44 days in Paris & 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.

Popular historic sites such as Chapelle Notre Dame de la Medaille Miraculeuse and The Trianons & The Hamlet are in your itinerary. La Grange aux Dimes and Aisne Marne American Cemetery are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Change things up with these side-trips from Paris: Réunion des Musées Nationaux et Grand Palais (in Rueil-Malmaison), Chartres Cathedral (in Chartres) and Fontainebleau (Chateau de Fontainebleau & Fontainebleau Forest (Foret de Fontainebleau)). There's lots more to do: admire the masterpieces at Musee De Cluny, explore the different monuments and memorials at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial, step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Gaillon, and visit Left Bank (Rive Gauche).

For more things to do, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Paris online visit planner.

Toronto, Canada to Paris is an approximately 10.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central European Standard Time (CET) is 6 hours. May in Paris sees daily highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Mon) so you can catch the flight 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.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Safari de Peaugres and Cite medievale de Perouges. Escape the urban bustle at La Roche de Solutre and Grottes du Cerdon -Parc de Loisirs Prehistoriques. Explore Lyon's surroundings by going to Berger Laurent (in Saint-Vincent-en-Bresse), Chalmazel - Pierre-sur-Haute (in Chalmazel) and Col du Beal (in Saint-Pierre-la-Bourlhonne). Spend the 5th (Thu) exploring nature at Parc Naturel Regional des Volcans d'Auvergne. There's lots more to do: steep yourself in history at Jardin des Fontaines Petrifiantes, learn about winemaking at Chateau De La Greffiere, take in the dramatic scenery at Cascade du Saut du Chien, and step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Chasselas.

To find photos, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, read Lyon trip planner.

You can fly from Paris to Lyon in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 30°C in June, and nighttime lows around 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 8th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.