9 days in France Itinerary
Created using Inspirock France journey planner
Start: Washington
Fly
1
Paris
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Bayeux
— 3 nights
Fly to Lyon, Train to Arles
3
Arles
— 1 night
Drive
4
Nice
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Washington
Mon, May 16 - Tue, May 24
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View full calendar
Paris — 2 nights
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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.Kick off your visit on the 17th (Tue): stroll the grounds of The Paris Catacombs, examine the collection at Musee Rodin, then pause for some photo ops at Arc de Triomphe, and finally steep yourself in history at Eiffel Tower. On the 18th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: admire the striking features of Sainte-Chapelle, take a stroll through Montmartre, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, and finally shop like a local with Champs-Elysees.
To find maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Paris road trip tool.
Washington, USA to Paris is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. You'll lose 6 hours traveling from Washington to Paris due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Washington in May, plan for slightly colder days in Paris, with highs around 64°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Bayeux.
Find places to stay May 16 — 18:
Bayeux — 3 nights
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Most travelers take a trip to Bayeux to see the famed tapestry depicting the legendary Norman Conquest from the 11th century.Get a sense of the local culture at Normandy American Cemetery and Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux. Visit Cathedrale Notre-Dame and Omaha Beach for their historical value. There's still lots to do: learn about all things military at Memorial de Caen, steep yourself in history at Remains Mulberry Harbour, see the interesting displays at Musee du debarquement, and stroll the grounds of Bayeux War Cemetery.
To find other places to visit, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Bayeux trip itinerary planning site.
Drive from Paris to Bayeux in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. In May in Bayeux, expect temperatures between 62°F during the day and 46°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) so you can travel to Arles.
Side Trips
Arromanches-les-Bains, Memorial de Caen, Omaha Beach, Batterie Allemande de Longues-Sure-Mer, Normandy American Cemetery
Find places to stay May 18 — 21:
Highlights from your trip
Arles — 1 night
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Soul of Provence
Remote, uneventful, but definitely not a waste of time, Arles is absolutely steeped in Provençal culture.Start off your visit on the 22nd (Sun): explore the ancient world of Amphitheatre (les Arenes), then get engrossed in the history at Musee Departemental Arles Antique, then look for all kinds of wild species at Le Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Eglise St-Trophime.
For traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, read Arles visit planner.
Traveling by combination of flight and train from Bayeux to Arles takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Bayeux in May, expect Arles to be a bit warmer, temps between 73°F and 55°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Nice.
Side Trip
Find places to stay May 21 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
Nice — 2 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.On the 23rd (Mon), take in nature's colorful creations at Le Jardin Exotique d'Eze, then contemplate the long history of Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild, then wander the streets of Old Town, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedrale Saint-Nicolas a Nice. Keep things going the next day: take a stroll through La Croisette.
To see more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Nice day trip planner.
Traveling by car from Arles to Nice takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 69°F in May, and nighttime lows around 57°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Tue) to allow time for travel back home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 22 — 24:
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.
