47 days in France, Dover & Plymouth Itinerary

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Drive
1
Dover, United Kingdom
— 1 night
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2
Calais, France
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3
Chalons-en-Champagne, France
— 1 night
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4
Beaune, France
— 3 nights
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5
Lyon, France
— 1 night
Train
6
Avignon, France
— 4 nights
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7
Aix-en-Provence, France
— 4 nights
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8
Sainte-Maxime, France
— 15 nights
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9
Carcassonne, France
— 5 nights
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10
Pauillac, France
— 4 nights
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11
La Rochelle, France
— 4 nights
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12
Saint-Jean-de-Monts, France
— 2 nights
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13
Vannes, France
— 2 nights
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14
Roscoff, France
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15
Plymouth, United Kingdom
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Dover, United Kingdom — 1 night

Dover is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. Start off your visit on the 16th (Thu): take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Mary The Virgin Church.

For photos, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Dover day trip planning app.

Moretonhampstead to Dover is an approximately 5-hour car ride. You'll have a few hours on the 17th (Fri) to wrap things up before traveling to Calais.
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Side Trip
Find places to stay Mar 16 — 17:
Highlights from your trip

Calais, France

Gate to the North

Overlooking the Strait of Dover, the narrowest point of the English Channel, Calais is a major port for ferry traffic between France and England as the closest French town to Dover.
To find where to stay, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Calais tour itinerary maker app.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Dover to Calais. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Dover to Calais. In March, daily temperatures in Calais can reach 11°C, while at night they dip to 3°C. You'll set off for Chalons-en-Champagne on the 17th (Fri).
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Outdoors · Tours · Parks · Historic Sites
Find places to stay Mar 17 — 18:

Chalons-en-Champagne, France — 1 night

Châlons-en-Champagne is a city in France. Start off your visit on the 17th (Fri): take in the spiritual surroundings of Eglise Saint-Alpin and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise Notre-Dame-en-Vaux.

For maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Chalons-en-Champagne trip planner.

Traveling by car from Calais to Chalons-en-Champagne takes 3.5 hours. In March, daily temperatures in Chalons-en-Champagne can reach 13°C, while at night they dip to 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Beaune.
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Historic Sites
Find places to stay Mar 17 — 18:
Highlights from your trip

Beaune, France — 3 nights

Wine Capital of Burgundy

The Wine Capital of the Burgundy region in the Côte-d'Or department, Beaune is a walled city with features remaining from the pre-Roman and Roman eras in eastern France.
Visit Collegiale Notre Dame and Chateau de Cormatin for their historical value. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Hôtel-Dieu Museum Musée de l'Hôtel-Dieu and Maison des Climats. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Beaune: Eglise Saint-Gervais et Saint-Protais (in Ozenay), Saint-Philibert de Tournus (in Tournus) and Abbey of Cluny (in Cluny). Next up on the itinerary: pick up some local products at Marche de Beaune, explore the world behind art at Palace of the Dukes, get engrossed in the history at Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne, and examine the collection at Musee Rude.

To see where to stay, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Beaune trip website.

Getting from Chalons-en-Champagne to Beaune by car takes about 3 hours. In March, plan for daily highs up to 15°C, and evening lows to 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Tue) early enough to drive to Lyon.
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Find places to stay Mar 18 — 21:

Lyon, France — 1 night

Culinary Capital of France

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.
Kick off your visit on the 21st (Tue): admire the striking features of Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, look for gifts at La boutique de Mathilde, then get to know the fascinating history of Vieux Lyon, then take in the exciting artwork at Galerie Estades Lyon, and finally browse the different shops at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse.

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

Drive from Beaune to Lyon in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In March in Lyon, expect temperatures between 15°C during the day and 4°C at night. You will have some time to spend on the 22nd (Wed) before leaving for Avignon.
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Find places to stay Mar 21 — 22:

Avignon, France — 4 nights

City of Popes

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 some cultural insight at Palais des Papes and Pont d'Avignon. Get some historical perspective at Chateau des Baux de Provence and Cathedrale Notre-Dame des Doms. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Avignon: Carrieres des Lumieres (in Les Baux de Provence), Roman Theatre of Orange (in Orange) and Les Antiques (in Saint-Remy-de-Provence). There's still lots to do: awaken your taste buds at some of the top wineries in the area, learn about winemaking at Musee du Vin Brotte Degustation et Vente, don't miss a visit to Le Sentier des Moulins d'Alphonse Daudet, and steep yourself in history at Place Crillon.

To find where to stay, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, read Avignon trip website.

You can take a train from Lyon to Avignon in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In March, plan for daily highs up to 18°C, and evening lows to 5°C. You will have some time to spend on the 26th (Sun) before leaving for Aix-en-Provence.
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Historic Sites · Museums · Wineries · Tours
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Find places to stay Mar 22 — 26:

Aix-en-Provence, France — 4 nights

City of a Thousand Fountains

Aix-en-Provence is a small, classically Provençal town, famous for being home to Cézanne.
Get some historical perspective at Paul Cezanne’s Studio and Eglise Saint-Raymond-Nonnat. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Musee Granet and Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur Aix-en-Provence. Change things up with these side-trips from Aix-en-Provence: Marseille (Le Vieux Port, Chapelle des Bernardines, &more), Le Petit Monde de Marcel Pagnol (in Aubagne) and Porquerolles Island (Plage d'Argent & Plage Notre Dame). There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at Fondation Vasarely, explore the world behind art at Hotel de Caumont - Art Centre, wander the streets of Cours Mirabeau, and view the masterpieces at Street Part.

To find where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Aix-en-Provence trip itinerary site.

You can drive from Avignon to Aix-en-Provence in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or take a train. March in Aix-en-Provence sees daily highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Thu) so you can go by car to Sainte-Maxime.
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Museums · Historic Sites · Neighborhoods · Parks
Side Trips
Find places to stay Mar 26 — 30:

Sainte-Maxime, France — 15 nights

Sainte-Maxime is a commune and city in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Museum-lovers will appreciate Galerie Regard and Citadelle de Saint-Tropez - Musee d'histoire maritime. Get some cultural insight at Eglise Sainte-Maxime and Chartreuse de la Verne. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Sainte-Maxime: Ramatuelle (Plage de Pampelonne & Plage de l'Escalet), Chapelle de Saint-Cassien des Bois (in Tanneron) and Brocante Au Bucheron (in Saint-Aygulf). The adventure continues: kick back and relax at Plage de Gigaro, explore the galleries of Le musée de l’Annonciade, make a trip to Massif de l'Esterel, and learn something new at Kelys.

To find reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Sainte-Maxime day trip tool.

Traveling by car from Aix-en-Provence to Sainte-Maxime takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. In March, daytime highs in Sainte-Maxime are 20°C, while nighttime lows are 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) early enough to fly to Carcassonne.
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Find places to stay Mar 30 — Apr 14:

Carcassonne, France — 5 nights

Medieval Heart of France

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.
Appreciate the collections at Poterie De La Bascule and Musee des Augustins. Your inner history buff will appreciate Cité de Carcassonne and Porte Narbonnaise. Venture out of the city with trips to Albi (Cathedrale Sainte-Cecile & Musee Toulouse-Lautrec) and Cite de l'espace (in Toulouse). Next up on the itinerary: step into the grandiose world of Chateau Comtal, brush up on your military savvy at Centre Culturel De La Memoire Combattante, get engrossed in the history at Musee De L'ecole, and do a tasting at O'Vineyards.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Carcassonne trip maker tool.

Getting from Sainte-Maxime to Carcassonne by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and train. In April, daytime highs in Carcassonne are 21°C, while nighttime lows are 9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Pauillac.
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Museums · Historic Sites · Childrens Museums · Neighborhoods
Side Trips
Find places to stay Apr 14 — 19:

Pauillac, France — 4 nights

Chateau Lafite and Chateau Les Chaumes will appeal to museum buffs. Chateau Lamothe-Bergeron and Abbatiale de Saint-Pierre de Vertheuil are good opportunities to explore the local culture. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Pauillac: Chateau Castera (in Saint-Germain-d'Esteuil), Les Noisettines du Medoc (in Blaignan) and Marche de Vendays-Montalivet (in Vendays Montalivet).

To see traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Pauillac online itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Carcassonne to Pauillac takes 4 hours. April in Pauillac sees daily highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C at night. On the 23rd (Sun), you'll travel to La Rochelle.
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Wineries · Historic Sites · Shopping · Museums
Side Trips
Find places to stay Apr 19 — 23:

La Rochelle, France — 4 nights

White City

Driving on the narrow streets can be difficult in La Rochelle so walking or biking will give you the best view of the pale stone buildings that give the Vieux Port, or old port, a distinctly Mediterranean quality.
Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Phare des Baleines and Lanterne des Morts. You'll explore and learn at Musee Le Bunker de La Rochelle and Abbaye des Chateliers. Venture out of the city with trips to Ma cabane sur la Plage (in Ars-en-Re), Rochefort (Musee des Commerces d'Autrefois & Corderie Royale) and Plage de Trousse-Chemise (in Les Portes-en-Re). There's lots more to do: admire nature's wide array of creatures at Aquarium La Rochelle, explore the activities along Vieux Port, see the interesting displays at Museum d'histoire naturelle de La Rochelle, and take an in-depth tour of New World Museum (Musee du Nouveau-Monde).

To find where to stay, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our La Rochelle holiday tool.

Explore your travel options from Pauillac to La Rochelle with the Route module. In April, plan for daily highs up to 19°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) so you can drive to Saint-Jean-de-Monts.
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Museums · Parks · Historic Sites · Zoos & Aquariums
Side Trips
Find places to stay Apr 23 — 27:

Saint-Jean-de-Monts, France — 2 nights

Saint-Jean-de-Monts is a commune in the Vendée department in the Pays de la Loire region in western France.GeographyThe town is situated in the west of the département, between Notre-Dame-de-Monts and Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez. On the 28th (Fri), kick back and relax at La Plage de Saint-Jean-de-Monts, stroll through Plage des Soixante Bornes, then enjoy the sand and surf at Plage des Sableaux, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Here are some ideas for day two: step into the grandiose world of Castle-Museum of Noirmoutier en L'isle, look for gifts at Biscuiterie Les Petits Cagniotes, pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Saint Gilles, take in the exciting artwork at Kartonik Galerie Atelier Boutique, then examine the collection at Vendee Miniature, and finally see the interesting displays at La Perle des Dieux.

To see photos and more tourist information, go to the Saint-Jean-de-Monts trip builder website.

Drive from La Rochelle to Saint-Jean-de-Monts in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. Expect a daytime high around 19°C in April, and nighttime lows around 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Vannes.
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Parks · Outdoors · Beaches · Historic Sites
Side Trips
Find places to stay Apr 27 — 29:

Vannes, France — 2 nights

Gateway to the Gulf

Founded over 2,000 years ago, Vannes is a vacation harbor town with beaches, shopping, museums, and gardens, as well as interesting medieval city gates and timber-framed houses scattered throughout its Old Town.
Kick off your visit on the 30th (Sun): contemplate the long history of Old City Walls of Vannes, then step into the grandiose world of Domaine de Suscinio, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Conleau Beach, and finally see the interesting displays at Musee des Chateaux en Allumettes.

To see reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Vannes online travel route planner.

You can drive from Saint-Jean-de-Monts to Vannes in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of taxi and bus. In April in Vannes, expect temperatures between 19°C during the day and 7°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Roscoff.
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Historic Sites · Parks · Outdoors · Beaches
Side Trips
Find places to stay Apr 29 — May 1:

Roscoff, France

Roscoff is a commune in the Finistère département of Brittany in northwestern France.Roscoff is renowned for its picturesque architecture, labeled "petite cité de caractère de Bretagne" (small town of character) since 2009. On the 1st (Mon), take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedrale Saint-Paul-Aurelien, explore the historical opulence of Chateau du Taureau, and then stroll through Plage de Carantec.

For more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Roscoff trip itinerary website.

You can drive from Vannes to Roscoff in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. May in Roscoff sees daily highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Mon) early enough to go by car to Plymouth.
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Historic Sites · Parks · Outdoors · Beaches
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 1 — 2:

Plymouth, United Kingdom

Spirit of Discovery

Once an important departure point for immigrants sailing for the New World, Plymouth is now mostly known for being one of the world’s most impressive natural harbors.
For photos and tourist information, you can read our Plymouth trip itinerary maker tool.

You can drive from Roscoff to Plymouth in 6.5 hours. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Roscoff to Plymouth due to the time zone difference. On the 1st (Mon), you're off to home.
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Outdoors · Parks · Nightlife · Tours
Find places to stay May 1 — 2:

France travel guide

4.3
France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for decades, and geographically, it is one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Its cities are holiday hot spots and contain some of the greatest treasures in Europe, its countryside is prosperous and well tended, and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions, like Paris, the French Riviera, the Atlantic beaches, the winter sport resorts of the French Alps, as well as the castles of the Loire Valley, Brittany, and Normandy. The country is renowned for its gastronomy, particularly wines and cheeses, as well as its history, culture, and fashion industry.

You'll find that the French people are very polite and may react coldly to you if you forget this. You might be surprised as you're greeted by other customers and the proprieter when you walk into a restaurant or a shop. Be sure to take your sightseeing off the beaten path in France. Besides the famous Eiffel Tower and the chic resorts of the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) you'll find many places to visit in the form of museums filled with fine art, crafts, and archaeological relics, wonderful medieval villages and castles, diverse national parks, and local shopping direct from artisans themselves.

Whether you're touring the Christmas Markets or going skiing during winter, viewing the springtime influx of color in Provence, sunbathing on the Mediterranean coast in the summer, or watching the fall foliage against the backdrop of the châteaux in the Loire Valley, you're sure to find just the right place to be. Spring is a time when the tourist attractions are just starting to expand their hours, but it may still be cold in the mountainous regions and the north. Summer is the busiest time in France with the longest hours for many museums and attractions, but it's often when you will experience the most crowds. Winter in France is filled with winter carnivals, Christmas Markets, and of course, skiing. Fall is a time to celebrate the release of Beaujolais nouveau wine in November, as well as experience Nuit Blanche, a day in October when major attractions, museums, galleries, parks, and swimming pools remain open all night.
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