France is a nation where sport, culture, and conviviality naturally meet. From Paris’s world‑famous arenas to Lyon’s riverside parks and bouchons, this 7‑day itinerary balances stadium tours, hands‑on museums, and neighborhood wanders with standout cafés and restaurants.

You’ll spend the first four days in Paris, exploring icons like Roland‑Garros and Parc des Princes, the Cité des Sciences, and classic sights from Montmartre to the Seine. Then ride the TGV to Lyon for three days of traboules, the Parc de la Tête d’Or, Groupama Stadium, and the gourmet wonderland of Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse.

Practical notes: Book major tours and match tickets in advance, especially on weekends. Trains between Paris and Lyon run frequently (about 2 hours). French dining skews later; many spots take reservations. This plan highlights family‑friendly, active days, but it’s equally fun for grown‑up sports fans.

Paris

Sport pulses through Paris—from the monumental Stade de France to the intimate red clay of Roland‑Garros. Between arena visits, wander storied neighborhoods, cruise the Seine, and refuel at modern cafés and classic bistros.

• Top sights and activities: Stade de France tour, Roland‑Garros museum and grounds, Parc des Princes tour, Cité des Sciences, Musée d’Orsay, Montmartre, Seine cruise, Jardin d’Acclimatation.
• Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Paris or Hotels.com Paris. Great bases: Marais (lively), Saint‑Germain (classic), Canal Saint‑Martin (creative), or near Jardin des Tuileries (central).
• Getting to Paris: Search flights on Omio (Flights). If you’re already in Europe, compare trains on Omio (Trains).

Day 1: Arrival, Marais Meander, and a Seine Welcome

Morning: Fly or train into Paris. If arriving early, drop bags and stretch your legs in the Jardin des Tuileries or along the Île de la Cité.

Afternoon: Settle into the Marais. Coffee at tiny, photogenic Boot Café (cardamom buns when fresh) or Café Kitsuné in Palais‑Royal’s arcades. Grab a casual, crowd‑pleasing lunch at L’As du Fallafel (order the fried eggplant add‑on) or Breizh Café for buckwheat galettes and salted‑caramel crêpes.

Evening: Take a one‑hour Seine cruise at sunset for a first sweep of Notre‑Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. Dinner at Bouillon Julien (Belle Époque room, bargain French classics like boeuf bourguignon and île flottante) or Bistrot Paul Bert for pepper steak and proper cheese service. Early night to sync with local time.

Day 2: Stade de France and Cité des Sciences

Morning: RER to Saint‑Denis for a Stade de France tour (about €18; check event blackout dates). Walk the players’ tunnel, step pitchside, and see the locker rooms of the national team and major headliners.

Afternoon: Metro to Parc de la Villette. Lunch at My Little Libya (generous couscous) or A la Bière comme à la Bière (craft brews, sandwiches). Dive into the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie—hands‑on exhibits, a planetarium, and rotating sports/tech displays keep kids and adults busy for hours.

Evening: Stroll Canal Saint‑Martin. Book Le Verre Volé (wine bar with seasonal small plates) or dine at Les Enfants Perdus (modern bistro near the canal). Gelato at Pozzetto or a crêpe from a nearby stand for a sweet walk home.

Day 3: Roland‑Garros, Bois de Boulogne, and Parc des Princes

Morning: Head to the leafy 16th for the Roland‑Garros museum and stadium tour (roughly €20–€25). Learn how Paris’s clay courts became tennis legend; the small museum is dense but accessible.

Afternoon: Lunch at Auteuil Brasserie (sunny rooftop if weather cooperates) or simple baguette sandwiches from Maison Pichard. Then tour Parc des Princes (about €24) for a PSG‑flavored look at tunnels, press room, and the stands; on match days, swap the tour for pre‑game fan zones.

Evening: Family time at Jardin d’Acclimatation—gentle rides, a mini‑farm, and playgrounds in the Bois de Boulogne. Dinner nearby at La Fontaine de Mars (old‑school Gascon fare; book) or try Bouillon Pigalle back in the 9th for quick, affordable classics.

Day 4: Montmartre, Art, and an Arena Night

Morning: Climb to Montmartre before the crowds. Coffee at KB CaféShop (roastery‑level espresso, excellent granola bowls) and a detour to Rue de l’Abreuvoir for a postcard view. Visit Sacré‑Cœur and the quieter vineyard of Clos Montmartre.

Afternoon: Art fix at the Musée d’Orsay—Impressionist masterworks in a grand former station. Late lunch at Cocorico fried chicken or a sit‑down at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (single‑menu steak‑frites, swift service).

Evening: Check if there’s a PSG home game or a concert at Accor Arena; otherwise, a twilight stroll by the Louvre pyramids is magic. Dinner at Le Servan (bright, Asian‑accented French plates) or Chez L’Ami Jean for robust Basque cooking; reserve either.

Lyon

Lyon blends Roman roots, Renaissance lanes, and contemporary riverside life. It’s France’s capital of gastronomy, with a strong sports culture anchored by Olympique Lyonnais and abundant green spaces for running, cycling, and boating.

• Top sights and activities: Groupama Stadium tour, Vieux Lyon and traboules, Fourvière Basilica, Parc de la Tête d’Or (lake, zoo, botanic gardens), Musée des Confluences, Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse.
• Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Lyon or Hotels.com Lyon. Best areas: Presqu’île (central), Vieux Lyon (atmospheric), Part‑Dieu (transport hub).
• Paris → Lyon travel: Take a TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part‑Dieu (about 2h; €25–€80 if booked early) via Omio (Trains). Budget buses can take 6–7h; compare on Omio (Buses).

Day 5: TGV to Lyon, Vieux Lyon, and Bouchon Classics

Morning: Depart Paris on a morning TGV. Grab train‑friendly pastries from Du Pain et des Idées or Stohrer before you go.

Afternoon: Check in, then cross the Saône into Vieux Lyon (UNESCO). Explore cobblestoned lanes and hidden traboules once used by silk workers. Gelato at Nardone or pistachio praline brioche at Pralus.

Evening: Dine at a traditional bouchon: Le Bouchon des Filles (lighter takes on Lyonnaise staples), Café des Fédérations (rustic, communal vibe), or Le Poêlon d’Or (pike quenelles in Nantua sauce). For a nightcap, try Antoinette Pain & Vin for good‑value Rhône crus.

Day 6: Groupama Stadium, Les Halles, and Parc de la Tête d’Or

Morning: Tour Groupama Stadium, home of OL—press zones, pitch views, and club history (check schedules around match days). Coffee beforehand at Slake Coffee (house‑roasted) or Loutsa Torréfacteurs.

Afternoon: Feast your way through Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. Don’t miss Mère Richard (Saint‑Marcellin), Maison Sibilia (rosette de Lyon), and Chez Léon for oysters. Walk it off in Parc de la Tête d’Or: rent a rowboat, visit the free zoo, and cruise the bike paths.

Evening: Sunset along the Rhône’s floating barges; casual drinks at Le Sirius. Dinner at Daniel et Denise (chef‑driven bouchon, order the pâté en croûte) or Le Kitchen Café for seasonal tasting menus with a gentle Scandinavian touch.

Day 7: Confluences, Croix‑Rousse, and Departure

Morning: Tour the dramatic Musée des Confluences (futuristic architecture and engaging science/culture exhibits). Brunchy coffee at Puzzle Café or a quick praluline from Pralus for the road.

Afternoon: If time allows, funicular to Fourvière for sweeping city views or a short stroll through street art‑rich Croix‑Rousse. Then head to Part‑Dieu or the airport. Compare returns on Omio (Trains) or flights via Omio (Flights).

Evening: In transit. If overnighting, celebrate with Brasserie Georges near Perrache—since 1836, serving choucroute and house‑brewed beers in a grand dining hall.

Daily café and meal ideas at a glance (Paris): Morning: Coutume Café, Café Kitsuné; Lunch: Breizh Café, L’As du Fallafel, Bouillon Julien; Dinner: Le Servan, Bistrot Paul Bert, Bouillon Pigalle.

(Lyon): Morning: Slake Coffee, Loutsa; Lunch: Les Halles de Lyon vendors (Mère Richard, Sibilia, Merle oysters); Dinner: Le Bouchon des Filles, Daniel et Denise, Le Poêlon d’Or.

In one energizing week, you’ve sampled France’s sporting heart—from Paris’s legendary arenas to Lyon’s proud club culture—while savoring river walks, science museums, and unforgettable meals. Keep this itinerary handy for future match calendars and seasonal festivals; both cities reward repeat visits in every season.