9 Days in France - 7 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of France: Paris, Bourdeaux, Loire Valley

On this whirlwind tour through the highlights of France, you'll see Paris, Bordeaux, and the wine-growing region of the Loire Valley.

Kick off the trip in wine country. You'll visit several wineries in Bordeaux and go on a culinary tour of the region, then visit the vineyards of Saint-Émilion. Tour Medoc, following the Châteaux Trail to learn about the region's historic estates. Takes a tour of the Loire Valley's famous castles and spend the night in Amboise before heading onward to the City of Lights.

You'll spend the last few days of the trip in Paris. See world-class art at the Louvre, wander around Le Marais, explore the back streets of Île de la Cité, then go for lunch in the Latin Quarter or take a wine and cheese picnic to the Luxembourg Gardens. Enjoy one last night on the town before departing France on day nine. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Cities & Nature on the French Riviera

Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez: this colorful trip plan along the sunshine-filled French Riviera is a pleasure for beach lovers and wine enthusiasts.

Begin the trip on the French Riviera. Spent the first night in Nice, where you'll shop in the local market, take a cooking class (which results in a three-course meal), and go on a perfume tour on day two. You'll move onto Bellet for a wine tour, then visit the village of Saint Paul de Vence. Continue onto Cannes, and take a private sailing tour around the Lérins Islands. 

On day six, you'll go for a hike on the Esterel Massif, taking in sunset views from the top. The following day, make the scenic drive from Cannes to Saint-Tropez. You'll spend the last full day of the trip on a private boat tour of Îles d'Or, then return to Saint-Tropez for one last French meal before heading home the following day. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Paris & Provence Road Trip

Experience the cosmopolitan energy of Paris and the peaceful landscapes of Provence on this French-style road trip.

The adventure begins in Paris, but you'll move quickly along to Provence (not to worry—you'll be back to the City of Light at the end of the itinerary). You'll spend the next three nights in Aix-en-Provence's charming historic center, going on walking tours, culinary excursions, and a cooking class in the Provençal countryside. Drive to Arles, where you'll have a day to relax. 

Day five is wine-focused: you'll stop at various vineyards and tasting rooms in Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas. The following day, you'll have time to explore ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Pont du Gard bridge, at your own pace. Overnight in Avignon before heading back to Paris, where you'll go on a classic walking tour and get up close with Paris's famous monuments and secret passageways on the last full day before flying out on day nine. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Road Trip through Western France

Drive past lavender fields, sprawling vineyards, and picturesque castles on this self-driven adventure around Paris, the Loire Valley, and Bordeaux.

The adventure begins with an iconic experience in Paris: on your first evening in France, you'll go on an after-dark Eiffel Tower tour and have the chance to see the city lights from above. Go on a pastry tour of Le Marais, followed by a visit to the Louvre, on day two. You'll explore pretty Île de la Cité and descend into the Paris Catacombs on your last day in the capital.

Move onto the countryside the next day, visiting castles and wineries around Tours, then day-tripping to Chambord and the Château de Chenonceau, the second-most visited château in France (after Versailles). Return to Tours for a relaxed meal with wine pairings. You'll trace the steps of Leonardo da Vinci on the next day's dedicated tour, then drive to Bordeaux to visit local wineries and taste world-famous Arcachon oysters in Saint-Émilion—it's the perfect way to end the trip. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Highlights of Eastern France

On this diverse itinerary, you'll sip champagne at Moët & Chandon, tour the villages of Alsace, and chill out on the French Riviera.

You'll be traveling in style from the start of this nine-day trip: touch down in Paris, then head for Reims for a champagne tasting. Sample more varietals on the Avenue of Champagne, and attend an olfactory workshop in Epernay, on day two. Continue onto Strasbourg, touring the French-German historic center, before catching the train to Colmar and going on a river cruise of the canals.

On the second part of the trip, enjoy a guided tour through the picturesque villages of Alsace. Drive to Annecy and relax with local wines and cheeses on the lakefront. You'll learn all about how they're made on a dedicated Alpine cheese and wine tour on day seven. Cross the Swiss border to Geneva and catch a flight to Nice, where you'll have an evening to relax on the French Riviera before the next day's flight out. Learn More

Itinerary #6: Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided Trek

Scale the heights of the highest summit in Western Europe and relax in the classic resort towns of the Chamonix Valley on this active itinerary.

The lovely Chamonix Valley is where the adventure begins. Start in the resort town of Les Houches, then ride the Bellevue cable car station to a trailhead where you'll start your hike to Bionnassay glacier. Descend to Les Contamines Montjoie, the village where you'll spend the night. Hike for six hours the next day, past Col de la Croix-du-Bonhomme, where you'll see a sweeping panorama of Mont-Pourri, and stop for the evening in the hamlet of Les Chapieux. 

Hike through the alpine pastures and farms of the Ville des Glaciers to Courmayeur, an Italian resort town. You'll overnight in Champex, then trek through the Swiss meadows of Bovines, one of the most famous cheese-producing regions in the Alps. Continue to the French border at Col de Balme and catch the ski lift down to Le Tour, where you'll connect to Argentière. Hike to Cheserys Lakes and Lac Blanc before riding the gondola down to the valley floor. Spend one last night on the town in Chamonix. Learn more

Itinerary #7: Luxury Getaway to Western France

Champagne, cheese, castles, cruises: taste the good life in western France with this luxury tour around the region.

Touch down in Paris and make a toast on the first evening. The next day, you'll tour Île de la Cité and the Eiffel Tower, then continue to Versailles on day three, returning to Paris later for a dinner cruise on the Seine River. Transfer to historic Bayeux the next day. After getting to know the city, you'll visit D-Day sites in the region.

Make the trip to Mont-Saint-Michel on day six, the famed "abbey on an island." You'll move on to the fortified town of Saint-Malo in a private car, then have a seafood dinner in the old city. On day seven, you'll ride in the first-class compartment on the train from Brittany to the Loire Valley. Relax and taste locally produced wines and cheeses in the afternoon. On the last full day of the trip, you'll tour the Châteaus de Chambord and Chenonceau. Have one last glass of wine before flying out on day nine. Learn more

More Great 9-Day France Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your France trip? Check out these other 9-day France itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury or family-friendly trips.