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.

Visiting Arboretum de la Vallee-aux-Loups and Île de la Cité will get you outdoors. Explore Paris' surroundings by going to Versailles (The Trianons & The Hamlet, Palace of Versailles, &more), Arboretum de Versailles-Chevreloup (in Rocquencourt) and Golf De Gaillon (in Gaillon). There's still lots to do: admire the masterpieces at Louvre Museum, appreciate the extensive heritage of Montmartre, pause for some serene contemplation at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, and steep yourself in history at Arc de Triomphe.

To see reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Paris holiday 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. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Washington DC in April: high temperatures in Paris hover around 60°F and lows are around 42°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Fri) so you can 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.

Visiting Lake Annecy and Les Gorges du Fier will get you outdoors. Change things up with these side-trips from Lyon: La Roche de Solutre (in Solutre-Pouilly), Blanot (Grottes de Blanot & Mont Saint-Romain) and Annecy (Bateaux Toe, Parasailing & Paragliding, &more). There's lots more to do: stroll around Parc de la Tete d'Or, explore the striking landscape at Les Marmites de Geant, head outdoors with Go & Sea, and take in the dramatic scenery at Cascade du Pain de Sucre.

To see more things to do, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Lyon trip itinerary planning site.

Getting from Paris to Lyon by train takes about 3 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. May in Lyon sees daily highs of 68°F and lows of 50°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Wed) early enough to travel back home.