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 Aisne Marne American Cemetery are in your itinerary. Musee De Cluny and Left Bank (Rive Gauche) are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Change things up with these side-trips from Paris: Fontainebleau (Chateau de Fontainebleau & Fontainebleau Forest (Foret de Fontainebleau)), Réunion des Musées Nationaux et Grand Palais (in Rueil-Malmaison) and Chartres Cathedral (in Chartres). There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of La Grange aux Dimes, see the interesting displays at Musee du Verre, step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Gaillon, and identify plant and animal life at Arboretum des Grandes Bruyères.

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.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Cite medievale de Perouges and Fabrique de Biere Les Ursulines. Get some historical perspective at Jardin des Fontaines Petrifiantes and Vieux Saint-Vincent. Explore Lyon's surroundings by going to Chalmazel - Pierre-sur-Haute (in Chalmazel), Berger Laurent (in Saint-Vincent-en-Bresse) and Col du Beal (in Saint-Pierre-la-Bourlhonne). Spend the 27th (Wed) exploring the underground world of Grottes du Cerdon -Parc de Loisirs Prehistoriques. There's still lots to do: see exotic creatures in open habitats at Safari de Peaugres, do a tasting at Chateau de Chasselas, get outside with Chateau d'Oliferne, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Montagne du Dun.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Lyon day trip site.

Fly from Paris to Lyon in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In June, daily temperatures in Lyon can reach 30°C, while at night they dip to 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 8th (Sun) to allow time for travel back home.