34 days in France Itinerary
Created using Inspirock France trip builder
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 8 - Fri, Jun 10
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Honfleur — 5 nights
©
Honfleur is a town surrounding a beautiful little 17th-century harbor in Lower Normandy.Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Palais Benedictine and Plage de Trouville. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Notre Dame de Grace and Musee d’art Moderne Andre Malraux - MuMa. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Honfleur: Rouen (Vieux Rouen, Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, &more), Jardins d'Etretat (in Etretat) and Eglise Saint-Joseph (in Le Havre). There's still lots to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Deauville Beach, take in nature's colorful creations at Les Hortillonnages d'Amiens, make a trip to Vieux Bassin, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens.
To find ratings, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Honfleur route builder.
Knoxville, USA to Honfleur is an approximately 22-hour combination of flight and car. You can also do a combination of flight and train. You'll lose 6 hours traveling from Knoxville to Honfleur due to the time zone difference. In May, Honfleur is a bit cooler than Knoxville - with highs of 62°F and lows of 47°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) so you can go by car to Bayeux.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 8 — 14:
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.Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Pointe du Hoc and Airborne Museum. Popular historic sites such as Omaha Beach and Le Phare de Gatteville are in your itinerary. Change things up with a short trip to Musee du Debarquement Utah Beach in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (about 44 minutes away). There's much more to do: examine the collection at Musee du debarquement, admire the landmark architecture of Cathedrale Notre-Dame, learn about all things military at Memorial de Caen, and steep yourself in history at Remains Mulberry Harbour.
To find traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Bayeux trip builder website.
Traveling by car from Honfleur to Bayeux takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a daytime high around 62°F in May, and nighttime lows around 46°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Wed) so you can go by car to Saumur.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 14 — 18:
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 Château de l'Islette. Chateau de Breze and Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau will appeal to history buffs. Step out of Saumur with an excursion to Chateau de Villandry in Villandry--about 40 minutes away. There's more to do: get engrossed in the history at Musee des Blindes.
To find where to stay, photos, reviews, and tourist information, use the Saumur trip builder site.
Drive from Bayeux to Saumur in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Expect a daytime high around 64°F in May, and nighttime lows around 46°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sat) early enough to travel to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 18 — 21:
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 Chateau de Bonaguil. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Chateau de Castelnaud and Chateau des Milandes. Step out of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle with an excursion to Musee du Patrimoine Agricole et Automobile de Salviac in Salviac--about 34 minutes away.
To see other places to visit, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Castelnaud-la-Chapelle road trip site.
Getting from Saumur to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle by combination of train, tram, and flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. When traveling from Saumur in May, plan for somewhat warmer days in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, with highs around 71°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) so you can drive to Lourdes.
more
To see other places to visit, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Castelnaud-la-Chapelle road trip site.
Getting from Saumur to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle by combination of train, tram, and flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. When traveling from Saumur in May, plan for somewhat warmer days in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, with highs around 71°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) so you can drive to Lourdes.
Side Trips
Chateau de Beynac, Les Jardins de Marqueyssac, Musee du Patrimoine Agricole et Automobile de Salviac, Chateau de Bonaguil
Find places to stay May 21 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
Lourdes — 3 nights
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Lourdes is a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Get some historical perspective at Château de Pau and Basilique Saint-Pie X. Grotte de Massabielle and Boulevard des Pyrenees are good opportunities to explore the local culture. And it doesn't end there: step into the grandiose world of Chateau Fort of Lourdes, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Parc Animalier Des Pyrenees, and see the interesting displays at Moulin de Boly - Maison Natale de Bernadette.
To find other places to visit, maps, photos, and tourist information, read our Lourdes trip website.
Getting from Castelnaud-la-Chapelle to Lourdes by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of taxi, train, and bus. May in Lourdes sees daily highs of 67°F and lows of 49°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) early enough to drive to Carcassonne.
more
To find other places to visit, maps, photos, and tourist information, read our Lourdes trip website.
Getting from Castelnaud-la-Chapelle to Lourdes by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of taxi, train, and bus. May in Lourdes sees daily highs of 67°F and lows of 49°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) early enough to drive to Carcassonne.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 24 — 27:
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.On the 28th (Sat), step into the grandiose world of Chateau Comtal, contemplate the long history of Cathar Castles, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise Saint-Nazaire. On the 29th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: step into the grandiose world of Chateaux de Lastours and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise des Carmes.
Make your Carcassonne itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.
Traveling by car from Lourdes to Carcassonne takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In May in Carcassonne, expect temperatures between 69°F during the day and 51°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) so you can go by car to Arles.
Side Trip
Find places to stay May 27 — 29:
Highlights from your trip
Arles — 5 nights
©
Soul of Provence
Remote, uneventful, but definitely not a waste of time, Arles is absolutely steeped in Provençal culture.Popular historic sites such as Chateau des Baux de Provence and Tours et Remparts d'Aigues-Mortes are in your itinerary. Step off the beaten path and head to Musee Departemental Arles Antique and Notre Dame de la Mer - Église fortifiée. Venture out of the city with trips to Site Archeologique de Glanum (in Saint-Remy-de-Provence), Jardins de la Fontaine (in Nimes) and La Bambouseraie en Cevennes (in Generargues). And it doesn't end there: take in the spiritual surroundings of Eglise St-Trophime, steep yourself in history at Amphitheatre (les Arenes), and identify plant and animal life at Le Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau.
To find maps, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Arles travel route planning site.
Traveling by car from Carcassonne to Arles takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In May in Arles, expect temperatures between 73°F during the day and 55°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) so you can drive to Cannes.
Side Trips
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Site Archeologique de Glanum, Chateau des Baux de Provence, Tours et Remparts d'Aigues-Mortes, Jardins de la Fontaine
Find places to stay May 29 — Jun 3:
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.Discover out-of-the-way places like Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild and La cité médiévale. Visit Le Sentier du Littoral, Cap d'Antibes and Le Suquet for their historical value. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Cannes: Le Jardin Exotique d'Eze (in Eze), Villa Kerylos (in Beaulieu-sur-Mer) and Abbaye du Thoronet (in Le Thoronet). And it doesn't end there: head off the coast to Île Sainte-Marguerite, get to know the fascinating history of Vieil Aix, take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate, and stop by Cours Mirabeau.
To see other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Cannes visit site.
You can drive from Arles to Cannes in 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. You will leave for home on the 10th (Fri).
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jun 3 — 10:
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.
