Europe’s second largest country, dwarfed only by Russia, France is as varied as they come. Stretching from the chilly waters of the English Channel to the sun kissed Mediterranean, France really is the ultimate European destination.

Its most glamorous capital needs little introduction. Paris has that je ne sais quoi which is enough to make any other city jealous. But outside of Paris, France is a different beast entirely. Beyond the bohemian boulevards, grand monuments and glitzy galleries, the rolling fields of rural France hold their own.

Passing centuries old vineyards and Roman relics, our 10 day France itinerary works its way from Paris to the French Riviera. Through quaint villages and cities you’ve never given a second thought, you’ll see a side to France most visitors didn’t even know existed.

Days 1 & 2- Paris

Where to Stay in Paris

With just two days to explore one of the most captivating cities on Earth, it’s worth choosing your Paris hotel wisely. When you’re on a 10 day France itinerary, time is everything, so it’s worth spending a little more to maximize sightseeing time.

Paris is laid out in arrondissements, or districts, numbered from 1 to 20. For this 10 day France itinerary, we recommend staying in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th or 8th. The 7th excluded, all are on the north bank of the Seine, occupying the area between Montmartre and Gare du Nord, the river and the Arc de Triomphe.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of great hotels in this area. To mention just a couple of my favorites; when it comes to an unforgettable location, you can’t go wrong with Hotel des Deux-Iles Notre-Dame. Perched on Ile Saint-Louis is the middle of the Seine, the Notre-Dame itself is right in your back yard.

Hotel Andrea is a great budget option. Tucked down an unsuspecting side street just back from the river, there’s a fantastic Alsatian restaurant across the road that you shouldn’t miss. For the romance and luxury synonymous with Paris, Maison Albar ticks all the boxes.

Paris’ Top Sights

Day One

Start your 10 day France itinerary with the Eiffel Tower. Designed by the legendary Gustav Eiffel and completed in 1889, at 330m high it was the tallest tower in the world until 1930. The views from the top are staggering, but so are the lines to get there, so book your tickets in advance.

Head across Pont d’lena to the Arc de Triomphe. It’s well worth booking a visit to the Arc’s rooftop, but be prepared: the spiral staircase is quite the workout. Staying north of the river, head down towards Place de la Concorde. Named after the French word for agreement rather than a nod to the supersonic airliner, although the latter also got its name for the same reason.

Pause for a while in riverside Jardin de Tuileries before spending the afternoon at the Louvre. Quite possibly the most famous museum in the world – even more so after the recent jewellery heist – it’s home to France’s national art collection. The most revered piece of all: the Mona Lisa. It does get busy, so buy tickets online to save time. If you’re a true art enthusiast, it’s worth taking a tour with an expert art historian.

When darkness falls in Paris, there’s one club which is a cut above the rest. The home of cabaret since 1889, complete with its iconic rooftop windmill, Moulin Rouge is the place to be seen. If you want to catch a show, advance booking is essential.

Day Two

Start your second day in Paris at the Notre-Dame. A tour of this almost 1,000 year-old gothic masterpiece is sure to be a highlight of your 10 day France itinerary. Back outside, jump aboard a riverboat for a cruise along the Seine. My favorite is this one-hour trip which includes an onboard crepe tasting.

This afternoon, pay a visit to the Pantheon. Styled on its namesake in Rome, albeit built somewhat later in 1758, the mausoleum is the final resting place of several heroes of the French Revolution.

Round off your time in the capital at the Orsay Museum, take a tour of the Stade de France or indulge in history at the Army Museum, home to Napoleon’s tomb. If you’ve had your fill of museums, spend the afternoon browsing Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honore’s designer boutiques, or get a flavor for all things French with a cheese and wine tasting.

Day 3- Through the Somme

As hard as it is to say au revoir to Paris, the best of this 10 day France itinerary is yet to come. This morning’s journey takes us first to Amiens, the grand gothic capital of what was once Picardy. Start with a visit to Musée de Picardie to get a flavor of the region’s diverse history. Next, make a stop at the home of the late Jules Verne, now a museum devoted to his life.

Amiens was famously all-but razed to the ground during the Second World War, but the surrounding countryside is better noted for its role in the First. The Somme is the site of one of the most brutal battles of the war. From July to November 1916, some 300,000 British, French and German soldiers lost their lives.

Pause for reflection at Thiepval Memorial, before heading to Newfoundland Memorial Park. Pay tribute to the Canadian servicemen who fought in the Somme whilst exploring the preserved trench lines. Make one final wartime history stop at Musée Somme 1916 in Albert before making tracks for Reims.

Travel Tip: If you aren’t driving yourselves, the best option is to take a day tour from Paris to the Somme. Then, catch an evening train to Reims from Gare de l’Est.

Where to Stay in Reims

Having started our 10 day France itinerary in Paris, Reims is comparatively small. Staying in the center is still a good idea, and there are plenty of hotel bargains within walking distance of the Notre-Dame. Hotel Bristol is our top pick, but for a spot of luxury right by the cathedral, look no further than La Caserne Chazny.

Wherever you decide to stay tonight, be sure to book a table for dinner at Restaurant Gabrielle. In the shadow of the cathedral, during summer their roof terrace is the most sought after spot in town.

Day 4- On the Champagne Trail

With just a 10 day France itinerary and a lot to see, you’ll want to make an early start for a quick DIY walking tour of Reims. Once you’ve seen the cathedral, stroll through the ruins of Porte de Mars, once the widest Roman arch in existence. Stop for a coffee in Place Drouet d’Erlon before getting some photos of medieval Basilique Saint-Remi. If you have a little time left over, the Automobile Museum is well worth a visit.

Travel Tip: If you prefer to spend longer in the cities on this 10 day France itinerary, book a champagne tasting in Reims. For those who aren’t driving but want to get out into wine country, a half day tour from the city is the ideal choice.

Heading out into the Champagne countryside, there are dozens of champagne houses to the south of Reims. My favorite is Pierre Paillard. It’s less touristy than the big name brands and the vineyard itself is another level of tranquil.

Make a brief stop at the Art and Archaeology Museum in Chalons-en-Champagne before pushing south to Troyes. The oft overlooked medieval capital of Aube is truly special. Try to arrive early enough to take in the sites before the sun goes down. To see as much of the amazingly preserved city center as possible, join a guided walk.

Where to Stay in Troyes

L’Hotel du Cirque is easily the best value spot in town. A quirky alternative, Jol Tourisme, is decked out with some weird and wacky themes. Choose between their Star Wars, Harry Potter and Jurassic Park rooms, or go for something a little naughtier.

Day 5- The City of Mustard

One of the easiest travel days of this 10 day France itinerary, have a leisurely morning exploring some of Troyes’ art museums. When you’re ready to hit the road, make a short detour to Le Moulin de Dosches. This windmill with a beautiful story to tell is set in tranquil gardens and is a serene spot to unwind.

Pushing south into Burgundy, make a stop in Parc National de Forets before reaching Dijon. Start with a walking tour of the city before heading to Maille to stock up on the city’s most famous export. Mustard has been produced here since 1336.

As famous as mustard has made Dijon, the Burgundy region is far better known for its wine. Round off your day with a tasting at La Cave du Palais. Wine and mustard checked off the list, there’s one more Burgundy staple that no 10 day France itinerary would be complete without: Beef Bourguignon. Chez Leon does the best in Dijon.

Where to Stay in Dijon

Our top pick here is Hotel des Ducs; bright, airy and beautifully designed, it’s right in the city center. If you like historic buildings decked out with modern furnishings, Hotel du Palais won’t disappoint, or, for the best value stay, check in to B&B Hotel Dijon Centre.

Day 6- Dijon to Lyon

This morning, our 10 day France itinerary continues south, following the lush Saone Valley. Stop off in Beaune, oft-dubbed Burgundy’s wine capital. Pay a visit to the Hotel-Dieu Museum, a 15th century living hospital. If you haven’t had your fill of wine, take a guided cycling tour of Beaune’s most famous vineyards before pushing on to Macon for a riverside lunch.

Travel Tip: As you travel from Dijon to Lyon, you’ll be within touching distance of the Swiss border. For a longer, but rewarding, day consider making a detour to Geneva.

Compared to our last few stops on this 10 day France itinerary, Lyon is a bustling metropolis. Now the center of France’s financial world, the city was founded by the Romans in 43BC.

Get your bearings on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour before delving deeper. Join a local guide for a tour of the Traboules, a network of secret passageways which dissect Lyon’s old town.

Where to Stay in Lyon

The third largest city in France, the best area to stay in Lyon is on La Confluence, a narrow peninsula at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers. Hotel du Theatre and neighboring Hotel des Artistes are in a prime location. A little more out the way, but quirky enough to be worth the walk, MOB Hotel comes with great views of the confluence.

For a break from tradition, spend your evening indulging in Lyon’s delicacies on a food tour of the Old Town. You’ll enjoy a full four-course meal interspersed with history and culture as you move between foodie favorites.

Day 7- The Rhone Valley

Start your day at the Musée des Confluences before embarking on one of the most scenic drives of this 10 day France itinerary. Starting high in the Swiss Alps, the Rhone flows some 813km to the Mediterranean.

For the best views, take the slower local road along the east bank, crossing the river at Sablons or Sarras. Make a lunch stop in Valence. Chez Grand-Mere, a couple of streets away from the 11th century cathedral never disappoints.

In Montelimar, make a pit stop at Fabrique Arnaud Soubeyran. This old-timey sweetshop come museum has been making divine nougat since 1837; it’d be rude not to grab some for the ride, plus a little more for later.

Where to Stay in Avignon

At the end of a long and winding, spectacular drive, you’ll reach my favorite city on this 10 day France itinerary. Waste no time in getting unpacked and make the most of an evening stroll when the streets are devoid of day-trippers from the Riviera.

Avignon is so beautiful, there’s no such thing as a bad place to stay here. Even if you pick the most luxurious hotel, you won’t want to spend a second longer than you need inside. Though if you do decide to go for the most luxurious hotel, La Mirande takes that title hands down. For somewhere to stay at a slightly more reasonable price, both Regina Hotel and Hotel d’Angleterre are excellent options.

Day 8- Avignon & The Pont du Gard

Start your day with an authentic Provencal brunch before setting off on a walking tour of Avignon. Once you’ve finished, head back to the Palais des Popes for an extended visit. Surrounded by the gorgeous Pontifical Gardens, the gothic palace was once an important seat of Western Christianity. During the 14th century, six papal conclaves were held here.

Travel Tip: If you’re not driving, tours depart daily from Avignon for the Pont du Gard. Alternatively, bus 115 takes an hour to reach the site.

This afternoon, we’re treated to the architectural highlight of this 10 day France itinerary. The Pont du Gard dates from the 1st century. An engineering marvel, this grand limestone aqueduct carried water 50km, crossing the Gardon river to supply Nimes, once an important Roman settlement.

For the best views, cross the Pont from the museum and wander along the south bank to the viewpoint the photos we’ve all seen have been taken from. When your afternoon draws to a close, rejoin the Rhone Valley to the Mediterranean.

Where to Stay in Marseille

It may be the second most populous city on this 10 day France itinerary, but a night by the Vieux Port makes Marseille feel like a quaint harbor town. Hotel Bellevue comes with some of the best views, whilst Hotel Hermes on the street behind is the best value option. Just across the harbor, Maisons du Monde is always a firm favorite. Dinner at Le Bouchon Provencal has to be first on your Marseille bucket list.

Day 9- Cote d’Azur

Start the day with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. It’s easy to underestimate Marseille’s size, so this is a great way to see it all in one morning. If you only ‘hop-off’ at one stop, make it the Notre-Dame de la Garde. Paris’ Notre-Dame may be world famous, but Marseille’s is more impressive still.

Heading west along the Cote d’Azur, make glitzy Saint-Tropez your first stop. Spend a while aimlessly wandering, or join a tour with a local guide, before lunch by the harbor. Next up is Cannes. Revered the world over for its film festival, if you want the full movie star experience, take a city tour in a Ferrari.

Where to Stay in Nice

There’s far more to Nice than its beaches, but even so, visiting France’s most famous coastal city and staying inland seems almost a waste. Hotel Vacances Bleues Le Royal offers stunning sea views at prices that won’t break the bank. Many rooms come with balconies. Westminster Hotel occupies an equally good location and comes with a full service spa. If you’re looking to save on hotel costs, Hotel de la Fontaine, just one street back from the ocean, is our top pick.

Once you’ve settled in, head out on a sunset food and wine tour of the city. Along with local cheese, wine and olive oil, you’ll get to taste a pissaladiere, a Cote d’Azur staple. If you fancy indulging in Nice’s rather lively nightlife, join a guided bar crawl for entrance to some of the city’s hottest clubs.

Day 10- Monaco: A Millionaire’s Playground

Spend the final morning of our 10 day France itinerary exploring Nice. Take a walking tour of the Old Town before setting sail on the Med. A sightseeing cruise to Villefranche Bay gives a whole new perspective on the city.

The final leg of epic French adventure is the shortest of all. A 20km jaunt along the coast sees us crossing the border to the tiny principality of Monaco. The second smallest, most densely populated country in the world, Monaco was once part of France (and Italy before it).

Now a banking powerhouse and gambling hotspot, Monaco is all about flashing the cash. That doesn’t mean you have to spend big to enjoy a day here, though.

Where to Stay in Monte Carlo

Like most things in Monaco, hotels here don’t come cheap, but if you know where to look, you can spend a night in the principality without breaking the bank. Boutique Hotel Miramar is our number one choice. If you want the full Monte Carlo experience though, it has to be Hotel de Paris.

For considerably better value, head back across the border. You needn’t go far, Alfred Hotels Monaco is just 50m outside of Monaco’s borders and less than half the price of anything within them. In a way, ending a 10 day France itinerary in France seems all the more fitting.