A Classic One-Week France Vacation With Your Loved Ones

Day 1: Paris

Anyone you ask knows Paris even if they have never been to the place. After all, who isn’t aware about the Eiffel Tower, the charming Notre Dame cathedral, the broad avenue of the Champs-Elysees with magnificent Arc de Triomphe at its end, adorable sidewalk cafes, lovely bridges across the Seine, and incredible art treasures of the Louvre.  

All the iconic places of Paris that you have seen in hundreds of movies and immortalized by painters, poets, writers, and sculptors are worth visiting at least once-in-a-lifetime! Ancient as well as modern, Paris is a dense network of varied neighborhoods with individual character, colors, history, as well as aromas! You can live in Paris your whole life and still not see all that this beautiful city has to offer, however visiting it is a memorable adventure in itself.

Day 2: Versailles

Versailles is definitely the most stunning of all the French chateaus and palaces. It is situated at about 22km from the city of Paris and in the tranquil suburbs of Versailles. King Louis XIV had built the Baroque chateau here in the mid-17th century. Until the French revolution, it used to be the home of French kings. Over time, a number of kings added to the glory of Versailles, with beautiful additions such as Marie-Antoinette’s estate, the pink marble beauty of Trianon, miles of formal gardens, splendid fountains, and much more. Versailles is such an overwhelming as well as a delightful place to visit. 

In the 19th century, Versailles procured a new role as the Museum of the History of France. A number of elaborately decorated rooms and royal apartments were transformed to house collections of artifacts that until the early 20th century covered the history of the country. 

Day 3: Bordeaux

Bordeaux during a splendid sunset, happens to be at its best. This picturesque city is located at about 5 and a half hours drive from the city of Paris and is a perfect place to unwind from your daily schedule and rejuvenate. One of the sparkling cities, Bordeaux is famous as a wine growing region and is among the significant places to visit in France. UNESCO has declared half of this port city as one of the largest World Heritage Sites.

Famed for its charming museums, cathedrals, churches, and vintage mansions, the city draws a number of tourists every year. Its incredible dining scene, captivating food trucks, amazingly good wine, and splendid coffee shops make Bordeaux one of the top tourist attractions in the country. 

Day 4: The Côte d'Azur

The French Riviera, Cote d’Azur is an alluring stretch of Mediterranean coastline known for its deep azure waters. Thanks to the sunny weather in this region of southern France most time of the year, you’ll find skies here often to be an enchanting deep-blue colored as well. The place starts at Saint-Tropez and extends all the way to Menton, which is about 30 kilometers from the border of Italy. British made the Cote d’Azur famous as a wintertime resort during the 1820s. Today, it is a lively summer vacation destination. Spring and autumn here bring milder weather and a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. The place has something for everyone. You can visit art museums in Nice and enjoy lovely walks along cobblestone streets. A number of day trips from Nice offer cultural attractions and seaside beauty. Cannes which is popular for its film festival and Monaco are glittery resort towns, filled with luxurious vacation villas, lavish hotels, yacht-filled marinas, and gourmet restaurants. 

Saint-Tropez, which was once used to be a classic Provencal fishing village, has now million-dollar yachts in its Old Port, and exclusive private beaches. However, its public beaches intrigue regular tourists. In Antibes, sun-seekers and nature lovers rejoice on sweeping sandy beaches.   

Day 5: Aix-en-Provence

Established by the Romans in 123 BC, this place began flourishing only after the 12th century, when it became an artistic center and a place of learning. Home to a number of art schools and many universities, Aix is amazingly charming, beautiful, and dazzling. It is brimming with incredible architecture reflecting its rich as well as chaotic history, and the classic beauty of Provence surrounds it. 

Aix is a city overshadowed by the striking limestone mountain and is meant for walking - the only way to experience the beautiful city in its full glory, admire charming homes and many museums in the quaint Mazarin, relish aromas and hues of the flower market in the old town, and relax by one of the many splendid fountains. 

Day 6: The Châteaux of the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley, which appears like just out of a fairy tale, is a lush and forested landscape lined with splendid castles along the mildly flowing Loire River. This Valley is the largest UNESCO-listed site in the country which stretches for 280kms. The area enjoys a spectacularly rich cultural heritage. France’s kings formed impressive country retreats here during the 15th and 16th centuries for pure enjoyment and entertainment. 

Lavish chateaux, such as the typical Chateau de Chenonceau and the magnificent Chateau de Chambord offer insight into the grandeur of the Renaissance-era French court. French elites and nobles also established stately manor houses, such as the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and the imposing Château of Cheverny in a blissful setting.

The Parc Mini-Chateaux in Amboise is a spectacular destination for families with kids. This charming and educational amusement park, set in two hectares of woodlands features over forty replicas of Loire chateaux constructed on a 1/25 scale. Kids would love visiting the kid-sized castles designed with real details.