43 days in Paris, Nantes & Lyon Itinerary

A beautiful and romantic city fit for any itinerary, Paris brims with historic associations and remains vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.

Museum-lovers will get to explore Louvre Museum and Musee d'Orsay. Shop till you drop at Champs-Elysees and Life Drawing Montmartre. Explore Paris' surroundings by going to Les Sables du Cul du Chien (in Noisy-sur-Ecole), Espace Culturel Paul Bedu (in Milly-la-Foret) and Evasion Canine (in Fontainebleau). On 13th (Sun), while away the hours contemplating the architecture of Palace of Versailles. Next up on the itinerary: take a stroll through Le Marais, appreciate the extensive heritage of Montmartre, head off the coast to Île de la Cité, and contemplate the long history of Eiffel Tower.

For reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Paris trip planner.

Lagos, Nigeria to Paris is an approximately 13-hour flight. Plan for cooler temperatures traveling from Lagos in January, with highs in Paris at 8°C and lows at 1°C. On the 15th (Tue), you're off to Nantes.

Regarded as an art and history city, Nantes is called the Venice of the West.

Museum-lovers will appreciate Les Machines de L'ile and Musee Jules Verne. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne and Place Graslin. Get out of town with these interesting Nantes side-trips: Awelys Spa Privatif (in Rennes), Canal d'Ille-et-Rance (in Dinan) and Plage de Pen Bron (in La Turballe). And it doesn't end there: hike along Sentier des Douaniers, enjoy the sand and surf at Petite Plage de Kervoyal, play a few rounds at Golf de la Bretesche, and stop by Guerlais Chocolatier,.

To find photos, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Nantes trip builder tool.

You can fly from Paris to Nantes in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In February in Nantes, expect temperatures between 11°C during the day and 3°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Wed) so you can fly to Lyon.

Lyon is a historical city with a vibrant cultural scene as the birthplace of cinema, the silk capital of the globe, and the second biggest Renaissance city following Venice.

Visiting Resonance Canyon and Parc Naturel Regional Du Vercors will get you outdoors. Get a sense of the local culture at Colline de Fourviere and Galerie Estades Lyon. Get out of town with these interesting Lyon side-trips: Les Pertes de le Valserine (in Bellegarde sur Valserine), Orgues Basaltiques (in Saillant) and Parc d'Activites de Montagne de Praboure (in Saint-Antheme). And it doesn't end there: get outside with Parcours Aventure, see some colorful creatures with Profil Plongee, glide through natural beauty at Station Autrans-Meaudre en Vercors, and admire the masterpieces at Musee de Grenoble.

To see more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Lyon trip planner.

You can fly from Nantes to Lyon in 3 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 10°C in February, and nighttime lows around 1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Tue) so you can travel back home.