Unsplash France
“Paris is always a good idea.”— Audrey Hepburn
Planning notes — I haven't been here yet. This page is my personal research for a future trip.
France offers world-class museums, incredible cuisine, diverse landscapes, and a depth of culture for a lifetime.
Why I Want to Visit
The art of living well — long bistro lunches, open-air markets with cheese and wine, galleries with the greatest art ever created, and diverse landscapes from the Alps to the Riviera.
Draft itinerary
Two weeks to experience the full range of what France offers:
- Paris (4 days) - The Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Montmartre, Le Marais, patisseries
- Loire Valley (2 days) - Fairy-tale chateaux, wines, countryside cycling
- Lyon (2 days) - Gastronomic capital, bouchons, traboules, old town
- Provence (3 days) - Lavender fields, hilltop villages, Aix-en-Provence markets
- Nice and the Riviera (3 days) - Promenade des Anglais, old town, day trips to Eze and Monaco
What I’m Most Excited About
- A morning lost in the Louvre
- Traditional bouchon dining in Lyon
- Driving through lavender fields in Provence
- Tasting wine at Loire Valley vineyards
Food spots on my radar
- Le Bouillon Chartier (Paris) — Historic 1896 bouillon restaurant in a Belle Epoque dining hall. 📍 Maps
- Daniel et Denise (Lyon) — Celebrated bouchon by award-winning chef Joseph Viola. 📍 Maps
- Chez Janou (Paris) — Provencal bistro in the Marais famous for its giant-bowl chocolate mousse. 📍 Maps
- La Petite Maison (Nice) — Refined Nicoise and Mediterranean cuisine in central Nice. 📍 Maps
- Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse (Lyon) — Legendary indoor food market with dozens of gourmet stalls. 📍 Maps
Hotels I’ve shortlisted
- Hotel des Arts Montmartre ★★★ (Paris) — Boutique hotel at the foot of Montmartre with rooftop panoramic views. View →
- Hotel Le Boulevardier ★★★ (Lyon) — Stylish hotel in Presqu’ile. View →
- Hotel La Perouse ★★★★ (Nice) — Carved into Castle Hill with Baie des Anges views. View →
- Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais ★★★ (Paris) — Charming 18th-century themed boutique hotel in Le Marais. View →
Experiences I’m considering
- Paris Walking Tour: Montmartre, Le Marais & Latin Quarter — Guided walk through Paris’s most charming neighborhoods. 3h. View →
- Loire Valley Castles Day Trip from Paris — Chambord, Chenonceau, and Amboise chateaux with wine tasting. 12h. View →
- Provence Lavender Fields Tour from Aix-en-Provence — Lavender fields of Valensole and Sault with hilltop village stops. 8h. View →
- Lyon Food Tour: Bouchons & Local Gastronomy — Bouchons, food markets, and artisan producers in the old town. 3.5h. View →
- Versailles Palace Skip-the-Line Guided Tour — Skip-the-line access to Hall of Mirrors, Royal Apartments, and gardens. 4h. View →
Getting Around & Where to Stay
Airports, transport, taxis, hotels & useful apps for France
Places on my radar
Some links on this page are affiliate links — I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Wine tasting in Bordeaux & Versailles day trips
Skip-the-line Louvre tours, Seine river cruises, and champagne tastings.
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Italy
Jesolo beaches and a day trip to Venice — gondolas, fritto misto, and cycling the lagoon. My honest, first-person guide to this quiet corner of Italy.
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