Sample itinerary

France 10-Day Itinerary

A rich first-time France route combining iconic Paris, a royal Versailles day trip, Lyon’s food culture, Alpine scenery in Annecy, and a Provençal finish with Avignon and Arles.

Duration: 10 days Pace: Balanced Group: Couple Budget: Midrange

Route at a glance

A rich first-time France route combining Paris, Lyon, Annecy, and a Provençal finish in Avignon with an Arles day trip.

  • ParisDays 1–3
  • LyonDays 4–6
  • AnnecyDay trip · Day 6
  • AvignonDays 7–10
  • ArlesDay trip · Day 9
Details

France 10-day itinerary overview

This itinerary combines Paris, a Versailles day trip, Lyon, an Annecy day trip, Avignon, and an Arles day trip. It is designed as a strong 10-day France journey: major icons and museums first, then Lyon’s culinary identity, followed by a scenic and historic Provence finish with papal heritage, Roman ruins, and southern atmosphere.

Route at a glance

  • Paris (Days 1–3) + Versailles day trip
  • Lyon (Days 4–6) + Annecy day trip
  • Avignon (Days 7–10) + Arles day trip

Day-by-day highlights

  1. Day 1 (Paris): Arrival, Seine stroll, Île de la Cité, classic French dinner
  2. Day 2 (Paris): Louvre, Café Marly, Montmartre, cozy bistro dinner
  3. Day 3 (Versailles - Day trip): Palace, gardens, market area, return to Paris
  4. Day 4 (Lyon): TGV to Lyon, Les Halles, Vieux Lyon, traditional bouchon dinner
  5. Day 5 (Lyon): Fourvière, park, fine arts museum, classic bistro evening
  6. Day 6 (Annecy - Day trip): Old Town, Savoyard lunch, lake walk and boat ride
  7. Day 7 (Avignon): Train south, Palace of the Popes, famous bridge, Provençal dinner
  8. Day 8 (Avignon): Contemporary art, Rocher des Doms, markets and elegant dining
  9. Day 9 (Arles - Day trip): Roman amphitheatre, Van Gogh sites, Camargue atmosphere
  10. Day 10 (Avignon departure): Brunch, final stroll, transfer to Avignon TGV

Day-by-day plan

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Complete 10-day France itinerary (day-by-day plan)

Full written version of the 10-day France itinerary, including the main stops, transfers, meals, and highlights for each day.

Day 1: Paris (arrival, Seine, and Île de la Cité)

Arrive in Paris early afternoon, settle into accommodation, and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Seine before dinner.

  • 14:00 — Arrival and check-in in central Paris
  • 15:30 — Walk along the Seine River
  • 18:00 — Visit Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame Cathedral exterior
  • 20:00 — Dinner at Le Petit Pont

Transport: Local metro, walking around central Paris.

Day 2: Paris (Louvre and Montmartre)

Explore Paris museums and landmarks, including the Louvre and Montmartre, with local meals in charming neighborhoods.

  • 09:00 — Visit the Louvre Museum
  • 13:00 — Lunch at Café Marly
  • 15:00 — Walk and visit Montmartre neighborhood
  • 19:30 — Dinner at Le Relais Gascon

Transport: Walking and metro in Paris.

Day 3: Versailles day trip from Paris

Day trip to Versailles to explore the palace and gardens, returning to Paris for dinner.

  • 08:30 — Paris → Versailles
  • 09:15 — Visit Palace of Versailles
  • 13:00 — Lunch at La Petite Venise
  • 15:30 — Explore Versailles Market and town center
  • 17:00 — Versailles → Paris
  • 20:00 — Dinner at Le Procope

Transport: RER train Paris ↔ Versailles, walking in Versailles and Paris.

Day 4: Paris to Lyon

Travel from Paris to Lyon by train, afternoon city walk and dinner in the historic district.

  • 09:00 — Check-out and transfer Paris → Lyon
  • 11:30 — Accommodation check-in in Lyon city center
  • 13:00 — Lunch at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
  • 15:00 — Walk in Vieux Lyon (Old Town)
  • 20:00 — Dinner at Bouchon Les Lyonnais

Transport: TGV Paris → Lyon, walking in Lyon city center.

Day 5: Lyon (Fourvière, park, and museum)

Discover cultural sites and parks of Lyon with a leisurely pace and enjoy dinner in a charming neighborhood.

  • 09:30 — Visit Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
  • 12:30 — Lunch at Le Bouchon des Filles
  • 14:30 — Walk in Parc de la Tête d'Or
  • 18:00 — Visit Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
  • 20:30 — Dinner at Le Café du Peintre

Transport: Walking and metro in Lyon.

Day 6: Annecy day trip from Lyon

Day trip to picturesque Annecy by rental car with lakeside sightseeing and return to Lyon for the night.

  • 08:00 — Pick up rental car in Lyon city center
  • 10:00 — Arrival and walk in Annecy Old Town
  • 12:30 — Lunch at Le Freti
  • 14:00 — Walk and boat ride on Lake Annecy
  • 16:30 — Drive Annecy → Lyon
  • 18:30 — Drop off rental car in Lyon city center
  • 20:00 — Dinner at Le Poêlon d'Or

Transport: Rental car Lyon → Annecy round trip, local walking in Annecy and Lyon.

Day 7: Lyon to Avignon

Travel from Lyon to Avignon by train; afternoon explore the Papal Palace and local sites.

  • 09:30 — Check-out and transfer Lyon → Avignon
  • 11:00 — Accommodation check-in in Avignon city center
  • 12:30 — Lunch at La Fourchette
  • 14:00 — Visit Palais des Papes (Papal Palace)
  • 17:00 — Walk on Pont Saint-Bénézet (Avignon Bridge)
  • 20:00 — Dinner at La Table d’Uzès

Transport: TGV Lyon → Avignon, walking in Avignon.

Day 8: Avignon (markets, park, and museum)

Full day discovering Avignon’s cultural gems, including museums, markets, and a relaxed evening.

  • 09:30 — Visit Collection Lambert Museum of Contemporary Art
  • 12:30 — Lunch at Les 5 Sens
  • 14:30 — Visit Rocher des Doms Park
  • 16:30 — Explore Avignon’s local market and shopping streets
  • 20:00 — Dinner at La Mirande

Transport: Walking in Avignon.

Day 9: Arles day trip from Avignon

Day trip to Arles exploring Roman and Van Gogh sites, returning to Avignon in the evening.

  • 08:30 — Avignon → Arles
  • 09:15 — Visit Arles Amphitheatre
  • 11:00 — Visit Van Gogh Foundation and scenes
  • 13:00 — Lunch at L’Atelier de Jean-Luc Rabanel
  • 15:00 — Walk in Camargue Natural Regional Park outskirts
  • 17:00 — Arles → Avignon
  • 20:00 — Dinner at L'Épicerie

Transport: Regional trains Avignon ↔ Arles, walking in Arles and Avignon.

Day 10: Avignon departure day

Relaxed final morning in Avignon with light brunch before transfer to the train station for departure.

  • 09:30 — Brunch at Café Ducros
  • 11:00 — Stroll around Place de l’Horloge
  • 12:30 — Transfer Avignon City Center → Avignon TGV Station

Transport: Local walking and taxi in Avignon.

FAQ

Is this itinerary customizable?

Yes—MyTripBlueprint generates editable plans. You can change pace, interests, and transport preferences.

Does the full plan include maps and photos?

Yes—generated plans include an interactive day view with maps, routing, and place photos.

Is 10 days enough for France?

Yes—10 days is enough to combine Paris with other rewarding regions or cities while still keeping the trip comfortable. This itinerary is designed to balance sightseeing with realistic transfer days.

What is the best route for 10 days in France?

A strong 10-day France itinerary often combines Paris with destinations such as Lyon, Provence, Normandy, or the south, depending on priorities. This route is structured to stay efficient and enjoyable.

Can I use this France itinerary as a planning starting point?

Yes—this sample itinerary is meant to be a practical foundation. In MyTripBlueprint, you can generate an editable version and adapt the route, pace, and stops to match your trip.