France Itinerary 5 days

If you are visiting France for vacation, it is necessary to plan a France itinerary for your trip. France is a dream destination for many travelers due to its rich art, culture, and historic sites. It has many famous tourist attractions like iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, beaches of the French Riviera. Thus, while traveling to France, you should follow the France travel itinerary to reach all destinations and places to see in a proper way. Here the blog will help you to cover places in France with a France itinerary of 5 days.

Table of Contents

Getting around in France

You can land at Paris since the capital city is well connected and has some top attractions of France.

Most international flights from India, especially from Delhi or Mumbai, arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), while Orly Airport (ORY) is another option.
The airports are well-connected by bus, tram, train and taxi so that you can reach a hotel in Paris before sight-seeing.

You can stay at the following places that are nearest to top attractions in Paris to cover your planned France trip itinerary:

Le Marais: You should take RER B (regional express train) to Châtelet-Les Halles station, then transfer to Metro Line 1 towards Château de Vincennes and get off at stations like Hôtel de Ville or Saint-Paul. This historic district is centrally located and close to many attractions, including the Picasso Museum and the historic Place des Vosges.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés: You should take RER B to Luxembourg station, or take RER B to Châtelet-Les Halles and transfer to Metro Line 4 towards Mairie de Montrouge, getting off at Saint-Germain- des-Prés. It’s close to landmarks like the Luxembourg Gardens and Notre-Dame-des-Champs Church

As there are lot of places to see in Paris, you can plan 2 days in Paris of France and keep you stay accordingly.

Main modes of transportation:

Metro: It is widely used in Paris; a single ticket costs about €2.10.
RER: Regional trains connecting Paris to suburbs are popular; single tickets start around €7 for airport trips.
Bus: These buses operate within Paris and suburbs; single fare is about €2.10.
Tram: They operate in cities like Paris and Lyon; tickets are around €2.10.
Train (SNCF): It is an excellent choice for long-distance travel; prices vary, e.g., Paris to Lyon costs €50-€100.
Taxi: The average cost starts at about €7-€10 for a base fare in Paris; The costs increase with distance.
Bike: Rent costs around €5-€10 per hour.

Day 1: Arrival in Paris

Arrive in Paris and check into your hotel near Le Marais. You may go for a outing around the city centre and visit the iconic landmarks of Paris.

Eiffel Tower: An iconic symbol of Paris, this wrought-iron lattice tower offers breathtaking views of the city from its observation decks.
Notre Dame Cathedral: A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame is renowned for its stunning stained-glass windows and intricate stone carvings.
Louvre Museum: The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum that has thousands of artworks of famous artists.

Day 2: Day Trip at Versailles and Giverny

Paris to Versailles: Please catch a train from Paris Saint-Lazare station to Versailles-Rive Gauche. From there, you can take a bus or walk to the Versailles Palace.

Palace of Versailles: A UNESCO World Heritage Site which is known for its opulent architecture and stunning gardens. Don’t miss the Hall of Mirrors, a stunning gallery in the Palace of Versailles adorned with opulent mirrors and chandeliers.
Grand Trianon: The elegant Grand Trianon is a serene palace with beautiful gardens and grand architecture.
Petit Trianon: The charming Petit Trianon is a smaller, intimate château with picturesque surroundings.

Giverny

Versailles to Giverny: Please catch a train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon. From Vernon, you can take a bus or taxi to Giverny.
Claude Monet’s home and gardens. You can admire the water lilies in Monet’s famous pond and explore the colourful flower gardens.

Day 3: Loire Valley

Paris to Giverny: Please catch a high-speed train from Paris Montparnasse station to Tours. From Tours, you may regional train or rent a car to explore the Loire Valley.

Loire Valley: Embark on a day trip to the Loire Valley, renowned for its picturesque chateaux and vineyards. Visit iconic castles like

Château de Chambord: Admire Château de Chambord, a majestic Renaissance castle known for its distinctive double-helix staircase and impressive towers.

Château de Chenonceau: The elegant Château de Chenonceau is a picturesque castle running along the River Cher with beautiful gardens and a rich history.

Château de Cheverny: Château de Cheverny is a classic French château renowned for its well-preserved interiors and lovely parkland.

Wine Tasting: Enjoy a wine tasting session at a local winery to savour the region’s famous wines.

Day 4: Paris

As there are a lot of things to do and beautiful places in Paris, you can spend 2 days in Paris with given France Itinerary.

Loire Valley to Paris: Please catch a TGV from major Loire Valley cities like Tours or Blois to Paris that takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

The Arc de Triomphe: The Arc de Triomphe is an iconic monument honouring France’s military victories with stunning views from the top.
Champs-Élysées: The Champs-Élysées is a famous avenue lined with shops, cafés, and theatres.
Latin Quarter: The Latin Quarter is a vibrant neighbourhood known for its historic charm, lively atmosphere, and academic heritage.
Seine River Cruise: Don’t miss the scenic cruise on the Seine River to admire the city’s landmarks from a different perspective.

Day 5: Paris

Musée d’Orsay: This iconic museum is dedicated to French art from 1848 to 1914. You can see masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas, and other Impressionists.
Luxembourg Gardens: Take a leisurely stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens, one of the most popular parks in Paris.
Seine River Cruise: Enjoy a final dinner cruise on the Seine River, admiring the city’s illuminated landmarks.

Departure to India from France

The Seine Cruise usually ends at 9-9.30. You can reach Paris CDG airport by train, bus, taxi or tram. You can catch a midnight flight. Please make sure you have booked your tickets in advance and reached the airport 2 hours before the flight.

Tips for a 5-Day France Trip

Plan Your Days in Advance: With only 5 days, prioritize key France tourist attractions and neighborhoods. Use a mix of guided tours and self-exploration to save time.
Use Public Transport Efficiently: Paris has an excellent Metro, RER, and bus network. Consider buying a Paris Visite Pass or day passes to save money and travel seamlessly.
Book Major Attractions Online: Pre-book tickets for the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Palace of Versailles to avoid long queues.
Stay in Central Neighborhoods: Areas like Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or near Châtelet-Les Halles allow easy access to top attractions, restaurants, and metro lines.
Plan Day Trips Wisely: Chose right time to visit France so that you can cover the most places in your trip.
Try Local Cuisine: Don’t miss French pastries, cheese, croissants, and street food. Visiting local cafes adds charm to your trip.
Ensure Your Visa is Ready:Before traveling, confirm your Schengen visa is approved. Itzeazy can assist Indian travelers with document verification, appointment booking, and hassle-free applications to ensure smooth entry into France.

Embrace Flexibility/;While planning is important, leave some time for spontaneous discoveries, like charming streets, local markets, or hidden cafes.

Get your France visa with Itzeazy

It is necessary to get France Schengen visa to travel and explore the country. Itzeazy is here to help you. Itzeazy is India’s no.1 visa service provider. It helps to get guaranteed France visa from India in quick time.

Itzeazy provides visa consultancy and end-to-end assistance in documentation support to the clients in all scenarios to ensure a hassle-free experience for visa in India.

FAQs

What is the best month to visit France?

Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the best time to travel France with pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

Is 5 days enough to explore France?

Yes. A 5-day trip can cover Paris’s main attractions and one or two nearby day trips like Versailles or Giverny.

What souvenirs should I buy from France?

Popular choices include French chocolates, macarons, wine, perfumes, and local handicrafts that you can buy in France.

How early should I start planning my France trip?

You can start at least 2–3 months in advance to book flights, hotels, and France visa appointments.

France Itinerary 5 Days