19 days in South of France & Paris Itinerary

Remote, uneventful, but definitely not a waste of time, Arles is absolutely steeped in Provençal culture.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Le Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau and Notre Dame de la Mer - Église fortifiée. Do some cultural sightseeing at Musee Departemental Arles Antique and Amphitheatre (les Arenes). Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Arles: Saint-Remy-de-Provence (Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole & Site Archeologique de Glanum). The adventure continues: identify plant and animal life at Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue, explore the world behind art at Carrieres des Lumieres, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Abbaye de Montmajour, and contemplate the long history of Eglise St-Trophime.

To find traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Arles trip itinerary app.

New York City, USA to Arles is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from New York City to Arles is 6 hours. In December in Arles, expect temperatures between 51°F during the day and 39°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Carcassonne.

Best known as a fortified town, Carcassonne is a walled city that provided the inspiration for the castle in Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" and the location for many scenes in Kevin Costner's movie "Robin Hood." For a daily dose of excitement, medieval jousting tournaments are held twice per day between the two walls--while this may sound like a typical touristy show, it's actually an entertaining display of combative competition and horsemanship.

Family-friendly places like Eglise Saint-Nazaire and Abbaye de Fontfroide will thrill your kids. Discover out-of-the-way places like Orgues d'Ille Sur Tet and Chateau de Queribus. Venture out of the city with trips to Cloitre de la Collegiale Saint Salvy (in Albi), Cathedrale St-Jean (in Perpignan) and Château de Salses (in Salses-Le-Chateau). The adventure continues: take a stroll through Cité de Carcassonne and take in the views from Le Pont Vieux (The Old Bridge).

For photos, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, read our Carcassonne road trip planning app.

Traveling by train from Arles to Carcassonne takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In December, daily temperatures in Carcassonne can reach 52°F, while at night they dip to 38°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) to allow time to drive to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil.

Best known for its discovery of the first five skeletons of Cro-Magnons, the earliest known examples of Homo sapiens sapiens, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil is home to the rock shelter that held skeletons included a fetus, and remarkably modern looking skulls with a much rounder shape than the earlier Neanderthal.

Museum-lovers will appreciate Lascaux II and L'Abri Cro-Magnon. Get some historical perspective at Chateau des Milandes and L'Abbaye de Saint-Avit-Senieur. Get out of town with these interesting Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil side-trips: Moulin de la Rouzique (in Couze-et-Saint-Front) and Cloitre de Cadouin (in Cadouin). There's still lots to do: get engrossed in the history at Prehistorical site of Castel-Merle, experience rural life at Ferme de Fonluc, Head underground at Les Combarelles, and see the interesting displays at Musee La Rue du temps qui Passe.

To find other places to visit and tourist information, read our Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil online trip maker.

Traveling by train from Carcassonne to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. In December, daytime highs in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil are 52°F, while nighttime lows are 36°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Fri) so you can fly to Paris.

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.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Arc de Triomphe and Île de la Cité. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Chapelle Notre Dame de la Medaille Miraculeuse and Ile Saint-Louis. There's still lots to do: wander the streets of Saint Germain des Pres Quarter, admire the striking features of Sainte-Chapelle, steep yourself in history at La Madeleine, and don't miss a visit to Place des Vosges.

To see reviews, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Paris day trip planning site.

Getting from Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil to Paris by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. Traveling from Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil in December, expect nights in Paris to be about the same, around 37°F, while days are a bit cooler, around 47°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) so you can catch the flight back home.