30 days in France Itinerary
30 days in France Itinerary
Created using Inspirock France vacation planner
Start: Washington DC
+2
Drive to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Fly to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, Drive to Albi
1
Albi
— 1 night
Fly
2
Marseille
— 3 nights
Drive
3
Nice
— 5 nights
Fly
4
Strasbourg
— 4 nights
Fly to Lyon, Shuttle to Val Thorens
5
Val Thorens
— 2 nights
Drive
6
Lyon
— 4 nights
Fly
7
Bayeux
— 4 nights
Drive
8
Amiens
— 1 night
Drive
9
Paris
— 5 nights
Fly
End: Washington DC
Sat, Dec 19 - Sun, Jan 17
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View full calendar
Albi — 1 night
©
Albi is a commune in southern France. Kick off your visit on the 20th (Sun): admire the natural beauty at Cloitre de la Collegiale Saint Salvy, appreciate the extensive heritage of Le Quartier Du Castelviel, examine the collection at Academie des Miniatures et des petits gouters, snap pictures at Pont Vieux, then admire the landmark architecture of Cathedrale Sainte-Cecile, and finally take an in-depth tour of Musee Toulouse-Lautrec.
To find ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Albi online vacation builder.
Washington DC, USA to Albi is an approximately 14.5-hour combination of car and flight. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Central European Standard Time, which is usually a 6 hour difference. Expect a daytime high around 49°F in December, and nighttime lows around 35°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sun) so you can catch the flight to Marseille.
To find ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Albi online vacation builder.
Washington DC, USA to Albi is an approximately 14.5-hour combination of car and flight. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Central European Standard Time, which is usually a 6 hour difference. Expect a daytime high around 49°F in December, and nighttime lows around 35°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sun) so you can catch the flight to Marseille.
Find places to stay Dec 19 — 20:
Highlights from your trip
Marseille — 3 nights
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The 2013 European "Capital of Culture," Marseille is the largest port city on the breezy Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in France.Kids will appreciate attractions like Palais Longchamp and Calanques. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Hotel de Caumont - Art Centre and The Panier. Change things up with these side-trips from Marseille: Arles (Amphitheatre (les Arenes) & Musee Departemental Arles Antique), Aix-en-Provence (Paul Cezanne’s Studio, Cours Mirabeau, &more) and Chateau des Baux de Provence (in Les Baux de Provence). There's still lots to do: relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas and take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathédrale La Major.
For reviews, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, read Marseille road trip planner.
You can fly from Albi to Marseille in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. When traveling from Albi in December, plan for a bit warmer days in Marseille, with highs around 56°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 40°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Wed) early enough to drive to Nice.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 20 — 23:
Highlights from your trip
Nice — 5 nights
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Well-known for the beautiful views of its famous Promenade des Anglais waterfront, Nice is an ethnically-diverse coastal port city on the French Riviera and the fifth most populated city in France.You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Lérins Islands and Monastère de Cimiez. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Place Garibaldi and Cathedrale Saint-Nicolas a Nice. Change things up with these side-trips from Nice: Cannes (Galerie de Cannes, Rue d'Antibes, &more), Easy Dive (in Juan-les-Pins) and Antibes (Galerie du Faune, Marché provençal, &more). There's lots more to do: see the interesting displays at Musée Marc Chagall, get to know the fascinating history of Vieille Ville, explore the world behind art at Musee de la Photographie Charles Negre, and head outdoors with Quai Rauba Capeu.
To find traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Nice trip itinerary builder tool.
Traveling by car from Marseille to Nice takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 58°F in December, and nighttime lows around 45°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Mon) to allow time to fly to Strasbourg.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 23 — 28:
Highlights from your trip
Strasbourg — 4 nights
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Strasbourg is famous for its beautiful historical center, the Grande Île, which was the first city center classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Strasbourg is one of the nine largest cities in France with nearly half a million inhabitants in the metropolitan area crossing the river to the German city of Kehl, on the eastern bank of the Rhine River.Do some cultural sightseeing at Centre-ville de Strasbourg and Œuvre de la cathédrale. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Old Town and Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg. Change things up with these side-trips from Strasbourg: Parc Animalier de Sainte-Croix (in Rhodes), Vieille ville d'Eguisheim (in Eguisheim) and Eglise Saint-Georgesglise Saint-Georges (in Epfig). The adventure continues: get engrossed in the history at Alsatian Museum, pause for some photo ops at Place Kleber, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sanctuaire du Mont Sainte Odile, and wander the streets of La Petite France.
For more things to do, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Strasbourg travel itinerary planner.
Traveling by flight from Nice to Strasbourg takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Nice in December, with highs in Strasbourg at 44°F and lows at 33°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Fri) early enough to travel to Val Thorens.
Side Trips
Metz, Colmar, Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, Sanctuaire du Mont Sainte Odile, Parc Animalier de Sainte-Croix
Find places to stay Dec 28 — Jan 1:
Highlights from your trip
Val Thorens — 2 nights
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Val Thorens, located in the Tarentaise Valley, Savoie, French Alps, is the highest ski resort in Europe, at 2300 m altitude. On the 2nd (Sat), expand your horizons at Ski Cool, fly down the slopes at Prosneige, stop by La Belle en Cuisse, then fly down the slopes at Elements Park, and finally fly down the slopes at Ecole de Ski Prosneige. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: stroll through Domaine Skiable de Val Thorens.
To find ratings, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Val Thorens planning tool.
You can do a combination of flight and shuttle from Strasbourg to Val Thorens in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. January in Val Thorens sees daily highs of 43°F and lows of 31°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sun) to allow time to drive to Lyon.
To find ratings, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Val Thorens planning tool.
You can do a combination of flight and shuttle from Strasbourg to Val Thorens in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. January in Val Thorens sees daily highs of 43°F and lows of 31°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sun) to allow time to drive to Lyon.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 1 — 3:
Highlights from your trip
Lyon — 4 nights
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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.Discover out-of-the-way places like Musee Miniature et Cinema and Mini World Lyon. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Cathedrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon and Fresque des Lyonnais. Explore Lyon's surroundings by going to Annecy (Parasailing & Paragliding & La Vieille Ville), Ville Ancienne (in Chambery) and Les Gorges du Fier (in Lovagny). There's still lots to do: delve into the distant past at Théâtre gallo-romain, make a trip to Mur des Canuts, buy something for everyone on your list at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, and pause for some serene contemplation at Paroisse Notre-Dame De Dijon.
Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Lyon using our trip planner.
Drive from Val Thorens to Lyon in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. January in Lyon sees daily highs of 46°F and lows of 35°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Thu) to allow time to fly to Bayeux.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 3 — 7:
Highlights from your trip
Bayeux — 4 nights
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Most travelers take a trip to Bayeux to see the famed tapestry depicting the legendary Norman Conquest from the 11th century.Do some cultural sightseeing at Cimetiere Militaire Allemand de La Cambe and Church of Sainte-Mère-Église. Kids will appreciate attractions like Musee du Debarquement Utah Beach and Les Jardins Suspendus. Explore Bayeux's surroundings by going to Mont-Saint-Michel (Église Saint-Pierre - Le Mont-Saint-Michel & Mont Saint-Michel), Pointe du Grouin (in Cancale) and Ranville (Pegasus Memorial & Pegasus Bridge). The adventure continues: take in the spiritual surroundings of Saint Catherine's Catholic Church, stroll the grounds of Normandy American Cemetery, take in the history at Omaha Beach, and take an in-depth tour of Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux.
To see maps, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read our Bayeux online trip itinerary planner.
Getting from Lyon to Bayeux by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 47°F in January, and nighttime lows around 36°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Mon) so you can go by car to Amiens.
Side Trips
Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Mont-Saint-Michel, Ranville, Saint Catherine's Catholic Church, Les Jardins Suspendus
Find places to stay Jan 7 — 11:
Highlights from your trip
Amiens — 1 night
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Lovers of literature will adore Amiens as the hometown of author Jules Verne, along with the Somme canal linked to the Canal du Nord that runs through the town to the English Channel.Kick off your visit on the 12th (Tue): admire the masterpieces at Musee de Picardie, explore the different monuments and memorials at Australian National Memorial, then admire the natural beauty at Les Hortillonnages d'Amiens, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathedrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens, and finally visit St-Leu.
For where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Amiens trip itinerary planner.
You can drive from Bayeux to Amiens in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. In January, daytime highs in Amiens are 45°F, while nighttime lows are 35°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Paris.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jan 11 — 12:
Highlights from your trip
Paris — 5 nights
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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.You'll discover tucked-away gems like Île de la Cité and Musee Jacquemart-Andre. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Paris: Versailles (The Trianons & The Hamlet, Palace of Versailles, &more). The adventure continues: admire the masterpieces at Musee d'Orsay, appreciate the history behind Arc de Triomphe, take in nature's colorful creations at Jardin des Tuileries, and make a trip to Champs-Elysees.
Before you visit Paris, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.
Traveling by car from Amiens to Paris takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Expect a daytime high around 45°F in January, and nighttime lows around 35°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Sun) early enough to fly back home.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jan 12 — 17:
Highlights from your trip
France travel guide
France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for decades, and geographically, it is one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Its cities are holiday hot spots and contain some of the greatest treasures in Europe, its countryside is prosperous and well tended, and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions, like Paris, the French Riviera, the Atlantic beaches, the winter sport resorts of the French Alps, as well as the castles of the Loire Valley, Brittany, and Normandy. The country is renowned for its gastronomy, particularly wines and cheeses, as well as its history, culture, and fashion industry.
You'll find that the French people are very polite and may react coldly to you if you forget this. You might be surprised as you're greeted by other customers and the proprieter when you walk into a restaurant or a shop. Be sure to take your sightseeing off the beaten path in France. Besides the famous Eiffel Tower and the chic resorts of the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) you'll find many places to visit in the form of museums filled with fine art, crafts, and archaeological relics, wonderful medieval villages and castles, diverse national parks, and local shopping direct from artisans themselves.
Whether you're touring the Christmas Markets or going skiing during winter, viewing the springtime influx of color in Provence, sunbathing on the Mediterranean coast in the summer, or watching the fall foliage against the backdrop of the châteaux in the Loire Valley, you're sure to find just the right place to be. Spring is a time when the tourist attractions are just starting to expand their hours, but it may still be cold in the mountainous regions and the north. Summer is the busiest time in France with the longest hours for many museums and attractions, but it's often when you will experience the most crowds. Winter in France is filled with winter carnivals, Christmas Markets, and of course, skiing. Fall is a time to celebrate the release of Beaujolais nouveau wine in November, as well as experience Nuit Blanche, a day in October when major attractions, museums, galleries, parks, and swimming pools remain open all night.
