5 days in France Itinerary
Created using Inspirock France planner
Start: Charleston
Fly to Geneva, Train to Lyon
1
Lyon
— 1 night
Fly
2
Colmar
— 3 nights
Drive to Strasbourg Airport, Fly to Charleston
End: Charleston
Wed, Dec 29 - Sun, Jan 2
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Lyon — 1 night
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Culinary Capital of France
Lyon is a historical city with a vibrant cultural scene as the birthplace of cinema, the silk capital of the globe, and the second biggest Renaissance city following Venice.Kick off your visit on the 30th (Thu): buy something for everyone on your list at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, then admire the striking features of Cathedrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon, and then see the interesting displays at Musee Miniature et Cinema.
To find where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Lyon journey site.
Charleston, USA to Lyon is an approximately 17.5-hour combination of flight and train. You can also fly. The time zone difference when traveling from Charleston to Lyon is 6 hours. Plan for a bit cooler temperatures traveling from Charleston in December, with highs in Lyon at 47°F and lows at 34°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Thu) so you can fly to Colmar.
Find places to stay Dec 29 — 30:
Highlights from your trip
Colmar — 3 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.On the 31st (Fri), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sanctuaire du Mont Sainte Odile, examine the collection at Musee du Jouet, and then don't miss a visit to Old Town. On your second day here, get engrossed in the history at Musée d'Unterlinden, then steep yourself in history at Vieille ville d'Eguisheim, and then make a trip to Vieille Ville.
To find photos and more tourist information, read our Colmar online trip maker.
Traveling by flight from Lyon to Colmar takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In December, daytime highs in Colmar are 46°F, while nighttime lows are 34°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 30 — Jan 2:
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.
