20 days in Paris & Lyon Itinerary

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Pere-Lachaise Cemetery and Petit Palais. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Paris: Rouen (Historial Jeanne d’Arc, Rue du Gros-Horloge, &more), Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis (in Saint-Denis) and Basilique Notre-Dame de Bonsecours (in Bonsecours). There's still lots to do: admire the masterpieces at Musee National des Arts Asiatiques - Guimet, wander the streets of 1st Arrondissement, admire the landmark architecture of Louvre Museum, and appreciate the history behind Pantheon.

For maps, traveler tips, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Paris road trip planner.

Washington DC, USA to Paris is an approximately 11.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central European Standard Time (CET), which is usually a 6 hour difference. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Washington DC in August: high temperatures in Paris hover around 77°F and lows are around 57°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Lyon.

Discover out-of-the-way places like La Vieille Ville and L'Aventure Michelin. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Musee Miniature et Cinema and Cathedrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon. Get out of town with these interesting Lyon side-trips: Chateau de Cormatin (in Cormatin), Annecy (Parasailing & Paragliding & Palais de l'Ile) and Abbey of Cluny (in Cluny). The adventure continues: explore the ancient world of Théâtre gallo-romain, step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Tournoel, don't miss a visit to Mur des Canuts, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Colline de Fourviere.

To see reviews, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, read Lyon trip planning app.

Fly from Paris to Lyon in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In September, daily temperatures in Lyon can reach 74°F, while at night they dip to 55°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Wed) to allow time to fly back home.