2-Week Provence Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 2-week Provence tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaProvence travel expert at TourRadar

• 11 Day France Itinerary, incl. Paris and Rhône River Cruise

  

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  • Days 1-4

    Paris

    Begin your French adventure with four nights in the historic Marais district. The area offers convenient metro access and plenty of charming cafés for your first meal in Paris. Book an evening airport transfer to avoid the busy Paris rush hour traffic. Spend days 2-3 exploring classic Paris attractions. Visit the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe before 9AM to avoid crowds. The Latin Quarter is best in the afternoon when its cafés come alive. Visit the Louvre on Wednesday or Friday evening when it's quieter. The Marais has excellent food options. Consider joining a morning food walk to try fresh croissants and cheeses from local fromageries. On day 4 take a trip to Monet's home in Giverny. Get there early for the best garden photos. As one visitor noted: "Visit the water lily pond first before tour buses arrive - the morning reflection on the water is exactly like Monet's paintings."

    
  • Day 5

    Paris to Lyon (Cruise Embarkation)

    Take the 2-hour TGV train from Paris to Lyon. Your ship, the MS Van Gogh, waits in Lyon's river port. Come early to explore Vieux Lyon before boarding. Get a detailed map from the tourist office to help navigate the traboules (hidden passageways).

    
  • Days 6-10

    Rhône River Cruise

    Your cruise travels through France's food capital region. In Lyon, visit Les Halles food market before 11AM when local chefs shop. You'll stop at Avignon with its grand Papal Palace, Arles with its Roman ruins, and the beautiful town of Viviers. One experienced cruiser advises: "The Rhône's current can be strong - pack motion sickness remedies if you're sensitive. Best views are usually from the port (left) side when sailing south."

    
  • Day 11

    Lyon Departure

    The cruise returns to Lyon. Plan for at least 3 hours at Saint-Exupéry airport as security lines can be long in peak season.

    

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• 11 Day Southern France Itinerary, incl. Lyon and Nice

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Lyon

    Start your Southern France adventure in Lyon, the country's food capital. Plan to arrive before 4:30 PM for a smooth check-in. The next day, visit the UNESCO-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière in the early morning for the best photo lighting. Local tip: Take the guided bike tour instead of walking. The hills can be tough in summer heat, and biking along the Rhône gives you better views of the riverside buildings plus a nice breeze.

    
  • Day 3

    Mâcon & Beaujolais

    The morning cruise to Mâcon shows off the best of the Rhône Valley. You'll get to try the region's famous Gamay wines in Beaujolais. Have a good lunch first though. These light red wines pack more punch than you might expect.

    
  • Day 4

    Tournon

    This medieval river town is best seen early before it gets hot. Take the vineyard hike for great valley views but bring good shoes. The ground can be slippery after rain. The 16th-century castle makes a good landmark when exploring the old town.

    
  • Day 5

    Viviers

    Visit the ancient cathedral town on market days (Tuesdays and Saturdays) to see it at its liveliest. Walk up through the medieval streets to reach the cathedral for river views. Bring water. The climb can be warm in summer.

    
  • Day 6

    Avignon

    See the Palais des Papes first. The lines get long quickly. Want great photos of the Pont d'Avignon? Walk along the Rhône's west bank at sunset. Skip lunch to save room for the evening Provençal dinner. It's worth waiting for.

    
  • Day 7

    Arles

    Visit the Roman amphitheater at 9 AM opening to avoid crowds. Walk the Van Gogh trail through old town to the Fondation Vincent van Gogh. In summer, plan indoor activities from 2-4 PM when the heat peaks.

    
  • Days 8-11

    Nice & Monaco

    After the cruise, move to the Côte d'Azur. Stay in Nice's Vieux Nice area to be close to both beach and old town. Time your Monaco visit to see the guard change at 11:55 AM at the Prince's Palace. On your free day, start at Nice's Cours Saleya market, then cool off in the Mediterranean. Just know the beaches are pebbly, not sandy.

    

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• 11 Days in Southern France, incl. Nice and Lyon

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Nice & Monaco:

    Start your French Riviera adventure in Nice. Walk the Promenade des Anglais early morning before it gets busy. Take a quick 25-minute train to Monaco on day 2. Visit the Prince's Palace at 11:45 AM to see the guard change then head to Monte Carlo Casino when it opens at 2 PM. Spend day 3 exploring Nice's Old Town and the Cours Saleya market before 1 PM when vendors start closing up.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Arles:

    Travel 4 hours from Nice to Arles. Visit the Roman amphitheater right when it opens at 9 AM to avoid the crowds. Walk to the Place du Forum where Van Gogh painted his famous "Café Terrace at Night." You can still visit the actual café at 11 Place du Forum. Late afternoon light makes for beautiful photos around town.

    
  • Day 6

    Avignon:

    Start with the massive Palais des Papes. Book tickets online to skip the long lines that often stretch 45+ minutes. The palace covers 15,000 square meters, making it Europe's largest Gothic building. Spend your afternoon walking the medieval walls but remember to bring water. Get your best photos of Pont d'Avignon from the Rocher des Doms garden above the palace.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Viviers & Tournon:

    Explore medieval Viviers but watch your step on the steep cobblestone streets leading to St. Vincent Cathedral. In Tournon, visit the riverside castle for great Rhône Valley views. If you're up for it, take the vineyard hike. It's steep in places but the views are worth it. Walking poles and a hat will come in handy.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Mâcon & Lyon:

    Start in Mâcon to explore Beaujolais wine country. After morning wine tasting, head to Lyon, France's food capital. Take the funicular up to Fourvière Basilica to save your legs, then explore the Old Town's traboules (secret passageways) on foot. Book your bouchon (traditional restaurant) well in advance.

    
  • Day 11

    Lyon:

    Use your final morning to visit Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse market. Most vendors open by 7 AM, perfect for picking up food souvenirs before heading to the airport.

    

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