Very often, we get questions like ‘Savi & Vid we have one week and we don’t want to do anything hectic. We just want to plan an itinerary for a relaxed vacation full of good food, good wine, and wonderful sites. Any ideas?’ on this website.
This itinerary of a week in France is dedicated to those of you who want a relaxing experience-filled vacation. We can promise it will leave you completely rejuvenated. Here’s a day-by-day itinerary for your convenience
Days 1 & 2 : Fly to Paris & explore Paris
We love Paris and there is never a dearth of things to do in this iconic city. If you have just 2-3 days in Paris we suggest doing the following
- Staying in a centrally-located hotel like Le Mathurin Hotel & Spa, which has many sites such as Louvre Museum and the Opera House at walking distance. The hotel also has a beautifully appointed Nuxe Spa if you have some spare time.
- If you’re celebrating a special occasion or you’re on your honeymoon, then you could also consider staying at Shangri La Paris, which offers great views of the Eiffel Tower.
- Spend a day walking by the Seine, visiting The Louvre, taking photographs of the Eiffel Towel from Trocadero and Av New York (don’t forget to go down the stairs right by the river). If you are travelling with kids then definitely check out the newly-opened Museum of Illusions (there is a similar one in Lyon, France as well :)) for a fun afternoon.
- The Eiffel Tower truly comes alive at night once it lights up and twinkles at the hour between 10 pm & 1 am. Make sure you opt for a meal in the area – you could also go for a meal to the first floor of the Eiffel Tower at Madame Brasserie. Choose a corner table and enjoy chef Thierry Marx’s food as you relish the view of Paris stretched out in front of your eyes at sunset.
- If you are staying in Paris for longer than 2 days, here are some excellent suggestions for 10 Offbeat Things To Do In Paris
Day 3 Take the train to Dijon, Burgundy
We love our road trips. However a lot of cities in Burgundy are completely pedestrianised and there are a lot of wine tastings on offer – since drinking and driving isn’t exactly a match made in heaven, it is best to opt for public transport. There is a direct train from Paris to Dijon – it takes 1.5 hours and is extremely convenient. You can book tickets here
Upon reaching Dijon, you can easily walk to your hotel if you don’t have heavy luggage. We suggest choosing Grand Hotel La Cloche – it is right in the city centre, a mere 10 minute walk from the train station. The hotel is luxurious. Rooms are spacious and well-appointed and offer beautiful views of the city centre. If you’re tired after the journey, have a leisurely meal at their lively restaurant Les Jardins – we would definitely recommend sampling their salmon tartare and desserts. If you have some spare time, you must check out their exclusive spa that is located inside a cave and offers a range of relaxing treatments. They also use unique skincare fashioned from Burgundy grapes – I’m talking Pinot Noir and Chardonnay scrubs and serums!
Once you’ve checked into the hotel and rested, you can spend the evening walking around the city centre. Make sure you book a tour at the Tourism Office to go up the Phillipe Le Bon Tower for €5. It is almost 300 steps to the top but the tower offers stunning views of the city of Dijon. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you can go to a nice restaurant in Dijon. Here are 5 of our favourite restaurants in Dijon with detailed descriptions about the kind of food on offer.
Day 4 Explore Dijon & surrounding vineyards
Dijon is the home of Dijon Mustard. You can book a shot mustard-making workshop at the Tourism Office and also visit some of the huge mustard stores in the city centre.
In the afternoon, take a short tram ride from the centre. Just 10 minutes later you will find yourself at walking distance from some of the most iconic vineyards of France. Here you can rent bikes with La Valo Vie to ride along Route Des Grands Crus starts in Dijon and goes through some of the most beautiful & famous vineyards in France. The route also goes through some beautiful picture-postcard villages and provides a special glimpse into rural France.
Don’t forget to wrap up your trip to Dijon with a truly memorable meal at Cibo. You will find all details about the spectacular restaurant in our article on 5 best restaurants in Dijon. We highly recommend putting this on your itinerary.
Day 5 Take the train to Beaune
After spending a few days in Dijon, the food capital of Burgundy, it is time to take a short train ride to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. Beaune is only a 15 minute train ride away, so it is possible to explore it on a day trip. But we recommend spending at least 1-2 nights in Beaune to truly experience the charming town and everything it has to offer.
Beaune is a very small town with only 20,000 inhabitants and it is extremely popular for wine tourism, so make sure you book your hotel and transfers well in advance. Try to stay at Hotel Le Cep – a unique hotel in a historic building that dates back to the sixteenth century. Rooms are spacious and luxurious with comfortable beds, indulgent baths, and ornate furnishings. Despite the modern amenities, the owner here has retained the historic character of the building with many sculptures and walls dating back to medieval times (LOVED the breakfast area). Staying here is like walking into a picture postcard where time stands still.
Once you have rested, take a relaxed walk around the historical centre of Beaune. Make sure you stop by the Hospices de Beaune to introduce yourself to the history of the area and check out the bright-yellow tiled roofs that are representative of Burgundy.
Day 6 Explore Beaune
It would be sacrilegious to come to this part of Burgundy and not go on a wine tasting tour. Some of the most expensive wines in the world are produced here in Burgundy and there are a number of tours on offer. We went for a group tour with Chemins De Bourgogne which took us to some beautiful wine cellars and vineyards in the area. You can sample some amazing wines here or pick a few bottles for friends and family back home.
If you’re looking for a nice restaurant for lunch or dinner in Beaune, Caves Madeleine is a beautiful eatery that offers a typical French experience with a 3 course menu that changes frequently. If you’re looking for a more laid-back meal or perhaps craving a pizza or a burger, then Le Monge is a relaxed restaurant that is very popular with locals and has a variety of options on the menu.
Day 7 Shopping In Paris
It is time to take the train back to Paris and shop your heart out. You can spend the day walking along The Avenue des Champs-Élysées for a mix of high-street and designer shopping. If you enjoy luxury shopping, then do check out the signature stores of luxury brands along Avenue Montaigne, Paris.
For discounted luxury shopping, you could also check out La Vallée Village near Paris. The open-air mall has a variety of luxury outlets ranging from Gucci and Fendi to CK and Lacoste. Try to go early as it gets crowded as the day goes on and make sure you carry your passport as you would need it to claim tax refunds. If carrying huge bags from shop to shop isn’t your idea of fun, you can also book the luxury package at La Vallée which includes transfers from Paris, hands-free shopping, and also additional discounts. Please also carry your passport and ask the boutiques to provide you with the tax refund forms (if your shopping is over EUR 100) which you can then show at the airport at the time of departure and receive a refund of around 12% of the cost of the product.
Day 8 Fly back home
It’s time to leave France after a week packed with sightseeing, exceptional food, amazing wine, and shopping – this itinerary of France promises a truly relaxing holiday that will leave you feeling completely rejuvenated.
We hope you visit Burgundy and experience it for yourself soon – if you have any questions leave them down below. Happy Travelling
The post 1 Week Itinerary for France : Culinary Paradise in Paris & Burgundy appeared first on Bruised Passports.
