2 Weeks In France Itinerary To See The Best Of France

France is a country that offers modern cities, medieval towns, alpine villages to the beautiful countryside, and from Mediterranean beaches to mountains.

As one of the world’s most beloved travel destinations, France offers something for every type of traveler.

After experiencing the country during our own two-week road trip, we’ve designed this itinerary that allows you to easily explore France’s highlights by car.

This route takes you through the country’s most stunning regions, to discover both iconic landmarks and hidden gems at your own pace.

2 Weeks In France Road-Trip Itinerary

Our two weeks in France itinerary will take you to some of the best places to see in France.

Paris | 3 Nights

Your Parisian adventure begins in the City of Light, where iconic landmarks meet charming café culture and world-class art awaits around every corner.

• Day 1: Arrive and explore central Paris (Louvre area, Tuileries, Place Vendôme)
• Day 2: Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Seine River cruise
• Day 3: Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur, and final Parisian moments before departure

Where to Stay in Paris

1st/2nd Arrondissement (Louvre Area):

• Hotel Regina Louvre (luxury) – steps from the Louvre
• Hotel Malte – Astotel (mid-range) – 650 metres from the Louvre Museum

7th Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower Area):

• Hotel La Comtesse (boutique charm) – walking distance to Eiffel Tower with elegant decor
• Hotel Muguet (budget-friendly) – quiet street with tower views

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Mont-Saint-Michel | 1 Night

Today begins your French countryside adventure as you leave for Normandy’s charming coastal towns and the legendary Mont-Saint-Michel.

Morning: Rental Car Pickup & Departure

• Pick up your rental car from Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport to avoid Paris city center traffic and parking hassles – grab the cheapest rental car from DiscoverCars here.
• Departure time: Leave by 8:00am to maximize your day and avoid afternoon crowds

Midday: Honfleur Lunch & Exploration

• Driving time: 2.5 hours from Paris airport to Honfleur
• Enjoy lunch in this picturesque harbor town with its colorful 16th-century houses
• Stroll around the Vieux Bassin (Old Harbor) and visit Sainte-Catherine Church
• Leave Honfleur by 1:30pm at the latest.

Afternoon: Journey to Mont-Saint-Michel

• Driving time: 2 hours from Honfleur to Mont-Saint-Michel
• Arrival target: Reach the island commune by 3:30pm for optimal abbey exploration
• Explore the magnificent Abbey and medieval village streets before sunset

Evening: Overnight at Mont-Saint-Michel

• Stay overnight at either Le Relais Saint Michel (4-star) or Auberge Saint Pierre (3-star) located

Alternative Option:

You can also visit Mont Saint Michel and Amboise (our next stop) on day trips from Paris – driving times: 3.5 hours to Mont Saint Michel, 2.5 hours to Amboise – a great option for those who prefer a steady base for exploring.

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Amboise | 2 Nights

The next morning, head for the châteaux country in the Loire Valley.

Morning: Departure to Loire Valley

• Driving time: 3.25 hours from Mont-Saint-Michel to Amboise
• Departure: Leave Mont-Saint-Michel by 9:00 AM to arrive in Loire Valley by midday

The next morning, head for the châteaux country in the Loire Valley.

Afternoon: Château de Chambord & Amboise

• Driving time: 20 minutes from Amboise to Chambord
• Enjoy a tour through Chambord, the Loire Valley’s most magnificent Renaissance castle with its famous double-spiral staircase
• Return to explore your base town, Amboise, visiting Château d’Amboise and Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence at Clos Lucé

Day 2: Loire Valley Château Hopping

• Head out on a day trip to tour Chenonceau and Chaumont

Where to Stay in Amboise (2 nights):

• Hotel Le Clos d’Amboise (boutique charm) – historic property with beautiful gardens and pool
• Le Manoir Les Minimes (luxury) – elegant manor hotel with Loire River views

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Nice | 3 Nights

Nice is one of the best places to visit on the French Riviera. It is also a great city to base yourself in if you want to add on some day trips.

Morning: Return Car & Flight to Nice

• Flight from Tours: Drop off your rental car at Tours Airport (45 minutes from Amboise) and catch your flight directly to Nice. Book your flight through Skyscanner here.

Afternoon: Nice Old Town (Vieux Nice) Exploration

Nice is one of the best places to visit on the French Riviera, and its charming old town is the perfect introduction to Riviera life.

• Wander through the narrow cobblestone streets of Vieux Nice with colorful baroque buildings
• Visit the famous Cours Saleya Market for fresh flowers, local produce, and Provençal specialties
• Climb Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for panoramic views over the Baie des Anges
• Stroll along the iconic Promenade des Anglais at sunset
• Dinner Recommendation: Chez Pipo for authentic socca (chickpea pancake) in Old Town

Day 2: Beach Day & Riviera Relaxation

Relax on Nice’s famous pebble beaches at Plage Beau Rivage or Plage Neptune, or upgrade to a beach club like Hi Beach for loungers and service.

Take a dip in the crystal-clear Mediterranean waters and enjoy beachside dining at La Petite Maison for Mediterranean cuisine.

Day 3: French Riviera Highlights Tour

Discover the glamorous Côte d’Azur on a guided tour visiting medieval Èze village, Monaco and Monte Carlo, artistic Saint Paul de Vence, and Cannes – all while enjoying spectacular coastal views.

Book Your Spot: Reserve your place on this French Riviera in One Day tour (9 hours) for the ultimate Côte d’Azur experience

Where to Stay in Nice (3 nights):

• Hotel Negresco (luxury) – iconic Belle Époque palace on the Promenade des Anglais
• Villa Victoria (boutique charm) – elegant hotel near Old Town with rooftop terrace

Annecy | 2 Nights

Annecy is an alpine town in southeastern France where the Old Town resembles a colorful fairytale village with pastel houses, canals, and cobbled streets.

Getting to Annecy:

• Recommended: Domestic flight (book your flight through Skyscanner) from Nice to Geneva, Switzerland (1.5 hours). Then hire a car (that you will use for the remainder of your trip) and enjoy the 40-minute scenic drive to Annecy
• Alternative: Train from Nice to Annecy (7 hours with connections via Lyon) – grab train tickets here.

Afternoon: Annecy Old Town Discovery

• Explore the winding canals that have earned Annecy the nickname “Venice of the Alps”
• Wander through the medieval Old Town with its flower-lined waterways and historic architecture
• Visit the iconic Palais de l’Isle, a 12th-century castle sitting in the middle of the Thiou River
• Cross the famous Pont des Amours (Love Bridge) for romantic lake views

Day 2: Lake Annecy Scenic Drive

• Take a scenic drive around Lake Annecy’s 42km perimeter with stunning Alpine views at every turn
• Stop in Talloires for lakeside lunch and photos of the crystal-clear turquoise waters
• Visit Menthon-Saint-Bernard to see the fairytale Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
• Explore Doussard at the lake’s southern tip for mountain panoramas and peaceful walking trails

Where to Stay in Annecy (2 nights):

• Hotel des Alpes (boutique charm) – historic property in the heart of Old Town

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Colmar | 2 Nights

Discover Alsace’s most enchanting town with its perfectly preserved medieval architecture and German-French cultural blend.

Getting to Colmar:

• Driving time: 4.5 hours from Annecy to Colmar (Leave Annecy by 7:00am)

Afternoon: Colmar Old Town

• Explore Little Venice (Petite Venise) with its colorful half-timbered houses along the canals
• Wander through Old Town’s cobblestone streets lined with flower-adorned buildings
• Visit Unterlinden Museum to see the famous Isenheim Altarpiece
• Stroll through Place des Dominicains and Rue des Marchands for authentic Alsatian atmosphere

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Day 2: Alsace Villages Wine Route

Enjoy a full day of exploring the most adorable Alsace villages you could ever see!

• Morning: Drive to Riquewihr (15 minutes) – the “Pearl of Alsace” with medieval ramparts and wine cellars
• Midday: Visit Ribeauvillé (10 minutes) for lunch and exploring three medieval castles overlooking the town
• Afternoon: Continue to Eguisheim (20 minutes) – voted France’s favorite village with concentric cobblestone streets
• Late afternoon: End in Kaysersberg (15 minutes) – Alsace’s most beautiful village with its fortified bridge and vineyards

Where to Stay in Colmar (2 nights):

• Suites Residences Spa (luxury) – elegant accommodation with spa facilities
• Hotel Le Colombier (boutique charm) – traditional Alsatian architecture with modern comfort

Paris | 1 Nights

At the end of your France trip, you will return to Paris, where you can relax on the last day of your vacation before returning home.

Where to Stay in Paris

1st/2nd Arrondissement (Louvre Area):

• Hotel Regina Louvre (luxury) – steps from the Louvre
• Hotel Malte – Astotel (mid-range) – 650 metres from the Louvre Museum

7th Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower Area):

• Hotel La Comtesse (boutique charm) – walking distance to Eiffel Tower with elegant decor
• Hotel Muguet (budget-friendly) – quiet street with tower views

Additional Recommendations for an Extended Trip:

• Visit the nicest villages near Perpignan
• Explore the beautiful mountain scenery of Mont Blanc
• See the walled city of Carcassonne
• See the lavender in bloom by including a trip to Provence as part of your itinerary.

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How to get around France

1.  Car Rental

If you follow our driving through France itinerary, you will cover a lot of kilometres in the space of three weeks.

It will be important to hire a vehicle that is comfortable and has plenty of space for your luggage.

The best car rental company in DiscoverCars – they quickly compare car rental prices across all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, and Europcar to find you the cheapest price.

You will need to hire a car for:

• 4 Days as you travel from Paris to Amboise
• 4 Days as you travel from Annecy back to Paris

Find the most affordable cars for your trip here.

2.  Domestic Flights

We have also decided to break up the days of driving with two domestic flights. Fortunately, you can easily find cheap France flights, and these two flights won’t set you back by much at all!

We personally book our flights on Cheapo Air, we find that they are often the cheapest (even in comparison to Skyscanner).  Click to check on prices for your flights.

You will require tickets from:

• Nantes to Nice
• Nice to Annecy

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Final Thoughts on Seeing France in 2 Weeks

Two weeks in France opens a world of possibilities, from the glittering lights of Paris to the Loire Valley castles and the French Riviera’s sun-soaked beaches.

This carefully crafted itinerary lets you experience France’s iconic highlights while discovering hidden gems along the way.

While you can’t see everything in France in 14 days, this route captures the essence of what makes France truly special – its rich history, stunning landscapes, and legendary cuisine.

Before you embark on your French adventure, make sure your trip goes smoothly by reading our essential guide on common mistakes to avoid when planning your trip to France.