A Two-Week Northern France Itinerary
Champagne, Small Towns, and Historic Sights
Ready to plan an incredible trip around Northern France but unsure where to begin, how to get around, or what kind of budget you'll need? This itinerary has all of the details, offering everything you need to lay out your fantastic 14-day adventure. The region is full of big city activities, museums, nightlife, and delicious food, and this journey will let you experience all of it.
The reasons to visit Northern France are plentiful. You'll find historic towns, local wine, delicious food, and beautiful countryside. Below we'll start with some of the highlights of the area before working through the specifics of the route, budget, things to do, where to stay, and more.
This itinerary will take you through the following destinations:
- Paris (3 days)
- Giverny (1 day)
- Rouen (2 days)
- Lille (2 days)
- Reims (3 days)
- Strasbourg (2 days)
Rouen, France
Itinerary Highlights
- Great for couples
- Family-friendly
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Historic Sites
- Delicious Food
- Small Town Charm
- Museums
- Beautiful Locations
So much history is to be found in Northern France. Don't miss the historic architecture, museums, and charming vibe of the area.
Delicious food is one of the main reasons why many people travel, and a trip to Northern France is no exception. You'll find so many amazing restaurants and local dishes worth tasting on this trip, so throw that diet plan away when you come. The food in Paris, Lille, and Rouen is especially delicious.
Ensure you include visits to the region's delightful small towns in your plans. They present a fantastic chance to connect with and experience the local culture.
You'll find plenty of great museums along the way, so make sure you take some time to explore. The museums of Paris, Strasbourg, and Giverny are particularly good.
The stunning scenery of Northern France is one of the main reasons visitors come to this region. Bring your camera, as it's even better in person. You don't want to miss Giverny, Paris, and Rouen for the beautiful scenery.
Strasbourg, France
When is the best time to visit?
You can easily dive into the vibrant energy of summer in Northern France, a season that attracts plenty of visitors. While crowds are part of the deal, the flip side is that all attractions and amenities will be at your fingertips, making it an ideal time to explore.
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.
Who is this itinerary for?
Northern France isn't just a fun destination, it's also a haven for couples seeking a romantic getaway. If you and your loved one are on this adventure together, you're in for a special treat. For romantic charm, Giverny, Paris, and Rouen especially should not be missed.
Northern France makes for a terrific family-friendly trip. You'll find a good number of kid-friendly activities on this journey. In the sections below, we'll cover this in more detail so that the entire family has an amazing trip. For example, families love all of the activities in Paris.
Plenty of budget-friendly and backpacker-friendly travel options are available in the area, too. From affordable hostels and budget-friendly hotels, to free activities, affordable food options, and a great social vibe, you can have a great trip if you're on a shoestring budget. For example, the range of hostels and low-cost activities in Paris tend to favor budget travelers.
Lille, France
Transportation
Getting around between these destinations in Northern France isn't too difficult. Most of these places are around 3 hours apart.
We've planned this as a one-way journey from Paris to Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg instead of Paris. To get to Paris, 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 Northern France, as you'll be able to set your own schedule and stop when you want.
Traveling by train through Northern 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 14 days enough time in Northern France?
Yes, 14 days is generally enough time to see the major destinations of Northern France. We have planned out this itinerary in such a way so that you can take in these destinations in 14 days while having a relaxing and enjoyable trip. You could always spend more time in the area if you want to visit more of the local sights, or spend even more time in each destination. Plenty of day trip options are available, after all. On the other hand, if you have less time, you can modify this suggested itinerary to make it shorter. Cutting out a few places would save you time, although we don't recommended it as you really need around 14 days to see everything.
Reims, France
How much does a 14-day trip to Northern France cost?
The estimated budget breakdown for this 14-day trip through Northern 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | $286 | 3 | $858 |
| Giverny | $165 | 1 | $165 |
| Rouen | $147 | 2 | $295 |
| Lille | $159 | 2 | $317 |
| Reims | $175 | 3 | $524 |
| Strasbourg | $186 | 2 | $371 |
| Total per person | $2,531 | ||
| for 2 People | $5,061 | ||
From these calculations, the estimated cost for this 14-day itinerary of Northern France costs $2,531 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 Northern 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | $126 | 3 | $378 |
| Giverny | $150 | 1 | $150 |
| Rouen | $74 | 2 | $148 |
| Lille | $82 | 2 | $164 |
| Reims | $93 | 3 | $279 |
| Strasbourg | $91 | 2 | $182 |
| Total expected hotel cost* | $1,301 | ||
Hostel Prices
If you're on the lookout for budget-friendly options during your journey, hostels are a terrific option catering to younger or solo travelers. The prices listed below detail the average expenditure for a dorm bed in a hostel at each destination. While privacy may take a backseat in a hostel dorm, the vibrant atmosphere often transforms these shared spaces into social hubs, creating wonderful chances to meet up with fellow travelers. It's important to note that many hostels also offer private rooms at a slightly higher cost than dorms, with additional benefits like kitchens, social activities, and prime locations. These average prices are calculated from available hostel data from HostelWorld.
| City | Average Hostel Dorm Price (per person) |
|---|---|
| Paris | $35 |
| Rouen | $30 |
| Lille | $25 |
| Strasbourg | $28 |
Northern France Itinerary
1. Paris
3 Days
Paris is not only the capital city of France, but it is one of Europe's most iconic cities. For many visitors, its a dream destination that is filled with wide boulevards, charming cafes, and world class landmarks. The food is widely recognized as some of the best in the world. The city sits along the River Seine, and a stroll down the river at night is a quintessential Parisian experience.
Paris offers big city activities, museums, nightlife, delicious food, and beautiful locations. It's also a great place for couples, families, and backpackers due to all of the activities.
Travelers visit Paris from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. You'll probably have trouble prioritizing what to see with so many options, so it's best to make a plan.
The theater and performance venues in Paris draw crowds from around the world.
Eat your way through Paris, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from.
This is one of the most popular destinations in the world for nightlife. It's considered by many to be a fun party-oriented city, and is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once to experience.
The music scene here is popular and famous around the world. Make sure to take some time to see a show.
Since Paris is one of the premier shopping cities in the world, make sure you spend some time perusing the local shops.
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