France layers Roman roads, medieval lanes, and grand boulevards into a country made for slow mornings and long walks. Over two weeks, you’ll trace that story from Paris—the City of Light and art—to the Loire’s Renaissance châteaux and onward to Provence’s Cézanne skies and herb-scented hills.

Expect masterpieces (Louvre, Orsay), royal pageantry (Versailles), and fairytale estates (Chenonceau, Chambord). Then trade gilded halls for market baskets in Aix-en-Provence, day-tripping to ochre cliffs and perched villages. Along the way: classic bistros, natural wine bars, pastry counters, and cafés that invite lingering.

Practical notes: Reserve major museums (Louvre closed Tue; Orsay closed Mon; Versailles closed Mon) and popular restaurants. TGV trains are fast and comfortable—book seats in advance. Tipping is modest (service is included; leave small change or 5–10% for standout service). Many shops close Sunday and midday; pack comfy shoes and a light scarf—useful in churches and breezy evenings.

Paris

Paris rewards curiosity. Cross from Île de la Cité’s gothic stones to Left Bank salons, then north to Montmartre’s hilltop studios. Between icons, slip into covered passages, neighborhood markets, and Seine-side bookstalls. Eat like locals: long lunches, apéro hour, and late dinners in candlelit rooms.

Base yourself near the river or in central arrondissements for easy walks. Six days here let you see essentials without rushing, add a royal day at Versailles, and still find time for a neighborhood food tour or an evening cruise.

Days 1–2: Orientation, Icons, and the Seine

• Arrival logistics: Fly into CDG or ORY. Compare fares and schedules on Omio. RER B into the city takes ~35–45 minutes; taxis are fixed-fare.
• Eiffel Tower with timed entry: Ascend with a host and reserved access so you spend time above the city, not in lines. Book the Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift.

  

• Classic right-bank stroll: Tuileries Gardens at golden hour, Place Vendôme’s jeweler arcades, Rue Saint-Honoré’s windows, and pyramid-lit Louvre courtyard at dusk.
• Evening on the river: Glide past Notre Dame and glittering quays with a glass in hand on the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise.

  

• Cafés and meals: Coffee at KB Coffee Roasters (South Pigalle) or Coutume (Left Bank). Brunch at Holybelly (pancakes, baked beans). Crêpes and Breton galettes at Breizh Café. Classic bistro dinner at Bistrot Paul Bert (aged steak, peppercorn sauce) or casual, historic makeshift dining at Bouillon Chartier or Bouillon Pigalle (fast, affordable French staples).

Days 3–4: The Louvre, Art, and Neighborhoods

• Louvre without the wait: Go straight to the masterpieces (Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo) on the Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access.

  

• Left Bank loop: Île de la Cité (Sainte-Chapelle’s stained glass), Latin Quarter lanes, Shakespeare & Company’s bookish vibe, and sunset on Pont Neuf. Or dip into the Musée d’Orsay’s Impressionists (note: closed Monday; timed entry recommended—see Orsay Museum Daily Entry Ticket if you want a simple entry option).
• Montmartre evening: Climb rue Lepic past the last vineyard, peek into artists’ studios, and watch Paris light up from the Sacré-Cœur steps. Wine bars like Le Bon Georges (nearby in the 9th) pour excellent French lists.
• Where to eat: Falafel and hummus at L’As du Fallafel (Rue des Rosiers). Small plates and natural wines at Frenchie Bar à Vins (book ahead). Pastries to-go from La Pâtisserie des Rêves or Stohrer (oldest pâtisserie, 1730).

Day 5: Versailles

• Royal day trip: Hall of Mirrors, King’s Apartments, musical fountains in season, and the Trianon estate. Streamline it with the Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris.

  

• Picnic tip: Shop Rue Cler or Marché Saxe-Breteuil for cheeses (Comté, Saint-Marcellin), jambon-beurre, fruit, and macarons; enjoy in Versailles gardens.

Day 6: Your Paris, Your Way

• Foodie deep-dive: Choose a guided tasting in Montmartre or Notre Dame area like the Gourmet Food Tour with 7+ Dishes & Wines for a progressive meal of charcuterie, cheeses, pastries, and regional wines.

  

• Alternative ideas: Canal Saint-Martin’s iron footbridges and indie boutiques, Musée de l’Orangerie’s Monet water lilies, or a croissant-baking workshop.

• Paris hotels: Browse stays on Hotels.com or apartments via VRBO. Specific picks: The Ritz Paris (palatial, for landmark stays), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (creative, hilltop), Hotel du College de France (Left Bank value), or Generator Paris (budget-friendly, stylish common spaces).

Amboise (Loire Valley)

Your Loire base is Amboise, a riverfront town crowned by a cliff-perched château. Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years here; his residence, Clos Lucé, displays models of his inventions in leafy gardens.

Four days let you mix marquee castles with vineyards, bike paths, and troglodyte cellars. Market days bring goat cheeses (Sainte-Maure), rillettes, and crisp Vouvray—perfect for riverside picnics.

Day 7: Morning Train to the Loire + Town Walk

• Paris → Amboise: Morning departure. Fastest is TGV from Paris Montparnasse to St-Pierre-des-Corps, then TER to Amboise; total ~1h40–2h, from ~€25–€45 if booked early on Omio Trains. Buses exist but take longer (Omio Buses).
• Orientation: Stroll the Loire embankment, the Château d’Amboise ramparts, and Clos Lucé gardens. Pop into Caves Duhard for a tasting in cool stone cellars; learn how the Loire’s diverse soils shape Chenin Blanc.

Days 8–9: Castles & Gardens

• Chenonceau: A 16th-century marvel arcing over the River Cher. Reach it by TER from Amboise to Chenonceaux (about 20 minutes; ~€5), then a short walk. Explore kitchens, the Medici gallery, and flower-filled grounds.
• Chambord & Cheverny: Chambord’s double-helix staircase (inspired by Leonardo) and roofline chimneys are unforgettable. Combine with Cheverny for classical interiors and a renowned hound kennel. Renting a car for the day is most flexible; otherwise look for seasonal shuttles from Blois.
• Villandry: Renaissance parterres laid out like embroidery—best in late afternoon light. Pair with a tasting stop in Vouvray for sparkling méthode traditionnelle.
• Active option: Cycle the Loire à Vélo between Amboise and Montlouis; flat paths, river views, frequent tasting rooms.

Day 10: Food & Wine of the Loire

• Tasting focus: Compare dry Vouvray, demi-sec, and moelleux Chenin Blanc; contrast with Cabernet Franc from Chinon and Bourgueil. Ask cellars for a terroir flight to sense tuffeau limestone in the glass.
• Lunch & pastries: Pâtisserie Bigot (since 1913) for tarte Tatin or chocolat Bigot. Le Lion d’Or for a refined set lunch. Les Arpents for modern French plates and a Loire-centric wine list.
• Dinner picks: L’Ecluse (seasonal riverside menu), La Fourchette (cozy, classic sauces), or a picnic with market finds—local strawberries in spring are outstanding.

• Amboise stays: Browse Hotels.com and VRBO. Consider Château de Pray (country-house elegance), Novotel Amboise (pool, families), or Hotel Bellevue (steps from the river).

Aix-en-Provence

Aix rustles with plane trees and fountains; painters chased its special light for centuries. Base here to wander Cézanne’s footsteps, browse farmers’ stalls on Cours Mirabeau, and strike out to the Luberon, the Sainte-Victoire foothills, or the Mediterranean calanques.

Five days give you markets and museums at an easy tempo, with room for hill towns (Gordes, Roussillon) and a seaside day in Cassis if weather smiles.

Day 11: TGV South + Old Town Aperitif

• Amboise → Aix-en-Provence: Morning transfer. TER to St‑Pierre‑des‑Corps, TGV to Aix‑en‑Provence TGV; ~5–6 hours total with 1 change. Advance fares from ~€60–€110 on Omio Trains. Alternative: overnight in Avignon and continue by regional train.
• First taste of Aix: Cours Mirabeau’s café terraces, mossy fountains, and sundown apéritif. Nibble anchovy tapenade, olives, and socca-style chickpea bites at a wine bar near Place des Cardeurs.

Days 12–13: Aix Essentials & Cézanne

• Markets: Richelme square mornings for goat cheeses, sun-gold tomatoes, and lavender honey; flower market by the Hôtel de Ville. Buy calissons at Pâtisserie Béchard and pastries at Patisserie Weibel.
• Cézanne day: Atelier de Cézanne (his preserved studio) and the Terrain des Peintres viewpoint toward Montagne Sainte‑Victoire. If you like a stretch, take a half‑day walk on the Sainte‑Victoire trails—bring water and a hat.
• Eat & drink: Coffee at Mana Espresso; lunch at La Tomate Verte (market‑led plates). Dinner at Le Formal (inventive tasting menus) or Mitch (excellent seafood). For a casual cheese-and-wine supper, head to Fromagerie du Passage’s upstairs bar.

Days 14–15: Luberon Villages and the Mediterranean

• Luberon loop: Gordes (limestone village cascading down its rock), Roussillon’s ochre trail (short signed walk through flame-red cliffs), and Bonnieux or Lourmarin for lunch. Best with a rental car; otherwise join a local minivan tour. Market days: Lourmarin Fri, Apt Sat, L’Isle‑sur‑la‑Sorgue Sun (antiques).
• Calanques of Cassis: Weather permitting, boat to Calanque d’En‑Vau for turquoise coves hemmed by limestone cliffs, or hike the coastal paths. Pair with a glass of crisp Cassis AOC white and a seafood platter on the harbor.
• Provence flavors: Try aïoli platters, daube Provençale (slow‑braised beef with orange and olives), and rosé from Sainte‑Victoire. For a final dinner, Le Poivre d’Âne on Place des Cardeurs is lively and dependable.

• Aix hotels: Compare options on Hotels.com and VRBO. Notables: Villa Gallici Hotel & Spa (sumptuous gardens), Aquabella Hotel & Spa (spa and pool by old ramparts), or Hôtel Le Mozart (great value near the center).
• Departing France: From Aix‑en‑Provence TGV, trains reach Paris Gare de Lyon in ~3h10 (Omio Trains). If flying out of Marseille (MRS), it’s ~30–45 minutes by shuttle/taxi; check fares on Omio Flights.

Optional Paris Add‑Ons (swap into Days 1–6 if desired)

• Hands-on pastry: Learn lamination in a small-group Paris Croissant Baking Class.

  

Booking cheat sheet: Long-distance trains and intercity buses: Omio Trains and Omio Buses. Flights to/from Europe: Omio Flights. Paris, Amboise, and Aix hotels on Hotels.com and apartments via VRBO (repeat for each city).

In 15 days, you’ll trace France’s greatest hits—from moonlit bridges and museum halls to castle gardens and sun-washed village squares. The TGV does the heavy lifting; you set the pace, graze the markets, and gather memories one glass and golden hour at a time.