7-Day France Road Trip from Lyon traveling north to Auxerre, Paris, and Fontainebleau

Photo of summer view over Vieux Lyon, with famous cathedral Fourviere, and Croix Rousse in Lyon, France.
Perfect travel plans
Everything included
Fully customizable

Description

Summary

Duration
7 days & 6 nights
Available
Jan. - Dec.
Hotel
6 nights included
Car rental
7 days included
Flights
Optional
Travel app
All vouchers, itinerary, & map

Description

Have the adventure of a lifetime with this 7-day road trip through France.

This incredible self-drive vacation package will take you through the best destinations in France. With this perfectly planned travel package, you will stay 2 nights in Lyon, 1 night in Auxerre, 2 nights in Paris, and 1 night in Fontainebleau, experiencing the ultimate road trip in France. Your road trip will enable you to discover the country's most popular attractions and restaurants in Lyon, Auxerre, Villepreux, Paris, Chelles, and Fontainebleau. We'll help you experience the best 7 days in France you can imagine so you can leave happy and inspired.

Upon arriving in Lyon, you'll collect the rental vehicle of your choice. From there, you'll be off to discover some of the most popular attractions in France, including the stunning Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum.

You'll have an extensive selection of accommodations to choose from throughout your road trip. We've handpicked the best hotels and places to stay across the country, catering to all budgets. Whether you're in the mood for luxurious five-star hotels or cozy, budget-friendly accommodations, we've got you covered.

Your road trip will bring you close to the best attractions and most incredible sights in France. From the magnificent Arc de Triomphe to the breathtaking Champ de Mars and Palace of Versailles, your journey will take you on a thrilling adventure through some of the most iconic travel destinations in the country. Your discovery doesn't end there. As you hit the open road and drive through Lyon, Auxerre, Villepreux, Paris, Chelles, and Fontainebleau, you'll also have plenty of opportunities to uncover hidden gems and experience the authentic charm of France. Whether you're exploring enchanting small towns, discovering scenic routes, or indulging in local cuisine, there's always something new and exciting to experience in France.

Add tours and tickets to each day of your trip to make the most of your time in France. You'll have the opportunity to choose from the best tours and activities that your travel destinations have to offer, meaning you'll never have a boring moment on your road trip through France.

Your travel plan itinerary also gives you multiple opportunities to look for souvenirs to memorialize your road trip in France.

You'll return home having experienced the very best of everything France has to offer. Each twist and turn of the journey adds a unique charm to your travel tales.

You can customize each day of your road trip vacation itinerary with flexible trip planning before and after booking. Enjoy the benefits of exploring all these great attractions at your own speed.

Your travel plan includes everything you need to experience the best of France. You'll be booked at the best hotels for 6 nights, with plenty of top-rated breakfast and restaurant options nearby. We'll provide you with the best car rental for 6 days during your self-drive road trip, including CDW insurance.

You'll have access to 24/7 travel support, a personal travel agent, and a step-by-step guide via our flexible mobile app. All taxes are included in your vacation package price. You can choose and add your flight preferences as needed. Make your vacation in France extra special by adding tours and tickets to each day of your itinerary.

The best services in France fill up quickly, so book your spot early. Select a date and start planning your self-drive road trip in France today!

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Included

Hotel, 6 nights
Rental car, 7 days
CDW Insurance
Step-by-step guide
Personal travel agent
24/7 travel support

Destinations

The City of Lyon in the daytime.Lyon / 2 nights
Paris, France. Panoramic view from Arc de Triomphe. Eiffel Tower and Avenue des Champs Elysees. Europe.Paris / 2 nights
Dijon - city in FranceDijon
Auxerre - city in FranceAuxerre / 1 night
Fontainebleau - city in FranceFontainebleau / 1 night
Photo of Villepreux is a commune in the Yvelines department in north-central France.Villepreux
Photo of the Chelles canal lock, France.Chelles

Map

Attractions

Photo of Eiffel Tower in Paris, France best Destinations in Europe.Eiffel Tower
Photo of beautiful summer view of Louvre Museum, one of the world's most important museums, historic monument and parisian landmark, Paris, France.Louvre Museum
Photo of Disneyland Paris castle, France.Disneyland Paris
Photo of Arc de Triomphe  Early in the morning with the French flag, France.Arc de Triomphe
Photo of Champ de Mars view from top of Eiffel tower looking down see the entire city as a beautiful classic architecture, France.Champ de Mars
Photo of the Sacred Heart (Sacre Cœur Basilica),on Montmartre hill, Paris, France.Sacré-Cœur
Photo of Versailles palace outside Paris at sunset, France.Palace of Versailles
Photo of Luxembourg gardens and palace with puffy clouds in Paris, France.Jardin du Luxembourg
Photo of Corner of the Tuileries Garden with flower bed and alley with sculptures in Paris in springtime, France.Tuileries Garden
Photo of the Musee d'Orsay is a museum in Paris, France, on the Left Bank of the Seine.Musée d'Orsay
Photo of the greenhouse of the Parc de la Tete d'Or, Lyon, France.Parc de la Tête d'Or
Photo of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on a bright afternoon in Spring, France.Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Photo of The Panthéon is a monument in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France.Panthéon
Aerial view of The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and Lyon city.The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is a minor basilica in Lyon.Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
photo of the equestrian monument of King Louis XIV in Place Bellecour at morning in Lyon, France.Place Bellecour
Saint Jean Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste) in Lyon, France, EuropeLyon Cathedral
Porte des Enfants du Rhône
Dijon central indoor market hall
Arquebuse Botanical Garden, Dijon, Côte-d'Or, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Metropolitan France, FranceArquebuse Botanical Garden
Palais de la Bourse de Lyon
Church of Our Lady, Dijon, Côte-d'Or, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Metropolitan France, FranceChurch of Our Lady

Travel details

Travel dates
Jan 1 - Jan 7

Include flights?

Yes
No

Flights

Round trip
Economy
Round trip
Economy

Travelers

Rooms

1 traveler1 room
1 traveler1 room

Flights
Yes
No

Round trip
Economy
Round trip
Economy

Car
Yes
No

Car

Small car

Small car

Category
small car
Transmission
People
Large bags
Medium car

Medium car

Category
Medium
Transmission
People
Large bags
Premium car

Premium car

Category
premium car
Transmission
People
Large bags

Hotels

Personalize your itinerary

Day 1 – Lyon - arrival day

Day 1

Day 1 – Lyon - arrival day

  • Lyon - Arrival day
  • More
  • Place Bellecour
  • More

You could visit attractions like the incredible Place Bellecour. This attraction is a square and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 20,560 visitors.

Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Lyon, L Bar food & drink. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 2,758 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Lyon is Bouchon Tupin. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 969 customers.

Locals recommend L'Institut Restaurant as one of the best restaurants in the city of Lyon. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 853 customers.

Lyon also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Lyon is The Phantom of the Opera. This bar has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 514 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Lyon is Black Forest Society. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 500 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 7-day vacation in France!

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Experiences

Day 2 – Auxerre

Day 2

Day 2 – Auxerre

  • Lyon
  • Auxerre
  • More

Drive 314 km, 3 hours 34 min

  • Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
  • Lyon Cathedral
  • Porte des Enfants du Rhône
  • Parc de la Tête d'Or
  • More

Today, you'll hit the road once again, setting off on a journey towards the stunning city of Auxerre. You’ll stay in Auxerre for 1 night.

This much-appreciated minor basilica and attraction is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 25,765 visitors.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating Lyon Cathedral. This catholic cathedral and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 11,228 visitors.

We also recommend you spend some time at the popular Porte des Enfants du Rhône to make the most of your road trip across France. The spectacular Porte des Enfants du Rhône is a park that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,967 visitors.

The lovely parc de la Tête d'Or is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 50,621 visitors have left this park average ratings of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Auxerre offers plenty of options for top-rated hotels and other places to stay that fit all travel budgets.

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in France!

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Experiences

Day 3 – Villepreux and Paris

Day 3

Day 3 – Villepreux and Paris

  • Paris
  • Villepreux
  • More

Drive 206 km, 2 hours 45 min

  • Palace of Versailles
  • Eiffel Tower
  • Champ de Mars
  • Tuileries Garden
  • Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
  • More

Rise and shine on day 3 of your road trip in France. Today, you'll wake up in Auxerre and embark on a scenic drive to Paris, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 2 nights. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Auxerre and Villepreux before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Auxerre. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Cathédrale Saint-Étienne d'Auxerre - Baie 129. This attraction is a stained glass window that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,232 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Abbey of Saint-Germain d'Auxerre. This attraction, a beloved place of worship, has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 569 visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Auxerre is the stunning Église Saint-Eusèbe. This church and travel destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 129 visitors.

Wave goodbye to Villepreux and continue your journey by car. If you want to break up today’s drive into two, take the opportunity to stop and discover what the city of Villepreux has to offer.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Palace of Versailles. This attraction is a château that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 119,665 visitors. Around 4,741,758 people visit Palace of Versailles every year.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Villepreux, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Paris. When you arrive in Paris you’ll check in at one of the best hotels in the area.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Restaurant Guy Savoy. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,143 customers.

Locals also recommend Le Bistrot Du Perigord, another of the best restaurants in Paris. Le Bistrot Du Perigord is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 584 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Kitchen Galerie Bis. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 512 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Le Calbar to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Paris, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 775 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Little Red Door. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Little Red Door has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,722 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in France, and look forward to more great days to come!

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Experiences

Day 4 – Paris

Day 4

Day 4 – Paris

  • Paris
  • More

Drive 22 km, 1 hour 23 min

  • Sacré-Cœur
  • Louvre Museum
  • Musée d'Orsay
  • Arc de Triomphe
  • More

On day 4 of your road trip, you’ll start and end your day in Paris, but spend part of the day exploring places of interest outside the immediate city. You still have 1 night left in Paris.

Today you'll explore the city of Paris. One of the best travel destinations you can make time for at the start of this day is Louvre Museum. As one of the top sights in the area, around 2,825,000 people visit this attraction every year. This incredible attraction is an art museum and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 260,788 visitors.

Musée d'Orsay is another popular attraction you'll visit in the city of Paris. This spectacular attraction is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 71,115 visitors. Musée d'Orsay attracts about 3,651,616 travelers annually.

Another of the best travel destinations you can visit in the city of Paris is Arc de Triomphe. Attracting 2,743,823 annual visitors, it's clear that Arc de Triomphe is one of the top sights of the area. This amazing attraction is a triumphal arch and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 193,235 visitors.

To do something one-of-a-kind today, you can join a popular tour. Check out all the fun and eye-opening experiences you can try out in France to make your travel experience in the country more memorable.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll drive to your accommodation in the city of Paris.

We recommend eating at one of the best restaurants in the city of Paris, like Le Train Bleu. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 6,110 customers.

The Bombardier is another of the best restaurant options in the city of Paris. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,775 customers.

Locals enjoy Jules Verne, one of the most popular restaurants in the city of Paris. The restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,525 customers.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in the city of Paris, Experimental Cocktail Club. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,338 customers.

Raise your glass and relax after another big day of your road trip adventure through France!

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Experiences

Day 5 – Paris, Chelles, and Fontainebleau

Day 5

Day 5 – Paris, Chelles, and Fontainebleau

  • Paris
  • Fontainebleau
  • Chelles
  • More

Drive 115 km, 1 hour 51 min

  • Jardin du Luxembourg
  • Panthéon
  • Disneyland Paris
  • More

Day 5 of your road trip will take you to the city of Paris and the city of Chelles. You’ll stay in Fontainebleau for 1 night.

One of the best places to explore in the city of Paris today is Jardin du Luxembourg. This excellent attraction is an urban park that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 94,043 visitors.

We also recommend you visit the amazing Panthéon, an outstanding mausoleum, in the city of Paris. Around 43,649 travelers rated this attraction with 4.6 out of 5 stars.

To experience the local culture, see more of France, and meet new people at the same time, we highly recommend you go on a tour. You’ll find many top-rated and popular tours in the city, offering unique experiences that will inspire you. On this tour, you can go on an epic adventure to some of the best places to visit in France. You also get to admire popular places of interest.

You’ll have your choice of the best hotels and places to stay in the city of Fontainebleau.

Be sure to celebrate another day of your incredible road trip adventure through France with a toast!

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Experiences

Day 6 – Lyon

Day 6

Day 6 – Lyon

  • Dijon
  • Lyon
  • More

Drive 445 km, 4 hours 45 min

  • Dijon central indoor market hall
  • Church of Our Lady
  • Arquebuse Botanical Garden
  • More

Rise and shine on day 6 of your road trip in France. Today, you'll wake up in Fontainebleau and embark on a scenic drive to Lyon, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Fontainebleau and Côte-d'Or before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Fontainebleau. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Palace of Fontainebleau. This attraction is a château that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 21,054 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Diana Garden. This attraction, a beloved park, has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 536 visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Fontainebleau is the stunning Denecourt tower. This observation tower and travel destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 584 visitors.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Dijon central indoor market hall. This attraction is a best-rated sightseeing destination that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 3,007 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Church of Our Lady. This church and attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 858 reviews.

Another site you could visit today is the top-rated Arquebuse Botanical Garden. This park and travel destination is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,753 visitors.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Côte-d'Or, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Lyon. When you arrive in Lyon you’ll check in at one of the best hotels in the area.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Flair Restaurant. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 726 customers.

Locals also recommend Restaurant Gastronomique Christian Tetedoie, another of the best restaurants in Lyon. Restaurant Gastronomique Christian Tetedoie is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,459 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Les Fleurs du Malt le Bar "La Mise en Bière". This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,225 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Dam's Pub to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Lyon, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,373 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like The King Arthur. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. The King Arthur has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,312 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in France, and look forward to more great days to come!

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Experiences

Day 7 – Lyon - departure day

Day 7

Day 7 – Lyon - departure day

  • Lyon - Departure day
  • More
  • Palais de la Bourse de Lyon
  • More

Day 7 of your road trip in France is your departure day. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

This must-see tourist destination and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,206 visitors.

This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,373 customers.

The The King Arthur restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,312 customers.

If you'd prefer a popular restaurant that locals enjoy, try Le Mirtillo. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 526 customers.

We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in France!

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Experiences

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