37 days in France Itinerary

A beautiful and romantic city fit for any itinerary, Paris brims with historic associations and remains vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.

Start off your visit on the 11th (Mon): admire the striking features of Arc de Triomphe and then explore the wide array of goods at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann. Keep things going the next day: step off the mainland to explore Ile Saint-Louis, make a trip to Le Trocadero et son esplanade, then admire the masterpieces at Musee d'Orsay, and finally wander the streets of Latin Quarter.

For more things to do, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Paris route planner.

Los Angeles, USA to Paris is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Pacific Standard Time to Central European Standard Time, which is usually a 9 hour difference. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Los Angeles in September; daily highs in Paris reach 70°F and lows reach 53°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Tue) so you can go by car to Rouen.

Rouen is situated on the River Seine, about 90 minutes from Paris.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Wed): pause for some serene contemplation at Collegiale Notre Dame, admire the natural beauty at Fondation Claude Monet, and then see the interesting displays at Musee de Mecanique Naturelle. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: pause for some serene contemplation at Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, explore the world behind art at Ceramics Museum (Musee de la Ceramique), and then explore the world behind art at Musee national de l'Education.

For maps, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Rouen trip planner.

Getting from Paris to Rouen by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. In September in Rouen, expect temperatures between 68°F during the day and 50°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Bayeux.

Most travelers take a trip to Bayeux to see the famed tapestry depicting the legendary Norman Conquest from the 11th century.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Fri): take an in-depth tour of Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux and then explore the world behind art at Musee Baron Gerard.

To see where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Bayeux driving holiday planner.

You can drive from Rouen to Bayeux in 2 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 69°F, and evening lows to 52°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Lille.

On the Deûle River near the Belgium border, Lille has a very active cultural life as France's fifth-largest metropolitan area and the fourth-largest urban area with a large college student population.

On the 16th (Sat), make a trip to Grande Place, then hunt for treasures at La Grande Braderie de Lille, then take an in-depth tour of Maison natale Charles de Gaulle, and finally take a stroll through Vieux-Lille. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 17th (Sun): see the interesting displays at Le Musee de Plein Air, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedrale Notre-Dame, and then examine the collection at Musee des Dentelles et Broderies de Caudry.

To find ratings, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Lille trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Bayeux to Lille takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a train. September in Lille sees daily highs of 68°F and lows of 51°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Reims.

Reims is home to Champagne--the most celebrated and celebratory wine in the world.

Kick off your visit on the 18th (Mon): admire the masterpieces at Musee des Beaux-Arts, learn about winemaking at Nomad Wine, and then admire the landmark architecture of Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims. On the 19th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: learn about winemaking at Champagne Janisson Baradon et Fils, do a tasting at Champagne Dom Caudron, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Chapelle Foujita.

For traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Reims online sightseeing planner.

Getting from Lille to Reims by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 72°F in September, and nighttime lows around 48°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Wed) so you can drive to Dijon.

Perhaps best known for its locally produced mustard, Dijon also makes a wonderfully flavorful crème de cassis, or blackcurrant liqueur, and boasts excellent examples of regional architecture with polychrome roofs made of tiles in terracotta, green, yellow, and black placed in geometric patterns.

On the 20th (Wed), step into the grandiose world of Chateau Corton C., then learn about winemaking at Boursot Pere & Fils, and then get engrossed in the history at Musee d'Art Sacre. Keep things going the next day: hunt for treasures at The Market, trek along Owl's Trail, then get a new perspective on nature at Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Paroisse Notre-Dame De Dijon.

To find other places to visit, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, use the Dijon route planner.

Drive from Reims to Dijon in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In September, daytime highs in Dijon are 70°F, while nighttime lows are 51°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Fri) to allow time to drive to Lyon.

Lyon is a historical city with a vibrant cultural scene as the birthplace of cinema, the silk capital of the globe, and the second biggest Renaissance city following Venice.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Fri): admire the landmark architecture of Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, then get engrossed in the history at Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon, and then take a stroll through La Place Bellecour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 23rd (Sat): get a sense of history and politics at Hotel de Ville de Lyon, examine the collection at Fresque des Lyonnais, and then explore the world behind art at Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.

Plan my day in Lyon using traveler tips and tourist information provided by Klarna Trips.

Getting from Dijon to Lyon by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In September, daily temperatures in Lyon can reach 74°F, while at night they dip to 55°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Sun) early enough to take a train to Avignon.

An ancient town center surrounded by medieval ramparts, Avignon is a major city of Provence and a Mediterranean city in the Vaucluse department on the left bank of the Rhône River.

Get a sense of the local culture at St-Trophime Cloister (Cloitre St-Trophime) and Palais des Papes. Step off the beaten path and head to Eglise St-Trophime and Pont d'Avignon. Go for a jaunt from Avignon to Nimes to see La Maison Carree about 48 minutes away. There's lots more to do: browse the eclectic array of goods at Avignon Les Halles, stop by Ile De La Barthelasse, sample the fine beverages at Distillerie A. Blachere, and awaken your taste buds at Le Gout des Autres - Wine Prestige Tour.

To find ratings, maps, photos, and tourist information, read Avignon visit planner.

Getting from Lyon to Avignon by train takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. September in Avignon sees daily highs of 79°F and lows of 57°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Thu) so you can drive to Montpellier.

"Montpellier is a modern, compact, and fast-growing city about 10 km (6 mi) inland from the Mediterranean coast with an active, youthful vibe.

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Thu): take in the spiritual surroundings of Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Tables, wander the streets of Place de la Comedie, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Saint-Roch. Keep things going the next day: do a tasting at Chateau de Flaugergues, examine the collection at Site archeologique Lattara - Musee Henri Prades, and then see the interesting displays at Le Pavillon Populaire.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Montpellier trip planner.

Traveling by car from Avignon to Montpellier takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In September, daily temperatures in Montpellier can reach 78°F, while at night they dip to 59°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Carcassonne.

Best known as a fortified town, Carcassonne is a walled city that provided the inspiration for the castle in Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" and the location for many scenes in Kevin Costner's movie "Robin Hood." For a daily dose of excitement, medieval jousting tournaments are held twice per day between the two walls--while this may sound like a typical touristy show, it's actually an entertaining display of combative competition and horsemanship.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Chateaux de Lastours and Musee Archeologique. Discover out-of-the-way places like Eglise Saint-Vincent de Carcassonne and Carcassonne Cathedral. Venture out of the city with trips to Palais des Archeveques (in Narbonne) and Le Trouve Tout Du Livre (in Le Somail). There's more to do: take a stroll through Cité de Carcassonne and contemplate the long history of Abbey of Saint-Hilaire.

To find reviews, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Carcassonne trip maker tool.

Getting from Montpellier to Carcassonne by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 77°F, and evening lows to 57°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Sarlat-la-Caneda.

Sarlat-la-Caneda is the capital of the former Périgord Noir, now referred to as the Aquitaine region that is home to a historical area consisting of impeccably preserved 14th-century buildings and sites.

Step off the beaten path and head to Chateau de Beynac and Les Noyeraies du Landers. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Chateau de Castelnaud and Abri de Cap Blanc. Change things up with a short trip to Musee Zadkine in Les Arques (about 50 minutes away). There's still lots to do: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedrale Saint-Sacerdos, examine the collection at Manoir de Gisson, and appreciate the history behind Statues des Trois Oies.

For more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Sarlat-la-Caneda holiday site.

Getting from Carcassonne to Sarlat-la-Caneda by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Carcassonne in October, plan for a bit cooler nights in Sarlat-la-Caneda, with lows around 44°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) so you can go by car to Bordeaux.

With a long history of producing regional wines since the Romans brought grapevines here during the first century, so many people consider Bordeaux to be the wine capital of the world.

On the 6th (Fri), pause for some serene contemplation at Tour Pey-Berland, browse the eclectic array of goods at Marche des Capucins, then take an in-depth tour of Musee d'Aquitaine, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Place de la Bourse. Here are some ideas for day two: pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Collegiale de Saint-Emilion, then awaken your taste buds at Chateau de Ferrand, and then see the interesting displays at Musee du Vin et du Negoce.

For traveler tips, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, read our Bordeaux road trip website.

You can drive from Sarlat-la-Caneda to Bordeaux in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Traveling from Sarlat-la-Caneda in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Bordeaux, with lows of 52°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Limoges.

Known for its medieval enamels on copper (Limoges enamels), its 19th-century porcelain (Limoges porcelain), and for its oak barrels used for Cognac production, Limoges has a creative flair with historic significance.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Sun): steep yourself in history at Eglise Saint Pierre du Queyroix, admire the masterpieces at Cite des Metiers et des Arts, and then contemplate the long history of Quartier de la Boucherie. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 9th (Mon): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Eglise St. Michel des Lions, steep yourself in history at Abbaye Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul, and then get some fabulous bargains at La Maison de la Porcelaine.

For where to stay, photos, and tourist information, use the Limoges trip planner.

You can drive from Bordeaux to Limoges in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Bordeaux in October, you will find days in Limoges are little chillier (62°F), and nights are about the same (49°F). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) so you can go by car to Tours.

Famous for its original medieval district, Tours is famous for its cafes that serve regional wines and interesting architectural bridges crossing the river Loire.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Musee du Compagnonnage and Rue Nationale. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Place Plumereau and Domaine National de Chambord. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Tours: Le Tasting Room Wine - Day Tours (in Noizay) and Chateau de Chenonceau (in Chenonceaux). And it doesn't end there: admire the masterpieces at Musee des Beaux-Arts Tours, stop by Galland Epicerie de Terroirs, and ponder the world of politics at Hotel de Ville de Tours.

Before you visit Tours, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

You can drive from Limoges to Tours in 3 hours. Other options are to take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 63°F, and evening lows to 48°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) so you can go by car to Orleans.

Orléans is a city in north-central France, about 111km southwest of Paris. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Oratoire Carolingien de Germigny-des-Pres and Eglise Saint-Aignan. CERCIL - Musee Memorial des enfants du Vel d'Hiv and Abbatiale Notre-Dame are good opportunities to explore the local culture. And it doesn't end there: pause for some serene contemplation at Basilique Notre-Dame de Cléry-Saint-André, take in the spiritual surroundings of Paroisse de Saint Paterne, don't miss a visit to La Collegiale Saint-Liphard, and stop by L'Atelier des Chimeres.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Orleans using our trip planner.

You can drive from Tours to Orleans in 1.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In October in Orleans, expect temperatures between 62°F during the day and 47°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) to allow enough time to fly back home.