15 days in Lyon & South of France Itinerary

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.

On the 14th (Sun), appreciate the extensive heritage of Fourviere Hill, admire the landmark architecture of Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, and then stroll around Parc de la Tete d'Or.

For more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Lyon trip itinerary maker website.

Reykjavik, Iceland to Lyon is an approximately 9-hour flight. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Reykjavik to Lyon due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Reykjavik in April, expect Lyon to be somewhat warmer, temps between 20°C and 8°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Sun) early enough to travel to Nice.

Well-known for the beautiful views of its famous Promenade des Anglais waterfront, Nice is an ethnically-diverse coastal port city on the French Riviera and the fifth most populated city in France.

On the 15th (Mon), get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Marineland. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 16th (Tue): take in nature's colorful creations at Le Jardin Exotique d'Eze, then take some stellar pictures from Colline du Chateau overlook, then wander the streets of Vieille Ville, and finally make a trip to Promenade des Anglais.

To find photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Nice trip planner.

You can fly from Lyon to Nice in 3.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Traveling from Lyon in April, Nice is a bit warmer at night with lows of 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.

Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France.Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is a capital of prehistoric and cultural tourism. Start off your visit on the 17th (Wed): make a trip to Gorges de l'Ardeche and then explore the fascinating underground world of Grand Site de l'Aven d'Orgnac. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 18th (Thu): paddle through the water with a kayaking and canoeing tour and then Head underground at Grotte de la Salamandre.

For where to stay, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Vallon-Pont-d'Arc vacation builder website.

You can drive from Nice to Vallon-Pont-d'Arc in 4 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Traveling from Nice in April, plan for little chillier nights in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, with lows around 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Avignon.

An ancient town center surrounded by medieval ramparts, Avignon is a major city of Provence and a Mediterranean city in the Vaucluse department on the left bank of the Rhône River.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Fri): take in nature's colorful creations at Rocher des Doms, snap pictures at Pont d'Avignon, then explore the ancient world of Roman Theatre of Orange, and finally steep yourself in history at Palais des Papes.

Before you visit Avignon, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Traveling by car from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to Avignon takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and train; or take a bus. April in Avignon sees daily highs of 23°C and lows of 9°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) so you can drive to Sarlat-la-Caneda.

Sarlat-la-Caneda is the capital of the former Périgord Noir, now referred to as the Aquitaine region that is home to a historical area consisting of impeccably preserved 14th-century buildings and sites.

Explore hidden gems such as Roque Saint-Christophe Fort et Cite Troglodytiques and Grottes de Lacave. Bring the kids along to Parc Animalier de Gramat and Chateau des Milandes. Change things up with these side-trips from Sarlat-la-Caneda: Rocamadour (La Foret des Singes & Rocher des Aigles), Le Gouffre de Proumeyssac (in Audrix) and Grotte de Rouffignac (in Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac). The adventure continues: walk around Les Jardins de Marqueyssac and relax in the rural setting at Ferme de Grezelade.

To find other places to visit, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Sarlat-la-Caneda trip planning tool.

Drive from Avignon to Sarlat-la-Caneda in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and flight; or do a combination of flight and train. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from Avignon in April since evenings lows in Sarlat-la-Caneda dip to 5°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Mon) so you can go by car to Chasseneuil-du-Poitou.

On the 23rd (Tue), get in on the family fun at Futuroscope. On your second day here, get to know the resident critters at La Vallee des Singes.

To find reviews, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Chasseneuil-du-Poitou trip planner.

Drive from Sarlat-la-Caneda to Chasseneuil-du-Poitou in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. When traveling from Sarlat-la-Caneda in April, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou: temperatures range from 19°C by day to 6°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) so you can go by car to La Rochelle.

Driving on the narrow streets can be difficult in La Rochelle so walking or biking will give you the best view of the pale stone buildings that give the Vieux Port, or old port, a distinctly Mediterranean quality.

Attractions like Le phare de chassiron and Phare des Baleines make great kid-friendly stops. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Towers of La Rochelle and Port de Saint-Martin-de-Re. When in La Rochelle, make a side trip to see Clocher Observatoire in Saint Martin de Re, approximately Saint Martin de Re away. And it doesn't end there: observe the fascinating underwater world at Aquarium La Rochelle, head outdoors with La Rochelle Croisiere Haka, and kick back and relax at Plage de Chatelaillon.

To find ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, read our La Rochelle attractions planning website.

Getting from Chasseneuil-du-Poitou to La Rochelle by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a train. In April, plan for daily highs up to 19°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel back home.