France is just magical as it’s a perfect blend of charm, architecture and ambience. If you are visiting for a week, then you might be thinking about preparing an itinerary in 7 days. Discover the best places & attractions with this 1-week France itinerary. Just make Paris your starting destination and begin to explore stunning neighbourhood and top destinations of France.
Generally, when people think of France, they imagine the beautiful Paris. But France is more than this city. Whether you are here for a honeymoon or a fun trip, you will want to spend the 7 days at its best. One week in France is a gateway to explore Paris and other regions. So, keep reading this itinerary and feel more confident to discover the hidden gems of France during the next trip.
| DAY 1: Explore Paris |
| DAY 2: Musee Rodin and Food tour |
| DAY 3: Day trip from Paris |
| DAY 4: Lyon trip |
| DAY 5: Visit Annecy |
| DAY 6 – 7: Visit to Provence |
Keep reading below!
Undoubtedly, this can be fast & furious trip, but if you want to make the most of your trip to France, then this is the best way. In case you don’t want such a rush, then we have covered some ideas below as well in this 1-week France itinerary.
Day 1 – Explore Paris & see its attractions
France trip is incomplete without Paris. This place is so filled with historic charm, romantic landmarks and beautiful landscapes making it a dream destination for the visitors from around the world. Whether you stroll around the streets of this city or explore the museum, this city is a perfect start for a France trip.
Louvre Museum – While being in this city, there is no doubt that you will visit Eiffel tower, so mentioning it isn’t needed. Right travelers? So, we recommend you visit this most visited museum in the world welcoming over 10 million visitors per year. The gem of this attraction is: Winged Victory of Samothrace, Leonardo di Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. This place has magnificent gallery after gallery filled with European paintings, dazzling ambience and ornamental aesthetics. The historical apartments here are the reason to visit this place. So, are you ready to visit this glass pyramid?
Versailles Palace – Having 700 rooms, this palace is one of the largest in the world which is widely popular among the travelers. It was the royal occupancy of rulers from King Louis XIV to Marie – Antoinette.Visitors get mesmerised by its stunning Hall of mirrors, kavish rooms, aesthetic decor, and magnificent art which gives an memorable glimpse of royal life.
Seine river – Flowing through central Paris, the Seine River is the heart of this vibrant city. So, a trip to Paris is incomplete without strolling near the river, enjoy cruises and try water activities. After exploring the wonderful attractions of Paris, make sure to end your day enjoying near the scenic beauty of this river and its islands like Île de la Cité. Whether you walk along the banks, admire the bridge, check the booksellers and walk along the pedestrian.
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*** Apart from enjoying these places and trying adventurous activities along the cruise, you can explore Montmartre, Musee d’Orsay, and Luxembourg garden in Paris making your day a joyful one.
Day 2 – Musee Rodin and Food tour
After enjoying the very first day of yor trip in Paris, you can spend your next day visiting the popular museums and trying the local cuisine. A tour without trying out the local cuisine is always incomplete, so make sure this second day is filled with fun and delicious dishes. On your second day, you can visit smaller museum like Rodin museum, Musee Picasso, National museum of natural history, Musee du quai branly, etc. which are best for fabulous gardens, architecture and sculptures.
And wait, what is better then spending your day trying those delicious local food along with exploring the hidden history? During this day, you can savour amazing chocolates, wine, cheese, and pastries in different tarditional food spots. When it comes to France for food lovers or history buffs, it is a big yes.
Taste cheese, wine & more. – Montmartre is always recommended when it comes to have a food tour in Paris. This place is always a top priority of food artisans, bakeries, and markets. Just walk through the terraced cafes attracting with their food fragrances. Just sip wine, try local cheese, enjoy french pastries nad savor the home-made chocolates.
Chocolate tastings – Enjoy 3-hour gourmet stroll of Saint Germain des Pres neighbourhood where you can find mouthwatering chocolates and amazing pastries. Here it’s not just about trying the food, but also you can learn about the history of culinary artisans including famous chefs. Along with tastings, you can explore the galleries, boutiques, and churches.
Enjoy wine pairings & desserts – A cool feature of the Marais Walking Food Tour is that your guide takes you off the usual tourist path in this uber-trendy neighborhood to visit the best artisan shops, markets, and bakeries. Here you can try the flavors blended with wine, ham, pastries, and other traditional varieties.
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Day 3 – Day trips from Paris
Taking a day trip from Paris is always the best thing during your vacation. There is no doubt that Paris is a neighbor of the best destinations that you can discover. These incredible destinations are highly suggested for a day trip. Day trips are great for indulging yourself in history, the beauty of castles, and sightseeing. Some of the day trip ideas are:
Chocolate tastings – The palace of Versailles is former home of famous Marie Antoinette, which retains the charm of historic era. This is just 15-minute ride from Montparnasse station and there is a lot to discover. If you prefer traveling to nearby place and see the best, then booking a tour to Versailles is perfect plan which cost around $122 per person.
Mont St. Michel – This iconic abbey on a hill is just magnificent. When it comes to day trips from Paris, travelers often head to Mont St. Michel, which has dreamy, winding streets and pathways. Undoubtedly, you will love to see this architectural gem in the Normandy region of France. Just take a trip to this place which costs around $145 per person.
Meudon – Day trip from Paris is the best and always unforgettable. Between Versailles and Paris, this place is an incredible cultural centre. Here you can see the exhibitions, chill in wide parks having sculptures, enjoy in open cafes and more. While you are here, visit Rodin Museum. And last not the least, explore the vast forest of this town.
*** Apart from enjoying these places, many of the France travel itinerary also mentions attractions like Saint-Ouen, Champagne, and Giverny, which definitely makes your day a joyful one.
Day 4 – Trip to Lyon
When it comes to France’s itinerary, Lyon always comes under the radar. This second-largest metropolitan area boasts a rich culture and architectural heritage. Being the capital city of France’s Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, it is a great place to explore during a French trip. So, just take a high-speed train and head to this place from Paris in just 5 hours. When it comes to history tours in France, this town is filled with beautiful places boasting a rich history that you would love.
Place des Terreaux & city hall – Located in the Presquile, this is like a peninsula. Place des Terreaux is one of the most famous must-see squares in Lyon that travelers rarely miss visiting. Here, you can see a gigantic fountain which was designed by famous sculptor Auguste Bartholdi in 1894. This architectural space is bordered by the monumental city hall of Lyon. Not just this, you will come across the stunning Opera house behind the city hall, which is another great attraction of this town.
St. Jean Cathedral – This beautifully created gothic cathedral is the largest in Lyon town. So, it’s definitely irreplaceable during the Lyon trip. Its construction was started in early 1180 and was completed in 1476. This cathedral is famous for its astronomical clock, which is well-known among travelers.
Banks of the River Saone River – River Saone separates the district of Lyon into two parts: Vieux-Lyon and the Presquile. The banks of this river offer magnificent, picturesque views, and you can stroll around taking a walk amidst peaceful vibes. The Saint-Georges footbridge here is just mesmerizing, which gives sightseeing of Old Lyon, the Church of Saint-Georges, and Fourviere hills. So, isn’t this fourth day of your 1-week France itinerary amazing?
*** Apart from enjoying these places, you can explore Fourviere Hill and Basilica, remain at Fourviere, and visit the Croix-Rousse district.
Day 5 – Visit Annecy
So, on your fifth day of 1 week France itinerary, are you ready to explore “Venice of the Alps”? Annecy is often allied with this name, which might have given you an idea about its popularity. Annecy is undoubtedly a dreamy escape from hustle reality which offers a deeper image of French culture. Here are the must-visit places in Annecy:
Palais de l’lle – If you head to Annecy, then don’t miss this iconic place. Constructed in the 12th century, this place has been a residence, courthouse and even a prison. Now, it is a widely popular museum in the middle of the Thiou canal. This museum takes you to the historical stories, secrets behind Annecy’s past and much more.
Lake Annecy – Crystal clear water and backdrop of the French Alps; while enjoying the water activities, what else does a traveler need? Leisurely boat rides, thrilling water sports, and more are there to enjoy in Lake Annecy, which is never disappointing. A visit to this lake is really a refreshing escape from the city’s chaos. Here you can relax and enjoy the adventure too. Those walking trails and cycle paths ensure that you explore every corner of this vibrant space.
Annecy castle – Perched atop a hill, Annecy castle is the witness of town’s royal history since 12th century. Being in Annecy, if you are looking for something unique, then this castle deserves a visit. This castle is much more than old walls and ruptured furniture, it has several other museums as well. You will encounter the aesthetic artifacts & art exhibitions also.
*** Apart from enjoying these places, you can explore the old town, Pont des Amours, and Musee-Chateau d’Annecy.
Day 6-7 – Visit to Provence
On the last days of your 1-week France itinerary, we recommend you head to Provence. This place can be a beautiful ending for your dreamy trip which inculcates the urge to visit France again and again. Provence is among the prettiest French destinations which is situated in southeastern France and bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. From Southern Alps to lavender fields, Provence has a lot to offer.
Lavender fields – When it comes to things to do in Provence, must visit the lavender fields. Provence is simply famous for these lavender fields. Also don’t miss the lavender museum which makes you learn about a unique blend of beauty and culture.
Massif des Calanques – Formed around 12,000 years ago, when the warming up of ice led to the rise of sea level. The Massif des Calanques is a true wonder which stretches from Marseille to Cassis. Those fine sand beaches, creeks, and crystal tortoise water make it an excellent landscape.
Picturesque port of cassis – Situated at the bottom of Cap cliff, Cassis is a great point to access the beautiful scenic view. This site is a great place to spend some time enjoying swimming pool and other water activities.
Gorges du Verdon – Amidst the town of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the Gorges du Verdon is an incredible river canyon which is created by the combination of Alpine and Mediterranean terrain.
Fishing village – The Fishing village of Le Suquet in Cannes retains the charming ambience due to its colourful candy- like cottages and yacht marina. This place is so charming that it still retains the aura of British aristocrats and captivates the travelers from around the world.
The count of Monte Cristo – The Chateau d’If is an incredible tiny island fortress offshore from beautiful Marseille. It is also the renowned prison which was one of the settings of the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
*** Apart from exploring these places, you can also discover Salon-de-Provence, Grasse, Cote Bleue, Aix-en-Provence, etc.
“I HAD COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT I MUST REALLY BE FRENCH, ONLY NO ONE HAD EVER INFORMED ME OF THIS FACT. I LOVED THE PEOPLE, THE FOOD, THE LAY OF THE LAND, THE CIVILIZED ATMOSPHERE, AND THE GENEROUS PACE OF LIFE.” – JULIA CHILD
Final Thoughts
France is undoubtedly a true gem. This country is filled with beautiful attractions and landscapes that captivate the attention of travelers from every corner of the world. From Paris to Lyon, this country has plenty of beautiful destinations that will fulfill your one-week France itinerary.
This week itinerary for France trip tried covering the best places for the travelers. Make sure you adhere to the itinerary to make the best of your trip. Whether you are traveling solo or with your family, there is nothing that disappoints you in this country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Although there is no compulsion, preparing yourself before visiting such an enchanting country is always a good idea. France is a vast country with many beautiful destinations to explore, including Paris, Provence, Gorge de Verdon, etc. So, it is better to prepare an itinerary to make the most of your trip.
Yes. France is part of the Schengen area, which has its own rules. These rules mandate that UK residents travel to any of the Schengen countries, including France.
The best time for travelers to visit France is during the Shoulder season, which is from April to June. September and October also offer pleasant weather.