How Long to Stay in France

Home to quaint medieval cities, sprawling alpine villages, and Mediterranean towns renowned for their wealthy inhabitants and luxurious harbors, France has something for all traveler types. While beachcombers take to the French Riviera and nature enthusiasts tackle the Pyrenees mountains, foodies flock to the patisseries of Paris and historians visit the beaches of Normandy. With so much on offer, you might find yourself struggling to choose one destination or activity over another — wine tasting at a Bordeaux vineyard or viewing landmark art at the Louvre? For inspiration and ideas on how many days should you spend in France go through our recommended France itineraries.

While you can travel the length of France from Hauts-de-France to Lamanère in just 10 hours, you will need more time than that to properly explore the country. If you are traveling through Europe and have only 4 days to spend in France, sticking to a region of interest just as the French Riviera and Burgundy or the Loire Valley will allow you to see more and waste less time on the road. First-timers would do well spending all 4 days in Paris, checking off highlights such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and Seine River cruise. If planned correctly you can even add in a day trip from Paris to Loire Valley or Versailles to a short 4-day tour in France. Overall 4 days in France is enough time to cover a couple of cities or a major region in the country.

If you are looking for a holiday in France but are hesitant because you only have 5 days, worry not! France in 5 days is perfectly feasible, allowing you to explore the capital of Paris, the central Loire region, and Normandy in the North with plenty of time to be able to take in the beauty of each destination to its fullest.

Continental France comprises 13 official regions, including the island Corsica, which are further categorized into six primary tourist areas. During 6 days in France, focus on one of these provinces, or travel to two. For example, the northwest includes Brittany, favored by cyclists, and Normandy. Ocean-lovers often prefer the south, including cities and towns like Nice, St. Tropez, Nimes and Provence, extending from the Riviera to the foothills of the Pyrenees. During your 6-day France tour, take the opportunity to uncover one of the regions thoroughly, or go with a tour that hops in between a few, covering the streets of Paris to Champagne-Ardenne. If you’re an avid hiker, the Western Massif Central beckons with its mountain ranges, including destinations like Loire and Rhône.

A week in France offers the perfect balance of exploration and relaxation, allowing you to immerse in its rich culture, history, and stunning landscapes. Begin in Paris, where iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and charming cafés await. Then, venture to the lavender fields and vineyards of Provence for a taste of French countryside living. Head to the glamorous French Riviera to relax on Mediterranean beaches or explore the chic streets of Nice and Cannes. With a week, you can experience France's diverse charm, from art and history to breathtaking coastlines and picturesque towns.

Whether you have been in love with Paris for the longest time or have been dreaming about biking or walking expeditions through its wine country. Maybe the French Riviera has been tugging on your heartstrings for as long as you can remember or you’ve always wanted to hit the ski slopes in Val d'Isère? Well, 8 days in France is ample time for any such endeavors. Paris is a good base for your France trip with plenty of opportunities for day trips, or settle down in the Loire Valley to become a wine connoisseur. Wherever you are, on an 8-day France tour, you can revel in uniquely French activities, such as perfume-making workshops, cooking classes, or honing in on your artistry skills like drawing. 

Wondering if 9 days in France is enough time? The answer is a big YES! Choose in-depth explorations of cities, visiting one new destination a day, like Paris, the Loire Valley and Deauville; pick a part of the country to make your base and then day-trip plenty, for example, the French Riviera or Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes; or opt for an extensively jam-packed tour, visiting close to 20 cities, towns and villages, some days up to four new destinations in a go, or even a country, like the world’s second tiniest, i.e. Monaco. You can experience it all on a 9-day France tour.

Traveling for 10 days in France is the best way to discover the wide variety of natural landscapes, architectural wonders, gastronomic delights, and everything that makes this country one of the world's top destinations. Soak in the relaxed atmosphere of the French Riviera, embark on a thrilling adventure by circumnavigating Mont Blanc, and discover the most iconic architectural wonders of the country, from the lavish Palace of Versailles to the romantic châteaux of the Loire Valley. 

From the fashionable streets of Paris to the balmy Mediterranean shores along the French Riviera to the countrysides laden with vineyards, castles and perfumeries, your cup will be left full after 12 days in France. It’s just the right amount of time for moving between multiple cities, towns, villages and citadels in a day, or even day trips to new countries, like Monaco. Tick off UNESCO heritage sites, like the Roman Theater of Arles (built in the 1st century), the Episcopal City of Albi and the Pont du Gard, a Roman Aqueduct. Join authentic workshops or cooking classes, cruise through national parks, and see first-hand where some of the world’s greatest art geniuses lived and found inspirations for their masterpieces—all on a 12-day France holiday.

From cycling across the Loire Valley to soaking up endless sunshine in the French Riviera, with 13 days in France you have the freedom of exploring a dizzying array of unique destinations. With this duration, you’ll be left with a cup overflowing with authentic, excellent French wine and food. Marvel at the sights that inspired fairytales like “Sleeping Beauty” and “Beauty and the Beast” in Ussé, Chambord and Riquewihr, and photograph some of our world’s most famous gardens. Explore cities founded by ancient Greeks and Romans, or set foot in the neighborhoods where great artists like Monet and da Vinci once lived. On a 13-day tour of France, you can also carve out time to see some of Europe’s most iconic architecture, from Romanesque-Byzantine churches to medieval forts.

Two weeks in France give you plenty of options when it comes to adventuring through the country. You can uncover close to 25 destinations in just 14 days in France and even hop into two more countries. With the time at hand, lace up your travel shoes and explore multiple regions and provinces like Brittany, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Normandy, Loire Valley, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and Corsica Island. Naturally, food, art, culture and wine are at the forefront of it all, because that’s what France is famed for. Join in cooking classes by renowned Michelin-star chefs, learn history from the Middle Ages to WWII, check out the plethora of museums and boat ride through mystical grottos.

Experience all that France has to offer in three weeks and still have some more time to hop into neighboring countries like Monaco or England. Check off major highlights like Paris, Nice, Marseilles and Lyon and travel to villages nestled between vineyards like Cassis and Riquewihr as well as towns at the foothills of the Alps such as Chambéry. Relax on the beaches of the French Riviera. Taste France’s revered wines, haute gastronomy in Michelin-star restaurants, stay in centuries-old châteaux, take snaps in bright purple Lavendula fields and against some of the world’s most iconic landmarks and buildings like the Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles and Mont Saint-Michel.

With 11 days in France, you can explore the rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and culinary wonders this enchanting country offers. From the romantic ambiance of Paris to the sun-drenched vineyards of Bordeaux and the stunning coastal landscapes of the French Riviera, your journey can include a delightful mix of experiences. Whether you choose to immerse yourself in one or two iconic destinations or enjoy a whirlwind road trip across multiple destinations, the possibilities are endless. Explore more through our France 11-day tours.