10-Day Southern France Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Southern France tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaSouthern France travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Day France Itinerary, incl. Paris and Nice

  10-day Southern France exploration visiting medieval villages, Roman ruins, and Provence landscapes. Highlights include Pope's Palace concert, Beaujolais wine tasting, and Les Baux castle tour, with luxury Scenic Sapphire accommodation.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Paris

    Start your French adventure in Paris's 9th Arrondissement. Visit the Eiffel Tower before 8:30 AM to avoid long lines. Spend your morning walking the elegant boulevards and visiting the stunning Palais Garnier opera house. "The 9th district is perfect for first-time visitors - everything is walkable and the cafes are less touristy than near the Champs-Élysées," notes a local traveler. In the afternoon, check out Montmartre's hidden winery behind Sacre-Coeur.

    
  • Day 3

    Paris to Lyon

    Take the TGV train from Paris to Lyon. The trip takes about 2 hours. Book your tickets 3 months ahead for the best prices. When you arrive at Lyon's Perrache station, look for the taxi stand signs to get to your river cruise departure point.

    
  • Day 4

    Lyon

    Start your day in France's food capital by exploring the traboules (secret passageways) in Vieux Lyon. "Don't miss the morning market at Les Halles - the cheese selection is incredible and the vendors let you sample everything," a previous visitor suggests. If you want some exercise before lunch, join the morning bike tour to Tête d'or Park before trying Lyon's traditional bouchon restaurants.

    
  • Day 5

    Mâcon and Beaujolais

    Your ship stops in Mâcon, where you can access the Beaujolais wine region. Visit wineries in the morning when it's quiet. Another good option is the goat cheese farm tour, which includes a scenic 40-minute drive through the countryside each way.

    
  • Day 6

    Vienne

    Explore this Roman city early in the day on foot. Bring good walking shoes for the Roman theatre's steep steps. Bike tours follow flat riverside paths that work well for casual cyclists. Plan indoor activities after 2 PM to avoid summer heat.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Avignon

    You'll need two days to see this medieval walled city properly. Start with the Papal Palace first thing in the morning before crowds arrive. "The evening classical concert in the Palace was magical - the acoustics in the 14th-century halls are incredible," one traveler shares. Visit the Pont du Gard aqueduct early, before tour groups show up.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Arles to Nice

    Finish your trip in Van Gogh's Arles. The Roman amphitheater looks beautiful in morning light for photos. Visit the village of Les Baux later in the day. Plan your departure flight from Nice for the afternoon, since the drive from Arles takes 3 hours.

    

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• 10 Day Southern France River Cruise Itinerary, incl. Lyon and Avignon

  A luxurious 10-day Rhône River cruise connects 7 French cities from Lyon to Chalon-sur-Saône. Wander through Lyon's UNESCO-listed old town, follow Van Gogh's footsteps in Arles, and tour the papal palace in Avignon. The route winds through Beaujolais wine country and medieval Viviers, featuring daily meals with live-cooking stations aboard A-ROSA STELLA.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Lyon and Chalon-sur-Saône

    Embarkation starts at 4 PM in Lyon. Get to the UNESCO-listed old town (Vieux Lyon) by 2 PM to explore the traboules (hidden passageways) and enjoy lunch at a traditional bouchon. Your ship leaves at 6 PM for a scenic evening cruise past Lyon's lit-up landmarks. On Day 2 you'll reach Chalon-sur-Saône to explore Burgundy's wine region. Stop by the morning market at Place Saint-Vincent for local cheese and charcuterie.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Mâcon and Lyon

    You'll arrive in Mâcon early morning with time to visit the Beaujolais vineyards. Back in Lyon the Presqu'île district offers great nightlife. A recent visitor shared: "Don't miss the evening light show at Place des Terreaux – bring a light jacket as it gets cool by the river after sunset."

    
  • Days 5-6

    Viviers and Arles

    Wear good walking shoes to explore medieval Viviers and its hilltop cathedral. Arles lets you walk in Van Gogh's footsteps and see the spots that inspired his paintings. Visit the Roman amphitheater before 10 AM to beat the crowds. Keep in mind summer afternoons often hit above 85°F (30°C).

    
  • Days 7-8

    Port St. Louis and Avignon

    Take a morning trip to the Camargue to see flamingos and white horses in their natural habitat. In Avignon head to the Papal Palace right when it opens at 9 AM to avoid lines. The best photos of the famous bridge are from the public garden at sunset. Remember Les Halles market doesn't open Mondays.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Tournon and Return to Lyon

    The medieval castle and riverside vineyards await in Tournon. The ship docks close by so you can easily walk to wine tastings. You'll return to Lyon around 6 AM on the final day. Book a late afternoon flight to make the most of your last morning.

    

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• Wonderful France

  An elegant 9-day route winds through 8 cities, from Paris' Champs-Élysées to Monaco's Royal Palace. The itinerary features Lyon's Old Town, Saint-Tropez cruising, Arles' Roman theater, and the ancient Pont du Gard aqueduct, with 2-night stays in Paris and Avignon.

  

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  • Paris France

    40 mi

  • Giverny France

    276 mi

  • Lyon France

    87 mi

  • Beaune France

    63 mi

  • Beaujolais France

    214 mi

  • Monaco Monaco

    4 mi

  • Cote D'azur France

    19 mi
  • Show 3 more

  • Saint-Paul-de-Vence France

    1 mi

  • Vence France

    39 mi

  • Saint-Tropez France

    104 mi

  • Arles France

    20 mi

  • Avignon France

    81 mi

  • Pont-en-Royans France

    86 mi

  • Pont du Gard France

    354 mi

  • Paris France

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