7 Days In France Itinerary: 3 BEST Routes! | 2025

7 Day France Itinerary Ideas

With so many places to visit in France, it might seem impossible to choose where to go. 

You can’t explore every inch of the country in just 7 days, so you’ll have to pick 1 or 2 regions to focus on. 

These 3 itineraries are the best for first time visitors, as they give a great overview of the country while hitting the most iconic spots.

Each itinerary starts from Paris, and then you have an option of going to the south, northeast, or southwest!

Here’s a quick overview of the best France 7 day itinerary routes:

• French Riviera Route: Paris – Marseille – Nice
• Alsace Route: Paris – Strasbourg – Colmar
• Southwest Route: Paris – Bordeaux – Toulouse

1. Paris And The French Riviera Itinerary

Paris and the French Riviera is the most popular route for a first time trip to France, especially if you’re visiting in the summer.

Overview of the itinerary:

By following this itinerary, you’ll get 3 full days in Paris to explore every corner of this beautiful city and even take a day trip from Paris.

You’ll pick up the pace as you get to the south, and visit Marseille, Calanques, Nice, and Monaco.

You can also slow down and spend a day or two on one of the most beautiful French beaches along the Riviera. 

DAY 1: Paris Highlights

Start your week in France with a visit to the most beautiful city in the world – Paris!

The capital of France is the most visited place in the world, and with its many charming corners, iconic landmarks, and delicious cuisine it is easy to see why!

Start your day with a visit to the famous Louvre Museum. Head to the museum early and buy your ticket online to skip the crowds. 

You could easily spend hours in the Museum, as the art collection is huge!

Depending on how much time you spend in the Museum, you can head for lunch or continue sightseeing towards Notre Dame Cathedral. 

One of the biggest mistakes people make in Paris is walking into restaurants near tourist attractions without checking reviews. Most are overpriced for mediocre food. 

Walk through Jardin de Tuileries towards Wild & The Moon to grab a quick lunch – it is one of the best vegan restaurants in France.

You can even do a takeaway and eat in the park with the locals on their lunch break!

After lunch, stroll through the Latin Quarter towards the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg.

You can take a metro towards the Eiffel Tower, or even better – walk along the river admiring the stunning architecture. 

For an ultimate Paris experience, head to a bakery and get a baguette for a picnic in Champ-de-Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower!

Climb the summit of the Eiffel Tower for an ultimate bucket list experience.

Stay in the area until nightfall to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle!

Where to stay in Paris:

With 3 days in Paris, you’ll want to stay close to the city center, so you don’t waste time on transportation.

• La Maison Favart: Treat yourself to a luxurious stay in the heart of the city with this top-rated hotel. 

• Hôtel des Arts Montmartre: Beautiful boutique hotel in one of the most charming areas of Paris.

• Hotel de Neuville Arc de Triomphe: This fantastic budget-friendly hotel is close to the metro in a calm area.

DAY 2: Montmartre and Paris Hidden Gems

On your second day in Paris, you’ll explore the charming Montmartre quarter.

Montmartre is one of my favorite areas of Paris, with cobblestone streets, local restaurants, and artists on the square. 

The viewing platform in front of the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur offers one of the best free views of the city!

You can grab a coffee in one of the cafes in Montmartre, but I wouldn’t have lunch there. Instead, you’ll head to the lively Le Marais quarter. 

The quarter is also known as the Jewish Quarter and it’s where you’ll find the best falafel sandwich in the city. I highly recommend L’As du Fallafel for a quick lunch!

After lunch, make your way to the famous Champs-Élysées. Depending on the sunset time, you can take a metro directly to Arc de Triomphe, but I also like the walk. 

Get a ticket to climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for the best view of Paris! It’s free if you’re an EU citizen under 26, otherwise, I suggest getting your ticket online. 

At night, go for a Seine River cruise! You can even book a dinner cruise for the most unique dinner experience in the city. 

DAY 3: Day Trip From Paris

Your last full day in Paris is a day trip day!

Paris is well connected by train to the entire country, offering virtually endless options for day trips.

Depending on your preferences, these are the most popular options:

• Day trip to Paris Disneyland 
• Wine tasting tour in Champagne
• A visit to the Versaille Castle 

DAY 4: Train to Marseille

Wake up early on day 4 to catch a train to Marseille. 

There are multiple daily departures, and the train to Marseille departs from Gare de Lyon (there are 6 train stations in Paris!).

Direct train from Paris to Marseille takes around 3 hours, so you’ll come to your hotel right at check-in time!

Marseille is a large city, but most tourist attractions are in the city center. 

You can walk along the Old Port, admire Fort Saint-Jean, and visit MUCEM – one of the best European museums of Mediterranean culture.

The best sunset spot in Marseille is the hilltop Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica. I loved the view!

Where to stay in Marseille:

• Hotel C2: Luxurious hideaway right in the city center, a true hidden gem. 

• Grand Hotel Beauvau Marseille Vieux Port: Iconic hotel with a view of the Old Port. 

• Hotel Belle-Vue Vieux-Port: Beautiful budget-friendly hotel with a fantastic view of the Old Port.

DAY 5: Explore Calanques National Park or Aix-en-Provence 

Who says you can’t go hiking with only 7 days in France? 

Calanques National Park is a beautiful landscape just a short drive from Marseille.

You can take a bus or join a hiking tour to explore the white cliffs and turquoise-clear sea. 

 I visited Calanques in June and the water was so refreshing after a hike!

After an active day, reward yourself with an ice cream in Cassis. Amorino Gelato is my favorite ice cream chain in France!

Alternatively, if you’re not into hiking and the weather is not warm enough to swim, you can also visit Aix-en-Provence!

DAY 6: Discover Nice

Day 6 is another travel day, so pack your bags as you’re going to Nice!

You can either take a train or a bus for this journey, as they take approximately the same and depart from the same station. I took a bus as it was significantly cheaper. 

One of my favorite things about Nice is how there’s a beach in the city center! I stayed in a hotel 5 minutes from the beach and went for a quick dip twice a day!

Where to stay in Nice:

• Hôtel Apollinaire Nice: Beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of the Old Town.

• Hotel Le Negresco: Iconic luxury hotel on Promenade des Anglais with stunning sea views.

• Hôtel de la Fontaine: Budget friendly option, just 2 minute walk from the beach. 

Day 7: Visit Monaco and enjoy the French Riviera

If you’re looking for the most beautiful French coastal towns, you’re in the right region!

The most popular day trip from Nice is to Monaco, and you even get to visit another country. 

You don’t need more than a couple of hours in Monaco. See the luxurious casinos and stroll the walled old town and Royal Residence.

On the way back to Nice, you can stop in Eze and Villefranche-sur-Mer, both beautiful small coastal towns. 

Ideally, you would fly home from Nice so you don’t have to return to Paris. 

However, if your return flight is from Paris, the easiest way to get from Nice to Paris is by flying. Otherwise, you’ll have to get to Marseille and take a TGV from there.

2. Paris And The Alsace Itinerary

If you’ve already visited the Mediterranean and want to explore something different, head to the northeast of the country and discover the unique charm of the Alsace region.

Alsace is the most picturesque French region, dotted with fairytale-like villages and charming vineyards.

Overview of the itinerary:

I lived in Strasbourg for 2 years, so I can vouch that the region is beautiful at any time of the year, but this 1 week in France itinerary is a great option if you’re visiting France in winter.

Strasbourg and other Alsace towns and villages go all out for Christmas!

Autumn is another popular season to visit the region, especially for wine lovers. As a renowned wine region, it offers a great opportunity to indulge in seasonal wine tastings and festivals.

DAY 1-3: Paris

This 7 days France itinerary follows the same route as the first one for the first 3 days!

DAY 4: Discover Strasbourg

On day 4 you’ll head to Gare de l’Est and catch a train to Strasbourg. A journey takes about 2 hours, and you should have an entire afternoon to explore the city. 

The most beautiful area of Strasbourg is La Petite France on the Grande-Île. The whole island and the historic center of Strasbourg is a UNESCO site!

Stroll the cobblestone streets and admire the colorful timbered houses, typical for this region of France. 

Another must-see attraction is Strasbourg Cathedral. You can climb the Cathedral Tower for the best view of the city!

Strasbourg is also home to the Council of Europe and the European Parliament.

Where to stay in Strasbourg:

• Hôtel Régent Contades: Beautiful hotel in a calm area, right next to the city center. 

• Hotel Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg: Stunning historic property in the heart of the Old Town.

• BOMA easy living hotel: Budget-friendly hotel in the city center, close to all tourist attractions.

DAY 5: Alsace Wine Route

Alsace Wine Route is the oldest wine route in France, dating back to 1953. 

The route roughly takes you from Strasbourg to Colmar, hitting dozens of vineyards for wine-tasting opportunities. 

The best way to explore the route for a day is on a wine-tasting tour from Strasbourg. You don’t want to be driving the winding country roads after several glasses of wine!

DAY 6: Explore Colmar and Alsace Villages

You’ll find Colmar just a short train ride from Strasbourg. This beautiful town is best known for its storybook-like city center, lined with canals and colorful timbered houses.

Colmar is a great base if you want to visit picturesque Alsace villages by public transport, as you don’t have to worry about returning to Strasbourg. 

Buses to Riquewihr, Eiguisheim, and Ribeauvillé depart from Colmar, so it’s easy to come back to sleep at night.

You can also take a guided tour of Alsace villages if you don’t want to worry about getting around by bus!

Where to stay in Colmar:

You could spend 2 final nights in Colmar if you want to spend more time in the countryside.

• Appartement Grenier à sel Gentleman: Charming studio situated in a typical colorful timbered house. 

• Hotel Restaurant Le Maréchal: Beautiful luxury hotel in the historic center. 

• Mercure Colmar Centre Unterlinden: Great hotel close to the city center on a budget. 

DAY 7: Colmar

On your final day of this itinerary, you’ll have time to visit the city center of Colmar before heading back to Paris.

Take a final stroll along the canals in Little Venice and you might even have time for a short boat ride!

You can easily take a train from Colmar to Paris, it takes about 2 and a half hours, as you’ll first have to get to Strasbourg.

3. Paris And The Southwest Itinerary

Finally, if you want to get off the beaten path and explore one of France’s most underrated regions, head to the Southwest!

Most people know Bordeaux and Southwest France as the wine region, but it offers so much more than just wine!

Overview of the itinerary:

DAY 1-3: Paris

This 7 days in France itinerary follows the first 3 days like the first route.

DAY 4: Discover Bordeaux

Take an early morning train from Paris to Bordeaux, there are many daily departures to choose from.

The trip only takes about 2 hours, and you’ll be in Bordeaux in no time!

I live in Bordeaux, and I love how the city is compact and you can see all the main tourist attractions within 1 day in Bordeaux. 

The entire city center of Bordeaux is a UNESCO site, so you can start by simply walking around and admiring the historical buildings. 

Make sure to visit Place de la Bourse and see one of the largest reflective pools in the world Miroir d’Eau (it’s only filled with water from April to October, so you’re not as confused as I was the first time I visited).

Another fun way to explore Bordeaux is by joining a bike tour!

Where to stay in Bordeaux:

• Hotel La Zoologie & Spa Bordeaux: Beautiful hotel in the heart of the city center.

• Villas Foch Boutique Hotel: The best hotel in Bordeaux, ideally located and luxurious. 

• Moxy Bordeaux: Trendy budget-friendly hotel in the north of Bordeaux with a stunning city view. 

DAY 5: Day Trip To Saint Emilion or Arcachon 

Your second day in Bordeaux is a day trip day. 

Now, you’ll have to decide if you want to see the countryside and vineyards or beaches and the highest sand dunes in Europe.

You could even do both on the same day if you rent a car!

If you’re a wine lover, you should book a wine-tasting tour in Saint Emilion. It’s the best way to discover regional wines and visit beautiful castles.

You don’t need to drink wine to enjoy Saint Emilion, the historic village and the vineyards are worth visiting on their own! 

Arcachon is a summer holiday destination, also known as Bordeaux’s beach. Apart from the beach, the main attraction is Dune du Pilat.

I couldn’t believe it was real the first time I saw this stunning sand dune! 

You have an enormous sand dune with the sea on one side and a pine forest on the other. Truly unique landscape!

DAY 6: Train To Toulouse

Toulouse is one of the most underrated cities in France, and every time I visit, I can’t believe there aren’t more tourists here!

The city is situated about a 2-3 hour train or bus drive from Bordeaux, and you can take a day trip to Toulouse or spend a night there. 

My favorite thing about Toulouse is the unique architecture with red brick buildings and blue windows. You’ll quickly see why the city is nicknamed La Ville Rose (“The Pink City”).

Head to Place du Capitole and visit the impressive interior of the Hôtel de Ville de Toulouse for free!

Promenade Henri Martin is the best spot to watch the sunset in Toulouse and is very popular with locals.

Where to stay in Toulouse:

• Boutique Hotel SOCLO: Beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of the city center with cozy interior and luxurious amenities. 

• Nemea Appart Hotel: Lovely budget-friendly hotel close to the train station I stayed in several times and loved!

DAY 7: Discover Toulouse

Depending on where your flight home departs from, you’ll have some time in Toulouse.

If your return flight is from Paris, a train from Toulouse to Paris takes 4-5 hours not counting the time you’ll need to get to the airport, so it might be better to stay in Bordeaux or fly to Paris.

Which Is The Best Region Of France For First Time Visitors?

If it’s your first time in France, you might wonder which region offers the best overview of the country.

It’s hard to say because France is so diverse, and every region offers a unique glimpse into the real France!

Of course, you must visit Paris if it’s your first time in France! Sure, some might say Paris is overrated, but I disagree.

From Paris, you can go anywhere in France with TGV fast trains. Marseille, Bordeaux, or Strasbourg are all just 2-3 hours away!

The best region to visit in France will also depend on the time of the year you’re visiting. 

If you’re traveling to France in summer, Paris and the French Riviera route is the best as you get to swim in the sea.

If you’re exploring France in winter, Strasbourg and Colmar have the best Christmas Markets in France!

All these regions are beautiful, and the choice ultimately depends on your preferences.

How To Get Around France?

You don’t need to rent a car for any of these itineraries.

The easiest and quickest way to get around France without a car is by train. 

You could also get a bus, but buses in France are slower than trains for long-distance journeys. 

Fast TGV trains from Paris take around 2-3 hours to Bordeaux, Strasbourg, and Marseille. The buses on the same routes take more than 6 hours!

Within cities, you can use public transportation. It is cheap, frequent, and reliable. 

Cycling is also popular in many French cities. You can easily rent a bike at bike-sharing stations around cities to cover more ground!

Summary: 7 Days In France Itinerary

1 week in France is enough time to get a taste of the country and discover Paris and one other region.

The most popular 7 day France itinerary is Paris and the French Riviera, but you can swap the Riviera for the Southwest or the Alsace region to escape the crowds, especially in the summer.

While you can’t see every inch of the country in a week, France is worth visiting even for a short holiday!