3 Day France Tour Packages

France itineraries for 3 days

Compiled by

SteffFrance travel expert at TourRadar

• 3 Day Northern France Itinerary, incl. Normandy and Loire Valley

  Rich historical tour encompasses 11 destinations, from Rouen's Notre Dame Cathedral to Omaha Beach, Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, and three Loire Valley castles. Features 4-star stays in Caen and Angers, two breakfasts and dinner.

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris to Normandy Beaches

    Leave Paris at 7:15 AM near the Eiffel Tower. The 2-hour drive takes you to medieval Rouen where you can explore its Gothic cathedral and the Gros Horloge astronomical clock. "Our guide was excellent, so knowledgeable about the region in general and right down to the intricate details of the towns." Stop in Honfleur for lunch before visiting the D-Day sites. You'll need about 90 minutes to visit Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery at Saint-Laurent. Make sure to reach the cemetery by 4:30 PM since it closes early. You'll spend the night at a 4-star hotel in Caen.

    
  • Day 2

    Mont Saint-Michel & Saint-Malo

    Drive an hour to Saint-Malo after breakfast. This walled "pirate city" in Brittany offers guided tours of its ramparts and cobblestone streets. Pack comfortable shoes since the old stones can get slippery. Take time to try the local oysters during your lunch break before heading to Mont Saint-Michel. Plan to reach Mont Saint-Michel in early afternoon when crowds are lighter. "The abbey tour requires climbing many steps, but the views are worth the effort." The island gets quite windy, so bring a light jacket regardless of season. You'll stay overnight in a 4-star hotel in Angers.

    
  • Day 3

    Loire Valley Castles

    Begin your castle tour at 8:00 AM from Angers. First stop is the medieval Langeais fortress, followed by lunch time in Amboise. In the afternoon, visit Chenonceau, nicknamed the "Ladies' Castle" as it spans the River Cher. Your guide will tell you about the fascinating rivalry between Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers. End your day at Chambord Castle before returning to Paris around 9:00 PM.

    

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• 3 Day Burgundy Itinerary, incl. Paris and Dijon

  Burgundy's treasures await across 5 cities for around $380. Highlights include Noyers-sur-Serein's medieval charm, Beaune's wine heritage, Dijon's Renaissance buildings, UNESCO-listed Fontenay Abbey and Vezelay's basilica.

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris to Dijon

    Leave Paris early, around 8:00 AM, for the 3-hour drive to Burgundy. Your first stop is Noyers-sur-Serein, which you'll reach by mid-morning when the medieval streets are still peaceful. Visit the central square before noon to catch the best light on the half-timbered houses. About 90 minutes will give you enough time to walk the narrow lanes and see the historic walls. Head to Beaune, Burgundy's wine capital, aiming to arrive around 1:30 PM when restaurants are still serving lunch. Plan to spend at least 2 hours at the Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu), open until 6:30 PM. Book your tickets online to skip the long entrance lines. Drive an hour north to Dijon for your evening stop. Take a walk down Rue de la Liberté, the main shopping street, which leads to the Palace of the Dukes. The historic center looks beautiful at dusk when lights illuminate the medieval buildings.

    
  • Day 2

    Burgundy Exploration

    Start at Fontenay Abbey, a UNESCO site an hour from Dijon. Get there when it opens at 10:00 AM before the tour groups arrive. The morning light is perfect for photos of the Cistercian architecture, and you'll enjoy a quiet walk through the gardens. Visit Semur-en-Auxois in the afternoon. Take time for the riverside path along the ancient walls. Next, go to Vézelay to see its beautiful basilica and explore one of France's prettiest villages. Start your 2-hour drive back to Paris by 5:00 PM to avoid traffic.

    
  • Day 3

    Paris Departure

    Spend your final morning in Paris before heading home. If time allows, visit a local marché - most Paris neighborhoods have weekly markets that run from early morning until 1:00 PM.

    

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• 3 Day Northern France Itinerary, incl. Paris and Mont-Saint-Michel

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris to Caen via Giverny and Rouen

    Leave Paris early to avoid morning traffic on the A13. Drive to Giverny (1.5 hours from Paris) and visit Monet's house and gardens when they open at 9:30 AM. The water lily pond looks best in morning light before the crowds arrive. Remember that Giverny is closed from November through April. Drive an hour to Rouen and explore Normandy's medieval capital. The city center is easy to walk around. Stop for lunch at Place du Vieux-Marché where you'll find authentic Norman restaurants. Take photos of the Gothic cathedral before 2 PM when the lighting is best. Visit Arromanches-les-Bains near sunset to see the D-Day landing beaches. You'll get clear views of the artificial harbor remains during low tide. Stay overnight in Caen. Most hotels are near the marina area.

    
  • Day 2

    Mont-Saint-Michel and Medieval Towns

    Get an early start to Mont-Saint-Michel (2 hours from Caen). Plan to arrive by 9 AM before tour groups show up. Check tide schedules before you go. The island looks most impressive during high tide. Bring good walking shoes. The climb to the abbey is steep and the cobblestones can be slippery. Drive to Fougères for lunch. While the castle opens at 10 AM, save your photos for the afternoon when the light is better from Rue de la Pinterie. Park at Place Raoul II for the best access to old town. Visit Chartres Cathedral in late afternoon (2.5 hours from Fougères). The famous blue stained glass windows look most beautiful between 4-5 PM. Head back to Paris after but watch out for traffic between 5-7 PM.

    
  • Day 3

    Paris

    Spend your final morning in Paris. If you're leaving early, check with your hotel about check-out since most local spots don't open until 9 AM.

    

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