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 Arboretum de la Vallee-aux-Loups and Ugolf Reims-Bezannes. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Paris: L'Arche Feline (in Vascoeuil), Le Bois des Aigles (in Balines) and Avion Normandie - L'Eure de l'Ulm (in Saint-Aquilin-de-Pacy). Next up on the itinerary: admire the masterpieces at Louvre Museum, wander the streets of Île de la Cité, admire the landmark architecture of Palace of Versailles, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre.

To see ratings, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Paris sightseeing planner.

Washington DC, USA to Paris is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. You'll lose 6 hours traveling from Washington DC to Paris due to the time zone difference. In April, Paris is a bit cooler than Washington DC - with highs of 60°F and lows of 42°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Tue) 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 Lake Annecy and Les Pertes de le Valserine. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Lyon: Roc de Chere (in Talloires), Cascade de Chorsin (in Sauvain) and Annecy (Bateaux Toe & Mysteres du Lac). The adventure continues: stroll around Parc de la Tete d'Or, head outdoors with Parcours Aventure, admire the sheer force of Cascade du Saut du Chien, and look for all kinds of wild species at Volerie du Forez.

For photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Lyon trip builder website.

Take a train from Paris to Lyon in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In April, daily temperatures in Lyon can reach 63°F, while at night they dip to 45°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) to allow time to travel back home.