20 days in Paris & Lyon Itinerary

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.

Get in touch with nature at Seine River and L'Orangerie. Get out of town with these interesting Paris side-trips: Le Bois des Aigles (in Balines), Arboretum de Versailles-Chevreloup (in Rocquencourt) and Avion Normandie - L'Eure de l'Ulm (in Saint-Aquilin-de-Pacy). Next up on the itinerary: admire the masterpieces at Louvre Museum, contemplate the long history of Eiffel Tower, explore the historical opulence of Palace of Versailles, and admire the striking features of Arc de Triomphe.

To find ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Paris online itinerary planner.

Washington DC, USA to Paris is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Washington DC to Paris is 6 hours. In March in Paris, expect temperatures between 53°F during the day and 38°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) to allow time to take a train to Lyon.

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.

Escape the urban bustle at Parc d'Activites de Montagne de Praboure and Lake Annecy. Change things up with these side-trips from Lyon: Roc de Chere (in Talloires), Les Grottes d'Aze (in Aze) and Annecy (Ile des Cygnes & Bateaux Toe). The adventure continues: get outside with Parcours Aventure, tour the pleasant surroundings at Via Ferrata : Les Prises de la Bastille, trek along Les Pertes de le Valserine, and admire the landmark architecture of Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere.

To find photos, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Lyon online driving holiday planner.

You can take a train from Paris to Lyon in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In March, daytime highs in Lyon are 56°F, while nighttime lows are 39°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 28th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel back home.