Lyon - Photo 5Lyon - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Annecy Castle and Castle Museum
2
Lake Annecy and promenade des Amours
3
Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence
4
Saint-Sauveur Cathedral in Aix-en-Provence
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the banks of the Rhône and Saône
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 131.8 km
Travel time: 2h12
9
Day

Annecy

alpine lake medieval old town

Annecy - Photo 1Annecy - Photo 2Annecy - Photo 3Annecy - Photo 4Annecy - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Old Aix district and private mansions
2
Rotonde Fountain
3
Old Port of Marseille
🎯

Activities

→
Outdoor activities around the lake: hiking, cycling or kayaking
10
Day

Aix En Provence

fountains rococo pastel elegance

Aix En Provence - Photo 1Aix En Provence - Photo 2Aix En Provence - Photo 3Aix En Provence - Photo 4Aix En Provence - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Panier District
2
Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (MuCEM)
3
Promenade des Anglais in Nice
4
Old Town of Nice
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of markets and artistic atmosphere of Aix-en-Provence
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 34.7 km
Travel time: 1h09
11
Day

Marseille

sunlit harbor provencal passion

Marseille - Photo 1Marseille - Photo 2Marseille - Photo 3Marseille - Photo 4Marseille - Photo 5Marseille - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Castle Hill and view over the Baie des Anges
2
Matisse Museum or Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
3
Palais des Papes in Avignon
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Marseille coastline and discovery of urban life
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 207.5 km
Travel time: 2h36
12
Day

Nice

riviera glitter mediterranean dreams

Nice - Photo 1Nice - Photo 2Nice - Photo 3Nice - Photo 4Nice - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon)
2
Old town of Avignon and medieval ramparts
3
Fortified medieval city of Carcassonne
4
Ramparts of Carcassonne
🎯

Activities

→
Swimming or water activities on the Côte d'Azur
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 259.3 km
Travel time: 3h14
13
Day

Avignon

papal fortress ramparts power

Avignon - Photo 1Avignon - Photo 2Avignon - Photo 3Avignon - Photo 4Avignon - Photo 5Avignon - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Comtal Castle of Carcassonne
2
Lower old town of Carcassonne
3
Place du Capitole in Toulouse
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of lively squares and, in season, atmosphere of the Avignon Festival
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 278.1 km
Travel time: 3h29
14
Day

Carcassonne

ramparts citadel fortress silhouette

Carcassonne - Photo 1Carcassonne - Photo 2Carcassonne - Photo 3Carcassonne - Photo 4Carcassonne - Photo 5Carcassonne - Photo 6Carcassonne - Photo 7Carcassonne - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Basilica of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse
2
Museum of the Augustins or other museums in Toulouse
3
Garonne Quays in Toulouse
4
Grande Plage of Biarritz
🎯

Activities

→
Medieval shows and entertainment in Carcassonne
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 110.8 km
Travel time: 1h51
15
Day

Toulouse

pink brick lauragais culture

Toulouse - Photo 1Toulouse - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Rock of the Virgin
2
Biarritz Lighthouse
3
Basque Coast
4
Milady Beach
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in the parks and gardens (Botanical Garden, Japanese garden)
16
Day

Biarritz

atlantic beaches belle epoque resort

Biarritz - Photo 1Biarritz - Photo 2Biarritz - Photo 3Biarritz - Photo 4Biarritz - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux
2
Grand Theatre of Bordeaux
3
Saint-André Cathedral of Bordeaux
4
Pey-Berland Tower
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Surfing session on Biarritz spots
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 220.6 km
Travel time: 2h45
17
Day

Bordeaux

wine capital grape-dark grandeur

Bordeaux - Photo 1Bordeaux - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 17
🔍

Discover

1
Banks of the Erdre
2
Île de Nantes district (contemporary architecture and urban art)
3
Saint-Gatien Cathedral of Tours
4
Museum of Fine Arts of Tours
🎯

Activities

→
Stroll along the Garonne quays
→
Excursion to the vineyards (Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Pessac-Léognan)
18
Day

Nantes

loire merchant city castle

Nantes - Photo 1Nantes - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 18
🔍

Discover

1
Historic center of Tours and Loire riverbanks
2
Saint-Malo ramparts and view of the Emerald Coast
3
Old town within the walls of Saint-Malo
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of green spaces and Nantes cultural activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 220.9 km
Travel time: 2h46
19
Day

Tours

renaissance gateway loire valley

Tours - Photo 1Tours - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 19
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Malo Castle and Museum of History of the City and Malouin Region
2
Sillon Beach
3
Historic center of Tours and Loire riverbanks
🎯

Activities

→
Parks and gardens of Tours (botanical garden, Prébendes d'Oé garden)
→
Loire wine tasting in Touraine cellars
20
Day

Saint Malo

corsair ramparts brittany fortress

Saint Malo - Photo 1Saint Malo - Photo 2Saint Malo - Photo 3Saint Malo - Photo 4Saint Malo - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 20
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Malo ramparts and view of the Emerald Coast
2
Old town within the walls of Saint-Malo
3
Saint-Malo Castle and Museum of History of the City and Malouin Region
4
Sillon Beach
🎯

Activities

→
Tide watching and coastal walk in Saint-Malo

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

DISCOVERY OF THE GREAT PARISIAN MUSEUMS

📅 21 days 🛣️ ? Km

CAPITAL OF LIGHT

📅 10 days 🛣️ 51 Km

OCCULT PARIS AND HAUNTED CASTLES OF ÎLE-DE-FRANCE

📅 3 days 🛣️ 69 Km

🛡️ Travel advice - France

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 20 and 30 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.