A Two-Week Southwestern France Itinerary

Wine, Chateaux, and History

Eager to plan a memorable trip around Southwestern France but feeling a bit uncertain on where to begin, what to see, the budget, or the length? Consider this itinerary your personal travel advisor with all of your answers, laying out all the essential information to plan for an extraordinary 14-day adventure. This journey will let you experience all of the big city activities, museums, nightlife, and delicious food that you've been eager to see.

If you follow this guide, you'll find historic towns, famous chateaux, 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:

1. Paris (2 days)
2. Le Mans (1 day)
3. Centre and Loire Valley (2 days)
4. Nantes (2 days)
5. La Rochelle (2 days)
6. Bordeaux (3 days)
7. Biarritz (2 days)

The Louvre, Paris

Itinerary Highlights

• Great for couples
• Family-friendly
• Good for backpackers and budget travelers
• Delicious Food
• Small Town Charm
• Historic Sites
• Big City Activities
• Museums
• Beaches
• Beautiful Locations

Indulging in delectable cuisine is a major motivator for travel, and a visit to Southwestern France is no different. Brace yourself for an abundance of outstanding restaurants and local dishes that are simply a must-try. In particular, make sure you visit the restaurants in Nantes, La Rochelle, and Paris.

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. In particular, make sure you visit La Rochelle for that quintessential small town charm.

You'll also be able to uncover the rich and vibrant history of Southwestern France. Don't miss the chance to explore the historic architecture, museums, and deep historical culture that permeates the area.

This region is also very popular for its world-class cities adorned with sights, attractions, vibrant nightlife, enticing restaurants, shopping, and more. On a trip through the area, you'll be able to spend time exploring these dynamic cities and everything they have to offer. Make sure you specifically visit Paris if you love urban vibes.

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 Nantes, La Rochelle, and Paris, the museums offer great experiences.

You can't pass up a trip to the area, especially for its fantastic beaches. Imagine yourself lounging on the sandy shores, soaking up the good vibes, and taking it easy in the water. The beaches in the vicinity of Biarritz are unmissable gems.

Southwestern 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 Bordeaux, Paris, and Nantes for the beautiful scenery.

Bordeaux

When is the best time to visit?

You can easily dive into the vibrant energy of summer in Southwestern 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.

Spring is a terrific time to visit Southwestern France. You'll find plenty of natural beauty, great weather, and inspiring destinations.

Autumn in Southwestern France offers a cooler climate, breathtaking natural landscapes, and the added perk of dwindling tourist crowds as the season unfolds. Consider this time of year for a visit if you are able to work it into your schedule.

Who is this itinerary for?

Southwestern 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. Especially visit La Rochelle, Nantes, and Paris 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 Nantes, Paris, and Biarritz.

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 and Biarritz can especially help your budget.

La Rochelle, France

Transportation

Getting from one destination to another in Southwestern 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 Biarritz 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 Biarritz instead of Paris. To get to Paris, you can see flight prices and schedules here.

To navigate this itinerary with ease, do it with a car. If you aren't in a position to bring your own, no problem, just rent a car. Having your own vehicle in Southwestern France means you're in control of your schedule and can make pit stops whenever you feel like it.

The train network in Southwestern France offers a hassle-free and economical way to explore the region. Major cities are well-connected with swift train services, though reaching smaller towns might involve additional time and potential transfers to local buses. Opting for main routes ensures a straightforward journey, allowing travelers to relax and take in the beautiful views from their seats. It's advisable to plan ahead by checking ticket prices and schedules for a smooth travel experience.

Is 14 days enough time in Southwestern France?

Yes, 14 days should give you ample time to explore the key destinations in Southwestern 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 14 days to truly appreciate everything.

Chateaux of the Loire Valley, France

How much does a 14-day trip to Southwestern France cost?

Let's break down the estimated budget for this specific 14-day adventure in Southwestern France, assuming you stick to the plan outlined below. Drawing on actual spending data from travelers and cost data from major travel companies, the daily average costs below are per person. They exclude transportation, as that can vary depending on your choices. Consider this breakdown as a financial roadmap, with mid-level hotels, regular dining, and key attractions aligning with these estimates. Anyone seeking cheaper options can opt for hostels, budget hotels, and more affordable food options. On the flip side, embracing luxury hotels, upscale dining, and private tours will make you go well beyond this budget.

The estimated cost for this 14-day adventure in Southwestern France is approximately $2,118 per person, according to our calculations. It's worth noting that this does not cover transportation between destinations. That part is entirely dependent on your chosen mode of travel.

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 Southwestern France based on calculated averages.

Hotel Prices

The average price for a hotel room in each destination is outlined below. Sourced from Kayak's hotel data, it's crucial to recognize that these figures exclude taxes and fees. Think of these averages as representative of mid-range hotel experiences, yet, keep in mind, that it's possible to spend more or less, particularly if you opt for budget-friendly lodgings or indulge in high-end luxury hotels. These prices will usually be higher during peak travel season, too.

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.

Southwestern France Itinerary

1. Paris

2 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.

Notice: Undefined index: beauty in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 206

Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 207

Fatal error: Uncaught DivisionByZeroError: Modulo by zero in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php:207 Stack trace: #0 /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/itineraryarticle.php(1106): TemplateGenerator->getContent() #1 {main} thrown in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 207