2 Weeks in France - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Nice, Provence, Paris & the French Alps

This fast-paced itinerary travels from south to north with a range of unique excursions that capitalize on French culture, cuisine, and scenery ranging from beaches to snow-capped mountains. 

The grand adventure begins along the sunny Mediterranean coast of Nice, the unofficial capital of the Côte d'Azur. The city has been a retreat for high-rollers since the 19th century and today offers fabulous markets, glorious architecture, and excellent dining options. You'll spend a few days here exploring ritzy towns like Monaco while also learning how to cook a three-course meal with a French chef. Then snag your rental car and make your way to Provence for several days of beautiful excursions as you explore hilltop villages and historic monuments in the Luberon and Alpilles area. 

It's then time to trade lavender fields for snow-capped peaks as you make your way east to Annecy, the 'Venice of the French Alps', aptly named for the canals that run through the medieval city center. This is your base for the next several nights where you'll explore a surprising art scene and hiking trails near Mont Blanc, the highest peak in France. 

Spend one more day exploring the outskirts of Annecy where you'll learn how to make a famous French dish called tartiflette before you take the train to Paris. This is where you'll join walking tours with local experts who will show you some of the capital's best arrondissements. Since these guided strolls last a few hours each, you'll have plenty of time to check out Parisian highlights and restaurants at your own pace, as well. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Western France Road Trip

This spectacular road-trip itinerary between Paris and Dordogne provides a subtle mix of history, culture, cuisine, wine, and outdoor activity.

With four days in Paris to start the trip, you'll have ample time to visit the highlights including the 1050-foot (320-m) tall Eiffel Tower, conceived by Gustave Eiffel as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 World's Fair, with skip-the-line access. You’ll also visit Le Louvre Museum (skip the line here, too) and take a trip to Versailles with a private guide and accredited historian for a close look at the restored interiors and enchanting gardens.

Other arranged activities include a Parisian themed food tour and a dinner cruise along the Seine before you head to the northern coast of France, Normandy, where you’ll learn more about two cross-Channel invasions, nearly 900 years apart. Your guide will also take you through the narrow cobbled streets around Mont Saint Michel with granite or half-timbered houses. Wander along the top of the fortification wall, built during the Hundred Years War when Mont Saint Michel became a medieval castle.

Next is Bordeaux, a pedestrian-friendly city and the largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site on the planet with a number of gothic and medieval highlights. Learn about wine and cheese production and visit some vineyards in nearby Saint Emilion, a charming village dating back to medieval times.

Your last leg of the trip is the Dordogne region, specifically the small town of Sarlat la Canéda, where you can rent canoes and paddle from Carsac to Beynac. With six castles on both sides of the river—and three villages classified as the most beautiful villages of France—this unforgettable route will have you reaching for your camera often. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Paris, Lyon, Nice & Provence

Ideal for food and wine enthusiasts, this itinerary travels at a relaxed pace from Paris to Nice with key stops in Avignon and Lyon for important vineyards and gastronomy-themed tours. 

This itinerary kicks off in Paris where you’ll have a few days to check out classic monuments and trendy neighborhoods at your own pace. You’ll also join a few walking tours giving you one-on-one time with local experts who can offer his/her favorite restaurants, so make sure to ask for recommendations.

Next, take a train to France's ultimate foodie city, Lyon, where you'll join a culinary-themed walking tour. You'll also have time to visit the UNESCO-listed Old Town and the Presque Île—a piece of land surrounded by two rivers. This is where you can wander the narrow cobblestoned streets in search of Lyon's famous traboules (hidden passageways).

The city is also home to hundreds of dining options ranging from family-owned eateries serving traditional Lyonnaise cuisine to Michelin-starred restaurants from famous chefs like Paul Bocuse. Lyon also offers close proximity to Beaujolais, a wine-growing region often compared to Tuscany, where you'll meet a winemaker during a scenic day-trip.

The train journey continues with a ride to Avignon in the heart of Provence where you’ll pick up a rental car and explore this medieval city that housed the Pope in the 14th century. While here you can visit the soaring Palais des Papes—the largest Gothic palace in history and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll also have time to explore the city's pretty squares and the medieval bridge along the Rhone River. 

From here drive to Aix en Provence where you can explore sidewalk cafés and browse the food markets for local produce. Finish the trip with a few days in Nice where you’ll have time to relax on the beach and soak in the Mediterranean views. You'll also take a day-trip to Grasse, a charming village with shops and vendors selling the region's culinary specialties like Provencal stew, aioli, anchoïade, herbes de Provence, olive oil, truffle, figs, and honey—perfect for souvenirs. Learn more

Itinerary #4: France Family Adventure

This itinerary is the perfect introduction to France, especially for groups and families (ages 10 and up), with stops in Paris, the Loire Valley, Provence, and the French Riviera. 

This classic trip starts in a memorable way with a Seine cruise in a glass boat with open-air observation decks for exceptional views of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, amongst other Parisian must-sees. You’ll also visit some of the city’s best museums and take a day-trip to Versailles with a family specialist to learn more about what life was like living in the era of French kings and queens.

Your next stop is Amboise where you’ll visit the final residence of Leonardo da Vince, called Clos Lucé, located in a large château in the center of town. This is a great base for exploring other famous castles in the Loire Valley, like Château de Cheverny, an estate and botanical park, famous for the tradition of the horse-back hunt with an impressive pack of 100 dogs. Keep an eye out for the spectacular daily event called 'the dogs’ soup'. While in the Loire Valley, you’ll also spend the day at France’s biggest zoo, Zoo de Beauval to view some 600 species of animal (including giant pandas) over the span of nearly 75,000 acres.

Next is Provence where you’ll explore several villages including Roussillon, one of the most beautiful and unique places in France with a wide palette of flamboyant colors thanks to its natural clay earth pigment. You’ll also make a stop at Senanque Abbey where you can take in the views of this famous Cistercian church surrounded by lavender fields, which is still ruled by monks.

This itinerary is unique in that it also includes Nîmes—a city proud of its arts scene and prestigious Roman past. Here you'll get to view the antique buildings and amphitheater, with one of the best-preserved Romanesque facades in France. Also not to be missed is a visit to the Roman aqueduct called Pont du Gard, an amazing UNESCO-listed site dates back to the first century. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley

This epic itinerary focuses on the top half of France, looping around three beautiful regions, with a nice mix of free time and guided tours. 

This trip starts in the Normandy region where you'll be based in an attractive town called Bayeux known for beautiful 13th- to 18th-century buildings, and medieval streets offering great cafés and restaurants. You can also check out the Bayeux Tapestry to learn more about the dramatic story of the Norman invasion of England as told by dozens of embroidered scenes.

From Bayeux, you'll take excursions to D-Day sites and local producers of Normandy cheeses and apple beverages in Pays d'Auge. You can also stop along the Cote Fleurie coast to visit a few small fishing villages that once attracted impressionist painters. Honfleur, for instance, became an artist colony where Monet and his painter friends used to meet.

Following a visit to Mont Saint Michel, you'll drive further west to Brittany on the Channel coast while stopping at the French capital of oysters for an afternoon snack. Saint-Malo will be your base for exploring the wild, dramatic coastline, charming islands, and medieval towns of this lesser-known region. Consider spending time in the Gulf of Morbihan, loaded with islands and beaches, or the handsome town of Josselin, well-known for its huge castle and scenic perch on the River Oust. Meanwhile, the town of Finistere offers lively cafés in pretty, half-timbered buildings along with shops selling the earthenware pottery bearing local folk designs.

The Loire Valley is your next destination, starting in Tours, a small city that reflects the history of the kings of France. Make sure to visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts, an excellent fine-arts museum in a beautiful 18th-century archbishop’s palace featuring paintings, sculpture, and furniture. You'll tour several famous castles like Château de Villandry with a stunning maze-like garden based on the designs of Renaissance gardens, in which the labyrinth was a crucial element. There will also be a visit to two wine estates of the Vouvray Appellation, well-known for its sparkling and white wines. 

The adventure doesn't end here—next, take the train to Paris where you'll spend your last few days! Learn more

More Great 14-Day France Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your France trip? Check out these other 14-day France itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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