A capital of art and food, with châteaux and coastline just a train away.
France rewards a route that leaves Paris for at least a few days, since the Loire's châteaux, Provence's lavender, and the Riviera's coastline are as central to the country's identity as the capital itself.
Croissant
A buttery, flaky pastry and the quintessential French breakfast.
Coq au vin
Chicken braised slowly in red wine with mushrooms and lardons.
Cheese & wine
Hundreds of regional cheeses, each traditionally paired with a local wine.
Crème brûlée
A rich custard dessert topped with a layer of hard caramelized sugar.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Built for the 1889 World's Fair and originally intended as a temporary structure, this iron lattice tower became the enduring symbol of Paris. Three observation levels offer increasingly wide views over the city, with the top reachable by a combination of stairs and elevator. It sparkles for five minutes every hour after dark, a detail added decades after its original construction.
Louvre Museum, Paris
The world's most-visited museum, its glass pyramid entrance leading to a collection spanning ancient Egyptian artifacts, Greek sculpture, and the Mona Lisa, viewed daily by dense crowds despite its modest size. The building itself was originally a medieval fortress before becoming a royal palace. A single visit can only realistically cover a fraction of its roughly 35,000 displayed works.
Palace of Versailles
Louis XIV's vast royal palace outside Paris, its Hall of Mirrors and formal gardens designed explicitly to project the absolute power of the French monarchy. The gardens alone cover hundreds of hectares, with fountains that still perform choreographed shows on select days. It's an easy half-day train trip from central Paris.
Mont Saint-Michel
A medieval abbey perched on a rocky tidal island off Normandy's coast, its silhouette rising dramatically above the surrounding bay at high tide. A causeway now allows access regardless of tide level, though the changing water remains one of the most extreme in Europe. The abbey's Gothic architecture and steep, narrow village streets reward a slow exploration.
Loire Valley châteaux
A region dotted with hundreds of Renaissance châteaux, with Chambord's distinctive double-helix staircase and elaborate rooftop terraces standing as the most architecturally ambitious. Chenonceau, built directly over the River Cher, offers a very different, more graceful counterpoint. Cycling or driving between several châteaux is the classic way to experience the valley.
Provence's lavender fields
The plateau around Valensole turns a striking purple each July as lavender fields bloom in neat, endless rows, a scene that has become an unofficial symbol of the French countryside. Nearby hilltop villages like Gordes and Roussillon add ochre cliffs and stone architecture to the landscape. Timing a visit to peak bloom requires checking conditions, since the season shifts slightly year to year.
12 days covers Paris, Normandy, the Loire Valley, and Provence at a relaxed pace. 7–8 works for just Paris and one region; 15+ lets you add the French Riviera or slow the driving legs down.
1. Days 1–4
Paris
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and a day trip to Versailles.
2. Days 5–6
Mont Saint-Michel & Normandy
The tidal abbey, with time for the D-Day beaches if the route allows.
~4h drive from Paris
3. Days 7–8
Loire Valley
A drive between Chambord, Chenonceau, and other Renaissance châteaux.
~3h drive from Mont Saint-Michel
4. Days 9–12
Provence
Lavender fields near Valensole and the hilltop villages of the Luberon.
~5h drive or train via Paris
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in France without a visa?
90 days within any 180-day period for US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passport holders — the standard Schengen rule. The EU's EES biometric border system is now active, so budget extra time at your first entry; ETIAS hasn't launched yet.
Which airport should I fly into?
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) for this itinerary; Orly (ORY) is a secondary option mainly served by budget and domestic carriers.
Do I need a car for this itinerary?
Yes, beyond Paris. Normandy, the Loire Valley, and Provence are all far easier to explore by car than by train.
Do I need to book the Louvre in advance?
Yes, timed-entry tickets are required, and popular slots sell out days ahead in peak season.