Need someone to plan your two-week getaway to France? This is the post for you! I had so much great feedback from my last travel guide that I just had to share everything I did on this glorious trip I took in September 2024. Here’s your 14-Day France Itinerary: Explore Paris, Bordeaux, Avignon and Nice. This itinerary also includes a day in France’s Champagne region (near Paris), Saint-Émilion (near Bordeaux) and a visit to the Gorges du Verdon (somewhat near Nice).
There are A LOT of destinations in France to choose from, but we decided to break the trip into four main areas: Nice, Bordeaux, Avignon and Paris. Here’s the general outline of the itinerary:
- 2 days in Nice
- 1 day trip to the Gorges du Verdon (in Provence)
- 2 days in Avignon
- 2 days in Bordeaux (including a day in Saint-Émilion)
- 4 days in Paris
- 1 day in Champagne country
- 2 days dedicated to travel
As you can see, we started in the south of France and worked our way up North. This was most convenient for us based on flights – while it’s not as easy to fly directly to Nice, it’s an international airport that isn’t hard to get to. Paris had direct flights home to our destination (Chicago), so that’s why we positioned it this way. You could easily flip the schedule though and go backwards.
In this French itinerary, I am breaking down:
- What to do in each city
- Suggestions of where to stay
- Places to eat
- Transit suggestions to each city
- Packing ideas
- General travel tips
How much does a trip to France cost?
I went on this trip with my husband and our two close friends, so there was a total of four of us. In total, we spent about around $6000 dollars on this itinerary (about $1,500 per person) for lodging, tickets, rentals, dinners, pastries, drinks and tours. This does NOT include extra money we spent shopping on clothes, gifts or bottles of wine we took home in our suitcases, which was a few extra hundred dollars, but that’s a variable that will be different for everyone.
What to know before spending 14 days in France
- Check your passport – The embassy requires that your passport be valid for at least three months beyond your intended date of departure to France. If your passport does not meet that requirement, you could be refused boarding. For that reason, it’s always good to make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months or more.
- Bring the right cash with you – the national currency of France is the euro. Be sure to call your nearest bank branch and ask them to order you some. Sometimes you need to show up in person, and it can take around 4-5 business days for them to fulfill your order for pickup, so plan ahead. This is always going to be cheaper than exchanging them at the airport. Euros are helpful to have on hand for tipping tour guides, purchasing from street vendors or renting boats, for example. I recommend requesting a few hundred dollars worth, and tell them to give you mostly tens and twenties because you seldom need larger bills! You are able to bring back any money leftover from your trip and they will deposit the US dollar amount back to your checking account.
- Bring the right electrical adaptors – The United States has different electrical outlets than France. Be sure to purchase a couple adaptors (I used this one from Amazon) so that you can charge your technology and use your hair tools. DO NOT bring your Dyson airwrap. It requires a lot of energy and it could blow a fuse in France, so it’s not worth breaking it :).
- Prepare for a range of weather – The south and north of France can have extremely different weather! I included more tips below on what to pack, but pending the time of year (we went in September), you can experience high 80’s in one place and 50’s in another. And don’t forget comfy shoes.
- Ubers are available – You can use Uber in France, which is nice and easy for trips to the airport. Overall, France has a great bus, metro and train system too, so opt for those when you can.
How much French do I need to get by?
It varies by location, but overall, many people in France also speak English. When you are in Paris, you can expect that everyone will know English and will quickly switch their dialect to match yours (they can tell pretty quickly 😉 ). However, we had a few occasions in the south (Nice and Avignon) where English was not spoken, although rare. I recommend starting Duolingo for some very basic vocabulary which made it possible to have rudimentary conversations.
It’s polite etiquette to always begin a conversation with “bonjour” during the day and “bonsoir” or “bonne nuit” at night. Be sure to say hello when you enter shops and establishments.
A couple of other things to know:
- “Parlez-vous anglais?” – Do you speak english?
- “Où est la salle de bain?” – Where is the bathroom?
- “Je voudrais…” – I would like.. (helpful when ordering food)
- “L’addition s’il vous plait” – The check, please.
- “Combien ça coûte?” – How much does this cost?
- “Merci beaucoup” – Thanks a lot.
- “De rien” – It was nothing. (how they say “you’re welcome.”)
With that, let’s get on with it: here’s your 14-day France itinerary.
Nice + The Gorges Du Verdon
Located on the French Riviera, Nice is the second largest city in the Mediterranean. The weather is gorgeous, the beaches are wonderful and the city feels like a world away from Paris. Cap your stay with a quick trip out to the Gorges du Verdon, one of Provence’s many wonders. For my complete 48 hour guide, click here!
Avignon
Avignon, located in the Provence region of southeastern France, is a historic city known for medieval architecture. It’s a great home base for exploring the Provence region, with easy access to other notable towns and sights. Comparatively to Bordeaux and Paris, Avignon is much slower and relaxing, which I really enjoyed. So if you need suggestions of how to spend your time, here’s how to spend 48 hours in Avignon!
Bordeaux + Saint-Émilion
Bordeaux, located in the southwest of France, is a city famed for its wine, history, and memorable architecture. It has tons of restaurants, shops and cafes, so there is plenty to enjoy. Bordeaux is right next to the fabulous wine region of Saint-Émilion, which produces some of the world’s best bottles of red. It’s only 31 miles away from the city, so it’s a must to add to your visit. So, if you are planning to stop by in Bordeaux and need some ideas of what to do, check out this guide on how to spend 48 hours in Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion, France.
Paris + Champagne region
Paris is the capital of France and one of the most iconic cities in the world. It’s a global hub for culture, fashion, food and rich history, so there’s entirely enough to do. That’s actually the hardest part – narrowing down your itinerary to include the activities and places that are most enjoyable for you. I’ve now been to the city a couple times, so here’s how to spend five days in Paris, France.
And yes – one full day is dedicated to visiting the Champagne wine region, which is almost two hours away from the city, but entirely worth making time for. I explain in the post how to make it work!
What should I pack for a trip to France?
Because this trip covers both ends of the country, prepare for a wide spectrum of weather. I took this entire trip in September, and it was HOT and 80 degrees in Nice while Paris dipped to the 50’s in the mornings. I’ve also been to Paris in May, and it was very rainy and pretty cold.
Essentials that you should bring:
- Comfy shoes that can go with almost everything – I suggest these Rothy’s lace up sneakers to everyone. I wore them basically ever single day.
- sandals you can wear on the beach and for dinner
- Sunscreen
- A hat – a baseball cap or bucket hat works well
- Large tote or zip up bag that can double for a beach bag
- Towel (although candidly we just used AirBnB towels at the beach! It saves room).
- Swimsuit
- A few dresses, 2 skirts, 2 pairs of shorts. I love these tailored Abercrombie shorts. They look good with everything.
- 2 jackets – I brought one jean jacket and one cropped trench coat during this trip. When I went to Paris in May, I opted for a long leather coat and one long trench coat.
- one neutral purse that looks good with everything
- one pair of jeans, one pair of trousers
- pajamas
- Tops: bring a mixture. I suggest a sweater, shorter sleeve options, a black bodysuit, one cardigan, a few blouses. See below for inspo!
- One large sweatshirt for night time
- Socks and underwear!
- Jewelry
- A curling iron
- Room in your suitcase for souvenirs
What if I have more questions?
I’d be happy to answer questions you might have. Leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram: @caroline_hoffman.
Other travel guides to check out
Did you enjoy this 14-Day France Itinerary? If so, be sure to check out my other travel guides:
How to spend 10 days in Europe: Dublin, Paris and London
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