10-Day France and Switzerland Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day France And Switzerland tour itineraries

Compiled by

NinaFrance and Switzerland travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Days in France & Spain, incl. Madrid and Paris

  A 10-day route through France and Switzerland showcases Fribourg's medieval charm and the Black Forest. Marvel at Colmar's timber houses, Strasbourg's cathedral, and Lyon's hilltop basilica. Includes selected hotels and guided tours.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Madrid to Bordeaux Region

    Begin your journey in Madrid before traveling north through Castile to San Sebastián. Take a walk along La Concha beach and discover the old quarter's wine bars. Visit the Parte Vieja between 7-9 PM for pintxos (Basque tapas) when the bars are lively but manageable. Next, head to Bordeaux to explore its UNESCO-listed city center. Visit the 11th-century cathedral in the morning to avoid crowds and see the "Water Mirror" at sunset for the best experience.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Southern France Exploration

    Head to Lourdes, then to Carcassonne. Get there early to explore the medieval ramparts before the tour buses arrive at 10 AM. Stay near Marseille's Vieux-Port for easy access to local seafood spots. Spend the next day seeing Provence's highlights including the Roman amphitheater in Arles and the Carrières de Lumières show in Les Baux (book ahead as tickets sell quickly). Finish in Lyon and take the cable car to Notre-Dame de Fourvière for great city views.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Burgundy & Alsace

    Travel through Burgundy wine country, stopping in Tournus and Beaune. Follow the bronze owl markers in Dijon to see all major sites. Visit Colmar, where beautiful timber-framed houses line the canals. Stop by the charming village of Riquewihr in late afternoon after most tourists leave. End your day in Strasbourg when the cathedral area is at its most vibrant.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Black Forest & Rhine Valley

    Visit the Black Forest region. See Triberg's waterfalls early before crowds arrive and wear good shoes for the slippery paths. Take time to walk through Baden-Baden's Lichtentaler Allee park. Move on to Heidelberg where you can ride the funicular up to the castle for river views. Get a combo ticket for both the funicular and castle to save money.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Luxembourg & Paris Finale

    Start early in Luxembourg City to beat the crowds, then visit Reims to see its Gothic cathedral where French kings were crowned. As one traveler shared: "The cathedral's stained glass windows are most vibrant in morning light - arrive before 11 AM for the best photos." Complete your trip in Paris exploring landmarks or simply enjoying the city atmosphere.

    

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• 10 Day Europe Itinerary, incl. Paris and Rome

  Paris's Champs-Elysees marks the start of this 6-day cultural tour. Visit Lausanne's Gothic cathedral and UNESCO Lavaux vineyards, ride Mount Pilatus's cogwheel railway, and walk Lucerne's medieval walls. Includes authentic farm visits and wine tasting.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Paris

    Begin your adventure in Paris and head to the Louvre first thing when crowds are thinnest. Buy picnic supplies at a local boulangerie for lunch by the Eiffel Tower. Spend Day 2 exploring Montmartre before your afternoon train to Switzerland. You can store luggage at Gare de Lyon station for about €7 per day if you check out early.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Lausanne

    The 4-hour train ride from Paris takes you through beautiful French countryside. Stay near Old Town Lausanne for easy walking access. Visit the Gothic Cathedral when it opens at 9 AM for the best morning photos. Take a 20-minute train ride to the UNESCO Lavaux Vineyards but book wine tastings ahead since spots fill quickly.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Lucerne

    The morning train from Lausanne takes about 3 hours. Walk the medieval Museggmauer Walls starting at Schirmer Tower for great city views. The Mount Pilatus trip combines four types of transport. Take the first cogwheel train at 8:30 AM before crowds arrive and visibility is best.

    
  • Day 7

    Ticino Region

    Take the Gotthard Panorama Express with window seats on the right side. Start with a 30-minute train to Arth-Goldau before the scenic route begins. In Bellinzona you can walk to all three medieval castles but the paths are steep so wear good shoes.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Rome

    The trip from Switzerland to Rome takes 6-7 hours of Day 8. Book skip-the-line Colosseum tickets in advance. Visit Cooperativa Coraggio for an interesting look at sustainable farming but bring proper footwear for walking agricultural grounds.

    

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• 10 Day Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary, incl. Chamonix and Courmayeur

  The French-Swiss Alpine trail stretches 110km, from Chamonix through Les Contamines to Swiss mountain villages. Hike challenging routes including Bovine Way and Col de la Balme, with authentic refuge stays and local cuisine during 15-20km daily treks.

  

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  • Day 1

    Chamonix, France

    Get settled in Chamonix and spend your evening organizing gear and trying local food. One traveler noted: "The first evening was perfect for trying local specialties like cheese fondue and Vin de Savoie wine." Consider arriving a day early to adjust to the altitude and explore the town.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Les Houches to Les Chapieux (15km daily)

    Take the cable car to Bellevue for great views of Mont Blanc. These first two days include challenging 15km hikes with serious climbs. Remember you'll carry all your gear yourself. A recent hiker said: "The terrain is rougher than expected. Bring proper hiking poles and break in your boots well before the trip."

    
  • Days 4-5

    Courmayeur, Italy

    Trek into Italy through mountain passes and look out for glacial lakes. Use Day 5 to rest in Courmayeur. One TMB veteran shared: "Take advantage of the rest day—your legs will need it. The optional cable car to Pointe Helbronner offers incredible views for €52." Book ahead if you're going during peak season (July-August).

    
  • Days 6-7

    Val Ferret to La Fouly (20km)

    This section from Italy into Switzerland includes some of the toughest climbs. Day 7 is a long 20km trek to La Fouly. Be ready for any weather. A traveler warned: "We got caught in hail and lightning near the peak. Always start early and check weather forecasts."

    
  • Days 8-9

    Swiss Section to Chamonix

    Take the "Bovine Way" through Swiss alpine pastures. Your final climb over Col de la Balme gives you amazing views of Mont Blanc. "The last two days were challenging but rewarding—the full circuit view makes it worth every step," said one hiker.

    
  • Day 10

    Departure from Chamonix

    Schedule your flight after 12pm since it takes 2 hours to reach Geneva Airport. You might want to stay an extra night to rest and celebrate your accomplishment.

    

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