32 days in Paris & South of France Itinerary

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.

Get out of town with these interesting Paris side-trips: Palace of Versailles (in Versailles) and Rouen (Musee des Beaux-Arts de Rouen, Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, &more). There's still lots to do: don't miss a visit to Louvre Museum, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, admire the striking features of Sainte-Chapelle, and wander the streets of Le Marais.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Paris journey planner.

Toronto, Canada to Paris is an approximately 10.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Toronto to Paris is 6 hours. Traveling from Toronto in August, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Paris, with lows of 16°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Thu) so you can catch the flight to Nice.

Well-known for the beautiful views of its famous Promenade des Anglais waterfront, Nice is an ethnically-diverse coastal port city on the French Riviera and the fifth most populated city in France.

Step out of Nice to go to Cannes and see Lérins Islands, which is approximately 52 minutes away. Spend the 25th (Sun) exploring the fascinating underwater world at Marineland. And it doesn't end there: take some stellar pictures from Colline du Chateau overlook, don't miss a visit to Place Massena, wander the streets of Old Town, and examine the collection at Musée Marc Chagall.

For maps, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, read our Nice online driving holiday planner.

Traveling by flight from Paris to Nice takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Paris in August, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Nice, with lows of 25°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Saint-Raphael.

Saint-Raphael vacations have so much more to offer than an indulgent splurge on a beach.

Venture out of the city with trips to Waterworld lake of gaudrade (in Puget-sur-Argens), Zipline (in Sainte-Maxime) and Forcerie Vial (in Tanneron). Next up on the itinerary: see majestic marine mammals with TakSea, explore the gorgeous colors at Lion of the Sea (Lion de Mer), explore the stunning scenery at Les Gorges du Verdon, and don't miss a visit to Massif de l'Esterel.

For reviews, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, read our Saint-Raphael travel route planner.

Traveling by car from Nice to Saint-Raphael takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Nice in August, expect nights in Saint-Raphael to be a bit cooler, around 19°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 38°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Hyeres.

Hyères, Provençal Occitan: Ieras in classical norm, or Iero in Mistralian norm) is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.The old town lies 4km from the sea clustered around the Castle of Saint Bernard, which is set on a hill. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Hyeres: Plage de Jean Blanc (in Le Lavandou), Porquerolles Island (Plage Notre Dame & Plage de la Courtade) and La Croix-Valmer (Plage de Sylvabelle & Plage de Vergeron). There's still lots to do: surround yourself with nature on Dune La Londe, see the vivid underwater world at Sentier Sous Marin, and cool off at Aquavillage Parc.

For ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Hyeres travel route planning website.

Traveling by car from Saint-Raphael to Hyeres takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. When traveling from Saint-Raphael in August, plan for a bit cooler days in Hyeres, with highs around 34°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Sun) to allow time to drive to Arles.

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

Change things up with these side-trips from Arles: Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (Le Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau & Promenade a Cheval La Marisma), Canyoning & Rappelling Tours (in Anduze) and Chateau des Baux de Provence (in Les Baux de Provence). And it doesn't end there: explore the world behind art at Carrieres des Lumieres, look for all kinds of wild species at Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue, make a trip to Chateau de L'Hauture, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Eglise St-Trophime.

For maps, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Arles route planning app.

You can drive from Hyeres to Arles in 2 hours. Another option is to take a train. In September in Arles, expect temperatures between 29°C during the day and 17°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can drive to Avignon.

An ancient town center surrounded by medieval ramparts, Avignon is a major city of Provence and a Mediterranean city in the Vaucluse department on the left bank of the Rhône River.

On the 5th (Thu), learn about winemaking at Les Vignerons de Tavel, then sample the fine beverages at Distillerie A. Blachere, then explore the historical opulence of Palais des Papes, and finally make a trip to Pont d'Avignon. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: don't miss a visit to Pont du Gard, admire the masterpieces at Musee Angladon, and then hike along Le Sentier des Ocres.

To find ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Avignon online driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Arles to Avignon takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 16°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Nimes.

Nîmes has a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire, with a stunning coliseum that is second only to Rome's.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Sat): don't miss a visit to Place du Marche, then delve into the distant past at La Maison Carree, then admire the natural beauty at Jardins de la Fontaine, and finally look for gifts at Toril d'Artistes.

To see reviews, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Nimes attractions planning site.

Getting from Avignon to Nimes by car takes about an hour. Other options: drive; or take a train; or take a bus. September in Nimes sees daily highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) so you can drive 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Carcassonne: Terre Liquide (in Mons), Canal de Jonction (in Salleles-d'Aude) and Basilique Saint-Sernin (in Toulouse). The adventure continues: take a stroll through Cité de Carcassonne, do a tasting at O'Vineyards, see the winter wonderland with Bureau des Guides des Pyrénées ariégeoises, and take an in-depth tour of Parc de la Prehistoire.

For reviews, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, use the Carcassonne online vacation maker.

Drive from Nimes to Carcassonne in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In September, daytime highs in Carcassonne are 29°C, while nighttime lows are 16°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can go by car to Sarlat-la-Caneda.

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.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Sarlat-la-Caneda: Parc Le Bournat (in Le Bugue), Chateau de Bridoire (in Ribagnac) and Cathedrale St-Front (in Perigueux). And it doesn't end there: steep yourself in history at Chateau de Castelnaud, step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Commarque, Head underground at Lascaux Caves 4, and take in nature's colorful creations at Les Jardins d'Eau.

To find ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Sarlat-la-Caneda day trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Carcassonne to Sarlat-la-Caneda takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Carcassonne in September, plan for a bit cooler nights in Sarlat-la-Caneda, with lows around 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) so you can drive to Bordeaux.

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.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Mon): learn about winemaking at Chateau de Reignac, get to know the fascinating history of Place de la Bourse, then admire the landmark architecture of Tour Pey-Berland, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Andre Cathedral. Keep things going the next day: take a stroll through Promenade Sainte Catherine and then look for all kinds of wild species at Réserve Ornithologique du Teich.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, use the Bordeaux route planning site.

You can drive from Sarlat-la-Caneda to Bordeaux in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Expect a daytime high around 28°C in September, and nighttime lows around 15°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Tue) so you can travel back home.