Complete 14-day France itinerary (day-by-day plan)
Full written version of the 14-day France itinerary, including the main stops, transfers, meals, and highlights for each day.
Day 1: Paris (arrival and Seine introduction)
Arrival in Paris in the early afternoon, settling into the accommodation and enjoying an introductory stroll along the Seine followed by dinner near the Eiffel Tower.
- 14:30 — Check-in in central Paris accommodation
- 16:00 — Stroll along the Seine River
- 19:30 — Dinner at Le Bistro Parisien
Transport: Local metro and walking in Paris. No intercity travel.
Day 2: Paris (Louvre, Tuileries, and Orsay)
Full day exploring central Paris landmarks including museums, gardens, and French dining.
- 09:00 — Visit Louvre Museum
- 13:00 — Lunch at Café Marly near the Louvre
- 15:30 — Walk through Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde
- 17:00 — Visit Musée d'Orsay
- 20:00 — Dinner at Le Petit Cler
Transport: Using Paris metro and walking for city exploration. No intercity travel.
Day 3: Versailles day trip from Paris
Day trip to Versailles to visit the palace and gardens followed by an evening back in Paris.
- 08:30 — Paris → Versailles
- 10:00 — Visit Palace of Versailles
- 13:00 — Lunch at La Petite Venise
- 15:00 — Walk in Versailles Gardens and Grand Trianon
- 17:30 — Versailles → Paris
- 20:00 — Dinner at Le Procope
Transport: RER train Paris ⇄ Versailles, local metro and walking in Paris.
Day 4: Paris to Lyon
Travel to Lyon by train and explore the historic old town, ending the day with local gastronomy.
- 08:30 — Paris → Lyon
- 11:00 — Check-in in central Lyon accommodation
- 12:30 — Lunch at Café des Fédérations
- 14:00 — Visit Vieux Lyon and Saint-Jean Cathedral
- 16:30 — Walk up to Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
- 20:00 — Dinner at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
Transport: TGV train Paris → Lyon, local metro, funicular, and walking in Lyon.
Day 5: Lyon (museums, riverbanks, and Croix-Rousse)
Full day exploring Lyon’s museums, river walks, and historic districts, with dinner in Croix-Rousse.
- 09:30 — Visit Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
- 12:30 — Lunch at Le Café Comptoir Abel
- 14:30 — Walk along the Rhône riverbanks and Parc de la Tête d'Or
- 18:00 — Visit Croix-Rousse district
- 20:00 — Dinner at Le Bistrot du Potager
Transport: Walking and local metro within Lyon. No intercity travel.
Day 6: Annecy day trip from Lyon
Day trip by rental car to Annecy to enjoy the lake, old town, and Alpine scenery, then drive back to Lyon for overnight.
- 07:30 — Pick up rental car in Lyon city center
- 09:30 — Drive Lyon → Annecy
- 11:30 — Walk through Annecy Old Town
- 13:00 — Lunch at Le Freti
- 14:30 — Walk along Lake Annecy and Jardins de l'Europe
- 16:00 — Visit Château d'Annecy
- 17:30 — Drive Annecy → Lyon
- 19:30 — Drop off rental car
- 20:30 — Dinner at Les Adrets
Transport: Rental car roundtrip Lyon ⇄ Annecy, local walking in Annecy and Lyon.
Day 7: Lyon to Avignon
Transfer from Lyon to Avignon by train; afternoon exploring the Palace of the Popes and evening outdoor dining.
- 08:30 — Lyon → Avignon
- 10:30 — Check-in in Avignon accommodation
- 12:30 — Lunch at La Fourchette
- 14:00 — Visit Palais des Papes
- 16:30 — Walk along Avignon ramparts and Pont Saint-Bénézet
- 20:00 — Dinner at La Table d'Uzès
Transport: TGV train Lyon → Avignon, walking in Avignon.
Day 8: Avignon (markets, museum, and riverside)
Leisurely day discovering Avignon’s markets, museums, and local artistic atmosphere.
- 09:30 — Visit Avignon Market at Les Halles
- 12:30 — Lunch at Le Caveau du Théâtre
- 14:00 — Visit Musée Calvet
- 16:30 — Walk along the Rhône river promenade
- 20:00 — Dinner at L'Agape
Transport: Walking only in Avignon. No intercity travel.
Day 9: Arles day trip from Avignon
Day trip to Arles to explore Roman ruins and Van Gogh-related sites before returning to Avignon.
- 08:30 — Avignon → Arles
- 09:15 — Visit Arles Amphitheatre
- 11:00 — Walk to the Van Gogh Foundation and Place du Forum
- 13:00 — Lunch at Le Café Van Gogh
- 14:30 — Visit the Roman Baths and Church of St. Trophime
- 16:30 — Arles → Avignon
- 19:30 — Dinner at L'Épicerie
Transport: Regional train Avignon ⇄ Arles, walking in Arles and Avignon.
Day 10: Avignon to Nice
Travel by train to Nice on the French Riviera with an afternoon visit to the old town and seafront promenade.
- 08:30 — Avignon → Nice
- 12:30 — Check-in accommodation near Nice Old Town
- 13:30 — Lunch at La Rossettisserie
- 15:00 — Explore Nice Old Town (Vieux Nice)
- 17:30 — Walk along Promenade des Anglais
- 20:00 — Dinner at Acchiardo
Transport: Train Avignon → Nice, walking within Nice city centre.
Day 11: Nice (museums, beach, and viewpoints)
Full day enjoying Nice with museums, beach time, and a traditional Niçoise dinner.
- 09:30 — Visit Musée Matisse
- 12:30 — Lunch at Le Safari
- 14:30 — Relax at Blue Beach Nice
- 17:00 — Visit Castle Hill Park
- 20:00 — Dinner at La Merenda
Transport: Local buses, walking, and beach access in Nice. No intercity travel.
Day 12: Cannes day trip from Nice
Day trip to Cannes by train to enjoy La Croisette, local markets, and the beach before returning to Nice.
- 09:00 — Nice → Cannes
- 09:30 — Explore La Croisette boulevard
- 11:00 — Visit Marché Forville
- 13:00 — Lunch at Astoux et Brun
- 14:30 — Relax at Plage de la Croisette
- 17:00 — Cannes → Nice
- 20:00 — Dinner at La Table Alziari
Transport: Regional train Nice ⇄ Cannes, walking in Cannes and Nice.
Day 13: Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer
Last full day in Nice with a museum visit, a short excursion to Villefranche-sur-Mer, shopping, and a farewell dinner.
- 09:30 — Visit National Marc Chagall Museum
- 12:30 — Lunch at Chez Palmyre
- 14:30 — Excursion to Villefranche-sur-Mer
- 17:00 — Return to Nice and walk along Rue Masséna
- 20:00 — Farewell dinner at Le Séjour Café
Transport: Local train Nice ⇄ Villefranche-sur-Mer, walking in Nice.
Day 14: Nice departure day
Relaxed final morning with a light brunch and last stroll before transfer to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport for departure.
- 09:30 — Leisurely morning stroll in Promenade du Paillon park
- 11:00 — Brunch at Emilie's Cookies Cafe
- 12:30 — Transfer to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport
Transport: Local tram or bus transfer to Nice Airport with walking in Nice city center.