20 days in France Itinerary
Created using Inspirock France trip itinerary maker
Start: Lyon
1
Lyon
— 3 nights
Drive
2
Sarlat-la-Caneda
— 5 nights
Drive
3
Albi
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Pau
— 3 nights
Drive
5
Saint-Emilion
— 2 nights
Drive
6
Bordeaux
— 4 nights
End: Bordeaux
Sun, Jun 18 - Fri, Jul 7
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Lyon — 3 nights
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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.Lyon is known for sightseeing, museums, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the striking features of Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, explore the world behind art at Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, stroll around Parc de la Tete d'Or, and admire the natural beauty at Parc des Hauteurs.
To find photos, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Lyon online trip itinerary maker.
If you are flying in from Australia, the closest major aiports are Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport, Saint-Étienne-Bouthéon Airport, Grenoble-Isère Airport and Chambéry-Savoie Airport. In June, daytime highs in Lyon are 30°C, while nighttime lows are 18°C. On the 21st (Wed), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Sarlat-la-Caneda.
Find places to stay Jun 18 — 21:
Highlights from your trip
Sarlat-la-Caneda — 5 nights
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Medieval Capital of the Dordogne Valley
Sarlat-la-Caneda is the capital of the former Périgord Noir, now referred to as the Aquitaine region that is home to a historical area consisting of impeccably preserved 14th-century buildings and sites.Step out of Sarlat-la-Caneda to go to Audrix and see Le Gouffre de Proumeyssac, which is approximately 38 minutes away. The adventure continues: step into the grandiose world of Chateau des Milandes, steep yourself in history at The Maison Forte de Reignac, relax in the rural setting at Les Noyeraies du Landers, and don't miss a visit to Vieux Sarlat.
To find more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Sarlat-la-Caneda tour itinerary planner.
Traveling by car from Lyon to Sarlat-la-Caneda takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or take a train. Traveling from Lyon in June, expect little chillier with lows of 15°C in Sarlat-la-Caneda. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Mon) early enough to drive to Albi.
Side Trips
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Eyrignac et ses Jardins en Dordogne, Les Jardins de Marqueyssac, Chateau de Beynac, Lascaux Caves 4
Find places to stay Jun 21 — 26:
Highlights from your trip
Albi — 2 nights
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Albi is a commune in southern France. On the 27th (Tue), take an in-depth tour of Musee Toulouse-Lautrec, take in nature's colorful creations at Les Jardins de la Berbie, then admire the striking features of Cathedrale Sainte-Cecile, then look for gifts at Librairie des Enfants, and finally learn about winemaking at Cave de Labastide. On your second day here, don't miss a visit to Cloitre de la Collegiale Saint Salvy, take in the views from Pont Vieux, then pick up some local products at The Market Hall, and finally examine the collection at Musee de la Mode.
For where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Albi trip planner.
Traveling by car from Sarlat-la-Caneda to Albi takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. June in Albi sees daily highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Wed) so you can go by car to Pau.
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For where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Albi trip planner.
Traveling by car from Sarlat-la-Caneda to Albi takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. June in Albi sees daily highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Wed) so you can go by car to Pau.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jun 26 — 28:
Highlights from your trip
Pau — 3 nights
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Royal City
On the northern edge of the Pyrénées, Pau is the perfect base to explore the mountains and ride the Funiculaire de Pau, a unique historic funicular railway that links the city center and Boulevard des Pyrénées to the railway station Gare de Pau.Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Pau: Biarritz (Aquarium de Biarritz & Rocher de la Vierge) and Cathedrale Sainte-Marie de Bayonne (in Bayonne). The adventure continues: appreciate the extensive heritage of Boulevard des Pyrenees, pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Saint-Joseph, see the interesting displays at Château de Pau, and stop by Bord de Gave - Bearnaise de Pau.
To find traveler tips, other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Pau itinerary planner.
Traveling by car from Albi to Pau takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a daytime high around 28°C in June, and nighttime lows around 17°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) so you can go by car to Saint-Emilion.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jun 28 — Jul 1:
Highlights from your trip
Saint-Emilion — 2 nights
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Gem of the Dordogne Valley
Standing magnificently on top of a hill overlooking the Dordogne Valley filled with lush vineyards, Saint-Émilion fuses history and modern culture with medieval ambience--even in its wine bars, museums, markets, art galleries, cafes, and shops.Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Sun): pause for some serene contemplation at Monolithic Church of Saint-Emilion, pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Collegiale de Saint-Emilion, do a tasting at Chateau Laniote, learn about winemaking at Chateau Soutard, then delve into the distant past at La Tour du Chateau du Roy, and finally stop by The Wine Buff.
For maps, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Saint-Emilion driving holiday tool.
Drive from Pau to Saint-Emilion in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. July in Saint-Emilion sees daily highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Mon) so you can drive to Bordeaux.
Find places to stay Jul 1 — 3:
Highlights from your trip
Bordeaux — 4 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.Get out of town with these interesting Bordeaux side-trips: Chateau de Reignac (in Saint-Loubes), La Rochelle (Vieux Port & Aquarium La Rochelle) and La Grande Dune du Pilat (in Pyla-sur-Mer). And it doesn't end there: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, take a stroll through Promenade Sainte Catherine, appreciate the extensive heritage of Place de la Bourse, and take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Andre Cathedral.
To find maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Bordeaux day trip planning website.
Traveling by car from Saint-Emilion to Bordeaux takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. July in Bordeaux sees daily highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C at night. You will have some time to spend on the 7th (Fri) before leaving for home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jul 3 — 7:
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.
