34 days in France Itinerary
Created using Inspirock France trip itinerary planner
Start: Knoxville
Fly to Paris-Orly Airport, Drive to Honfleur
1
Honfleur
— 5 nights
Drive
2
Bayeux
— 4 nights
Drive
3
Saumur
— 3 nights
+2
Train to Antony, Tram to Paris Orly, Fly to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
4
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
— 3 nights
Drive
5
Lourdes
— 3 nights
Drive
6
Carcassonne
— 2 nights
Drive
7
Arles
— 5 nights
Drive
8
Cannes
— 7 nights
Drive to Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport, Fly to Knoxville
End: Knoxville
Sun, May 15 - Fri, Jun 17
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View full calendar
Honfleur — 5 nights
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Honfleur is a town surrounding a beautiful little 17th-century harbor in Lower Normandy.You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Palais Benedictine and Notre Dame de Grace. Do some cultural sightseeing at Eglise Saint-Joseph and Cathedrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens. Get out of town with these interesting Honfleur side-trips: Rouen (Vieux Rouen, Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, &more), Etretat (Jardins d'Etretat & Chemin des Douaniers) and Les Hortillonnages d'Amiens (in Amiens). The adventure continues: kick back and relax at Deauville Beach, make a trip to Vieux Bassin, tour the pleasant surroundings at Plage de Trouville, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Saint Catherine's Catholic Church.
For more things to do, maps, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Honfleur online tour itinerary planner.
Knoxville, USA to Honfleur is an approximately 22-hour combination of flight and car. You can also do a combination of flight and train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 6 hours traveling from Knoxville to Honfleur. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Knoxville in May; daily highs in Honfleur reach 62°F and lows reach 47°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sat) early enough to drive to Bayeux.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 15 — 21:
Highlights from your trip
Bayeux — 4 nights
©
Most travelers take a trip to Bayeux to see the famed tapestry depicting the legendary Norman Conquest from the 11th century.You'll discover tucked-away gems like Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach. Get a sense of the local culture at Airborne Museum and Remains Mulberry Harbour. Get out of town with these interesting Bayeux side-trips: Musee du Debarquement Utah Beach (in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont) and Le Phare de Gatteville (in Gatteville-le-Phare). There's still lots to do: learn about all things military at Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie, get engrossed in the history at Memorial de Caen, admire the landmark architecture of Cathedrale Notre-Dame, and stroll the grounds of Bayeux War Cemetery.
For reviews, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Bayeux road trip planning website.
You can drive from Honfleur to Bayeux in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. In May, daily temperatures in Bayeux can reach 62°F, while at night they dip to 46°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) early enough to drive to Saumur.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 21 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
Saumur — 3 nights
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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.Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Chateau de Langeais and Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Musee des Blindes and Chateau de Breze. Change things up with these side-trips from Saumur: Château de l'Islette (in Azay-le-Rideau) and Chateau de Villandry (in Villandry).
To find ratings, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Saumur trip planner.
You can drive from Bayeux to Saumur in 3 hours. Another option is to take a train. May in Saumur sees daily highs of 64°F and lows of 46°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sat) so you can travel to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 25 — 28:
Highlights from your trip
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle — 3 nights
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You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Chateau de Beynac and Musee du Patrimoine Agricole et Automobile de Salviac. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Chateau de Castelnaud and Chateau des Milandes. Step out of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle to go to Saint-Front-sur-Lemance and see Chateau de Bonaguil, which is approximately 50 minutes away.
For ratings, photos, maps, and tourist information, go to the Castelnaud-la-Chapelle online trip planner.
You can 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. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Saumur in May: highs in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle hover around 71°F, while lows dip to 49°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) early enough to go by car to Lourdes.
more
For ratings, photos, maps, and tourist information, go to the Castelnaud-la-Chapelle online trip planner.
You can 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. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Saumur in May: highs in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle hover around 71°F, while lows dip to 49°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) early enough to go by car to Lourdes.
Side Trips
Chateau de Bonaguil, Chateau de Beynac, Musee du Patrimoine Agricole et Automobile de Salviac, Les Jardins de Marqueyssac
Find places to stay May 28 — 31:
Highlights from your trip
Lourdes — 3 nights
©
Lourdes is a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Discover out-of-the-way places like Château de Pau and Chateau Fort of Lourdes. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Grotte de Massabielle and Basilique Saint-Pie X. Step out of Lourdes to go to Pau and see Boulevard des Pyrenees, which is approximately 48 minutes away. There's more to do: examine the collection at Moulin de Boly - Maison Natale de Bernadette and learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Parc Animalier Des Pyrenees.
To see traveler tips, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Lourdes online road trip planner.
You can drive from Castelnaud-la-Chapelle to Lourdes in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of taxi, train, and bus. Expect a daytime high around 67°F in May, and nighttime lows around 49°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to go by car to Carcassonne.
more
To see traveler tips, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Lourdes online road trip planner.
You can drive from Castelnaud-la-Chapelle to Lourdes in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of taxi, train, and bus. Expect a daytime high around 67°F in May, and nighttime lows around 49°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to go by car to Carcassonne.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 31 — Jun 3:
Highlights from your trip
Carcassonne — 2 nights
©
Medieval Heart of France
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.Start off your visit on the 4th (Sat): step into the grandiose world of Chateau Comtal, steep yourself in history at Cathar Castles, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise Saint-Nazaire. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: steep yourself in history at Chateaux de Lastours and then pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise des Carmes.
To see where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Carcassonne trip itinerary planner.
Getting from Lourdes to Carcassonne by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In June, plan for daily highs up to 79°F, and evening lows to 59°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sun) so you can go by car to Arles.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jun 3 — 5:
Highlights from your trip
Arles — 5 nights
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Soul of Provence
Remote, uneventful, but definitely not a waste of time, Arles is absolutely steeped in Provençal culture.Your inner history buff will appreciate Chateau des Baux de Provence and Tours et Remparts d'Aigues-Mortes. Musee Departemental Arles Antique and Notre Dame de la Mer - Église fortifiée are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Explore Arles' surroundings by going to Site Archeologique de Glanum (in Saint-Remy-de-Provence), La Bambouseraie en Cevennes (in Generargues) and Jardins de la Fontaine (in Nimes). There's still lots to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of St-Trophime Cloister (Cloitre St-Trophime), steep yourself in history at Cryptoportiques, explore the ancient world of Amphitheatre (les Arenes), and look for all kinds of wild species at Le Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau.
For more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Arles online trip itinerary builder.
You can drive from Carcassonne to Arles in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. In June in Arles, expect temperatures between 82°F during the day and 62°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Cannes.
Side Trips
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Site Archeologique de Glanum, La Bambouseraie en Cevennes, Chateau des Baux de Provence, Tours et Remparts d'Aigues-Mortes
Find places to stay Jun 5 — 10:
Highlights from your trip
Cannes — 7 nights
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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.Get a sense of the local culture at Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild and Vieil Aix. Discover out-of-the-way places like La cité médiévale and Villa Kerylos. Explore Cannes' surroundings by going to Abbaye du Thoronet (in Le Thoronet), Le Jardin Exotique d'Eze (in Eze) and Marseille (The Panier, Cathédrale La Major, &more). There's lots more to do: pause for some serene contemplation at Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate, appreciate the extensive heritage of Le Sentier du Littoral, Cap d'Antibes, wander the streets of Le Suquet, and head off the coast to Île Sainte-Marguerite.
For more things to do, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Cannes itinerary planner.
Traveling by car from Arles to Cannes takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In June, daytime highs in Cannes are 78°F, while nighttime lows are 61°F. On the 17th (Fri), you're off to home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jun 10 — 17:
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.
