45 days in France & Geneva Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Europe travel route builder
Start: Christchurch, New Zealand
Fly
1
Paris, France
— 1 night
Train
2
Colmar, France
— 5 nights
Train
3
Geneva, Switzerland
— 7 nights
Train
4
Marseille, France
— 3 nights
Train
5
Nice, France
— 4 nights
Train
6
Montpellier, France
— 3 nights
Train
7
Bordeaux, France
— 2 nights
Train
8
Sarlat-la-Caneda, France
— 5 nights
Train
9
La Rochelle, France
— 4 nights
Train
10
Rennes, France
— 7 nights
Train
11
Paris, France
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Christchurch, New Zealand
Fri, Sep 6 - Sun, Oct 20
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Paris, France — 1 night
City of Light
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.For where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Paris trip planner.
Christchurch, New Zealand to Paris is an approximately 29-hour flight. You'll gain 11 hours traveling from Christchurch to Paris due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Christchurch in September, expect Paris to be a bit warmer, temps between 24°C and 13°C. On the 7th (Sat), you're off to Colmar.
Find places to stay Sep 6 — 7:
Colmar, France — 5 nights
©
Little Venice
Situated along the Alsatian Wine Route, Colmar is renowned for its German and French culture, well-preserved old town, numerous architectural landmarks, and its museums.You'll find plenty of places to visit near Colmar: Mulhouse (Cité du Train - Musée français du chemin de fer & Musee National de l’Automobile – Collection Schlumpf) and Domaine Albert Seltz (in Mittelbergheim). There's still lots to do: do a tasting at Vin d'Alsace HORCHER, don't miss a visit to Vieille Ville, contemplate the long history of Vieille ville d'Eguisheim, and stop by Little Venice.
To see reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Colmar trip itinerary builder tool.
You can fly from Paris to Colmar in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 25°C in September, and nighttime lows around 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Geneva.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 7 — 12:
Highlights from your trip
Geneva, Switzerland — 7 nights
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Capital of Peace
Geneva brings the world to one small city with a huge expat population and the highest number of international organizations in any one city.On the 15th (Sun), give your taste buds a day to remember with a local gastronomic tour. There's lots more to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Geneva, pause for some photo ops at Reformation Wall, examine the collection at Patek Philippe Museum, and test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms.
To see more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Geneva driving holiday planner.
Traveling by car from Colmar to Geneva takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and flight. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in September, and nighttime lows around 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Marseille.
Find places to stay Sep 12 — 19:
Highlights from your trip
Marseille, France — 3 nights
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Gateway to Provence
The 2013 European "Capital of Culture," Marseille is the largest port city on the breezy Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in France.Get out of town with these interesting Marseille side-trips: Carrieres des Lumieres (in Les Baux de Provence), Avignon (Pont d'Avignon & Palais des Papes) and Aix-en-Provence (Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur Aix-en-Provence & Cours Mirabeau). Next up on the itinerary: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, take in the waterfront at Le Vieux Port, wander the streets of The Panier, and look for gifts at Le Bazar de Cesar Savonnerie.
For reviews, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Marseille tour itinerary planner.
Traveling by car from Geneva to Marseille takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and flight. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Geneva in September, with highs in Marseille at 30°C and lows at 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) early enough to drive to Nice.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 19 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
Nice, France — 4 nights
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Nissa la Bella (Nice the Beautiful)
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. There's lots more to do: stop by Old Town, make a trip to Place Massena, steep yourself in history at Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild, and admire the natural beauty at Le Jardin Exotique d'Eze.
To see ratings, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Nice day trip planner.
Getting from Marseille to Nice by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 28°C in September, and nighttime lows around 21°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Thu) so you can drive to Montpellier.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 22 — 26:
Highlights from your trip
Montpellier, France — 3 nights
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"Montpellier is a modern, compact, and fast-growing city about 10 km (6 mi) inland from the Mediterranean coast with an active, youthful vibe.Change things up with these side-trips from Montpellier: La Maison Carree (in Nimes), Amphitheatre (les Arenes) (in Arles) and Tours et Remparts d'Aigues-Mortes (in Aigues-Mortes). The adventure continues: explore the world behind art at Musee Fabre, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Parc De Lunaret-zoo De Montpellier, take a stroll through Place de la Comedie, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathedrale St. Pierre.
Start your trip to Montpellier by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.
Getting from Nice to Montpellier by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Nice in September, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Montpellier, with lows of 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Bordeaux.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 26 — 29:
Highlights from your trip
Bordeaux, France — 2 nights
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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.On the 29th (Sun), test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, appreciate the extensive heritage of Place de la Bourse, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Andre Cathedral. On your second day here, make a trip to Place du Parlement, make a trip to The Water Mirror, and then admire the striking features of La Cite du Vin.
To see reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read Bordeaux day trip planning tool.
Getting from Montpellier to Bordeaux by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of train and flight; or take a train. In September, daytime highs in Bordeaux are 28°C, while nighttime lows are 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) early enough to drive to Sarlat-la-Caneda.
Find places to stay Sep 29 — Oct 1:
Highlights from your trip
Sarlat-la-Caneda, France — 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.You'll find plenty of places to visit near Sarlat-la-Caneda: Gouffre de Padirac (in Padirac), Cite Religieuse (in Rocamadour) and Roque Saint-Christophe Fort et Cite Troglodytiques (in Peyzac-le-Moustier). There's still lots to do: explore the historical opulence of Chateau des Milandes, walk around Les Jardins de Marqueyssac, Head underground at Lascaux Caves 4, and take in nature's colorful creations at Eyrignac et ses Jardins en Dordogne.
To see more things to do, maps, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Sarlat-la-Caneda road trip app.
Getting from Bordeaux to Sarlat-la-Caneda by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a train. Traveling from Bordeaux in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Sarlat-la-Caneda, with lows of 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to La Rochelle.
Side Trips
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Eyrignac et ses Jardins en Dordogne, Gouffre de Padirac, Cite Religieuse, Roque Saint-Christophe Fort et Cite Troglodytiques
Find places to stay Oct 1 — 6:
Highlights from your trip
La Rochelle, France — 4 nights
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White City
Driving on the narrow streets can be difficult in La Rochelle so walking or biking will give you the best view of the pale stone buildings that give the Vieux Port, or old port, a distinctly Mediterranean quality.Venture out of the city with trips to Port de Saint-Martin-de-Re (in Saint Martin de Re), Musee De l' ancienne ecole De Medecine Navale (in Rochefort) and Puy du Fou (in Les Epesses). The adventure continues: take a tour of Hermione - La Fayette, step into the grandiose world of Chateau Royal de Cognac, get to know the fascinating history of Rue Sur-les-Murs, and enjoy the sea views from Phare Rouge.
To find traveler tips, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the La Rochelle journey tool.
You can drive from Sarlat-la-Caneda to La Rochelle in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Sarlat-la-Caneda in October, La Rochelle is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Thu) early enough to drive to Rennes.
Side Trips
Cognac, Galerie de l'Alambic, Port de Saint-Martin-de-Re, Musee De l' ancienne ecole De Medecine Navale, Hermione - La Fayette
Find places to stay Oct 6 — 10:
Highlights from your trip
Rennes, France — 7 nights
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Many tour guides skip Rennes, a "City of Art and History," but that doesn't mean you should.You'll find plenty of places to visit near Rennes: Cimetiere Militaire Americain de Saint-James (in Saint James), Bayeux (Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux & Bayeux War Cemetery) and Mont-Saint-Michel (Église Saint-Pierre - Le Mont-Saint-Michel & Mont Saint-Michel). And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at Les Machines de L'ile, hike along Sentier des Douaniers, walk around Parc du Thabor, and test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms.
To find traveler tips, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read our Rennes trip maker site.
You can drive from La Rochelle to Rennes in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In October, daily temperatures in Rennes can reach 20°C, while at night they dip to 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) so you can fly to Paris.
Side Trips
Saint-Malo, Bayeux, Mont-Saint-Michel, Cimetiere Militaire Americain de Saint-James, Les Machines de L'ile
Find places to stay Oct 10 — 17:
Highlights from your trip
Paris, France — 2 nights
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City of Light
Start off your visit on the 18th (Fri): don't miss a visit to Place de la Concorde, then make a trip to Eiffel Tower, then admire the landmark architecture of Arc de Triomphe, and finally admire the masterpieces at Musee d'Orsay.
To find where to stay and more tourist information, read our Paris vacation app.
Getting from Rennes to Paris by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sat) so you can catch the flight back home.
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To find where to stay and more tourist information, read our Paris vacation app.
Getting from Rennes to Paris by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sat) so you can catch the flight back home.
Find places to stay Oct 17 — 19:
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.
