Eastern France 10-Day Itinerary
Wine, Food, and the Countryside
Dreaming of a phenomenal trip around Eastern France but feeling a bit overwhelmed on where to begin, the ideal destinations, the budget, or the timeframe? This itinerary will let you take in all of the museums, delicious food, beautiful locations, and couples. Let this be your travel guide, providing everything you need to put together a fantastic 10-day journey around the region.
While visiting Eastern France, you'll find local wineries, delicious food, gorgeous countryside, and historic towns. We've put together plenty of specific plans below, starting with with the many reasons why you should visit this amazing region. We then cover estimated costs, where to stay, the route, and things to see and do along the way.
This itinerary will take you through the following destinations:
- Lyon (2 days)
- Beaune (2 days)
- Dijon (3 days)
- Auxerre (1 day)
- Paris (2 days)
Paris, France
Itinerary Highlights
- Great for couples
- Family-friendly
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Delicious Food
- Small Town Charm
- Big City Activities
- Historic Sites
- Beautiful Locations
Many travelers embark on journeys with the pursuit of mouthwatering cuisine, and Eastern France is no exception. This trip promises a plethora of exceptional restaurants and local delicacies that demand a taste. The food in Beaune, Dijon, and Lyon is especially delicious.
Don't miss out on exploring the lovely and quaint small towns scattered throughout the region. You'll have a wonderful opportunity to engage with the local culture while tasting delicious food and soaking in the history.
Eastern France is known for its large cities full of sights, attractions, nightlife, restaurants, shopping, and more. By taking some time to explore some of the larger cities, you'll not only have a fun trip, but you'll get a chance to experience the unique culture and vibrant city attractions. With plenty of big city activities, Lyon and Paris shouldn't be missed.
So much history is to be found in Eastern France. Don't miss the historic architecture, museums, and charming vibe of the area.
One of the primary attractions in Eastern France is its jaw-dropping scenery, drawing visitors from far and wide. Make sure to pack your camera because seeing it in person is better than you've heard. You don't want to miss Paris and Lyon for the beautiful scenery.
Beaune, France
When is the best time to visit?
Autumn is quite nice in the area. The weather is a little cooler, the natural scenery is stunning, and the tourist crowds are usually gone by this time of year.
When summer rolls around, Eastern France becomes a hotspot, buzzing with activity. Anticipate a lively atmosphere with plenty of visitors; however, the silver lining is that during this time, everything is accessible and ready for exploration.
Who is this itinerary for?
Traveling as a couple? Let's dig into the romance in Eastern France. It's renowned for being an ideal destination for couples, offering an enchanting atmosphere. If you're journeying with your significant other, get ready for a treat. For romantic charm, Dijon, Beaune, and Lyon especially should not be missed.
Looking for a perfect family-friendly destination? Look no further than Eastern France, where a multitude of kid-friendly activities awaits to make your trip an absolute delight. In the various sections below, we'll discuss this even more. For example, families love all of the activities in Paris and Lyon.
If you're watching your wallet or embarking on a backpacking escapade, the area has got you covered with a range of budget-friendly options. From economical hostels and budget hotels to free activities, affordable eats, and a vibrant social atmosphere, your trip is set to be fantastic without breaking the bank. For example, the range of hostels and low-cost activities in Lyon and Paris tend to favor budget travelers.
Auxerre, France
Transportation
It's fairly easy to get between these destinations in Eastern France, as most of these places are an average of 3 hours apart.
We've planned this as a one-way journey from Lyon to Paris because it covers a lot of distance and the transportation options are good in both places. However, you could always loop back to the beginning if it's easier. Also, you can do this route in the opposite direction if you find better tickets into Paris instead of Lyon. To get to Lyon, you can see flight prices and schedules here.
A great way to get around with this itinerary is by car. If you don't bring your own, you'll definitely want to rent a car to get from place to place. This will give you the most freedom and flexibility on your trip through Eastern France, as you'll be able to set your own schedule and stop when you want.
Traveling by train through Eastern France is not only easy, but also affordable and efficient. While trains connect major cities very quickly, getting to smaller destinations can sometimes take a little more time. Some smaller towns may even require connecting to local buses. But generally, it's easy to get around if you stick to the main routes, and you'll be able to sit back and admire the views out the window. Check out the ticket prices and schedules ahead of time, too.
Is 10 days enough time in Eastern France?
Yes, 10 days provides a comfortable window to explore the major attractions in Eastern France. Our meticulously planned itinerary ensures you can absorb the essence of each destination, creating a trip that's not only enjoyable but also leisurely. If you find yourself yearning for more local flavor, extending your stay or dedicating extra time to specific areas is an option. With an array of day trip possibilities, flexibility is key. Conversely, for those with time constraints, consider adjusting this proposed itinerary for a condensed yet fulfilling experience. While cutting out a few stops is feasible, we recommend aiming for around 10 days to truly savor everything.
Lyon, France, as viewed from the Saone River
How much does a 10-day trip to Eastern France cost?
The estimated budget breakdown for this 10-day trip through Eastern France is shown below. This budget is based on our daily average travel costs which come from the spending habits of actual travelers along with cost data from major companies. The daily average costs are per person and do not include the transportation between destinations. These estimated costs are meant to be a guide. You can stay close to thse costs by staying at mid-level hotels, eating at normal restaurants, and paying for some of the main attractions in each location. It's possible to stay on a cheaper budget if you stay in hostels or budget hotels and eat at less expensive restaurants. It's also very easy to go over this budget by staying at high-end luxury hotels, eating at fancy restaurants, and taking private tours.
| City | Daily Average | Days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyon | $170 | 2 | $340 |
| Beaune | $224 | 2 | $448 |
| Dijon | $205 | 3 | $615 |
| Auxerre | $150 | 1 | $150 |
| Paris | $286 | 2 | $572 |
| Total per person | $2,125 | ||
| for 2 People | $4,250 | ||
From these calculations, the estimated cost for this 10-day itinerary of Eastern France costs $2,125 per person. This does not include the transportation between destinations, as that cost will vary depending on your chosen option.
Accommodation Costs
Trying to figure out how much you'll pay for hotels on this trip? Below is the expected cost for accommodations for this trip through Eastern France based on calculated averages.
Hotel Prices
For your accommodation costs, the average hotel room price for each destination is shown below. This hotel cost data is calculated from the prices of hotels provided by Kayak, and do not include taxes and fees. The average prices represent typical mid-range hotel rooms, but it's always possible to spend more or less than this average if you stay in budget-friendly or high-end luxury hotels, respectively. Also, during peak travel season, these prices will usually be higher.
| City | Average Hotel Room Price | Days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyon | $92 | 2 | $184 |
| Beaune | $119 | 2 | $238 |
| Dijon | $82 | 3 | $246 |
| Auxerre | $87 | 1 | $87 |
| Paris | $126 | 2 | $252 |
| Total expected hotel cost* | $1,007 | ||
Hostel Prices
Looking to be budget-savvy on your journey? Hostels are an excellent choice, especially for the younger crowd or solo adventurers. The prices provided below outline the average costs for a dorm bed in a hostel in each destination. Yes, you might sacrifice a bit of privacy in a hostel dorm, but the lively atmosphere often turns these shared spaces into social hubs, offering fantastic opportunities to forge new connections. Keep in mind that many hostels also provide private rooms, albeit at a higher cost than dorms, coupled with additional amenities such as kitchens, social activities, and strategic locations. These average prices are calculated from available hostel data thoughtfully provided by HostelWorld.
| City | Average Hostel Dorm Price (per person) |
|---|---|
| Lyon | $26 |
| Paris | $35 |
Eastern France Itinerary
1. Lyon
2 Days
Lyon is a beautiful city with a long history. It has one of Europe's best old towns, which climbs the hills above the River Saône and is filled with character. There are many traditional restaurants where you can try the local cuisine. The city is also known for its Marionette puppets and there is a museum as well as places to watch a production.
Many travelers come to Lyon because it has big city activities, museums, nightlife, delicious food, and beautiful locations. It's also a great place for families and backpackers due to all of the activities.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Lyon has many famous sights for visitors. You'll want to make a plan of how to see everything on your list. Set aside at least enough time to see the highlights.
Lyon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants.
Lyon has one of the best historic old towns in the country, so you should absolutely spend some time exploring the streets and shops.
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