13 Days in France - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of the French Riviera

This grand tour of the French Riviera is filled with adventures and hands-on activities, from making your own perfume in Cannes to wine tasting in Provence and sailing through the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. 

Start the trip on the French Riviera. You'll shop in the local marketplace in Nice to buy produce and ingredients for a cooking class—then feast on the three-course meal you'll help to make—before going on a perfume tour. Continue to Bellet for wine tasting, then visit the village of Saint Paul de Vence. Next up is a day trip to Monaco, Monte Carlo, and Eze. Attend another perfume workshop, this time in Provence. Then you'll continue onto Cannes and board a boat for a private sailing tour around the Lérins Islands. 

Take in sunset views and sip aperitifs—rewards for a rigorous hike—at the top of the Esterel Massif. Enjoy the scenic drive from Cannes to Saint-Tropez, then relax during a free day in Brigitte Bardot's favorite getaway. You'll go on a private boat tour of the Îles d'Or, surrounded by clear blue water, and have the chance to go for a dip. Head back to Saint-Tropez for dinner before you spend the last full day of the trip on a scenic drive along the Mediterranean coast. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Luxury, Art, & Food in France

Experience the good life in France on this luxury tour through the country's culinary and cultural highlights, from the top attractions of Paris to the vineyards and villages of Provence.

Begin the trip in Paris, where you'll see the City of Lights in style—from the perspective of a chauffeured vintage car, to be specific. The next day, go on a pastry tour of Le Marais and spend the afternoon at the Louvre. Travel onward to Marseilles, where you'll take an art history-themed tour, boat around on a private cruise, and attend a photography workshop. You'll be ready to snap away and seek out once-in-a-lifetime photo ops as the trip takes you to charming Aix-en-Provence.

Next up on the itinerary are a cooking class and visits to the UNESCO-honored Avignon and the hilltop villages of Provence. Then you'll head to the French Riviera. Base yourself in Nice for the rest of the trip, making side trips to wineries and beaches during the day. Shop for produce in the local market and take a cooking class with a local chef, then learn about the region's perfume-making tradition on a dedicated tour. On the last full day of the trip, you'll take a private tour of Monaco, Monte Carlo, and Eze. Returning to Nice for one last night of fresh seafood and nightlife before it's time to head home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Discover Provence by Electric Bike

Take to the open road for this biking journey around Provence, stopping to taste locally made olive oil and visit medieval villages along the way. 

Get oriented in France with an afternoon and evening in Paris. Move onto Montelimar on day two, where you'll pick up an electric bike, also known as an e-bike—and learn how to operate it. Over the next few days, you'll pedal from Grignan to Vaucluse-la-Romaine to Mount Ventoux to Sault, where you'll take a well-deserved break. Go for a stroll on the Lavender Road, taste local candy at the Boyer Nougat Factory, visit lavender distilleries, and pick up a few sweet-smelling souvenirs at Provence Soap Works.

Continue onward to Luberon, hopping off the e-bike to stop into art galleries and boutiques. Then you'll pedal to Roussillon, located in the middle of one of Europe's biggest ochre deposits. You'll have a free day to explore the town and check out the Conservatory of Ochre and Applied Pigments, housed in an old ochre processing factory. Next, ride to Fontaine de Vaucluse, famous for its natural springs, then medieval Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the last full day of the trip sightseeing in the old town and sipping coffee or locally produced wine in outdoor cafés. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Highlights of Eastern France

On this wide-ranging trip plan, you'll sip bubbly on the Avenue of Champagne, tour the picturesque villages of Alsace, and enjoy a private tour of Monaco and Monte Carlo.

Your trip begins with a flourish: board a boat to take a cruise along the Seine River, enjoying the beauty of the City of Lights as the sun goes down. Take a pastry tour in Le Marais the next day; after a leisurely lunch, you'll visit the Louvre in the afternoon. Leave Paris and move on to Reims, where you'll visit several of the famed champagne houses along the Avenue of Champagne. Work on your tasting skills during an olfactory workshop in Epernay, then go to Strasbourg and put them to practice. You'll tour the region's wine route in a VW Kombi, pausing to sip local varietals at several wineries along the way.

Next, take the train to Colmar, where you'll cruise the canals on a riverboat. Then explore the picturesque villages of Alsace on a guided tour. Relax on the lakefront in Annecy with wine and cheese. The following day, you'll take an Alpine cheese and wine tour, visiting four historic vineyards before continuing to Geneva. The trip's almost over as you board a quick flight to Nice. But there's one adventure left: a day trip to Monaco, Monte Carlo, and Eze. You'll fly out the next day. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Luxury Food & Wine Tour - Paris & Bourdeaux

Wine and dine your way through France on this luxury tour geared to foodies and wine enthusiasts: the itinerary features a few bike rides and hikes, too, for good measure.

To begin the trip, spend some time in Le Marais visiting cheese shops and bakeries, then visit Palais Royal. You'll have time to wander around Montmartre and ride the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower before catching the train to Amboise in the Loire Valley. You'll taste organic wines and have lunch in the vineyards on day six, then pedal around the area on a bike tour the next day, stopping to visit the grand Château de Chenonceau.

Move on to Bordeaux, where you'll have a leisurely dinner with wine pairings on your first evening. You'll learn more about wine production in the region and see more of the landscape from the perspective of a boat as you cruise down the Gironde estuary. Go for more wine tasting in St. Emilion on day ten, then finish up the trip with a visit to Arcachon, famous for its oysters, and a climb up Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe. You'll have a relaxed seafood dinner on your last night in France. Learn more

More Great 13-Day France Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your France trip? Check out these other 13-day France itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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