Getting there
Fly into the main regional gateway for France. Reserve airport pick-up or the fastest train link into the centre.
Itinerary · France · 5 days
5 days in France · the essential route
France in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
A 5-day plan to see the best of France without wasting time on transfers. Each day pairs one hub with the sights worth queueing for, a beach or excursion for the afternoon, restaurants worth booking and 1–2 Viator tours that fit the rhythm of the day.
- Ideal for
- First-time visitors · slow travellers
- When
- May–June and September–early October
- Budget
- 1100–1900 € per person (accommodation + tours, excluding flights)
- Duration
- 5 days · 4 noches
Getting around
Rent a car for inter-hub transfers; use taxis inside town centres.
Where to sleep
Split your nights across the hubs listed below, one to two nights per base to avoid check-in fatigue.
Trip index
5 days, día por día
Day 01
Paris — Haussmann boulevards
Sleep in · Paris
Day 1 centred on Paris. Haussmann boulevards, grand museums and the world's most photographed skyline. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Paris: Louvre and Musée d'Orsay.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Paris-Plages (summer, Seine).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Le Cinq (3★) (back-up: Septime (1★)).
Where to eat
- Le Cinq (3★)
- Septime (1★)
- Frenchie
Day 02
Nice & the Côte d'Azur — The Promenade des Anglais
Sleep in · Nice & the Côte d'Azur
Day 2 centred on Nice & the Côte d'Azur. The Promenade des Anglais, belle-époque villas and the blue of the Riviera. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Nice & the Côte d'Azur: Promenade des Anglais and Vieux Nice + Cours Saleya market.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Plage Beau Rivage (or Plage de la Réserve if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Le Chantecler (1★) (back-up: Jan (1★)).
Where to eat
- Le Chantecler (1★)
- Jan (1★)
- La Merenda
Day 03
Provence — Avignon & the Luberon — Papal palace
Sleep in · Provence — Avignon & the Luberon
Day 3 centred on Provence — Avignon & the Luberon. Papal palace, lavender fields and hilltop villages between the Rhône and Ventoux. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Provence — Avignon & the Luberon: Palais des Papes (UNESCO) and Pont d'Avignon.
Afternoon
Afternoon excursion: Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct.
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at La Mirande (1★) (back-up: L'Essentiel).
Where to eat
- La Mirande (1★)
- L'Essentiel
- Restaurant Christian Étienne
Day 04
Loire Valley — Renaissance châteaux
Sleep in · Loire Valley
Day 4 centred on Loire Valley. Renaissance châteaux, royal hunting forests and slow river cycling (UNESCO). Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Loire Valley: Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau.
Afternoon
Afternoon excursion: Loire à Vélo cycle route.
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Assa (1★, Blois) (back-up: Auberge de l'Île).
Where to eat
- Assa (1★, Blois)
- Auberge de l'Île
- Les Hautes Roches (Rochecorbon)
Bookable for day 4 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 05
Bordeaux & the vineyards — Port of the Moon (UNESCO)
Sleep in · Bordeaux & the vineyards
Day 5 centred on Bordeaux & the vineyards. Port of the Moon (UNESCO), Cité du Vin and Médoc + Saint-Émilion châteaux. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Bordeaux & the vineyards: Place de la Bourse + Miroir d'eau and Cité du Vin.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Arcachon (or Dune du Pilat if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at La Grande Maison (2★) (back-up: Le Pressoir d'Argent (2★)).
Where to eat
- La Grande Maison (2★)
- Le Pressoir d'Argent (2★)
- Miles
Before leaving home
Packing and logistics tips
- 01Layer for cool mornings and hot midday sun
- 02Book restaurants and top-tier tours 2–3 weeks ahead
- 03Comfortable walking shoes — most old towns are cobbled
- 04A small day-pack for water, sunscreen and a light shell
Keep exploring
Other tried-and-tested itineraries
Mallorca · 7 days
7 días de isla completa · Mallorca sin prisas
Palma, Tramuntana, Pollença y calas del este
Menorca · 5 days
5 días entre calas y Camí de Cavalls
Ciutadella, calas del sur y caldereta en Fornells
Ibiza · 5 days
5 días entre norte slow y Es Vedrà
Dalt Vila, mercadillos hippies, Formentera y atardeceres
Formentera · 3 days
3 días en Formentera · la isla-pausa
Bici, Ses Illetes, faros y S'Espalmador
Catalonia · 1 days
1 day in Barcelona · the essentials without rushing
Sagrada Família, Gothic Quarter and a rooftop sunset
Catalonia · 2 days
2 days in Barcelona · Gaudí, Gothic and the sea
Two days to cover both Gaudís and the beach
Catalonia · 3 days
3 days · Barcelona + Montserrat
The city plus one legendary day trip
Catalonia · 4 days
4 days · Barcelona + Costa Brava (Girona & Cadaqués)
City two days, Costa Brava two days
Catalonia · 5 days
5 days · Barcelona, Costa Brava and Sitges
City, north coast, south coast in a loop
Catalonia · 6 days
6 days · Barcelona, Costa Brava, Tarragona & Priorat
Roman ruins and top-tier wine on top of the classics
Catalonia · 7 days
7 days · Grand tour of Catalonia — city, coast, Pyrenees
The full loop: Barcelona, Costa Brava, Pyrenees, Tarragona
Mallorca · 1 days
1 day in Mallorca · the essential route
Mallorca in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Mallorca · 2 days
2 days in Mallorca · the essential route
Mallorca in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Mallorca · 3 days
3 days in Mallorca · the essential route
Mallorca in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Mallorca · 4 days
4 days in Mallorca · the essential route
Mallorca in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Mallorca · 5 days
5 days in Mallorca · the essential route
Mallorca in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Mallorca · 6 days
6 days in Mallorca · the essential route
Mallorca in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Mallorca · 7 days
7 days in Mallorca · the essential route
Mallorca in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Menorca · 1 days
1 day in Menorca · the essential route
Menorca in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Menorca · 2 days
2 days in Menorca · the essential route
Menorca in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Menorca · 3 days
3 days in Menorca · the essential route
Menorca in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Menorca · 4 days
4 days in Menorca · the essential route
Menorca in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Menorca · 5 days
5 days in Menorca · the essential route
Menorca in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Menorca · 6 days
6 days in Menorca · the essential route
Menorca in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Menorca · 7 days
7 days in Menorca · the essential route
Menorca in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Ibiza · 1 days
1 day in Ibiza · the essential route
Ibiza in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Ibiza · 2 days
2 days in Ibiza · the essential route
Ibiza in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Ibiza · 3 days
3 days in Ibiza · the essential route
Ibiza in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Ibiza · 4 days
4 days in Ibiza · the essential route
Ibiza in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Ibiza · 5 days
5 days in Ibiza · the essential route
Ibiza in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Ibiza · 6 days
6 days in Ibiza · the essential route
Ibiza in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Ibiza · 7 days
7 days in Ibiza · the essential route
Ibiza in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Formentera · 1 days
1 day in Formentera · the essential route
Formentera in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Formentera · 2 days
2 days in Formentera · the essential route
Formentera in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Formentera · 3 days
3 days in Formentera · the essential route
Formentera in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Formentera · 4 days
4 days in Formentera · the essential route
Formentera in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Formentera · 5 days
5 days in Formentera · the essential route
Formentera in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Formentera · 6 days
6 days in Formentera · the essential route
Formentera in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Formentera · 7 days
7 days in Formentera · the essential route
Formentera in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Basque Country · 1 days
1 day in Basque Country · the essential route
Basque Country in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Basque Country · 2 days
2 days in Basque Country · the essential route
Basque Country in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Basque Country · 3 days
3 days in Basque Country · the essential route
Basque Country in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Basque Country · 4 days
4 days in Basque Country · the essential route
Basque Country in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Basque Country · 5 days
5 days in Basque Country · the essential route
Basque Country in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Basque Country · 6 days
6 days in Basque Country · the essential route
Basque Country in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Basque Country · 7 days
7 days in Basque Country · the essential route
Basque Country in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Andalusia · 1 days
1 day in Andalusia · the essential route
Andalusia in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Andalusia · 2 days
2 days in Andalusia · the essential route
Andalusia in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Andalusia · 3 days
3 days in Andalusia · the essential route
Andalusia in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Andalusia · 4 days
4 days in Andalusia · the essential route
Andalusia in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Andalusia · 5 days
5 days in Andalusia · the essential route
Andalusia in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Andalusia · 6 days
6 days in Andalusia · the essential route
Andalusia in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Andalusia · 7 days
7 days in Andalusia · the essential route
Andalusia in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Canary Islands · 1 days
1 day in Canary Islands · the essential route
Canary Islands in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Canary Islands · 2 days
2 days in Canary Islands · the essential route
Canary Islands in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Canary Islands · 3 days
3 days in Canary Islands · the essential route
Canary Islands in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Canary Islands · 4 days
4 days in Canary Islands · the essential route
Canary Islands in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Canary Islands · 5 days
5 days in Canary Islands · the essential route
Canary Islands in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Canary Islands · 6 days
6 days in Canary Islands · the essential route
Canary Islands in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Canary Islands · 7 days
7 days in Canary Islands · the essential route
Canary Islands in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Valencian Community · 1 days
1 day in Valencian Community · the essential route
Valencian Community in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Valencian Community · 2 days
2 days in Valencian Community · the essential route
Valencian Community in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Valencian Community · 3 days
3 days in Valencian Community · the essential route
Valencian Community in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Valencian Community · 4 days
4 days in Valencian Community · the essential route
Valencian Community in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Valencian Community · 5 days
5 days in Valencian Community · the essential route
Valencian Community in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Valencian Community · 6 days
6 days in Valencian Community · the essential route
Valencian Community in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Valencian Community · 7 days
7 days in Valencian Community · the essential route
Valencian Community in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Madrid · 1 days
1 day in Madrid · the essential route
Madrid in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Madrid · 2 days
2 days in Madrid · the essential route
Madrid in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Madrid · 3 days
3 days in Madrid · the essential route
Madrid in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Madrid · 4 days
4 days in Madrid · the essential route
Madrid in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Madrid · 5 days
5 days in Madrid · the essential route
Madrid in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Madrid · 6 days
6 days in Madrid · the essential route
Madrid in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Madrid · 7 days
7 days in Madrid · the essential route
Madrid in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Italy · 1 days
1 day in Italy · the essential route
Italy in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Italy · 2 days
2 days in Italy · the essential route
Italy in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Italy · 3 days
3 days in Italy · the essential route
Italy in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Italy · 4 days
4 days in Italy · the essential route
Italy in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Italy · 5 days
5 days in Italy · the essential route
Italy in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Italy · 6 days
6 days in Italy · the essential route
Italy in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Italy · 7 days
7 days in Italy · the essential route
Italy in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Portugal · 1 days
1 day in Portugal · the essential route
Portugal in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Portugal · 2 days
2 days in Portugal · the essential route
Portugal in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Portugal · 3 days
3 days in Portugal · the essential route
Portugal in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Portugal · 4 days
4 days in Portugal · the essential route
Portugal in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Portugal · 5 days
5 days in Portugal · the essential route
Portugal in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Portugal · 6 days
6 days in Portugal · the essential route
Portugal in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Portugal · 7 days
7 days in Portugal · the essential route
Portugal in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Greece · 1 days
1 day in Greece · the essential route
Greece in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Greece · 2 days
2 days in Greece · the essential route
Greece in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Greece · 3 days
3 days in Greece · the essential route
Greece in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Greece · 4 days
4 days in Greece · the essential route
Greece in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Greece · 5 days
5 days in Greece · the essential route
Greece in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Greece · 6 days
6 days in Greece · the essential route
Greece in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
Greece · 7 days
7 days in Greece · the essential route
Greece in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
France · 1 days
1 day in France · the essential route
France in 1 day — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
France · 2 days
2 days in France · the essential route
France in 2 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
France · 3 days
3 days in France · the essential route
France in 3 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
France · 4 days
4 days in France · the essential route
France in 4 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
France · 6 days
6 days in France · the essential route
France in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
France · 7 days
7 days in France · the essential route
France in 7 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours