France is so much more than Paris. Don’t get me wrong, I love Paris, I’ve been twice and would go back again. However, a year ago my husband and I did a road trip from Paris to Normandy and then we flew down to the south of France and road tripped there. We loved both. That’s why I’m sharing my France itinerary to help you do the same.
This post focuses on two areas: Normandy and the French Riviera. They are very different areas but both very worth visiting. So no matter if you want to stay closer to Paris or lounge on the beaches, you’ll find somewhere below to suit your needs.
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France Itinerary
To begin, know this: France is big. I had planned originally to drive from Normandy to the south of France but quickly realized that wasn’t smart. It would have taken several days. Therefore, once we saw what we wanted in Normandy, we flew to the South of France. It worked well and it’s what I’d recommend.
Normandy from Paris: 4 Days
To experience Normandy, you can drive from Paris. We rented a car in Paris and drove out from there. Yes, driving in Paris was an adventure but we did it and it’s certainly not impossible.
When we road trip, I like to stay as long as possible in each location hitting stops along the way. We spent one night in Etretrat and 3 nights in Mont Saint Michel. This worked well and I wouldn’t change it.
Drive to Etretrat from Paris
On your first day, pick up the car early in Paris and head out toward Etretat. Along the way stop at the Monet Gardens in Giverny and the town of Rouen.
Expect the gardens to be busy and buy your tickets ahead of time. They are well worth a visit but are a common cruise destination so get very crowded.
After the gardens, grab some lunch and head to Rouen. Depending on what day of the week, a lot of shops may be closed (there were for us) but the town is still a great place to walk around and spend some time.
The next day, get up early for the sunrise in Etretat. Then you’ll be on your way to your next adventure.
Drive time: Allow 1.5 hours to Monet Gardens, 1 hour from Monet Gardens to Rouen and then 1.5 hours to Etretat from Rouen.
Stay: In Etretat (1 night)
Drive to Mont Saint Michel
On your second day in Normandy you’ll head towards Mont Saint Michel. On the way, stop in the seaside town of Honfleur then head to the World War II Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer and Omaha Beach.
This will take a full day of exploring but if you get up early you should have plenty of time to explore. We only spent about an hour in Honfleur. We grabbed some coffee and took a few picturesque photos. It’s a very cute area and well worth a stop.
You’ll be able to then head over to the World War II Memorial and spend quite a bit of time there.
That evening, head toward Mont Saint Michel.
Drive time: 3.5 hours with stop
Stay: Near Mont Saint Michel (2 nights)
Explore Mont Saint Michel
We spent about half a day exploring the area and getting lunch. If the timing is right, you can watch the sunset over the tide coming in as well.
Drive time: stay near Mont Saint Michel so you can go early and spend as much time as you’d like exploring it. You’ll want to check the tides to get those reflective photos and so you don’t get stuck.
Stay: The same hotel near Mont Saint Michel.
South of France: 8 Days
Now it’s time to head to the south of France. We spent more time down here because we are beach people and love the coastline anywhere.
You’ll fly from Renne airport (where you can also drop the car you rented in Paris) to Nice.
Fly to Nice
We booked a flight much later in the day and therefore had plenty of time to get to Renne airport (which is small by the way) and we decided to take a detour to Fougeres. This was a great decision and it’s one of the best detours we took.
Have lunch in Fougères and visit the Château then head to the airport for your flight to Nice.
Drive time: 1.5 hours to the airport if you go direct.
Stay: 3 nights in Nice
Nice and Surrounds
Day #1: Now that you’ve made it to the coast of France it’s time for a beach day! You can rent loungers on the beach at one of the beach clubs (if you’re not staying there) and get food and drinks delivered to you throughout the day. It’s a great way to relax after the travel day you had the day before.
We chose to rent at Castel Plage as it’s right in the heart of Nice and historic.
Day #2: On your second day in Nice it’s time to rent a car and explore the coastline more. Head to Monaco and Menton for sure. Monaco is very unique as it is its own country and Menton is the a very colorful coastal town. It’s one of the 5 amazing towns in France you should visit.
Stay: Both of these nights you’ll stay in Nice.
Drive to Moustiers
Now it’s time to venture to a different area all together. This is my favorite place I’ve visited in France. Do not miss the Gorges du Verdon on your France itinerary. It’s called the Grand Canyon of France for a reason and it is stunning. Drive to Moustiers via Cannes to see another costal town.
Drive time: 3 hours with stop
Stay: Moustiers 3 nights
Gorges du Verdon & Valensole
From Moustiers you can see both Gorges du Verdon and the lavender fields of Provence on your France itinerary.
Day #1: Spend an entire day exploring the Gorge. Be sure to read this post first to get all the details on how to visit the Gorge and what to do.
Day #2: On your second full day you’ll be able to visit the lavender fields of Provence. They are beautiful and if you go in June, you’ll get sunflowers as well. Drive with the windows down to smell the lavender.
Drive time: it’s about 40 minutes one way to Valensole.
Stay: Moustiers
Day #3: On your last day in the area you can head to your next stop or stay longer at the Gorge. We chose to stay at the Gorge. We rented a boat and spent the day on the water, it was lovely.
Stay: both nights in Moustiers
After this, you’ll be heading back to Nice and if you follow this itinerary you can stay in Aix-en-provence. This is worth exploring but we didn’t explore it as we chose to spend more time at the Gorge.
Drive time: about 3 hours
Stay: Aix-en-provence
Back to Nice via St. Tropez
After your stop over, you’ll head back to Nice. I recommend going through St. Tropez. Rent another beach lounger and enjoy the beach side service. Drop the car back in Nice.
Drive time: 3.5 hours with stopping in St. Tropez
Stay: book a hotel near the airport in Nice as you’ve come to the end of your France itinerary and will head to Paris the next day.
Back to Paris
All good things must come to an end and it’s time in your France itinerary to head back to Paris. For us, we arrived pretty early in the morning and had a whole day to explore more of Paris. We visited the Musée d’Orsay which is much better than the Louvre then spent the afternoon at a cafe before heading to the catacombs for a night tour (which was very good).
Top Tip:
Book Catacombs tickets ahead of time so you don’t miss out!
Visit Without Driving
I’m a big fan of driving myself places but it’s not for everyone, which is why I always include tours as options. I only share tours that I would be willing to do myself (if I didn’t want to drive).
Tours to Normandy Sites from Paris:
Monet Gardens
Normandy History
Mont St. Michel
Tours of French Riviera from Nice:
Coastal Towns
Gorges & Lavender
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