A 10-Day Northern France Itinerary
Champagne, Small Towns, and Historic Sights
Thinking of mapping out an incredible journey around Northern France? If you're feeling a bit lost on the starting point, the must-visit spots, the budget, or the ideal timeframe, then this itinerary is for you. This trip will let you experience the big city activities, museums, nightlife, and delicious food along the way. Consider this guide your compass and roadmap for your upcoming adventure, providing all the details to craft an extraordinary 10-day trip in the region.
If you follow this guide, you'll find historic towns, local wines, delicious food, and beautiful countryside. All of the specific planning information you need will be covered below, such as the route, expected budget, activities, and where to stay.
This itinerary will take you through the following destinations:
- Paris (3 days)
- Lille (2 days)
- Reims (3 days)
- Strasbourg (2 days)
Lille, France
Itinerary Highlights
- Great for couples
- Family-friendly
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Historic Sites
- Delicious Food
- Small Town Charm
- Museums
- Beautiful Locations
Northern France is a treasure trove of history waiting to be discovered. Make sure to soak in the richness of the area through its historic architecture, museums, and charming atmosphere. It's an experience you can't miss.
Indulging in delectable cuisine is a major motivator for travel, and a visit to Northern France is no different. Brace yourself for an abundance of outstanding restaurants and local dishes that are simply a must-try. Dining opportunities in Paris, Reims, and Lille are particularly amazing, so plan ahead.
It's essential not to bypass the picturesque and charming small towns in the region. They grant you a superb opportunity to embrace and enjoy the local culture.
Along this itinerary, you'll discover a number of fantastic museums waiting to be explored, so be sure to carve out some time to see them. When it comes to Paris and Strasbourg, the museums offer great experiences.
Northern France pulls in visitors for its breathtaking scenery, a key highlight of the region. Don't forget your camera - trust me, the real-life experience is even more awe-inspiring. You don't want to miss Lille, Reims, and Paris for the beautiful scenery.
Paris, France
When is the best time to visit?
As summer unfolds in Northern France, it becomes a magnet for travelers seeking a memorable experience. Brace yourself for bustling crowds, but take comfort in the fact that this is when everything is open and at its peak accessibility.
If you can, consider visiting during autumn. This is when the weather takes on a slightly cooler edge, the natural scenery transforms into a breathtaking spectacle, and, as an added bonus, the tourist crowds typically dissipate by this time of year.
Who is this itinerary for?
Northern France has earned a reputation as a go-to spot for couples. If you're traveling with your better half, brace yourselves for an exceptional experience. Down below, you'll find plenty of insight around romantic activities for your trip. Especially visit Paris, Strasbourg, and Reims for the enchanting atmosphere.
If you're planning a family getaway, the area is an absolute winner for a fantastic, kid-friendly trip. There's a wide variety of activities tailored for the little ones. We'll dig into more details below. In particular, make a point to visit Paris.
This area offers a myriad of travel choices perfect for those on a budget or backpacking adventure. Whether it's budget-friendly hostels, affordable hotels, free activities, pocket-friendly dining, or the lively social scene, you're in for a fantastic trip even if you're pinching pennies. Spending more time in Paris can especially help your budget.
Strasbourg, France
Transportation
Getting from one destination to another in Northern France is generally easy, with the majority of these places being approximately 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.
Traveling around with this itinerary is easy if you have a car. If you didn't bring your own wheels, go ahead and reserve a rental car. Having your own set of wheels gives you total freedom and flexibility in Northern France since you can roll on your own time and pull over whenever the mood strikes.
Efficient and budget-friendly, train travel through Northern France is a breeze, swiftly linking major cities while smaller destinations may require a bit more time, possibly involving transfers to local buses. Stick to the primary routes, and you'll find it easy to navigate, offering ample opportunities to sit back and appreciate the picturesque scenery outside your window. Don't forget to check ticket prices and schedules ahead of your trip.
Is 10 days enough time in Northern France?
Yes, 10 days should give you ample time to explore the key destinations in Northern France. Our carefully crafted itinerary ensures you can savor these locales at a leisurely pace, making your trip both relaxed and enjoyable. Of course, if you're eager for more local experiences, feel free to extend your stay or delve deeper into each spot. Day trip options abound, offering flexibility. Conversely, if time is tight, you can customize this suggested itinerary for a shorter yet fulfilling visit. While trimming destinations is an option, we recommend sticking to around 10 days to truly appreciate everything.
Reims, France
How much does a 10-day trip to Northern France cost?
Below is a budget breakdown for this exciting 10-day journey across Northern France. Our cost estimates are based on the average daily expenses of real travelers, coupled with data from major companies. Keep in mind, these costs are per person and exclude transportation between destinations. Consider this a helpful guide, because opting for mid-level hotels, regular dining, and covering main attractions will keep you on par with these averages. For those on a tighter budget, hostels and budget hotels, along with more affordable dining options, can keep you below these estimates. Conversely, indulging in luxury accommodations, upscale dining, and private tours might push you well above this budget.
| City | Daily Average | Days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | $286 | 3 | $858 |
| Lille | $159 | 2 | $317 |
| Reims | $175 | 3 | $524 |
| Strasbourg | $186 | 2 | $371 |
| Total per person | $2,071 | ||
| for 2 People | $4,143 | ||
The anticipated expenses for this 10-day journey in Northern France tallies up to $2,071 per person. Keep in mind that this figure excludes the cost of moving between destinations, as that will depend on the transportation option you use.
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
The average price for a hotel room in each destination is outlined below. Calculated from Kayak's hotel data, please note that taxes and fees are not factored into these figures. Consider these prices as a gauge for mid-range hotel experiences. Yet, keep in mind that it's easy to spend more or less, especially if you opt for budget-friendly stays or treat yourself to high-end luxury hotels. During peak travel season, these prices will also be higher.
| City | Average Hotel Room Price | Days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | $126 | 3 | $378 |
| Lille | $82 | 2 | $164 |
| Reims | $93 | 3 | $279 |
| Strasbourg | $91 | 2 | $182 |
| Total expected hotel cost* | $1,003 | ||
Hostel Prices
Seeking to stretch your travel dollars? Hostels are a fantastic option, especially for younger or solo travelers. The prices outlined below represent the average cost for a dorm bed in a hostel at each location. While privacy may be a bit limited in hostel dorms, the ambiance is usually social, creating a wonderful opportunity to form new friendships. Keep in mind that many hostels also offer private rooms, but at a higher cost compared to dorms. Moreover, you can benefit from amenities such as communal kitchens, social activities, and convenient locations. These average prices are computed using available hostel data from HostelWorld.
| City | Average Hostel Dorm Price (per person) |
|---|---|
| Paris | $35 |
| 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 brings plenty of visitors because it has big city activities, museums, nightlife, delicious food, and beautiful locations. It's also a great destination for couples, families, and backpackers because of everything available.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Paris are among the most recognizable in the world. You'll want to make sure to have at least enough time to see the highlights, but even more time to explore all of it.
One of the best things to do in Paris is to see a show, and people come from around the world for the theater scene.
For foodies, Paris is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world.
After a day of exploring, you'll want to head out in the evening for a lively nightlife experience. After all, this is one of the most popular nightlife spots in the world.
The music scene here is popular and famous around the world. Make sure to take some time to see a show.
Shopping here is always fun and a very popular activity, so set aside some time to browse the local shops.
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