13 days in France Itinerary
Created using Inspirock France trip itinerary planner
Start: Phoenix
Fly
1
Rouen
— 1 night
Drive
2
Caen
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Versailles
— 1 night
Drive
4
Paris
— 4 nights
Train
5
Bordeaux
— 2 nights
Fly
6
Lyon
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Phoenix
Wed, Feb 2 - Mon, Feb 14
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Rouen — 1 night
©
City of a Hundred Spires
Rouen is situated on the River Seine, about 90 minutes from Paris.Start off your visit on the 3rd (Thu): take a stroll through Rue du Gros-Horloge, then admire the striking features of Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, and then explore the world behind art at Musee des Beaux-Arts de Rouen.
For traveler tips and more tourist information, read Rouen tour itinerary planning app.
Phoenix, USA to Rouen is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Mountain Standard Time (MST) to Central European Standard Time (CET) is 8 hours. When traveling from Phoenix in February, plan for cooler days in Rouen, with highs around 45°F, while nights are slightly colder with lows around 34°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Thu) to allow time to drive to Caen.
Find places to stay Feb 2 — 3:
Highlights from your trip
Caen — 2 nights
©
City of a Hundred Steeples
Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried there, and for the Battle for Caen--heavy fighting that took place in and around Caen during the Battle of Normandy in 1944, destroying much of the city.Kick off your visit on the 4th (Fri): take in the history at Omaha Beach, stroll the grounds of Normandy American Cemetery, and then admire the masterpieces at Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Deauville Beach, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Saint Catherine's Catholic Church, and then don't miss a visit to Vieux Bassin.
For other places to visit, reviews, photos, and tourist information, use the Caen online itinerary planner.
Traveling by car from Rouen to Caen takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 47°F in February, and nighttime lows around 36°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) so you can drive to Versailles.
Side Trips
Honfleur, Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, Omaha Beach, Normandy American Cemetery, Deauville Beach
Find places to stay Feb 3 — 5:
Highlights from your trip
Versailles — 1 night
©
Royal Paradise
Renowned for its vast royal palace and gardens built by King Louis XIV, Versailles is also one of the wealthiest suburbs of Paris and home to a new cultural notability, such as a thriving artistic and musical scene.On the 6th (Sun), admire the landmark architecture of Palace of Versailles.
To see where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Versailles trip planner.
You can drive from Caen to Versailles in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. In February, daytime highs in Versailles are 45°F, while nighttime lows are 34°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Paris.
Find places to stay Feb 5 — 6:
Highlights from your trip
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Paris — 4 nights
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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.For shopping fun, head to Champs-Elysees or Le Marais. Get some historical perspective at Eiffel Tower and Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre. There's lots more to do: admire the masterpieces at Musee d'Orsay, steep yourself in history at Sainte-Chapelle, admire the striking features of Louvre Museum, and see the interesting displays at Musee de l’Orangerie.
For other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Paris trip itinerary tool.
You can drive from Versailles to Paris in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In February, daytime highs in Paris are 46°F, while nighttime lows are 34°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Thu) to allow time to take a train to Bordeaux.
Find places to stay Feb 6 — 10:
Highlights from your trip
Bordeaux — 2 nights
©
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 11th (Fri), do a tasting at Chateau Coutet, step into the grandiose world of Chateau Panet, Vignobles Carles, and then learn about winemaking at Chateau Beaurang. On the 12th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: do a tasting at Chateau Paloumey, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Place de la Bourse, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Andre Cathedral.
For where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Bordeaux sightseeing planning app.
Traveling by train from Paris to Bordeaux takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. While traveling from Paris, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Bordeaux, ranging from highs of 52°F to lows of 37°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Lyon.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Feb 10 — 12:
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.Start off your visit on the 13th (Sun): appreciate the extensive heritage of Colline de Fourviere, then admire the landmark architecture of Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, and then take in the exciting artwork at Les Pin-Up de Marc Curial. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 14th (Mon): walk around Parc de la Tete d'Or.
To see traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Lyon travel route planner.
Traveling by flight from Bordeaux to Lyon takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In February, plan for daily highs up to 48°F, and evening lows to 35°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 14th (Mon) to allow enough time to fly back home.
Find places to stay Feb 12 — 14:
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.
