1 week in Northern France
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France’s dense rail network makes it an amazing country to explore by rail. If you only have 1 week in France you can still pack in several incredible highlights by train. There’s a lifetime of things to see and do in France, but first time visitors should keep their journey focused around the capital and the North.
Itinerary highlights
Days 1 - 2: Paris
Venture to the top of the Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe for panoramic views over Paris.
Walk the Champs-Élysées to do some serious shopping.
Take an open-top boat cruise on the Seine.
Visit the Mona Lisa in the Louvre museum.
Walk the cobbled streets of Montmarte and take in the views from the Sacré-Coeur Basilica.
Day 3: Versailles
Savor Parisian pastries from a neighborhood bakery and stock up on picnic snacks before boarding the train.
Spend the day exploring the magnificent Palace of Versailles.
Enjoy a lovely picnic in the Louis XIV's pristine gardens.
Day 4: Rouen
Explore the ancient centre of Rouen, the capital of Normandy.
Visit the impressive Cathédrale Notre-Dame.
See Joan of Arc’s place of execution, the Place du Vieux-Marché.
Visit the house and gardens of Claude Monet in nearby Giverny.
Day 5: Bayeux
Take an early train to Bayeux, with a stop in Caen for lunch and to see Abbaye aux Hommes.
Check out the famous Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-metres long cloth depicting historic events from the 11th century.
Day 5: D-Day Beaches
Spend the day reliving the invasion of Normandy in 1944.
Take a short bus ride to Arromanches-les-Bains where you can visit the D-Day museum.
Visit Omaha Beach and the D-Day memorial.
Day 7: Mont Saint-Michel
Explore the island of Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular destinations in France.
Take your time visiting the ancient Mont Saint-Michel Abbey.
Consider a guided tour of the island to learn about its history.
Return to Paris by train in less than 4 hours (via Rennes).
