FRANCE · GRAND TOUR
France Travel Guide
Paris, the Loire, Lyon, Provence, the Riviera and Brittany in one journey.
France at a glance
France cannot be reduced to Paris. A rewarding first journey combines the capital’s art and neighbourhoods with Loire châteaux, Lyon’s food culture, Provençal villages, the Mediterranean coast and wild Brittany. Allow 14 to 18 days. TGV trains connect major regions quickly, while a short car rental is useful for small Provence villages and remote coastlines.
Best time
May, June, September and October. July and August are hotter, busier and more expensive.
Ideal duration
Four days in Paris plus 10–14 days for selected regions.
Getting around
Book TGV trains early; combine regional trains and a car only where useful.
Days 1–4: Paris
Do not plan the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay on the same day as the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre. Make room for Le Marais, Canal Saint-Martin or the 11th arrondissement. Bouillon Pigalle, Bouillon République and Breizh Café are approachable options; verify current opening hours and bookings. Carrefour, Monoprix, Franprix, Lidl and Aldi are useful for breakfast and picnics.
Days 5–6: Loire Valley
Choose two or three châteaux instead of rushing through a list. Chambord is architecturally dramatic, Chenonceau is defined by water, while Amboise combines a lively town and castle. Tours or Blois make practical bases. Without a car you need more planning, so check seasonal shuttles and cycle routes.
Days 7–8: Lyon
Vieux Lyon, Croix-Rousse, the food halls and the banks of the Rhône and Saône connect history with contemporary life. Traditional bouchons serve rich local cooking; check whether a restaurant carries an official authenticity label. Lunch menus are often better value than dinner.
Days 9–13: Provence & French Riviera
Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, the Luberon and Verdon cannot be covered well in two days. Select one base and make shorter trips. Nice, Antibes and Menton are easy rail destinations, so a car is often unnecessary along the coast. Lavender timing varies by altitude and weather; never book solely around a fixed calendar date.
Days 14–17: Brittany
Saint-Malo, Dinan, the Pink Granite Coast and smaller harbours show a different France. Expect changing weather and respect tides. Crêperies are often affordable; try savoury galettes, seafood and cider.
Budget, transport & safety
- Budget: €90–140 per day – hostel/simple hotel, bakery, supermarket and early train fares.
- Comfortable: €170–280 – mid-range hotel, restaurants, museums and regional transport.
- Upscale: €350+ – central hotels, car rental and fine dining.
In Paris and major stations keep bags and phones secure, watch for distraction scams and use official taxis. On coasts and in gorges check heat, weather and trail status. The European emergency number is 112. Find schedules and tickets at SNCF Connect and official destination information at France.fr.