Where to travel in France jexptravel: discover 12 top places, the best times to visit, and simple itineraries for your first trip.
The very first moment I started planning a trip to France I went 37 tabs deep into my browser reading Family Sailing Holidays: Complete Travel Guide, with a rogue croissant rolling around my desk, and I still had no idea what else to see. Obviously, Paris. But then what? The Riviera? Provence for the lavender? When I was told Brittany was dreamy, and other folks recommended skipping straight to the Alps.
France is roughly as big as Texas, yet bursting at the seams with variety. That’s great, but choosing a destination from a blank map can quickly become overwhelming.
This is exactly the guide I wish I’d had. If you’ve been busy scrolling through where to travel in France jexptravel above to learn about the best places to visit in France, you’re probably in the right place.A check of the whole paragraph, to see how it flows with the next sentences Over the years I’ve made all the classic rookie mistakes: packing way too much luggage, cramming …and even nearly boarding the wrong train once or twice because I trusted my own “basic” French a little too much.
I’ll tell you where to go, when, and just who it’s perfect for, so you won’t have to wait until you’re completely hooked on flipping through all of my Paris Travel Tips.
Quick Picks: Where to Go in France, Whichever Way You Travel
Got to shed some lbs? Start here.
Just think of the previous list as a quick guide of where to go in France jexptravel.
| If you are… | Ethnomedia.org 4. Example 4.1. You should note that: Becomes to… | |
| Time sensitive Confirmation of eligibility, Age, health and safety. | Paris + the Loire Valley | April-June, September |
| Afoodyandwiney | Lyon, Bordeaux, Burgundy | September-October |
| A beach bum | French Riviera, Brittany coast | June-September |
| After lavender and village life | Provence | Late June-July (lavender), May, September |
| History essay greek history A history buff | Normandy | May-September |
| Outdoors person. | Chamonix and the French Alps | June-September (hiking) December-March (skiing) |
| Paramour. | Alsace, the Dordogne | Spring / Christmas›season |
| BUDGET CONSTRAINTS | Brittany, Occitanie, Lyon | Transition periods |
Now, let’s get to each.
1. Paris: Yes, It Lives Up to the Hype (Mostly)
I nearly gave Paris a miss on my first trip, since everyone warned me it was busy, pricey, and full of rude waiters.I was convinced I was too grungy for it.
And suddenly I was on a bridge over the Seine in Paris at 7am, the city’s tour groups had not yet awoken, holding a warm pain au chocolat ‘and I got it’. And Paris is like a hit song you’ve heard a million times, you feel like you’re over and done with it until you hear it singing live.
Why stay: Art, architecture, café-dwelling, and streets you can explore on foot. Only a handful of cities let you wander as freely as the French capital.
Best for: First-time visitors, cinephiles and journalists.
Top things to do:
- 17. Check out the museums. Head to the Louvre or, if you hate crowds, the Musée d’Orsay.
- Explore Wandering through Montmartre and Le Marais Without a Map
- 17. Visit the Palace of Versailles on a day-trip
Time for response: 3 to 5 days.
Here’s what I recommend: Make sure you prearrange ”can’t-miss” sights of course, pack plenty of time in to the City of Lights and don’t skimp around town with a “must-see” city view one site a day is adequate; the remaining three or four sites can all be taken at a relaxed pace.
2. The Loire Valley: Where the Castles Live
Picture the Loire Valley as the fairy-tale aisle of a department store. Traversed by more than 1,000 chateaux, to visit just a few of them is like flipping through a picture story book.
Earlier, I rented a bike and droned across the vineyards. Was I undertrained? Sure, was I sorry? Not for a moment, in fact, especially with a glass of Chenin Blanc on the porch.
Why visit: Grand chateaux such asChambordand Chenonceau, miles of countryside and fabulous wine.
Ideal for: Beginners seeking a quiet retreat outside of Paris, families, and couples.
Durée (2-3 journées) Time duration (2-3 days)
My tip – stay in Tours or Amboise It’s only a short train ride to day-trips to Paris from either city, (1 – 2 hours journey).
3. Provence: Lavender, Markets, and Slow Mornings
I learned it in Provence. Travelling in a one-horse town market, rushing to sell cheese and olives one morning, the small-town cheese vendor smiled as he looked me up and down, shook his head and made me taste out the cheese before I got to spend a penny.
Lesson learnt. Charm includes the pace of Proven!‐‐ces.
Why go: Sun-kissed villages, markets, rosé and lavender for the summer holiday.
Who It’S Made For: Couples, photographers, and anybody in need of a little bit of fresh air.
Top things to do:
- Meander for hilltop, Provençal villages such as, and Bormes-Les-Mimosas.
- Visit Aix-en-Provence and Avignon
- Schedule your visit when lavender is in bloom (generally from late June to July, although check with each farm as bloom times vary each year and at different elevations).
Contact time 4-6 days.
My tip: You’ll definitely want a car in Provence. There’s not much public transport between villages and the best places are the ones you find by accident.”’
4. The French Riviera (Côte d‘Azur): Glamour With a Side of Pebbles
Here‘s what nobody told me prior to my first visit to the Riviera: a lot of the beaches aren’t sandy, but are actually just a bed of pebbles. I showed up equipped with a cute little beach towel and quickly found out that the coolest accessories were a good pair of water shoes and a thick mat.
The views are incredible, and the water is such a vivid blue that it looks photoshopped, but it’s completely real to learn is actually real, and the drive along the coast from Nice to Menton is one of the best I’ve ever done.
Reason to visit: The waterfront boulevards, historic old towns, art galleries and city scenes.
Best for: Beach babes, social butterflies and people watchers – travellers in search of some atmosphere.
Top things to do:
- Stroll through the old town and the Promenade des Anglais of Nice.
- Visit the town of Èze, perched on a hilltop.
- Treat yourself to a day trip to Antibes or Cannes
Time frame: 3 to 5 days.
My tip: July and August are both expensive and busy months. I would go later in May, June or September for warm water and less crowds.
5. Normandy: History That Hits You in the Chest
I’m not exactly a “history trip” person. One more museum day would be easily sacrificed if I could get an extra hour of coffee time. Yet on a trip to Omaha Beach in Normandy, staring across the channel at the spot where one thousand soldiers made landfall in 1944, I started to reconsider.
Quiet and humbling, it’s one of the most meaningful places I’ve ever been.
Why stay: D-Day beaches, American cemeteries, Bayeux and the world-famous tapestry, 9th-century cliff-top monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel on the Normandy border.
This is a Quality Control caption. Best for: History enthusiasts, families with teenagers and road-trippers.
Duration:3 – 4 Days.
My suggestion: Do not cram into 1 month. The attractions are spread out, and additionally they need a certain slackening rate. Regulate the regional cider and Camembert at the same time, given that you’re within the source country.
6. Alsace: The Place That Looks Like a Gingerbread Village
Alsace, like Colmar, appears as if a giant has completely made a village out of colorful candy and fairytale houses with a half-timbered design. As I gazed at the canal systems and streets packed with flowers, I wondered if I’d somehow stumbled into a movie set.
There is for sure Alsace culture with the food (Hello, choucroute and tarte flambée!), culture and the wines, especially the white wines (they are kind of all crunchy and zingy).
Highlights: Fairy-tale villages, the Alsace Wine Route and some of Europe’s best Christmas markets.
Great for: Couples, wine lovers, and travelers in the holidays.
Timeframe: 3 to 4 days.
My tip: Stay in the Colmar or Strasbourg areas. If you want to visit during the Christmas markets in November/December, book a hotel as far in advance as possible – they’re in high demand!
7. Lyon: The Food Capital Nobody Brags About Enough
London is the glamorous star, while Paris is the artistic friend whose illicit cuisine is the best meal you‘ve ever had.
Lyon is the gastronomy capital of France. I enjoyed a bouchon (authentic lyonnais bistro), and the menu was a rush-rush-fast-speed French, and it was all- all-A#%+, and..errr.. big! I pointed at my plate. It was delicious. I didn’t ask what I ate until after I ate it.
Why go: Eat (the food, the food, and the food!) eat, eat! And also enjoy the easy going old-town feel and romantic old city.
Best for: Those wanting a bigger city away from the Paris crowds and foodies.
Duration: 2 to 3 days.
My tip: Three hours from Paris by high speed train, scoring is a cinch in Lyon.
8. Bordeaux: Wine Country That‘s Actually Approachable
Wine regions can be intimidating. You show up worried everyone is a PhD in tannins. But Bordeaux, the city and the countryside, will welcome you.
The city has a sweet charm, from the honey-stone buildings to the pretty waterfront. For a beginner, you definitely couldn’t go wrong visiting La Cité du Vin.
Reasons to visit: Famous wines, stunning city, and treasures in the vicinity; Saint-Emilion.
Most suitable for: people who love wine / romantic travelers and those looking for a vacation in the city and countryside.
Time: 3 – 4 days.
My tip: I did the day trip to Saint-Émilion and you should book your tastings in advance as you need a reservation.
9. Burgundy: For People Who Take Their Wine (and Mustard) Seriously
Serene and rural compared to the areas I’ve mentioned, and that is exactly why I adore it. … and forests, olive groves, mountain passes, the vineyards sprawled for centuries across the landscape and the tiny family-run winery villages with familiar names on labels.
What you’ll see: All of Burgundy including Chablis and the fabulous city of Beaune, as well as all of the medieval towns and villages and the lovely countryside. Why visit: 99%, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.
Best for: Leisurely travellers and wine lovers.
Duration: 2-4 days.
Tip: Biking between the villages is very easy and popular. September/early October is harvest season and a good fun time.
10. The Dordogne: Castles, Caves, and Countryside
If someone pressed a gun to my head and said: ‘Say what you think is Britain’s most underrated place’, I’d have to say the Dordogne. With honey-coloured villages perched above the waters, castles on every turn
Mix it with the local delicacies of truffles, duck and walnuts and you will have a very fulfilling journey.
Visiting: Medieval town, Sarlat, along the riverbanks and a great history with caves to prehistoric times, medieval castles.
Ideal for: Road trip enthusiasts, parents, and couples.
Time frame: 4 – 5 days.
My advice:rent a car and head out for the day. Duration : another nice and playful activity is to admire the scenery while paddling on the Dordogne River.
11. Brittany: Rugged Coastlines and Salted Caramel
Brittany is different from the other regions of France, and in some ways it is. It is where you will find a Celtic culture, a less developed coastline and distinct cuisine.
Here’s an easy contrast: if the Riviera is the almost-perfect Instagram selfie where every hair is styled just so, then Brittany’s the less polished, maybe less flattering but honestly much more fun and familiar shot.
Must-see: Incredible coastlines, sweet little fishing villages, less expensive than further south.
Best for: Inexpensive travel Nature lovers and families.
Length of program: 4-6 days.
My advice: Bring layers and a rain jacket, even in the summer. The weather can change quickly and, to be honest, that’s all part of the charm.
12. Chamonix and the French Alps: Big Mountains, Bigger Views
Although you may not spend all day hanging off the edge, there are still reasons to visit the Alps. Chamonix was at the foot of Mont Blanc – western Europe’s highest mountain – and the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi was where I became entirely devoid of sensation in the knees; in the most brilliant way!
What to do: Amazing wonders of alpine nature year-round with fantastic ski outings in winter and exceptional excursions in the summer.
Best for: Nature Lover, Family Adventure and Thrill Seeker.
The procedure requires • Time period for procedure: 3-5 days.
My bit of advice: Always monitor the weather and the cable cars before going up. Visibility is very inconsistent and totally pointless to wait 2.5 hours in the wind and heavy snow if you can’t see anything.
How to Plan Your France Trip Without Losing Your Mind
Now that everything is laid out in your mind map in front of you, here are the steps to create it all together.
There’s the practical part of how far you travel in France.
Getting Around
Getting around the rail service in France is fantastic. The high-speed TGV trains deliver you swiftly to the heart of Europe. There is an hour reduction in the 363-kilometre trip from Paris to Lyon by train – compared with the two hour drive – and rail fares are exceptionally good value. Driving in the villages and countryside of France is a must, especially in Provence, the Dordogne and Burgundy.
Basically: Trains are the highway between large places, and the car gets you into (something-in-between).
Best Time to Visit
- Spring (April-June): Nice and cool, charming gardens, not too crowded. This one I love.
- Summer July-August: Beaches and mountain resorts are lovely, though busy and costly. Caution: Many Parisians leave the capital in August.
- Fall (September-October): The end of wake of the Oktoberfest era, with lesser numbers of people. This is when the golden autumnal sun shines bright for a few more days.
- Winter (Nov-Mar): Christmas markets, snow sports and warm atmospheres. Some countryside activities may be closed.
Sample Itineraries
- 7 days, traditional first itinerary: Paris (4 days) →Loire valley (2 days) → Paris again.
- 10 days, cuisine et vin: Paris (3)→Lyon (3)→Bourgogne (2)→Bordeaux (2)
- 10 days, sun, and the scenery Chemin: Nice (4 days) → Provence (4 days) → Lyon (2 days)
- 2 weeks, the highlights: Paris → Normandy → Loire Valley → Bordeaux/Dordogne → Provence → Riviera
Budget Basics
10th January 2017 France is an expensive and cheap country – it all depends who you are travelling with.. Paris and the Riviera are very expensive on the whole but places such as Brittany, Occitanie and Lyon are generally better value. Restaurant restaurants have set menus or formulas and the value for money with a fixed price lunch is usually much better value than an evening meal.
A Few Small Things That Make a Big Difference
- 5. Throw in some French words When you go into a shop, a “Bonjour” goes a long way – I’ m not joking! It really does make a difference.
- Avoid lack of space. Leave a little room. Some of my most famous experiences were in spontaneous coffee shops.
- Check opening times. Many small shops and cafes close in the middle of the day or in the afternoons or even on certain days.
- Pre-reserve popular tours. Modern advances are designed for those who expect to be busy in ATMs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling in France
Where in France is the most beautiful? That depends on who you ask but most would say Provence, the Loire Valley, Alsace, the Riviera and if you live in the mountains then Chamonix.
How many days are sufficient in France? For the first time, 7-10 days is sufficient to explore Paris and 1 or 2 more areas without rushing too hard. 2 weeks is more relaxed.
What is it like to travel in France? It is expensive, particularly in the capital and the Riviera, but you can stretch your budget by traveling to a less-visited part of the country using country trains and by traveling in the low season.
What is the ideal region for a first visit? Paris and the Loire valley – a reliable and timeless first itinerary.
Is French language knowledge needed? No, but it would be better to know some words, and a lot of tourist areas have some knowledge of English.
When is the best time of year to visit France? Late spring and early fall tends to have the most favorable weather, crowds, and prices.
If you’re after the most effortless ways to travel in France jexptravel, just pick two or three regions that have something you like and you’re set to have an amazing trip (I’m thinking Paris and the Loire Valley for your first trip) and how long a trip you’d like to spend in each of those.
My Final Take
In conclusion, if you’ve managed to get this far, here’s what I was trying to tell you: “how to travel in France” is a complete waste of bandwidth on the internet; There are practically only good reasons to visit these different states of one incredibly splendid nation, whether or not that geographically involves visiting dozens of France’s uncooperative varities. And that’s what constitutes the “where and how to travel in france” jexptravel.
But my initial trip was a rush-rush-rush affair of too many plans and not enough sleep. Since then I have made some more leisurely, laid-back and enormously more pleasurable trips because I have stopped racing from one place to another and started to enjoy the country I was visiting. Decide on two or three areas that can work to your rhythm, and make sure you have some leisure time to relax, and an eye to possibly coming back. And a word to the wise with France there will always be another trip.
Now scroll down by just a few inches, treat yourself to a coffee (or croissant!) in front of you, and trace your route. I can‘t wait to see where you‘re headed! Comment below, and keep up by subscribing! Love the tip we haven‘t covered here? More itineraries coming in the next couple of months!
Top 2 Trusted Resources for Planning Your France Trip
Confirm the details (opening hours, train times, closures for the season etc) using these reliable sources to cross-reference before you go!
- French Tourism Website : France.fr is managed by Atout France, the France Tourism Development Agency. Learn about the country’s most famous monument, popular local resorts and the country’s best kept secrets.
- SNCF Connect : SNCF is the French national train booking service. The official website for timetable and booking TGV and regional train tickets for all the city-to-city routes listed in this guide.
