One Week in France – 6 Ways to Spend 7 Days in France

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France Itinerary 7 Days: 6 Ideas for 1 Week in France

Trying to decide how to spend one week in France isn’t an easy task. After all, there are so many different ways to spend 7 days in France that you will need to leave some of the places on your France bucket list for another time.

That being said, you can take an amazing trip to France in a week and travel back home with the feeling you had a fantastic taste of the country.

What to do in France for a week? I’ve broken down 6 ways to spend 1 week in France so that you can choose the best itinerary for you. From the classic France itinerary 7 days to other itineraries that explore lesser-known areas, here are 6 incredible ways to spend a week in France!

7 Day France Itinerary #1: Paris – Marseille – Nice

This 1 week France itinerary visits Paris and two of the most vibrant cities in Southern France. With this Paris and South of France itinerary 7 days, explore the French capital and some of the best places in Provence and the French Riviera.

Stop 1 | Paris (2 days)

In Paris, you will want to visit some of the city’s main sights and perhaps take a couple of leisurely strolls around the most picturesque areas.

Paris highlights:

• Louvre Museum
• Eiffel Tower
• Montmartre neighborhood
• Cruise on the Seine River
• Medieval Ile de la Cité

For your stay in Paris, book at the Handsome Hotel by Elegancia. Located just 800 meters from the Louvre, this hotel offers its guests great facilities and always gets the best reviews – Click here to book your stay at Handsome Hotel by Elegancia

Stop 2 | Marseille (2 days)

Marseille is the capital of the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, a vibrant port city with a strong character and some interesting sights. For your visit to Marseille, follow this Marseille 2-day itinerary or choose what to see from the list below.

Marseille highlights

• Old Port and the Fish Market
• The MuCEM, the Museum of the Mediterranean Cultures
• Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde
• Fort Saint-Jean
• Cathédrale La Major
• Le Panier neighborhood
• Marseille food tour with tastings
• Marseille bike tour – best of Marseille

For your second day in the city, there are many beautiful day trips from Marseille to choose from. I recommend exploring the amazing Calanques de Marseille Cassis with a catamaran cruise with lunch. You can also rent a boat from the Port of Marseille (with or without a skipper) for you and your crew.

For your stay in Marseille, Hotel la Résidence du Vieux Port is a good option, with the perfect location (and the best view of Marseille!) on the banks of the Old Port – Click here to book your stay at Hotel la Résidence du Vieux Port

Stop 3 | Nice (3 days)

Nice in the French Riviera is a glitzy and glamourous city perfect for the last days of your French holidays. Take the time to explore Nice’s Old Town with its colorful buildings and baroque churches, and have a stroll on the famous Promenade des Anglais!

Nice highlights:

• La Colline du Château
• The Old Port
• Promenade des Anglais
• Cimiez Monastery
• Matisse Museum
• Chagall Museum
• Nice culture & food tour
• Nice bike tour – best of Nice

Spend two days in Nice and use the third day to visit somewhere else. The list of beautiful day trips from Nice is long, so you will be spoilt for choice! If you plan a week in France between mid-June and mid-July, you can even consider a day trip to see the lavender fields in Provence.

For your stay in Nice, book at the Hotel La Pérouse Nice Baie des Anges. This 4-star hotel is nestled into the Colline du Château, and it comes with a great view over the Baie des Anges – Click here to book your stay at Hotel La Pérouse Nice Baie des Anges

France 7-Day Itinerary #2: Paris – Lyon – Annecy

This beautiful France 1 week itinerary visits three of the most beautiful cities in France. This is a cultural & sightseeing itinerary, with a couple of more relaxing days in the French Alps at the end of the trip.

Stop 1 | Paris (3 days)

For your two days in Paris, check out this 2-day itinerary or pick a few things from this list of the best things to do in Paris.

Stop 2 | Lyon (2 days)

Lyon is a beautiful and cultural city in Eastern France bisected by the river Rhône from north to south. The city has an interesting Roman heritage and fantastic museums. Lyon is also an excellent place for enjoying good food and wine.

Lyon highlights:

• Saint-Jean Cathedral
• Lugdunum – Musée et Théâtres Romains
• Fourvière Hill and Basilica
• Old Lyon and the Saône River Banks
• Parc de la Tête d’Or
• Musée des Confluences
• Old Lyon food tour
• Lyon bike tour – best of Lyon

For your visit to Lyon, steal this 2 days in Lyon itinerary. There are many great day trips from Lyon, so you can also decide to spend the second day visiting another place. I recommend this wine tour to the Rhône Valley with tastings and transportation.

For your stay in Lyon, book at Villa Florentine. This former convent, located in the heart of Old Lyon, offers elegant guest rooms and fabulous panoramic views of the city – Click here to book your stay at Villa Florentine

Stop 3 | Annecy (2 days)

I cannot imagine a better place to finish this France itinerary 7 days than Annecy. Located by the lake of the same name and surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Annecy will likely steal your heart. For your visit to Annecy, I recommend this Annecy 2-day itinerary that explores the Old Town and the lake’s surroundings.

Annecy highlights:

• Old Town
• Musée-Château d’Annecy
• Le Pâquier
• Rent a boat to navigate Lake Annecy or explore its shores by bike

For your stay in Annecy, book a room at the beautiful Black Bass Hotel, located by the lake just out of Annecy. The hotel has comfortable and stylish rooms and beautiful grounds – Click here to book your stay at the Black Bass Hotel

France Itinerary 7 Days #3: Paris – Colmar – Strasbourg

This 7-day France itinerary explores Paris and the region of Alsace in Eastern France. Alsace is well known for its picturesque villages, Christmas markets, and good wines.

Stop 1 | Paris (3 days)

If this is your first time in Paris, you will find this Paris 3-day itinerary useful. You can also use the 2-day itinerary proposed in Option 2 and take one of these day trips from Paris for the third day.

Stop 2 | Colmar (2 days)

Colmar is one of the prettiest cities in the Grand Est region and all of France. It has beautiful architecture of half-timbered houses, quaint canals, and many interesting sites.

Colmar highlights:

• The Unterlinden Museum
• The Bartholdi Museum
• Little Venice
• The Food Market (consider having lunch inside for a super local experience)
• The Toy Museum
• Museum of Alsatian Wines
• Colmar Christmas Market (seasonal)

Stop 3 | Strasbourg (2 days)

Strasbourg is the capital of the Grand Est region, a beautiful and dynamic city well worth visiting during 1 week in France. Strasbourg’s Old Town is listed as UNESCO World Heritage, and Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the best Gothic cathedrals in France.

Strasbourg highlights:

• Notre Dame Cathedral
• The Petite-France, a picturesque district
• The covered bridges and the barrage Vauban
• Strasbourg river cruise
• History Museum
• The European neighborhood
• Strasbourg bike tour – best of Strasbourg
• Strasbourg Christmas Market (seasonal)

Check out this Strasbourg 2-day itinerary for your stay in the city. In Strasbourg, book two nights at the Hotel Cathédrale, located just opposite Notre Dame de Strasbourg, and with incredible and spectacular views over the cathedral – Click here to book your stay at Hotel Cathédrale

7 Days in France Itinerary #4: Paris – Blois – Tours

This beautiful 1 week in France itinerary through the Loire Valley explores Paris, two medieval cities, and some of the best châteaux in France.

Stop 1 | Paris (3 days)

Start your holidays in the French capital. For your stay in Paris, use the 3-day itinerary proposed in Option 3 or the 2-day itinerary proposed in Option 2 plus a day trip from Paris. I recommend a day trip to Versailles.

Stop 2 | Blois (2 days)

Blois is a vibrant city by the Loire River, in Central France, with a beautiful Old Town from medieval times. Blois is home to the Château de Blois, the Loire’s finest in-town château.

Blois highlights:

• Old Town
• Château de Blois
• Fondation du Doute
• Maison de la Magie

For your second day in Blois, take a day trip to the magnificent Château de Chambord. Bus #2 leaves from Blois Sanitas bus station to Chambord Route de Thoury. From there, it’s a 9-minute walk to the Château.

For your night in Blois, the Hotel Louise de Savoie is a good option with a central location and comfortable rooms furnished with traditional furniture – Click here to book your night at Hotel Louise de Savoie

Stop 3 | Tours (2 days)

Tours is the largest city in the Centre-Val-de-Loire region. The city has a rich historic past (it was the capital of the kingdom of France for a short time). It is also a lively city, with many restaurants, bars, and busy terraces outside as soon as the beautiful days arrive. 

Tours highlights:

• Old Town
• Saint-Gatien Cathedral
• Olivier Debré Contemporary Art Center
• Place Plumereau
• Musée du Compagnonnage

Use the first day in Tours to explore the city. For the second day, take this Loire Valley Wine Tour or a guided tour to visit other Loire Valley Castles. This top-rated guided tour with transportation explores Château de Chenonceau, the Royal Castle of Amboise, and the Clos de Lucé, where Leonardo Da Vinci spent his final years.

For your stay in Tours, the Best Western Central Hotel is a good option. Located close to the main sights, the hotel offers comfortable rooms and a pretty garden with a terrace – Click here to book your stay at Best Western Central Hotel

France in 7 Days Itinerary #5: Paris – Bordeaux – Toulouse

This France one-week itinerary explores Paris and two of the most beautiful cities in Western France, with the possibility of many interesting day trips.

Stop 1 | Paris (2 days)

For your two days in the French capital, you can use the 2-day itinerary proposed in Option 2 or this itinerary for Paris in one day plus one of these day trips from Paris by train.

Stop 2 | Bordeaux (3 days)

Bordeaux is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, world-famous for its red wines. Bordeaux is home to the Cité du Vin and a beautiful collection of 17th-century private mansions.

Bordeaux highlights:

• The Port of the Moon (UNESCO perimeter)
• Place de la Bourse
• The Water Mirror
• The Cité du Vin

There are many wine tours from Bordeaux to visit the wine country. Bordeaux is also a great base to explore the Atlantic Ocean on day trips. I recommend visiting Saint Émilion, a UNESCO-listed town world-known for its wines, and this tour to the Bay of Arcachon with Dune du Pilat.

For your stay in Bordeaux, I recommend the Yndo Hotel, set in a 19th-century private mansion in the heart of Bordeaux – Click here to book your stay at the Yndo Hotel

Stop 3 | Toulouse (2 days)

Toulouse is one of the best cities in Southern France. Set on the Garonne River banks, the Occitanie region’s capital is a lively city with pretty little squares, elegant private mansions, interesting museums, and beautiful parks.

Toulouse highlights:

• Place du Capitole
• Beautiful private mansions
• Saint-Sernin Basilica
• Toulouse food tour with tastings
• Toulouse e-bike tour
• Cité de l’Espace

You can visit Toulouse in one day and use the second day to visit medieval Carcassonne (check out this top-rated guided tour from Toulouse). The journey to Carcassonne takes only 1 hour, and you will love the citadel and the history of the Cathars and the Crusaders behind it.

For your stay in Toulouse, the Ibis Styles Toulouse Capitole has an unbeatable location on the city’s main square, and it offers an excellent breakfast in a pleasant open space – Click here to book your stay at Ibis Styles Toulouse Capitole

One Week in France Itinerary #6: Rennes – Quimper – Vannes

This France itinerary 7 days visits the region of Bretagne (Brittany) in Western France. Explore three of the most beautiful cities in Brittany and take a couple of day trips.

This 1 week in France starts from Rennes, Bretagne’s capital. Direct trains connect Paris to Rennes in 1.5 hours. Rennes Airport (RNS) has good connections with London, Lisbon, Berlin, Munich, and Dublin. It is also possible to travel to Brittany by train from England, taking the London-Rennes train line.

Stop 1 | Rennes (2 days)

Regularly elected as one of the most pleasant cities in France to live in, Rennes is a young and dynamic city with a rich historical heritage. Rennes’ Old Town is very charming, with half-timbered houses from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, cobbled streets, and its festive atmosphere. The Musée de Bretagne is an excellent introduction to the history of Rennes and Brittany.

Rennes highlights:

• Old Town & Cathédrale Saint Pierre
• Banks of the Vilaine River (on foot or by bike)
• Musée de Bretagne
• Parc du Thabor
• Opéra de Rennes
• Portes Mordelaises (vestiges of Rennes’ ramparts)

For your stay in Rennes, book at Le Paris Brest Hotel, with a central location near the Old Town and the train station,  a clean and functional room, and an excellent breakfast – Click here to book a room at Le Paris Brest Hotel

Stop 2 | Quimper (2 days)

Quimper is the capital of the department of Finistère, where Brittany sinks into the Atlantic Ocean. The traditional capital of the Pays de Cornouaille, located ten kilometers from the coast, this town listed as a “Town of Art and History” does not lack charms to attract the curious traveler: cobbled streets winding between the half-timbered houses and the banks of the Odet River are a true invitation to promenade.

For your stay in Quimper, book at the Hotel Ginkgo. Located in the heart of the Priory of Quimper in a listed character building. The hotel also has a garden and a terrace, perfect for a relaxing moment after your explorations – Click here to book your stay at Hotel Ginkgo

Stop 3 | Vannes (3 days)

This France 7-day itinerary ends in Vannes, located in the Gulf of Morbihan. Medieval Vannes is one of the best-preserved walled cities in France. The city center boasts beautiful medieval architecture of half-timbered houses, private mansions, and religious buildings. Outside the walls, there’s the marina which is also great for an afternoon stroll or a harbor-side meal to get a taste of Brittany’s gastronomy.

Vannes highlights:

• Old Town and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre
• Musée des Beaux-Arts de Vannes
• Stroll around the port

Use one day to explore the city. For days 2 and 3, you can explore the islands of the Gulf of Morbihan – Ile-aux-Moines or Ile d’Arz – both easy to reach by ferry. There’s also the option to rent a boat with or without a skipper at the port of Vannes

From Vannes, you can also visit the Carnac alignments. The journey to Carnac town takes 45 minutes by bus with BreizhCo (line 01). Then, it’s a 15-minute walk to the archaeological site.

For your stay in Vannes, book at Quality Hotel La Marebaudière Vannes Centre, which is central and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Here, bikes are available for free, and they are perfect for exploring the surroundings of Vannes – Click here to book your stay at Quality Hotel La Marebaudière

So there you have it, our selection of the best train itineraries for 7 days in France. Which itinerarywould you like to book right now?

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