23 days in France Itinerary
Created using Inspirock France tour itinerary planner
Start: San Francisco
Fly
1
Blois
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Saumur
— 2 nights
+2
Train to Antony, Tram to Paris Orly, Fly to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
3
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Narbonne
— 4 nights
Drive
5
Arles
— 2 nights
Fly
6
Calvi, Corsica
— 3 nights
Fly
7
Cannes
— 3 nights
Fly
8
Bayeux
— 4 nights
Train to Paris St Lazare, Fly to San Francisco
End: San Francisco
Wed, Jul 6 - Thu, Jul 28
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View full calendar
Blois — 2 nights
©
Town of Art and History
Situated on the banks of the lower Loire river, Blois opens doors to many activities centered along the banks of the river.Kick off your visit on the 7th (Thu): take in the spiritual surroundings of Orléans Cathedral and then explore the historical opulence of Chateau Royal de Blois. Keep things going the next day: explore the historical opulence of Chateau de Cheverny, then explore the historical opulence of Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, and then see the interesting displays at Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin.
To see maps, reviews, photos, and tourist information, go to the Blois trip planner.
San Francisco, USA to Blois is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Pacific Standard Time (PST) to Central European Standard Time (CET), which is usually a 9 hour difference. In July in Blois, expect temperatures between 77°F during the day and 56°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Fri) so you can drive to Saumur.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jul 6 — 8:
Highlights from your trip
Saumur — 2 nights
©
Pearl of Anjou
Saumur is a famous historic town known for its locally grown mushrooms and for their production of a number of regional wines and celebrated Combier liqueurs.On the 9th (Sat), admire the landmark architecture of Fontevraud L'Abbaye Royale, then step into the grandiose world of Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau, and then explore the historical opulence of Château de l'Islette. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: Head underground at Cave Museum, Village Troglodytique de Rochemenier, explore the historical opulence of Chateau de Brissac, and then take an in-depth tour of Musee des Blindes.
To find photos, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read Saumur road trip website.
You can drive from Blois to Saumur in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a train. Expect a daytime high around 79°F in July, and nighttime lows around 58°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sun) to allow time to travel to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle.
Side Trips
Azay-le-Rideau, Cave Museum, Village Troglodytique de Rochemenier, Fontevraud L'Abbaye Royale, Chateau de Brissac
Find places to stay Jul 8 — 10:
Highlights from your trip
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle — 2 nights
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On the 11th (Mon), see the interesting displays at Musee du Patrimoine Agricole et Automobile de Salviac and then step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Bonaguil. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 12th (Tue): step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Castelnaud, then step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Beynac, and then step into the grandiose world of Chateau des Milandes.
To find ratings, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Castelnaud-la-Chapelle vacation tool.
Do a combination of train, tram, and flight from Saumur to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. In July, plan for daily highs up to 81°F, and evening lows to 58°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Tue) early enough to drive to Narbonne.
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To find ratings, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Castelnaud-la-Chapelle vacation tool.
Do a combination of train, tram, and flight from Saumur to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. In July, plan for daily highs up to 81°F, and evening lows to 58°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Tue) early enough to drive to Narbonne.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jul 10 — 12:
Highlights from your trip
Narbonne — 4 nights
©
Crossroads of the South
The Mediterranean city of Narbonne links to the nearby Canal du Midi and the Aude River by the Canal de la Robine, which runs through the center of town.Popular historic sites such as Abbaye de Fontfroide and Château de Salses are in your itinerary. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Chateau Royal de Collioure and Chateau de Peyrepertuse. Venture out of the city with trips to Chateau de Queribus (in Cucugnan), Paroisse Saint Nazaire (in Beziers) and Cathedrale St-Jean (in Perpignan). There's more to do: contemplate the long history of Fort Saint-Elme and walk around Promenade du Front de Mer.
To see where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read our Narbonne trip itinerary builder tool.
Traveling by car from Castelnaud-la-Chapelle to Narbonne takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from Castelnaud-la-Chapelle in July, Narbonne is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 67°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Arles.
Side Trips
Collioure, Promenade du Front de Mer, Chateau de Queribus, Paroisse Saint Nazaire, Cathedrale St-Jean
Find places to stay Jul 12 — 16:
Highlights from your trip
Arles — 2 nights
©
Soul of Provence
Remote, uneventful, but definitely not a waste of time, Arles is absolutely steeped in Provençal culture.Start off your visit on the 17th (Sun): contemplate the long history of Amphitheatre (les Arenes), admire the landmark architecture of Chateau des Baux de Provence, then steep yourself in history at Site Archeologique de Glanum, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Eglise St-Trophime. On the next day, identify plant and animal life at Le Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau, admire the landmark architecture of Tours et Remparts d'Aigues-Mortes, and then enjoy breathtaking views from Notre Dame de la Mer - Église fortifiée.
For maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Arles trip itinerary planning tool.
Traveling by car from Narbonne to Arles takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In July in Arles, expect temperatures between 86°F during the day and 66°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Mon) to allow time to fly to Calvi.
Side Trips
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Chateau des Baux de Provence, Site Archeologique de Glanum, Tours et Remparts d'Aigues-Mortes
Find places to stay Jul 16 — 18:
Highlights from your trip
Calvi, Corsica — 3 nights
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Calvi is a commune in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica.It is the seat of the Canton of Calvi, which contains Calvi and one other commune, Lumio. Get some historical perspective at Citadelle de Calvi and Village abandonné d'Occi. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Serra and Nature Reserve of Scandola. When in Calvi, make a side trip to see Vallée du Fango in Galeria, approximately Galeria away. Next up on the itinerary: see Off-Road Tours, make a trip to Les Calanche Cliffs, and identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas.
For where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Calvi tour planning site.
You can fly from Arles to Calvi in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train, bus, and ferry. Expect a daytime high around 85°F in July, and nighttime lows around 68°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Thu) early enough to catch the flight to Cannes.
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For where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Calvi tour planning site.
You can fly from Arles to Calvi in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train, bus, and ferry. Expect a daytime high around 85°F in July, and nighttime lows around 68°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Thu) early enough to catch the flight to Cannes.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jul 18 — 21:
Highlights from your trip
Cannes — 3 nights
©
Festival City
Although its luxury shops, nightlife, casinos, and high-end restaurants give Cannes a feeling of exclusivity, this classic French Riviera city has alternatives to suit every budget.Let the collections at Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild and Musee Fragonard capture your imagination. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at La cité médiévale and Le Sentier du Littoral, Cap d'Antibes. Get out of town with these interesting Cannes side-trips: Promenade Le Corbusier (in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin), Eze (Le Jardin Exotique d'Eze & Chemin Frédéric Nietzsche) and Villa Kerylos (in Beaulieu-sur-Mer). It doesn't end there: take a stroll through Le Suquet.
Plan a Cannes trip in moments using our itinerary builder.
You can fly from Calvi to Cannes in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus, ferry, and train. Expect a daytime high around 83°F in July, and nighttime lows around 65°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Bayeux.
Side Trips
Eze, Promenade Le Corbusier, Le Sentier du Littoral, Cap d'Antibes, Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild, Musee Fragonard
Find places to stay Jul 21 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
Bayeux — 4 nights
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Most travelers take a trip to Bayeux to see the famed tapestry depicting the legendary Norman Conquest from the 11th century.Pointe du Hoc and Bayeux War Cemetery will appeal to history buffs. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Omaha Beach and Airborne Museum. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Bayeux: D-Day Experience (Dead Man's Corner museum) (in Saint-Come-du-Mont) and Musee du Debarquement Utah Beach (in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont). Next up on the itinerary: explore the galleries of Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie, examine the collection at Arromanches 360 Circular Cinema, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathedrale Notre-Dame, and contemplate the long history of Remains Mulberry Harbour.
To see traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Bayeux route app.
Fly from Cannes to Bayeux in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Cannes in July; daily highs in Bayeux reach 74°F and lows reach 55°F. On the 28th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.
Side Trips
Arromanches-les-Bains, Omaha Beach, Airborne Museum, Pointe du Hoc, D-Day Experience (Dead Man's Corner museum)
Find places to stay Jul 24 — 28:
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.
