France in 2 Weeks: Your Ultimate Backpacking Guide

France Two Weeks Itinerary

Day 1 - 2: Paris (3 nights)

More often than not, you will start off your trip in Paris, where most flights fly into, so it is our first destination for the itinerary in Paris. Although the city has been getting a bad rap for not being very welcoming, it is still a wonderful city to explore, and you will need at least 2 full days to see it all.

First and foremost, begin your day with a stroll around the Eiffel Tower and its surrounding parks. The Palais de Chaillot has a platform where you will have a nice view of the Eiffel Tower. You can also go up the Eiffel Tower, but I would recommend against it because there are much better views of the city than from up there. Plus, you won't get to see the cityscape with its most iconic landmark if you go up the Eiffel Tower.

A much better place, in my opinion, is to go up the Arc de Triomphe instead. From up there, you will be able to get a view of the city with the Eiffel Tower. Additionally, it is less crowded up there, and there is no need to stand in line.

Another great view of the city is from the Pont Alexandre III bridge, where you can see both the Eiffel Tower and the Seine river together in one frame. Be sure to also walk a little bit south from the bridge, where you will find the vast garden with stunning architecture that is the Army Museum.

In the late afternoon, go for a walk along the Seine River where the famous architectural wonders of Notre Dame and the Sainte Chapelle are located. Be sure to check out one of the oldest bookstores in Paris, the Shakespeare & Company bookstore, which is rather lively in the evening. You can also spend a night out in this area, where you can enjoy excellent wine, delicious food, and the vibrant nightlife of Paris.

For the second day, you can spend a day shopping on the Champs Élysées street or, if you are like me and not so interested in shopping, visit the Catacombs instead. You might have to wait a while to get inside the catacombs as the queue can be quite long, even during shoulder season, but the experience will be worth it.

You can also spend a day like I did, hitting up all the hipster places around the city, away from tourists.

Looking for a complete guide to Paris? Check out:10 Hipster Things To Do in Paris

Day 3 - 4: Rennes (2 nights)

Rennes does not have much going on for tourists like us, but it is near one of the most popular attractions in France: Mont Saint Michel. Rennes is the cheapest place to base yourself while you spend a day in Mont Saint Michel. You can take the first train from Rennes train station at 9:45 AM and the last one at 14:45 back to Rennes. The trip will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, so you will have around 4 hours to spend, which is quite enough to see Mont Saint Michel.

Day 5: Mont Saint Michel (day trip)

Mont Saint Michel is quite a sight to behold. It is a fortified island located in Normandy with over 60 buildings in the commune, which is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country, and for good reason. Its fairy-tale-like architecture, unique location, and carefully constructed commune inside make you feel like you just traveled back in time in some fantasy novel.

The island also has two sides to it that travelers like us can enjoy - one during low tide and another during high tide. If you align your visit during low tide, you will be able to see vegetation, animals, and have a chance to walk on the muddy beach to see the island from different angles. On the other hand, if you align your visit during high tide, you will be able to see a beautiful reflection of the island against the blue sky, which makes the place even more photogenic than before.

Day 6 - 7: Bordeaux (2 nights)

From Rennes, you can take a train down south to Bordeaux, the wine capital of France. If you enjoy good wine, there is no better place to be than here. However, if you are not interested in wine, Bordeaux's historical center is worth a visit all by itself. Bordeaux's historical center consists of an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble from the 18th century, with one of the highest numbers of preserved historical buildings in France, second only to Paris.

One of my favorite architectural sites in Bordeaux is the Place de la Bourse and its iconic reflecting pool, making it an amazing spot for photos. I would recommend visiting the square twice: once in the early morning when the light shines on the building, and again at sunset when the city starts to light up. With the combination of the reflecting pool, artificial light, and calm winds, the square creates a truly memorable sight to behold.

There are also the Pont de Pierre stone bridge, the great bell of Bordeaux, and Rue Ste Catherine street that you can explore when you are here.

For a more detailed look at Bordeaux, be sure to check out:8 Best Things to Do in Bordeaux

Day 8 - 10: Avignon (3 nights)

Avignon is a stunning city full of antiquity, medieval castles, and old towns to explore. Right off the bat, you can see the stunning Palais des Papes fortress towering over the city, where you can stroll around on your first day in Avignon. You can also drop by Rocher des Doms and the Cathedral, which are in the same area as the fortress.

At night in the summer, there will be an impressive light show explaining the history of Avignon that you can attend. They use the fortress courtyard to project colorful imagery that teaches you about how the city came to be and the bloodbath it had to go through to become the city that it is today. This is the best way to learn the history of Avignon in one go.

The second day, I would recommend you to leave early in the morning and take a bus to Arles, a beautiful Roman city located an hour away from Avignon. In this city, you can indulge yourself in the medieval history of France through the historical architecture that is scattered around the city, such as the Arles Amphitheatre and the many buildings around the old square.

Arles is also a good city for you to take it slow and explore on foot. Walk along the crisscrossing streets of Arles, visit the Roman monuments, or check out all the Roman artifacts at the Musée de l'Arles Antique.

For more information about Avignon, check out:8 Best Things to Do in Avignon

Day 11 - 13: Chamonix (3 nights)

After city-hopping for the longest time, it is time for you to go and explore the natural side of France. Chamonix is a mountain town in the Alps at the junction of Switzerland, Italy, and France. It is the perfect place to use as a base to launch yourself into the French Alps. One of the best hiking trails you can do here is to combine the Grand Balcon Sud trail with the Lac Blanc trail to create a one-day epic hiking trail that will take you through one of the most stunning forests, grand viewpoints, and a magnificent alpine lake.

The Grand Balcon Sud trail is a trail that runs alongside a mountain above Chamonix. The view you get from this trail is one of the best you can get for a day hike in Chamonix. With its mostly exposed trail, you will be able to see Chamonix, the mountain range behind it, and Mont Blanc all at the same time.

For the Lac Blanc trail, you will be able to see the alpine lake hidden in the French Alps. If you are there when the wind is calm, you might get to witness the beautiful reflection of the French Alps in the lake, creating a surreal symmetrical view of the mountain range.

On your second day, you can take it slow and instead of going for another hike, take a cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi station and take a look at the French Alps from the other side. You will also be able to see the entire trail you did yesterday from up here.

For a more detailed guide, check out:The Ultimate Day Hiking Guide in the French Alps

Day 14 - 16: Lyon (2 - 3 nights)

Last but not least, we are visiting the second largest city in France, Lyon. Lyon is best known for its cuisine, historical architecture, and its vibrant creative scene. You can spend the first day exploring all the historical buildings of Lyon, starting with a climb up the Fourvière hill and visiting the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

It is a little bit of a walk, but it is worth it. From the top, you will be able to see one of the best views of the city from the platform near the Basilica. Be sure to also explore the Ancient Theatre, a remnant of Roman times on the Fourvière hill behind the basilica.

After visiting the basilica, you can take a leisurely stroll down Fourvière hill and into Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), one of the oldest districts in the city. Here, you will find several old buildings from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries that were erected during the silk industry boom in Lyon.

While at Vieux Lyon, make sure to spend some time exploring the Traboules, narrow passageways that were used by silk workers to access the water of the Saône River. Some passageways are open to the public for exploration.

Lyon also played a great role in cinema history with the invention of cinematography by Auguste and Louis Lumière, so be sure to check out the Musée Miniature et Cinéma located in the 5-story high 17th-century building in Vieux Lyon.

The museum contains over 300 authentic props from movies in the last 50 years. They have a dinosaur used in Jurassic Park, and the full-size Alien Queen prop from the movie Alien. It was a fun, interesting, and unique experience that you can't find anywhere else.

Why Visit France?

France, the romantic country of numerous art and architectural wonders, excellent gastronomy, and fine wine, has seduced countless travelers from all walks of life for many generations.

With its iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, known even to children in countries on the opposite side of the world, the intriguing slow life of rural France, and the epic adventure that awaits you in the French Alps, you will experience travel in its raw, authentic, and fullest potential from all imaginable aspects. For a single trip to one country, that is pretty much what you could ask for.

When to Visit France?

April - June or August - September are the best times to be in France, as these are the shoulder season periods. During this time, you can still enjoy a nice warm temperature and colorful nature all around you without having to deal with peak season crowds, ridiculously long queues, and overpriced hotels and tours.

How to Get to France?

France is very well connected both within Europe and from everywhere else. If you are traveling from Asia or the Middle East, I would recommend flying Emirates Airline as they are reasonably priced, connected midway through Dubai, and they provide one of the best services out there. If your route isn't provided by Emirates, you can find more flight ticket discounts on Wego.

If you are traveling from within other European countries, the fastest way to reach France is via the European train system of your country of origin. Germany, Switzerland, and Spain have very well-connected train systems that will allow you to travel across the border without any problems. For more information about the train, visit Seat61.com.

How to Get Around France?

Within big cities like Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux, you have quite a few options with their local transit systems. The metro and trams are perfect for short distances within the city.

For intercity travel, the most affordable and reliable way is to use bus companies like Flixbus, which is much cheaper than other transportation options. If you are looking for the fastest way to get to places, the SNCF train is your best bet, but it can get very expensive, especially with its fast TGV lines.

Another cheap but less reliable option is to travel with Blablacars, a carpooling service that is significantly cheaper than the trains and buses, but you will have to organize a pickup location with the driver yourself.

Daily Budget

Traveling here can be quite expensive and isn't necessarily budget-friendly, though there are still options to manage costs. You can expect to spend around $50 - $70 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.

Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.

What to Pack for France?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to France:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
• Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
• Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
• Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Europe? Check out:What to Pack For Europe: The Essential Packing List

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in France while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Tiqets is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for France

I hope you found this guide helpful in your trip planning. If you want to read more about France, I have written a few more travel guides, all listed here:

• Are you traveling to France as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Paris is one of the most popular destinations in Europe and one of the most overcrowded cities as well, but it doesn't have to be. Here are the 10 Hipster Things to Do in Paris.
• Bordeaux is a city known for its wine, laid-back vibe, and beautiful architecture. Here's a 8 Best Things to Do in Bordeaux.
• Avignon, the city of antiquity, is hard to miss when you are planning a trip to France. Here's a complete guide on 8 Best Things to Do in Avignon.
• Looking to go hike in the French Alps? Don't go without seeing this guide: The Ultimate Day Hiking Guide to the French Alps.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• You can also watch my France travel video here: "Dear France" travel video.
• To see all articles about France, visit France Travel Guide page.
• Looking for a place to go after France? How about Spain, Germany, or Switzerland? Visit our Spain travel guide page, Germany travel guide page, and Switzerland travel guide page for more.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Western Europe Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.

This post is created in collaboration with Wego.co.ae.