12 days in France & Monte-Carlo Itinerary
12 days in France & Monte-Carlo Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Europe trip builder
Start: Chicago, United States
Fly
1
Avignon, France
— 1 night
Drive
2
Cannes, France
— 1 night
Drive
3
Nice, France
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Marseille, France
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Monte-Carlo, Monaco
— 1 night
Drive
6
Montpellier, France
— 1 night
Fly
7
Bordeaux, France
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Chicago, United States
Sat, Aug 21 - Wed, Sep 1
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See full calendar
Avignon, France
— 1 night
©
City of Popes
An ancient town center surrounded by medieval ramparts, Avignon is a major city of Provence and a Mediterranean city in the Vaucluse department on the left bank of the Rhône River.Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Sun): grab your bike and head to Loc-Ebike, don't miss a visit to La Nef solaire, then steep yourself in history at Pont d'Avignon, and finally don't miss a visit to Place Crillon.
To see photos, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Avignon trip itinerary builder.
Chicago, USA to Avignon is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 7 hours traveling from Chicago to Avignon. In August in Avignon, expect temperatures between 35°C during the day and 20°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Cannes.
Things to do in Avignon
Side Trip
Find places to stay Aug 21 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
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Cannes, France
— 1 night
©
Festival City
Although its luxury shops, nightlife, casinos, and high-end restaurants give Cannes a feeling of exclusivity, this classic French Riviera city has alternatives to suit every budget.Start off your visit on the 23rd (Mon): fulfill a lifelong dream with a swim-with-the-dolphins experience, stroll through La Pointe de l'Aiguille, and then make a trip to Les Murs Peints.
To see photos, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Cannes vacation planner.
Traveling by car from Avignon to Cannes takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 33°C in August, and nighttime lows around 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) to allow time to drive to Nice.
Things to do in Cannes
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 22 — 23:
Highlights from your trip
Nice, France
— 2 nights
©
Nissa la Bella (Nice the Beautiful)
Well-known for the beautiful views of its famous Promenade des Anglais waterfront, Nice is an ethnically-diverse coastal port city on the French Riviera and the fifth most populated city in France.Start off your visit on the 24th (Tue): contemplate the long history of Monastère de Cimiez, admire the natural beauty at Jardin du Monastere de Cimiez, and then discover the deep blue sea with Rand'eau evasion. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 25th (Wed): trek along Saint Jean-Cap-Ferrat Hike, then don't miss a visit to Promenade Maurice Rouvier, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate, and finally head outdoors with Promenade du Paillon.
To find maps, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Nice trip planner.
Traveling by car from Cannes to Nice takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Cannes in August, plan for a bit warmer nights in Nice, with lows around 25°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Marseille.
Things to do in Nice
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 23 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
Marseille, France
— 2 nights
©
Gateway to Provence
The 2013 European "Capital of Culture," Marseille is the largest port city on the breezy Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in France.Start off your visit on the 26th (Thu): get outside with Calanque du Sugiton, then make a trip to Calanque de Morgiou, and then admire the natural beauty at Palais du Pharo. Keep things going the next day: identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Abbaye Saint Victor, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathédrale La Major.
For more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Marseille trip planner.
Traveling by car from Nice to Marseille takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Nice in August, plan for a bit cooler nights in Marseille, with lows around 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) early enough to drive to Monte-Carlo.
Things to do in Marseille
Find places to stay Aug 25 — 27:
Highlights from your trip
Monte-Carlo, Monaco
— 1 night
©
Located at the base of the Alps along the French Riviera, the upscale city of Monte Carlo boasts a famous casino.Start off your visit on the 28th (Sat): admire the natural beauty at Japanese Gardens, take a leisurely stroll along Monte Carlo Harbor, then examine the collection at The Private Collection of Antique Cars of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III, then make a trip to Place du Palais, and finally admire the natural beauty at Jardin du Casino.
To see where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Monte-Carlo journey maker app.
Traveling by car from Marseille to Monte-Carlo takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. While traveling from Marseille, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Monte-Carlo, ranging from highs of 32°C to lows of 25°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sat) so you can go by car to Montpellier.
Things to do in Monte-Carlo
Side Trip
Find places to stay Aug 27 — 28:
Highlights from your trip
Montpellier, France
— 1 night
"Montpellier is a modern, compact, and fast-growing city about 10 km (6 mi) inland from the Mediterranean coast with an active, youthful vibe.Start off your visit on the 29th (Sun): zoom along the surf with a waterskiing or jet-skiing adventure, relax in the rural setting at Petit Paradis de Vendargues, and then experience rural life at Les Petits Fermiers.
For where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Montpellier road trip planning app.
Traveling by car from Monte-Carlo to Montpellier takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from Monte-Carlo in August since evenings lows in Montpellier dip to 21°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Bordeaux.
Things to do in Montpellier
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 28 — 29:
Highlights from your trip
Bordeaux, France
— 2 nights
©
The Port of the Moon
With a long history of producing regional wines since the Romans brought grapevines here during the first century, so many people consider Bordeaux to be the wine capital of the world.On the 30th (Mon), ponder the design of Monument aux Girondins, get the lay of the land with Walking tours, and then contemplate the long history of Prieure de Cayac. Here are some ideas for day two: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Andre Cathedral, then do a tasting at Chateau de Reignac, and then make a trip to Grosse Cloche de Bordeaux.
To find more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, read Bordeaux trip itinerary builder site.
You can fly from Montpellier to Bordeaux in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train; or do a combination of train and flight. Traveling from Montpellier in August, Bordeaux is a bit cooler at night with lows of 18°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) early enough to travel back home.
Things to do in Bordeaux
Side Trip
Find places to stay Aug 29 — 31:
Highlights from your trip
France travel guide
France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for decades, and geographically, it is one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Its cities are holiday hot spots and contain some of the greatest treasures in Europe, its countryside is prosperous and well tended, and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions, like Paris, the French Riviera, the Atlantic beaches, the winter sport resorts of the French Alps, as well as the castles of the Loire Valley, Brittany, and Normandy. The country is renowned for its gastronomy, particularly wines and cheeses, as well as its history, culture, and fashion industry.
You'll find that the French people are very polite and may react coldly to you if you forget this. You might be surprised as you're greeted by other customers and the proprieter when you walk into a restaurant or a shop. Be sure to take your sightseeing off the beaten path in France. Besides the famous Eiffel Tower and the chic resorts of the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) you'll find many places to visit in the form of museums filled with fine art, crafts, and archaeological relics, wonderful medieval villages and castles, diverse national parks, and local shopping direct from artisans themselves.
Whether you're touring the Christmas Markets or going skiing during winter, viewing the springtime influx of color in Provence, sunbathing on the Mediterranean coast in the summer, or watching the fall foliage against the backdrop of the châteaux in the Loire Valley, you're sure to find just the right place to be. Spring is a time when the tourist attractions are just starting to expand their hours, but it may still be cold in the mountainous regions and the north. Summer is the busiest time in France with the longest hours for many museums and attractions, but it's often when you will experience the most crowds. Winter in France is filled with winter carnivals, Christmas Markets, and of course, skiing. Fall is a time to celebrate the release of Beaujolais nouveau wine in November, as well as experience Nuit Blanche, a day in October when major attractions, museums, galleries, parks, and swimming pools remain open all night.
