10-Day France Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day France 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 Loire Valley, incl. Orleans and Saint-Nazaire

  The scenic route connects 9 historic cities from Orléans to Saint-Nazaire over 10 days. Cyclists cover 40-75km daily, passing UNESCO treasures like Amboise Palace and Villandry gardens. Package includes 3-star hotel stays, breakfast, and luggage transfers, with perfect 5/5 ratings from 50+ reviews.

  

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  • Day 1

    Orleans

    Start your trip in Orleans. Visit the historic city center, focusing on the Cathedral and Place du Martroi. Get your rental bike and a route briefing. It's best to arrive early to test your bike and adjust it before starting your journey.

    
  • Day 2

    Orleans to Blois (65km)

    Your first cycling day takes you along well-marked paths with flat terrain next to the Loire. You'll see beautiful river views and elegant villas along the way. In Blois, visit the famous château and restored historic center. A recent cyclist shared: "Maps were good though I used my Bikemap.net app to act as a Sat Nav, which proved very helpful."

    
  • Day 3

    Blois to Tours (75km)

    Look out for golden sandbanks and traditional cliff dwellings. Stop at Château d'Amboise and plan at least 2 hours to see both the castle and Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years. The ride to Tours is mostly flat with a few gentle hills.

    
  • Day 4

    Tours to Chinon (55km)

    Start early and follow the River Cher to Villandry. Get there before 10am to avoid crowds at the gardens. Next, visit Château de Langeais for the best Loire Valley views from its tower. Take quiet side roads through small villages to reach Chinon.

    
  • Day 5

    Chinon to Saumur (40km)

    A shorter ride following the Vienne River to Candes-St-Martin. Take a brief uphill detour to see where the Loire and Vienne rivers meet. Cycle through the unique cave dwellings of Souzay before reaching Saumur, where the château offers valley views.

    
  • Day 6

    Saumur to Angers (55km)

    Ride through vineyard hills on the Loire's southern bank. Less experienced cyclists can take a train from Saumur to Angers. The route has more hills than previous days but is well-marked. You'll have time to explore Angers' medieval center upon arrival.

    
  • Day 7

    Angers to Saint-Florent-le-Vieil (55km)

    Follow the Maine River until it joins the Loire at La Pointe-Bouchemaine. Stop in Savennières for wine tasting as you pass through premier wine country. Spend the afternoon cycling along Loire dykes with constant river views.

    
  • Day 8

    Saint-Florent-le-Vieil to Nantes (55km)

    The landscape changes as you enter Brittany, with the Loire cutting through slate and granite. Some river crossings mean brief climbs, but you'll get great views of the widening river. Nantes shows early signs of Atlantic influence despite being 70km from the coast.

  • Day 9

    Nantes to Saint-Nazaire (65km)

    Your last cycling day follows the wide Loire estuary. The route is mostly flat but can get windy near the coast. Cross the impressive Loire bridge into Saint-Nazaire. Book a late afternoon shipyard tour if interested; they usually store bikes.

  • Day 10

    Departure

    Take a morning walk along the Atlantic coast before leaving. If heading back to Paris, book afternoon trains to avoid rushing and pack bikes comfortably.

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• 10 Days in Northern France, incl. Paris and Mont Saint-Michel

  The comprehensive French route covers 14 cities, from Chartres Cathedral to Normandy's D-Day beaches. Travelers visit 3 UNESCO sites including Mont Saint-Michel, tour 5 châteaux including Chenonceau, and enjoy 4 food-and-wine tastings. Accommodations include premium hotels like Mercure Rouen Centre Cathedral.

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris

    Start in the City of Light. Plan to arrive by 3 PM to get settled. Take an evening walking tour through historic Paris to orient yourself. Book a hotel near the Marais or Saint-Germain areas for easy access to main attractions. Look for accommodation close to a metro station since you'll have an early start tomorrow.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Loire Valley

    Drive 2 hours to the Loire Valley. Stop in Chartres to see its stunning Gothic cathedral before 10 AM to avoid crowds. The region's fairy-tale châteaux are the main attraction. Visit Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years. Stay in Tours and enjoy its Old Town's wine bars and bistros in the evening.

    
  • Day 4

    Brittany Region

    Take the 3-hour morning drive west to Rennes, Brittany's capital. Walk through the well-preserved old town with its half-timbered houses and visit the Palais du Parlement. Continue to Saint-Malo where you'll spend two nights. Skip the tourist spots at the harbor and eat at the old town's traditional crêperies instead.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Saint-Malo & Coastal Brittany

    Walk the ramparts early in the morning before crowds arrive to see the ancient walls in beautiful morning light. Learn about Saint-Malo's privateer history from a local guide. Visit dramatic Cap Fréhel the next day. Don't miss the oyster farm tour but bring a jacket for the strong coastal winds.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Normandy Region

    Drive an hour to Mont Saint-Michel and arrive before 9 AM to avoid tour groups. Set aside 3 hours for the abbey and village. Continue to Bayeux as your base for D-Day sites. Take a WWII jeep tour of the landing beaches the next day. Visit the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer early morning for a quiet experience. Pack a light raincoat since weather changes quickly.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Rouen & Return to Paris

    Visit Rouen's medieval center and see where Joan of Arc was martyred. Stop by the Gothic cathedral that inspired Monet's famous paintings. Visit Monet's gardens in Giverny in late afternoon after the tour buses leave. The gardens look best in late spring and early summer. Spend your final evening in Paris.

    

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