3-Day France Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day France tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffFrance travel expert at TourRadar

• 3 Day Northern France Itinerary, incl. Normandy and Loire Valley

  Rich historical tour encompasses 11 destinations, from Rouen's Notre Dame Cathedral to Omaha Beach, Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, and three Loire Valley castles. Features 4-star stays in Caen and Angers, two breakfasts and dinner.

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris to Normandy Beaches

    Leave Paris at 7:15 AM near the Eiffel Tower. The 2-hour drive takes you to medieval Rouen where you can explore its Gothic cathedral and the Gros Horloge astronomical clock. "Our guide was excellent, so knowledgeable about the region in general and right down to the intricate details of the towns." Stop in Honfleur for lunch before visiting the D-Day sites. You'll need about 90 minutes to visit Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery at Saint-Laurent. Make sure to reach the cemetery by 4:30 PM since it closes early. You'll spend the night at a 4-star hotel in Caen.

    
  • Day 2

    Mont Saint-Michel & Saint-Malo

    Drive an hour to Saint-Malo after breakfast. This walled "pirate city" in Brittany offers guided tours of its ramparts and cobblestone streets. Pack comfortable shoes since the old stones can get slippery. Take time to try the local oysters during your lunch break before heading to Mont Saint-Michel. Plan to reach Mont Saint-Michel in early afternoon when crowds are lighter. "The abbey tour requires climbing many steps, but the views are worth the effort." The island gets quite windy, so bring a light jacket regardless of season. You'll stay overnight in a 4-star hotel in Angers.

    
  • Day 3

    Loire Valley Castles

    Begin your castle tour at 8:00 AM from Angers. First stop is the medieval Langeais fortress, followed by lunch time in Amboise. In the afternoon, visit Chenonceau, nicknamed the "Ladies' Castle" as it spans the River Cher. Your guide will tell you about the fascinating rivalry between Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers. End your day at Chambord Castle before returning to Paris around 9:00 PM.

    

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• 3 Day Burgundy Itinerary, incl. Paris and Dijon

  Burgundy's treasures await across 5 cities for around $380. Highlights include Noyers-sur-Serein's medieval charm, Beaune's wine heritage, Dijon's Renaissance buildings, UNESCO-listed Fontenay Abbey and Vezelay's basilica.

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris to Dijon

    Leave Paris early, around 8:00 AM, for the 3-hour drive to Burgundy. Your first stop is Noyers-sur-Serein, which you'll reach by mid-morning when the medieval streets are still peaceful. Visit the central square before noon to catch the best light on the half-timbered houses. About 90 minutes will give you enough time to walk the narrow lanes and see the historic walls. Head to Beaune, Burgundy's wine capital, aiming to arrive around 1:30 PM when restaurants are still serving lunch. Plan to spend at least 2 hours at the Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu), open until 6:30 PM. Book your tickets online to skip the long entrance lines. Drive an hour north to Dijon for your evening stop. Take a walk down Rue de la Liberté, the main shopping street, which leads to the Palace of the Dukes. The historic center looks beautiful at dusk when lights illuminate the medieval buildings.

    
  • Day 2

    Burgundy Exploration

    Start at Fontenay Abbey, a UNESCO site an hour from Dijon. Get there when it opens at 10:00 AM before the tour groups arrive. The morning light is perfect for photos of the Cistercian architecture, and you'll enjoy a quiet walk through the gardens. Visit Semur-en-Auxois in the afternoon. Take time for the riverside path along the ancient walls. Next, go to Vézelay to see its beautiful basilica and explore one of France's prettiest villages. Start your 2-hour drive back to Paris by 5:00 PM to avoid traffic.

    
  • Day 3

    Paris Departure

    Spend your final morning in Paris before heading home. If time allows, visit a local marché - most Paris neighborhoods have weekly markets that run from early morning until 1:00 PM.

    

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• 3 Day Northern France Itinerary, incl. Normandy and Loire Valley

  Historical French tour spans 12 cities from Paris to Normandy and Loire Valley. Highlights include Omaha Beach memorials, Mont Saint-Michel's abbey, and three Loire châteaux - Chambord, Chenonceau, and Langeais. Includes two 4-star hotel nights and expert guidance.

  

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  • Day 1

    Explore Rouen and Honfleur, WWII sites

    Start your journey from Paris at 7:15 AM and head to your first stop in Rouen about 2 hours away. Get breakfast before leaving Paris. In Rouen the historic district near Notre Dame Cathedral deserves your attention. The medieval streets can be tricky to walk on so wear sturdy shoes. Next stop is Honfleur where you can photograph the colorful houses along the harbor. Skip the touristy inner harbor restaurants for lunch and try the local spots on Rue de l'Homme de Bois instead. Spend your afternoon exploring WWII sites including Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. Pack a light jacket since the coast gets windy even in summer. Visit Arromanches to see the D-Day harbor remains which are most visible at low tide. You'll spend the night in Caen with dinner included at your hotel.

    
  • Day 2

    Saint-Malo and Mont Saint-Michel

    Day 2 starts with a 170km drive to Saint-Malo. Walk the city walls in the morning or late afternoon to avoid peak sun. Plan your Mont Saint-Michel visit carefully. You'll climb over 350 steps to reach the abbey and the main street gets packed by midday. Check tide times to see the island surrounded by water if possible. Drive three hours to Angers for your second night. Find dinner around Place du Ralliement where local bistros serve regional dishes. Budget $30-40 per person for dinner since it's not included tonight.

    
  • Day 3

    Loire Valley castles

    Start Day 3 early to see the Loire Valley castles. Visit Château de Langeais when it opens at 9:30 AM to see excellent medieval architecture. At Chenonceau get photos of the castle spanning the Cher River in the morning light. End at the massive Chambord castle. If time is tight focus on the unique double-helix staircase and rooftop views. The drive back to Paris takes about 2.5 hours arriving around 8 PM. Watch out for traffic especially on Fridays.

    

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