If you’re planning your first trip to France, this 14-day France itinerary will give you a head start. In two weeks, you can visit all the iconic places in France, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley, the Bayeux Tapestry in Bayeux, and the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy.
Explore adventurously by visiting the Paris catacombs or taking a hot air balloon ride over Château Royal d’Amboise in the Loire Valley. Gorge on macaroons, bread, wine, and hot chocolate while holding hands with a loved one on the streets of Paris at sunset.
Two weeks might seem like plenty of time, but if you travel to three regions of France like we did (Paris, Loire Valley, and Normandy), you will use every bit of 14 days.
If you have 14 days to travel and love adventure, culture, religion, and history, this France itinerary was made for you!
Two Weeks in France Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Paris to Loire Valley
Day 2: Loire Valley
Day 3: Loire Valley
Day 4: Loire Valley
Day 5: Loire Valley to Bayeux
Day 6: Bayeux
Day 7: Bayeux and Normandy
Day 8: Bayeux and Normandy
Day 9: Bayeux to Paris
Day 10: Paris
Day 11: Paris
Day 12: Paris
Day 13: Paris
Day 14: Fly home
About Our Two-Week France Itinerary
First of all, this is not a point-to-point France itinerary. A point-to-point itinerary goes from one destination to the next without backtracking.
We chose to fly into Paris because it was a direct flight and less expensive. Normandy and the Loire Valley have airports, so you could easily modify our two-week France itinerary if you want a point-to-point one.
We preferred traveling by train from Paris to the Loire Valley. By doing so, we got to see much of the countryside and immerse ourselves more with locals than we would have flying into the Loire Valley.
the Loire Valley and Bayeux
Our two-week trip through France would not be complete without including France’s iconic cities like Paris and Normandy. However, we also included some places in our itinerary that you might not be as familiar with, including the Loire Valley and Bayeux.
While planning our trip, a Belgian friend told us, “There’s the Loire Valley, and then there’s the rest of France.” Having been a world traveler himself, we trusted his guidance and added the Loire Valley to our itinerary.
If you have the time, I think it would be a mistake not to go to the Loire Valley. Equally, we wouldn’t leave out Paris, Normandy or Bayeux.
On the second leg of our trip, we chose to stay in the town of Bayeux, which also proved to be one of the highlights of our journey. We needed to stay in a city near Normandy’s D-Day beaches and Mont Saint-Michel to catch guided tours to both.
Our two favorite locations from our two-week France itinerary were the Loire Valley and Bayeux.
Advice: Always consider guided tours, especially if the cost is reasonable. You’ll rarely get local information about places or things on your own. We did guided tours throughout this trip, including in Normandy, Paris, the Loire Valley, and Bayeux.
Places You’ll Visit on this 14-Day France Itinerary
This two-week France itinerary is jam-packed with culture, religion, and adventure. Here’s what you’ll be seeing:
• Loire Valley, France: Amboise, Château de Chambord, Horse and Bird of Prey Show, Annual Grande Brocante Flea Market, Château Royal d’Amboiseois, Château du Clos Lucé, Château de Chenonceau, Chateau de Jallanges
• Bayeux, France: Bayeux Tapestry Museum, Bayeux Museum of the B
ttle of Normandy, and Notre Dame of Bayeux Cathedral
• Normandy, France: Mont Saint-Michel, multiple Normandy World War II sites, Sainte-Mère-Église, Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Normandy American Cemetery
• Paris, France: Eiffel Tower, Saint-Chapelle, Palais de Justice, Conciergerie, Marie Antoinette’s Prison, Notre Dame, Crypt Archeologique Museum, Catacombs guided tour, Arc de Triomphe, Museum of Montmartre, The I Love You Wall, Musée d’Orsay, the Natural History Museum, Room of Extinct Species, Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy, Jardin des Plantes, Extinct Species Carousel
Best Times to Visit France
Is there ever a bad time to go to France? Probably not. But there are better times to go if you want to take advantage of certain weather conditions.
When we reached the Loire Valley, the flowers were just beginning to bloom. That region is one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited, with expansive meadows and greenery. It’s easy to see why artists like Claude Monet got some inspiration there.
We went in the spring of 2024, and the weather was perfect. There was a gentle, cool breeze, and we could walk outside in a light jacket.
With the weather in mind, here are the times to visit France:
• Spring (April and June)
• Fall (September to October)
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 1
Paris to Loire Valley
Transportation: Plane, train, and automobile
Lodging: Troglodyte villa
Food: Paul’s bakery
Excursions: Check out downtown Amboise for the first time and take a glimpse of Château Royal d’Amboiseois on your way into town
Depending on where you’re flying from, you might be really tired at the end of Day 1. My family fell into that category. We slept overnight on the plane but didn’t get great sleep. Once you arrive at customs in Paris, the lines are typically long, adding to the length of your first day.
Our plane arrived in Paris early in the morning, which allowed us plenty of time to hop on a train towards the Loire Valley. We bought tickets in person at the train station, but you could also purchase the train tickets online.
10:15 AM: Train from Paris to Saint Pierre de Corps
From what we could tell, the train ride was great, and we were among the few non-locals on the train. I was unexpectedly surprised that not many people spoke English on the train.
People were very friendly and helpful when we needed assistance. But there was a language barrier, and finding someone to help us who spoke English to ensure we were on the right train was surprisingly hard. That said, we relished the idea that we were immersed with locals and prefer doing so any chance we get when we travel. What better way to learn about a culture than to go where the locals go or take the same transportation?
We took the SNCF (French National Railway Company) train from Paris to Saint Pierre de Corps in the Loire Valley. Advanced reservations are required, and tickets do sell out.
Study the train maps and know what train to get on and where to get off, and you’ll be fine. Don’t fall asleep on the train, or you might miss your stop!
1:30 PM: Rent A Car in France
Once we reached the Loire Valley, we rented a car through SIXT. It was our first experience renting with SIXT, and I was impressed with their vehicles and service.
The overall vibe for their car rental agency was modern, with an efficient pickup and delivery service. Easy pickup and delivery made me want to try to use them again if we had the opportunity.
Driving was easy in the Loire Valley since the wheel is on the same side of the car as in the United States. The Loire Valley is also pretty quiet, with hardly any traffic. We drove from Saint Pierre de Corps to Amboise and arrived at our VRBO after about 30 minutes.
Seeing one of the many magnificent castles in France for the first time on your drive into Amboise makes the long day worth it!
2:15 PM: Check-in To A Troglodyte
In Amboise, we had the unique opportunity to stay at a troglodyte villa. In France, troglodytes refers to people who lived in limestone-carved dwellings. The people that lived there were named the “cave dwellers.”
The limestone homes have been used for centuries and have become hip places to stay the night, dine in, or have a glass of wine in a limestone cellar.
It turns out that the limestone mountains and ridges that surround the Loire Valley are perfect for carving out homes, cellars, and restaurants. We even saw some that were garages and housed vehicles.
The Troglodyte villa ranks as one of the most incredible places I’ve stayed the night. The walls were clean in design, and the overall feel was modern. The temperature of the dwelling stayed consistent since it was carved into the side of the mountain, which insulated the dwelling well.
Most homes have large windows at the front since you’re essentially in a cave with no light. The house we stayed in was so soundproof that it was just something I was not used to but liked.
You can rent your troglodyte villa through Airbnb or VRBO. There are typically several to choose from, and it’s worth the experience of staying in one overnight in the Loire Valley.
Key Troglodyte features:
• Material: Made of a green-white limestone of the Loire Valley
• Temperature: They keep a constant temperature between 57 °F and 64 °F (making them warm in the winter and cool in the summer)
• History: Inhabited as early as the Gallo-Roman era
3:30 PM: Downtown Amboise
Location: Located here, in Amboise, France.
Once we checked into our troglodyte, we ate dinner from Paul’s bakery in Amboise and returned home to rest for the evening. You’ll be tired, so don’t expect to do much, but it’s nice to sit back at an outdoor table in downtown Amboise and enjoy where you are, especially if it’s your first time in France like it was for us!
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 2
Loire Valley
Transportation: Rental car
Lodging: Troglodyte villa
Food: Crêperie Les 4 saisons, Paul’s Bakery, and wine near Château Royal d’Amboiseois Chateau
Excursions: Visit Château de Chambord, Horse and Bird of Prey Show, Annual Grande Brocante Flea Market
9:00 aM: Arrive at Château de Chambord
Location: Located here, in Chambord, the Loire Valley.
Perhaps many travelers overuse the word jaw-dropping, but Château de Chambord is. It’s incredible. It’s mind-boggling that something like this could even be constructed, let alone the guy that had it made, barely used it.
Key features of Château de Chambord:
• Took 28 years to build
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Built under the reign of King Francois I
• Important part of French Renaissance architecture
9:20 AM: the Hunting Rooms
When we went to Chambord, we hit the rooms that were most interesting to me, including hunting and outdoor rooms, which you can read more about in our Château de Chambord travel guide. You need at least two hours to tour Chambord, but you could easily spend all day there.
9:50 AM: The Double helix Staircase
Another important feature at Château de Chambord you must see is the double helix staircase.
Key features of the double helix staircase:
• Double helix in design: Two intertwined helical staircases never touch one another and twist around a central, hollow shaft
• Possibly attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, who was friends with King Francois I (similar drawings of the double helix were found at Le Clos Lucé, home of da Vinci)
10:00 AM: A Room That Once Held the Mona Lisa
One of the most amazing things about our family’s adventures around the world is how much our children get to learn about history. Not only do they learn about it through worldschooling, but they experience it hands-on.
One such time was learning about a secret room that held the Mona Lisa during World War II. I’ll save all the details for another travel guide, but this particular room at Chambord held a lot of the art from the Louvre to protect it from the Nazis.
10:30 AM: Explore the French Gardens
Spend the next hour exploring the gardens before heading towards the horse stables for the Horse and Bird of Prey Show.
11:45 AM: Chambord’s Horse and Bird of Prey Show
Our family attended the Horse and Bird of Prey show, which was great, especially if you like history, horses, and other animals. Be sure to buy tickets in advance, either online or at the reception hall of the castle entrance.
Stuntmen and women put on the show highlight French history from King Francois I’s era and include knights and princesses dressed in period clothing. It includes equestrian jousts and raptor flights.
1:00 PM Grande Brocante Flea Market
This gigantic flea market is held annually on May 1st, and we were lucky enough to experience it during our visit to Chambord. If you follow our two-week France itinerary and don’t show up on the market day, don’t get upset since it only occurs once a year.
The market has about 50,000 visitors coming from all over France. I spotted antiques that were both unusual and much older than anything we would find in America.
Remember that France is roughly 1,000 years older than the United States, so it’s not surprising that I saw a 500-year-old lamp for sale. The market also had food that we ate for lunch, and you can’t go wrong in France when most places serve bread, macaroons, cheese, wine, and crepes.
3:00 PM: Back to Downtown Ambois
We went back to Ambois to walk the cobblestone streets and explore more. We found images of a familiar face all over town, that of Leonardo da Vinci. Ambois was the place Leonardo da Vinci called home for the last few years of his life, at Château du Clos Lucé.
For dinner we ate crepes at Crêperie Les 4 saisons, in Ambois and had a glass of wine near Château Royal d’Amboiseois.
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 3
Loire Valley
Transportation: Rental car
Lodging: Troglodyte villa
Food: Wine near Château Royal d’Amboiseois
Excursions: Château Royal d’Amboiseois, Château du Clos Lucé (home of Leonardo da Vinci)
9:00 AM: Château Royal d’Amboiseois
Location: Located here, in Amboise, France
On Day 3, we spent more time at the historical chateau named Château Royal d’Amboiseois. This time, we went inside and on the grounds.
Like most chateaus in France, Château Royal d’Amboiseois has a long history. This chateau is the burial place of Leonardo da Vinci, the birthplace of King Charles VII, and was a royal residence during the Renaissance.
The castle has two massive towers, the Minimes Tower and the Herutault Tower. Two extensive gardens surround the chateau: the Naples Garden and the Orient Garden.
King Francois I was raised here and entertained many guests, including his good friend Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci is buried onsite at the Chapel of Saint-Hubert. While we were there, it was undergoing construction, but our iPad virtual tour gave us a good image of what we would have seen inside the Chapel of Saint-Hubert.
Chapel of Saint-Hubert
Saint Hubert is the patron saint of hunters, as shown by the gold stag antlers adorning the chapel’s steeple.
11:00 AM: Château du Clos Lucé
Location: Located here, in Amboise, France
This chateau was where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life. It’s now an incredible museum that showcases his work, including interactive mobiles in a park-like setting.
Visiting this museum was also a highlight of our trip, as I’ve always been fascinated with da Vinci and learned even more about him from our time there. The pieces of art and inventions on display were mind-boggling. You should not miss this stop on your 14-day France itinerary if you love science and ingenuity.
And, if you’re worldschooling your children like we were, this is a destination you don’t want to miss. Our kids learned so much about Leonardo da Vinci and seemed to retain the information better, having experienced it in person.
We spent about 4 hours at this museum, and you could do more or less, but don’t rush this one, or you’ll miss it a lot.
3:00 PM: downtown Ambois
We grabbed another meal at Paul’s Bakery, one of our favorite places to get food in France. The food was consistently good, and while it’s mostly just sandwiches and desserts, the food is very fresh.
Paul’s allowed us to get decent food at a reasonable price, and we could get it without sitting at a restaurant. You grab your table inside or outside without waiting to be seated. The streets of Amboise were perfect for propping your feet up after the day’s tours and relaxing as the sun sets over Château Royal d’Amboiseois.
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 4
Loire Valley
Transportation: Rental car
Lodging: Chateau de Jallanges
Food: La Terrasse Restaurant
Excursions: Visit Château de Chenonceau, explore Chateau de Jallanges
Live in a French Castle In the Loire Valley
It’s never been a dream of mine to sleep in a castle, but looking back, I don’t know why I never put this on my bucket list. With a lot of options to choose from in the Loire Valley, prices for accommodations were reasonable.
The Loire Valley is home to an incredible number of castles. The numbers are simply mind-boggling. It’s estimated that there are over 300 castles.
One particular castle fell into our lap and I’m really glad we got to stay at this one. It was located in Vernou-sur-Brenne and called Chateau De Jallanges.
Chateau de Jallanges
Location: Located here, in Vernou-sur-Brenne, France
The castle has a pool under the castle, in an almost cave-like setting, which is neat. They provided a great breakfast, and we felt we got our money’s worth staying here.
They don’t get many guests and seem to cater to wedding groups primarily. There were no events when we were there, so we had the place primarily for ourselves.
The caretaker shared her fascinating account of how the castle was acquired. When the current owner was in his young twenties, he came across the castle for sale in a newspaper or magazine.
The price was beyond reasonable, and the twenty-something-year-old used all his money to buy it. Over decades, he made enough money to restore it one room at a time to its present state.
9:00 aM: Château de Chenonceau
Location: Located here, in Chenonceaux, France
We started to visit Château de Chenonceau early, leaving at about 8:00 am from Château de Jallanges. After about a 36-minute drive, we arrived at Château de Chenonceau, which was as impressive as Chambord.
Parking was limited here, but we did manage to find a spot. If you get the first morning tickets, that’s probably best, which for this chateau was at 9:00 am.
Remember, you’re competing for parking and viewing of these chateaus with not only other individual visitors but tour groups and buses as well.
Nevertheless, the crowds were mild, and we had no problems seeing what we wanted to see.
Named The Ladies’ Chateau
Nicknamed the “Ladies’ Chateau or Chateau des Dames,” many women owned and renovated this castle. Catherine de’ Medici was the most note-worthy ruler to own it. It was built between 1514 and 1522 on the foundation of an old mill.
Medici took the chateau from Diane De Poitiers, her husband’s mistress, King Henry II. Talk about historical drama!
Gothic and Renaissance Architecture
Aside from the Royal Palace of Versailles, this late Gothic and early Renaissance chateau is the most visited in France.
The gardens surrounding the chateau were stunning, as was how the castle was designed. The River Cher flows under parts of the castle, where some giant pillars and arches allow the water to flow freely.
The Apothecary of Queen Catherine de Medici
One of the most remarkable rooms we found at Château de Chenonceau was a reproduction of the apothecary of Queen Catherine de Medici. A local furniture maker restored nine cabinets delivered from a Florentine palace. Included in the apothecary is a cabinet of scientific curiosities.
The River Cher
The river that flowed under the castle was important because it created a demarcation line between Nazi-occupied France and non-occupied France.
The chateau acted as an important vehicle to smuggle people who didn’t want to be in the occupied part of France. The Menier family, who helped smuggle people, still owns the castle today, which is open to the public as a museum.
7:00 PM: Hot Air Balloon Ride
If you’ve ever been interested in taking a hot air balloon ride, the Loire Valley is supposed to be one of the best places in the world to do it! I was signed up and ready to go, but after waiting two hours for the weather to improve, the guide canceled the trip. I hope to get back one day to fulfill my dream!
How many Days in the Loire Valley is Enough?
Ideally, I’d recommend staying in the Loire Valley for five days. On this 14-day France itinerary, we stayed for three days, and I wish we had had one or two more days. I had scheduled a hot air balloon ride, which is also a bucket list adventure of mine.
These types of excursions that are weather-dependent often get canceled, and this one did. If it’s something you want to consider, then I’d book the hot air balloon trip at the beginning, that way if it’s canceled due to weather they can sometimes get you up on a makeup day.
I would have seen a few more castles and had more fantastic Amboise wine with the extra time.
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 5
Loire Valley to Bayeux
Transportation: Return rental care to SIXT; take a high-speed train to Bayeux
Lodging: Bed and breakfast in Bayeux
Food: Selma Alabama (lunch), Bon Bonne (dinner)
Excursions: Downtown Bayeux, Artists Pascal on storefront windows throughout town
9:18 AM SNCF Train From Loire Valley to Bayeux
Location: Located here, in Bayeux, France
Take the 9:18 AM SNCF train from St. Pierre de Corps to Bayeux via Caen. After soaking up the beauty of the Loire Valley, you’ll journey by train to the northwestern part of France to Bayeux in Normandy.
This route offers a scenic view of the French countryside and the option to explore historical sites in Bayeux. If you are there in the spring, be sure to see street art by Pascal Falisse throughout Bayeux.
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 6
Bayeux Downtown
Transportation: Walking
Lodging: Bed and breakfast in Bayeux, Chambre d’hôtes Dodo et Tartines
Food: Selma Alabama (lunch), Restaurant Le Marsala (dinner)
Excursions: Bayeux Tapestry Museum, Bayeux Museum of the Battle of Normandy, and Notre Dame of Bayeux Cathedral
10:00 AM: Bayeux Tapestry Museum
Location: Located here, in Bayeux, France
I had no clue what the Bayeux Tapestry was before I got to Bayeux. The innkeeper at the bed and breakfast asked if we would see the tapestry, which was how we found out about it.
We were tired from our train ride but made it to the Bayeux Tapestry Museum anyway. I would not recommend leaving Bayeux without seeing the tapestry. What’s most impressive about it is its length and the way it’s displayed.
It’s 224 feet long and 19.5 inches tall. It’s displayed in a long room behind a glass case, wrapping around one wall and extending around the other. It offers a great viewing area as onlookers pass by it. You can get an audio recording of the meaning behind the tapestry that tells its story.
The tapestry is embroidered with wool and shows things like Vikings on long journeys, shields, and ships.
You cannot take flash photography inside the room where the tapestry is. We know that Bishop Odo of Bayeux commissioned the tapestry for his cathedral. It was made in England around 1070 and adorned the cathedral by 1077.
It’s an integral part of history because it tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
11:30 AM: Bayeux Museum of the Battle of Normandy
Location: Located here, in Bayeux, France
Within walking distance from our bed and breakfast was the Bayeux Museum of the Battle of Normandy. The museum was well appointed and shares the history of military warfare in Normandy in 1944.
Bayeux is only about 10 kilometers from the D-Day beaches (about a thirty-minute ride by car). We wouldn’t visit these beaches until tomorrow, but going to the museum today allowed us to study what we would see the next day.
1:30 PM: Notre Dame of Bayeux Cathedral
Location: Located here, in Bayeux, France
The cathedral is important because it was most likely the home of the Bayeux tapestry from the 11th to 18th century. It was consecrated in 1077 and is a Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture masterpiece.
We learned that William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy and King of England) was at the cathedral when it was consecrated in 1077. William the Conqueror led thousands of Norman, Flemish, Breton, and French troops during the invasion of England in the 11th century.
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 7
Bayeux to Mont Saint-Michel
Transportation: Guided tour via shuttle
Lodging: Bed and breakfast in Bayeux
Food: Packed lunch
Excursions: Mont Saint-Michel guided tour via Viator
Mont Saint-Michel
Location: Located here, in Normandy, France.
For the perfect one-day itinerary, check out our Mont Saint-Michel travel guide and itinerary. My family took a one-day trip to Mont Saint-Michel in May, where we toured the ramparts, village, abbey church, and several other important buildings on this centuries-old island in the middle of Mont Saint-Michel Bay.
Mont Saint-Michel was started after Saint Aubert had a dream, and Saint Michael came to him three times to build a church at the top of the mountain. It’s said that Aubert wouldn’t listen until the third dream in which Michael burned a hole in Aubert’s head.
Key things to see at Mont Saint-Michel:
• Ramparts
• Drawbridge
• Cloister
• Abbey church
• Various crypts and chapels
• The Grand Rue and village homes
• Tiphaine’s House
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 8
Bayeux to Normandy War Sites
Transportation: Guided tour and shuttle to Normandy from Bayeux
Lodging: Bed and breakfast in Bayeux
Food: Packed lunch, dinner in downtown Bayeux on return
Excursions: Multiple Normandy World War II sites and D-Day beaches (starting at 8:30 AM), full-day itinerary, Sainte-Mère-Église, Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Normandy American Cemetery
9:30 AM: Sainte-Mère-Église
Location: Located here, in Normandy, France
This church has a replica of an American soldier whose parachute is stuck in the steeple. The soldier’s name was John Steele, and the replica honors him and all the Allied forces that freed France during World War II.
Key facts:
• Steele was part of the 82nd Airborne Division that landed on June 6, 1944 (D-Day)
• Steele hung there for two hours, pretending to be dead so he wouldn’t get shot by German soldiers below
•He was eventually captured alive but managed to escape and rejoin his infantry
10:45 AM: D-Day Beaches
We took a guided tour with Alex to the D-Day Beaches in Normandy on day eight of our 14-day France itinerary. The D-Day beaches were a somber yet fascinating site. On one hand, it was amazing to see the location of the largest amphibious invasion in history (Operation Overlord) when Allied forces landed on June 6, 1944.
On the other hand, it was hard to imagine that over 4,400 Allied forces lost their lives that day on those beaches.
We went to two D-Day beaches:
• Omaha Beach
• Utah Beach
Omaha Beach
Location: Located here, in Normandy.
Omaha Beach is another significant beach that was part of the D-Day invasion by American troops on June 6, 1944. “Bloody Omaha” is the nickname for this beach because there were so many casualties by American forces there.
Since Germany defended it so well, Allied forces had difficulty attacking Omaha Beach. The steep bluffs and cliffs helped Germans, from a tactical perspective, better protect the beach during World War II.
Key things to see at Omaha Beach:
• Normandy American Cemetery, which overlooks Omaha Beach
• The Omaha Beach Memorial Museum
• Omaha Beach itself, where the D-Day invasion took place
Utah Beach
Location: Located here, in Normandy, France.
Utah Beach was an important landing site for the invasion of Normandy by the Allies on June 6, 1944, called D-Day. Utah Beach was one of five beaches stormed by the Allies and was the westernmost beach.
Key things to see at Utah Beach:
Pointe du Hoc
Location: Located here, in Normandy, France.
Pointe du Hoc was a high point between Utah and Omaha Beaches and home to key German artillery bunkers (pictured below). Concrete gun pits and castmates housed six 155 mm artillery guns, making it hard to attack.
Allies bombed the gun pits and castmates and then sent the US 2nd Ranger Battalion to dismantle the guns. To do so, they had to scale the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc, which was not an easy feat.
3:00 PM: Normandy American Cemetery
Location: Located here, in Normandy, France.
The Normandy American Cemetary is home to 9,400 fallen soldiers who died during the Allied liberation of France.
At the Normandy American Cemetery, we listened to taps played when the flag was lowered at the end of the day. Taps are played by bugle and are traditionally played when the flag is lowered to show respect for the fallen soldiers buried there.
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 9
Bayeux to Paris
Transportation: Take the 1:43 PM train to Paris St. Lazare
Lodging: VRBO on Rue de Lisbonne
Food: Voilà
Excursions: Eiffel Tower
5:00 pM: Eiffel Tower
Location: Located here, in Paris, France
If you’re in Paris, you must visit the Eiffel Tower. Make it to the top and treat yourself to a glass of champagne. At least, that’s what everyone around us was doing. We explored the tower in detail and were most intrigued by the secret apartment at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
This apartment was designed by Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower) and was built as an office, lavatory, and a place to entertain guests.
Gustave Eiffel’s Apartment
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 10
Paris
Transportation: Walking and Uber
Lodging: VRBO on Rue de Lisbonne
Food: Le Papacionu Paris (good pizza)
Excursions: Saint-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Marie Antoinette’s Prison, Notre Dame, Crypt Archeologique Museum, Church of Saint-Séverin
12:00 PM: Saint-Chapelle
Location: Located here, in Paris, France.
Saint-Chapelle is perhaps one of the prettiest churches in the world. The exquisitely detailed stained glass windows lined the entire church, awe-inspiring us every time we looked up. The line to get in was long for us, and I suggest getting there when they open or after the first rush of people passes through.
You can purchase tickets online, and there are two lines to get in: those with tickets and those without. Your ticket comes with a time slot, so even if you want to go earlier, you might not be able to on busy days. For information about this stunning royal chapel, read more about our visit to Sainte-Chapelle and 25 reasons to visit!
The line with tickets went much faster than those waiting to purchase them. Saint-Chapelle opens at 9:00 AM. We would have gone earlier had we not been partying at a Taylor Swift concert the night before at Paris La Défense.
Tip: You can buy a ticket that includes entry into both Saint-Chapelle and Conciergerie, get this ticket and buy your tickets online ahead of time. Keep in mind you’ll have an assigned time slot to show up.
2:00 PM: Conciergerie
Location: Located here, in Paris, France
The Conceiergerie in Paris was a medieval palace with Gothic architecture. It was a royal residence that became a prison during the French Revolution. We discovered prison cells and dungeons, including Marie Antoinette’s, before her execution.
Essential things to see here include:
• Marie Antoinette Expiratory Chapel
• Hall of the Men-at-Arms
• Marie Antoinette’s prison cell
Marie Antoinette Expiatory Chapel
Notre Dame
Location: Located here, in Paris, France
Notre Dame was not open when we were there in May 2024 due to the fire in 2019. Shortly after we left France, Notre Dame reopened after reconstruction in December of the same year.
Crypt Archeologique Museum
Location: Located here, in Paris, France
The Crypt Archeologique Museum is right next to Notre Dame. To enter, you’ll walk underneath the street surface into a crypt where excavations show many of the changes in Paris throughout 2,000 years. We enjoyed seeing many artifacts that surfaced through archeological digs under the city.
The Church of Saint-Séverin in Paris, France
Location: Located here, in Paris, France
Named after Saint Séverin of Paris, a devout hermit turned saint. The church has a unique architectural feature: a twisted pillar in the ambulatory.
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 11
Paris
Transportation: Walking and Uber
Lodging: VRBO on Rue de Lisbonne
Food: Le Musset
Excursions: Catacombs guided tour, Arc de Triomphe
11:15 AM Catacombs guided tour
Location: Located here, in Paris, France
The Paris Catacombs are important to France because they are the final resting place for millions of people who died during the French Revolution. Its ossuary is open to the public.
Key spots to see in the Paris Ossuary:
• Crypt of Passions
• Plaques on Revolutionary Events
• Fountain
• Tibia Rotunda
2:00 PM: Arc de Triomphe
Location: Located here, in Paris, France
• Houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Commemorates victories from the French Revoluti0on and Napoleonic Wars
• Enraved with important generals and military victories
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 12
Paris
Transportation: Walking and Uber
Lodging: VRBO Rue de Lisbonne
Food: Paul’s Bakery
Excursions: Museum of Montmartre, The I Love You Wall, watch swing dancers in the town square near the Louvre
10:00 AM: Museum of Montmartre
Location: Located here, in Paris, France.
The Museum of Monamarte preserves the history of Monamarte, a former village on the outskirts of Paris where art and creativity flourished. The museum includes posters, art, drawings, and artifacts from living at Monamarte.
Le Chat Noir was a cabaret in Monamarte and a popular gathering place for authors and artists in the late 1800s. The museum includes a lot of memorabilia from Le Chat Noir, which opened in 1881.
11:00 AM: Wall of I Love You
Location: Located here, in Paris, France
The Wall of I Love You displays words of affection in many languages. Made by artist Frédéric Baron, the wall is a popular attraction in Montmartre, Paris’s laid-back community.
1:00 PM: Louvre
Location: Located here, in Paris, France
We used Viator to get a personal tour guide through the Louvre. It was a great way to hit the highlights and learn information about the Louvre and the artwork there. I’d highly recommend a one-on-one tour guide for your family so you can ask the questions you want without being part of an extensive tour.
This particular tour was labeled for children. Even as adults, we enjoyed the simple explanations of the art in the Louvre, and our kids seemed to retain a lot of information.
3:30 PM: Eat a Macaron, Pain au chocolat & Drink Some hot chocolate
The food in France was excellent, particularly the desserts and bread! We had escargot a couple of times, which was good but not so good that we ate it often. However, we couldn’t stop eating the macarons and made an effort to find the best ones in France. They were all good.
4:00 PM: Watch (or Dance with) Swing Dancers
We ran into one of the most incredible swing dance parties ever. They were dancing close to the Louvre right around 4:00 PM. Swing dancing became popular after American soldiers brought the lindy hop to France during World War II. There are often swing dances weekly throughout Paris.
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 13
Paris
Transportation: Walking and Uber
Lodging: VRBO on Rue de Lisbonne
Food: La Voila
Excursions: Musée d’Orsay, the Natural History Museum, Room of Extinct Species, Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy, Jardin des Plantes, Extinct Species Carousel
9:30 AM: Musée d’Orsay
Location: Located here, in Paris, France
The Musée d’Orsay displays one of the world’s largest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The more famous painters with artwork at the museum include Renoir, van Gogh, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Degas, Seurat, Cézanne, and Sisley.
Here’s some of the art you should check out:
• The Thinker sculpture by Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) and a self-portrait of Vincent van Gogh (photos 1 and 2 below)
• Sculpture of a polar bear done by Pompon (1880-1910) (photo two below)
• Honoré Daumier satire sculpture of a politician with a long nose (photo three below)
11:30 AM: the Natural History Museum
Location: Located here, in Paris, France.
If you or your family likes science and nature like ours, make time on your 14-day France itinerary to see the Natural History Museum. The museum’s presentation is exceptional, the best I’ve ever seen.
12:30 PM: Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy
The Gallery of Comparative Anatomy was another extraordinary find for us. It’s part of the National History Museum in the Jardin des Plantes.
We’re inquisitive about science and nature, so this museum was right up our alley. The sheer magnitude of skeletons makes you want to keep looking around to study differences between similar species of animals.
2:00 PM: The Room of Endangered and Extinct Species
The La Salle des Espèces Menacées et des Espèces Disparues is another incredible, well-appointed room with 257 rare extinct or endangered animals in the National History Museum. I wouldn’t say it’s a “secret room,” but I knew I wanted to see it from my research, and it was difficult to find. It’s sort of tucked away behind massive wooden doors.
Jardin des Plantes
Location: Located here, in Paris, France.
This garden was the first botanical garden in Paris, and King Henry VIII started it. It was once used to teach botany, biology, and geology and grow medicinal herbs. Today, it’s home to the National Museum of Natural History.
3:30 PM: Extinct Species Carousel
Location: Located here, in Paris, France.
The Dodo Manège is a carousel that displays several extinct or endangered animals, similar to the ones in the Room of Extinct Species in the National History Museum in Paris. The carousel is in the Jardin des Plantes and is open to the public. Riding the carousel was a great way to end our last day in Paris before flying home the next day.
14-Day France Itinerary: Day 14
Fly home
Enjoy your flight home wherever you go, and dream about the next time you’ll be visiting France again. I’m already planning my next trip.
Au revoir la France!
I hope you find this 14-day France itinerary helpful when planning your next trip to Paris, the Loire Valley, Bayeux, and Normandy. You’ll be really happy if you even do some of the things we packed into our trip. Consider adding more days in the Loire Valley if you can, but not at the expense of missing any of the other incredible destinations we went to.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the history of the artwork from the Louvre that was stored at Chateau de Chambord. I also can’t get over the catacombs in the heart of Paris, one of my favorite excursions in France. There are too many other wonderful things about this 14-day France itinerary to mention: Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy American Cemetery, D-Day Beaches, Château du Clos Lucé, and Château de Chambord.
I’ll save more detailed information for future travel guides about each of the locations above that resonated most with me. If you have other questions about this itinerary that I left unanswered or can offer suggestions on where to travel on your French itinerary, let me know in the comments section below so I can answer them.
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Book Your France Trip: Tips & Advice
Book Your Flight
Our favorite places to start looking for places to book flights are Google Flights and Skyscanner. They search all flights worldwide, so you only have to use one site to find the best deals.
Book Accommodations
Our family uses VRBO, Airbnb, and Booking.com when we need to book hotels or lodging beforehand.
Book Guided Tours
Both Get Your Guide and Viator offer informative tours of the places we travel to. They provide local guides and adventurous travel activities.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is critical to protect against baggage loss, medical expenses, trip cancellations, theft, and other potential problems.
• Travelex: Best overall rated by Consumer Reports Jan 2025
• Generali Global Assistance: Best insurance for travel interruption
• Tin Leg: Best for affordable travel insurance and pre-existing conditions
• World Nomads: Best for flexible travel insurance
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