10-Day France Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day France tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffFrance travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Day France Itinerary, incl. Paris and Loire Valley

  The grand French tour spans 25 cities, from Paris to Provence. Highlights include 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Bordeaux and Arles. The itinerary features 3 included dinners, Loire Valley châteaux tours, and visits to the remarkable Padirac Chasm and artistic Carrières de Lumières.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Loire Valley Castles

    Leave Paris early and drive south to the Loire Valley for about 2.5 hours. Visit Blois Castle before the tour buses arrive. Stop in Tours for lunch in the old town at Place Plumereau where you'll find plenty of authentic bistros. Visit Château de Villandry around 2 PM and spend about 2 hours exploring its beautiful geometric gardens. Spend your night in the medieval town of Amboise.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Dordogne Region & Bordeaux

    Visit the Dordogne region to see its prehistoric sites and medieval villages. Book your Lascaux Cave museum tickets ahead for the 9 AM opening to avoid long lines. Visit Sarlat early for the best photos of its Renaissance buildings. Make sure to see Beynac Castle on its clifftop location. When you visit Rocamadour take the lift up but walk down the Via Crucis steps if weather permits.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Pyrenees to Mediterranean

    Visit Lourdes and stay for the 9 PM candlelight procession. The next day drive to Carcassonne and arrive before 10 AM to see the medieval citadel without crowds. Visit Marseille's Vieux-Port in the evening to try bouillabaisse as fishing boats return with fresh catch.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Provence to Burgundy

    Start early at the Roman amphitheater in Arles. Book ahead for the Carrières de Lumières show in Les Baux during peak season. In Lyon take the funicular up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière to watch the sunset over the city. A traveler noted: "The Vieux Lyon walking tour was incredible - go hungry, the food tastings were generous and authentic."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Burgundy Route to Paris

    Travel through Burgundy wine country. Visit Beaune's Hospices when it opens at 9 AM. Plan about 2 hours for the unique vehicle collection at Savigny Castle. Stop at medieval Vézelay before heading back to Paris. Spend your last evening in Le Marais for a classic Paris experience.

    

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• 10 Days in France, incl. Paris and Bordeaux

  This refined French excursion covers 3 major cities: 4 nights at Star Champs-Elysees in Paris, 2 nights at Novotel in Amboise, and 3 nights at Pullman Lac in Bordeaux. The tour includes UNESCO sites, wine tastings, and a Seine River cruise.

  

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  • Days 1-4

    Paris and Versailles

    Start your trip in Paris but plan to arrive outside morning rush hour (7:30-9:30 AM) to avoid heavy traffic from Charles de Gaulle. Spend day 2 exploring the Latin Quarter's medieval streets. Bring sturdy shoes since the cobblestones get slippery in wet weather. Visit the Louvre after 3 PM when crowds thin out and use the Carrousel du Louvre entrance to skip the long lines. Get to the Champs-Élysées area early on day 3. The Place de la Concorde looks beautiful at sunrise around 8 AM. Walk across Pont Alexandre III for great Eiffel Tower photos. A Seine river cruise at sunset (about 9 PM in summer) offers stunning views of the city lights. Plan to reach Versailles by 8:30 AM on day 4 before the tour buses arrive. The Hall of Mirrors gets packed by 11 AM. A recent visitor shared: "The Queen's private apartments were much quieter than the main palace - go there first before the crowds arrive."

    
  • Days 5-6

    Loire Valley

    Take the 2-hour morning train to Amboise to explore the Loire Valley châteaux. Start your Chenonceau visit from the garden side for better photos before groups arrive. At Chambord, use the right-hand spiral of the double-helix staircase to find the roof terrace. Most wineries close for lunch between 12-2 PM so schedule tastings for morning or late afternoon.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Bordeaux Wine Country

    The high-speed train gets you to Bordeaux in 2 hours from Loire. Take the walking tour early while temperatures are mild. Pack a light jacket for Médoc vineyard visits since the cellars stay at 13°C. Saint-Émilion's steep cobblestone streets require good shoes. The bell tower offers the best town views but involves climbing 196 narrow steps.

    
  • Day 10

    Return to Paris

    The return train to Paris takes 3.5 hours. Book an afternoon departure to enjoy your final Bordeaux morning. Give yourself extra time if taking the RER B train to CDG Airport during rush hour.

    

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• 10 Day Northern France Itinerary, incl. Paris and Loire Valley

  A grand 10-day French expedition weaves through 15 cities, from Paris to Loire Valley. Marvel at Monet's Giverny, walk the historic D-Day beaches, gaze upon Mont Saint-Michel, and tour three Loire châteaux. Nights are spent in carefully selected boutique hotels including Hôtel Paris Lafayette and Château de la Bourdaisière.

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris

    Start in Paris, arriving early to get settled. Take the RER B train from Charles de Gaulle to central Paris instead of a taxi. It takes 45 minutes and helps you avoid traffic while saving money.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Honfleur and Normandy Coast

    Visit Giverny first (1.5 hours from Paris) to see Monet's gardens. One visitor shared: "Visit the water lily pond early, before 10 AM—the morning light creates the same effect Monet captured in his paintings." Continue to Honfleur for two nights. Explore the 17th-century harbor and take the Route du Cidre to visit local producers. Go to the historic market on Wednesday or Saturday mornings at 8 AM for the best selection.

    
  • Day 4

    D-Day Beaches and Bayeux

    Start early at Omaha Beach when it's quiet. Plan about 2 hours for the American Cemetery, which opens at 9 AM. Book your timed entry for the Bayeux Tapestry in advance to avoid long waits. Stay overnight in Arromanches-les-Bains to see the artificial harbor remains.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Mont Saint-Michel and Dinan

    Check tide times for your Mont Saint-Michel visit. A previous visitor advised: "Pack light for the walk to Mont Saint-Michel; the steep cobblestone streets are challenging with heavy luggage." Stay in Dinan for two nights. Use your extra day to walk the ancient ramparts and see the half-timbered houses.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Loire Valley

    Drive to the Loire Valley and stop in Angers. Stay in Chinon for easy château access. Visit Château de Villandry at 9 AM opening to see the gardens before crowds arrive. Spend afternoons visiting Vouvray wineries and their cellars.

    
  • Day 9

    Château Country

    Visit Château de Chenonceau, the "Ladies' Castle." Get your best photos from the garden paths along the River Cher. In the afternoon, visit Amboise and Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's final home.

    
  • Day 10

    Chartres and Return to Paris

    Stop at Chartres Cathedral on your way back to Paris. Take the 2-hour guided tour of the architecture and stained glass. Book it online beforehand. Plan to reach Paris after 3 PM to miss rush hour.

    

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