It’s easy to start planning a trip to France with a long wish list: Paris landmarks, wine tastings, coastal drives, and all the croissants you can handle. But you simply can’t do it all in one trip. This guide shows you how to visit France the right way, with tips on timing, destinations, meals, and hidden gems that make the journey unforgettable.
Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a France Trip
We’ve mapped out the best steps to plan a trip to France. Click on the link to jump to the section.
From vineyard-covered hills to sunny Mediterranean beaches and Alpine peaks, France has it all. Which means the hardest part of planning a trip to France is deciding where to go.
If it’s your first visit, we recommend spending three to four days in Paris, then adding on one or two destinations that pique your interest. If you’re after the beach, Nice is a fantastic option. Whereas Chamonix caters to nature-lovers and Champagne and Bordeaux suite wine enthusiasts.
Versailles: Easy day trip from Paris. Famous for its palace, gardens, and Hall of Mirrors.
Champagne: One hour from Paris by train. Visit Reims or Épernay for tastings and cellar tours.
Best add-on trips from Paris:
Normandy
Loire Valley: Known for châteaux and wine. Best reached by car or small-group tour.
Normandy: See D-Day beaches, Mont-Saint-Michel, and coastal towns like Honfleur.
Provence: Spring and summer bring lavender, village markets, and sunny countryside drives.
Top places to visit in Southern France:
Bordeaux
French Riviera: Nice, Cannes, and Monaco; plan for beaches, boat trips, and coastal walks.
Bordeaux: Excellent wine region with a walkable city and easy vineyard excursions.
Lyon: Famous for gastronomy and historic old town, about 2 hours by train from Paris.
Best off-the-beaten-path destinations in France:
Chamonix
Alsace: Half-timbered villages and the prettiest Christmas markets.
Dordogne: Medieval towns, prehistoric caves, and foie gras.
The Alps: Skiing in Chamonix or hiking in summer with views of Mont Blanc.
Step 2: Choose When to Visit France
The next step in planning a France trip is deciding when to go. Summer draws the biggest crowds, but spring, fall, and winter each have their own perks.
Spring (April–June): Flowers bloom in Paris, sidewalk cafés are buzzing, and Provence lavender is a sight to see. It’s our favorite season to explore.
Summer (July–August): High season for prices and people. Good if you want festivals or the Riviera, but be prepared for heat and lines.
Fall (September–October): Pleasant weather and fewer crowds. This is harvest season in wine regions like Burgundy and Bordeaux, and Paris is lively without the summer rush.
Winter (November–March): Quiet and romantic in Paris, magical for Christmas markets in Alsace, and perfect for skiing in the Alps. Pack a coat and embrace the cozy side of France.
Step 3: Decide How Many Days to Spend in France
In our biased opinion, the longer you can spend in France, the better. But, of course, this comes down to how many vacation days you can take and your budget. When planning your trip to France, aim to spend at least one to two weeks in the country. Here’s an idea of what you can do with your days:
3–4 days: Focus on Paris essentials. Hit the big landmarks, visit a museum or two, and enjoy a food tour or evening cruise on the Seine.
5–7 days: Split your time between Paris and one nearby region. Normandy, Reims, and Tours are great options.
8 - 10 days: Gives you time to see Paris and two other cities or regions. Add on Nice, Bordeaux, or a trip into the French Alps.
10+ days: Ten or more days in France gives you plenty of time to experience multiple cities or regions. If you prefer a fast pace, check out Paris, Lyon, Nice, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Normandy. For a slower pace, combining Paris, the Loire Valley, and Bordeaux works well.
Step 4: Create Your France Itinerary
Next on your to-do list is planning your France itinerary. Keep it simple, focus on a few key experiences each day, and leave space for those spontaneous French moments. Below are some sample France itineraries to steal ideas from, and you should also check out these Paris itineraries:
On this five-day France trip, you’ll spend two days enjoying Paris classics like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Montmartre before heading off on a day trip to D-Day Beaches. Then a 1-hour train ride brings you to Reims for Champagne tastings. Wrap up with a leisurely day in Paris before catching your flight home. This itinerary is perfect for travelers who want Paris plus a romantic, calmer region.
7-Day France Itinerary:
On this one-week France trip, you’ll spend two days in Paris seeing the top sights and lingering in local cafés. Then, an about 1-hour high-speed train brings you to Tours for château visits and a taste of Loire Valley vineyards. Next, ride around 2.5 hours by train to Bordeaux for easy wine-country day trips and riverfront strolls before returning to Paris. This itinerary is perfect for travelers who want Paris plus two relaxed, romantic regions without complicated travel.
2-Week France Itinerary:
On this two-week France trip, you’ll cover Paris, Lyon, Nice, Bordeaux, and Normandy, pairing big-city highlights with the coast, wine country, and moving WWII sites. Do the Paris classics with a Versailles visit, then catch a train to Lyon for bouchons and Old Town charm. Continue by train to Nice for Riviera scenery and a quick hop to Èze or Monaco, then travel by plane to Bordeaux for vineyard days. Lastly, head north for the D-Day beaches and Mont-Saint-Michel before returning to Paris.
Step 5: Book Travel & Tours
With your itinerary set, it’s time to reserve what sells out first: trains and top tours. Do these now, and you can relax in cafés and museums later.
Train Travel in France
Why trains: They’re usually faster than driving between major cities. You’ll also skip airport security and transfers, and most stations sit right in the city center, making arrivals and departures simple.
Where to book: We recommend booking through Trainline to see all your options in one place.
When to book: As soon as your dates are set. The best fares often appear months out.
Paris Tours Worth Booking
Book Paris tours as soon as your dates are set. Timed-entry spots and small-group tours sell out fast, and they save you hours in lines. Here’s some top-sellers to. check out:
Secrets of the Louvre Museum Tour with Mona Lisa
2.5 Hours | €€
Get to know Venus de Milo, Liberty Leading the People, and Napoleon’s Coronation like never before.
A big part of planning a visit to France is deciding which neighborhoods and regions will feel like “home” during your trip. Here’s where to stay, depending on your focus:
Step 7: Find Great Places to Eat in France (Before You Arrive!)
One mistake travelers make when they plan a trip to France is leaving meals to chance. Food is part of the culture here, and knowing where to eat is just as important as knowing which museum to visit. Treat meals like part of your itinerary. Pin restaurants and bakeries near your sightseeing stops, schedule a long lunch after a busy morning, and plan at least one splurge meal in each city or region.
To make it easy, we’ve mapped out the best restaurants in each destination so you know exactly where to eat wherever your trip takes you.
Packing List: Jot it down now and add to it as you go.
Travel Tip: Think of a private airport transfer as a gift to your future self. When you land tired and disoriented, you’ll be so glad it’s taken care of.
Extra Tips for Visiting France Like a Local
The hard part’s done: your France trip is planned! Here are the final tips to make every day easier, smoother, and more enjoyable.
Plan for later dinners in France. Restaurants often open around 7 pm or later.
Always greet shopkeepers with a polite “bonjour” when entering; it’s considered rude not to.
Carry a small stash of €1 coins for public restrooms.
Don’t rely on taxis in major cities; metros and trains are faster and cheaper.
In small towns, confirm restaurant hours or make reservations. Many don’t accept walk-ins and are closed at least one day of the week.
Avoid driving in historic city centers as they often have low-emission zones (ZTLs) monitored by cameras.
How to Plan a Trip to France FAQs
What’s the first step in planning a trip to France?
Start France trip planning by choosing your destinations—often Paris plus one or two regions—so the rest of your itinerary, trains, tours, and hotels fall into place.
When is the best time to visit France for first-timers?
For visiting France with fewer crowds and pleasant weather, plan for April–June or September–October; summer is busy and winter is cozy with markets and skiing.
How many days do I need when planning a trip to France?
If you’re wondering how to plan a trip to France, aim for 7–10 days for Paris plus a region; with 3–4 days, focus on Paris essentials.
How do I create a good France itinerary?
When figuring out how to plan a trip to France, schedule Paris first, then add one or two regions that match your interests (Champagne, Normandy, Loire Valley, Provence, or the Riviera).
What’s the best way to get around when visiting France—train or car?
For France trip planning between major cities, choose high-speed trains; rent a car only for countryside areas like the Loire, Alsace, or Provence.
Which tours and tickets should I book in advance when visiting France?
For easy France trip planning, pre-book timed entries and small-group tours for the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Versailles to skip long lines.
Can I combine France with other countries on the same trip?
Yes—when planning a trip to France, pair Paris with London via Eurostar or add Barcelona and Rome with short flights for an easy multi-country itinerary.
Where to Go Before & After France
When you plan a trip to France, consider pairing it with another European destination. Extra days mean you can easily hop to:
Rome: Combine your France itinerary with Italy’s ancient capital, full of history and incredible cuisine.
Barcelona: Famous for Gaudí’s architecture and its energetic food scene, just a short flight or train ride away.
London: Connected to Paris by the Eurostar, making it one of the easiest and most convenient add-ons.
Final Thoughts on Planning Your France Vacation
Now you know exactly how to visit France without the stress. Follow these steps, leave a little room for spontaneity, and your trip will balance bucket-list sights with the small moments that make France unforgettable. Bon voyage!
