14 Days In France

France is such a unique mix of romance and grit. All throughout history the French people have had a love of art, wine, and food. They have also experienced a lot of war and violence in their country. Everywhere you go you can see the influences of all of these things, blended into something that is uniquely French. It is something you must experience at least once in your life if you get the opportunity! I was fortunate to get to take a road trip around France. Though not nearly enough time to see everything France has to offer, I did cover quite a bit of ground during my 14 days in France. 

3 Days in Beaune, France

I flew into Charles de’ Gaulle airport in Paris, grabbed a car, and headed south to the small medieval town of Beaune. Beaune is located in the Burgundy region and is most famous for its wine. I stayed here for 3 days which is plenty of time to explore the area. 

I found an incredibly charming airbnb a few blocks from downtown. It was an old house that has been fully updated inside, while still preserving the old gardens and stonework on the outside. It was very much what you would expect to find in a quaint small French town and I loved it!

The town of Beaune is small and walkable, though I do recommend a car to drive through the countryside while there. There are never ending fields of grapevines and lots of small little French villages to see. The countryside of France is like what you see in the movies. Incredibly charming, old, and that classic loveable French farm style.

Walking the streets of Beaune was my favorite part of my short stay. You can see the old ramparts of the city up close, along with the simple but stunning medieval architecture. Every street has its own unique stone work and beautiful gardens and flowers. Beaune really is a sight to see!

If you are a foodie like me you will love Beaune! In fact, the food and wine is what lured me to France in the first place and I was not disappointed. The restaurants there are top notch- even for France! And the markets are bursting with fresh locally produced produce and meat. This was my first time in France and I learned pretty quickly that most places close for a few hours in the afternoon. Yep, even the markets and restaurants. So if you want to eat midday you better plan ahead. 

One must see while in Beaune is the famous old hospital. The Hospices de Beaune dates back to the 15th century and has since been converted to a really cool museum. It’s known for its brightly tiled roof which is typical of gothic Burgundy architecture. You can tour the buildings and courtyard to get a glimpse into French history.

And the wine… what do you even say about the wine? Everyone, and I mean everyone, in Beaune produces wine. Many of the families there have small old vineyards and bottle their own. In fact my Airbnb host shared some of his family produced wine that was absolutely amazing. It was a real treat! 

I love trying new wines and there was no shortage of wines to try here. If you are a wine aficionado like me then be warned there are many types and ages of wines that are unfamiliar. And the language barrier doesn’t help. Wine tasting in France is different than at home in the United States. You won’t find the small pours or flights that you are used to. You will find glasses. So make sure you hydrate and eat lots of delicious French food to keep you going! 

Beaune was a great start to my 14 days in France. But after a few days of great wine, food, and French culture it was time to move on to the next stop. Lyon, France is the gastronomic capital of the world and has a fascinating history. I was very excited to explore this special city for the next three days. 

3 Days in Lyon, France

Since I traveled to France primarily for the cuisine I had to visit Lyon. This classic European city sits where the Seine and Rhone rivers meet. It’s a beautiful city with waterways weaving through the tall buildings. 

Lyon has an interesting history. In World War 2 Lyon was a main hub of the French resistance. The city has a network of tunnels and secret passageways called traboules that were used during that time. Unfortunately Lyon was bombed often because of this, so much of its old architecture was lost during the war. You can still find some beautiful remnants of the old city though.

Lyon is pretty walkable with walking paths crossing the rivers connecting the main neighborhoods. I stayed in a unique Airbnb that was a modern cave-like apartment carved out of the hillside. Many of the buildings were built into hillsides with long stone staircases winding through and around them to little tucked away homes. It was fun to explore the neighborhoods and get exercise at the same time! 

One must see in Lyon is St. John’s Cathedral (Cathedrale Saint Jean Baptiste de Lyon) . The construction of this massive cathedral began in 1180 and incorporates renovations throughout the successive periods. You don’t have to be religious (I’m not) to appreciate the stunning architecture of St. John’s Cathedral. You can easily spend an afternoon here taking in all of the intricate details and gazing upon many different mediums of art.

The cathedral is located in Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon) which is another place you want to visit. The Vieux Lyon district is a charming medieval part of the city which is a popular place to explore. There are countless alleys and streets to wander, which are full of cafes and shops. And here you can find traboules that lead to beautiful courtyards! 

From Vieux Lyon you can take a footbridge across the Seine River where you can take in the beautiful views of the city. Across the river you can take a stroll through Place Bellecour and admire the iconic statue of Louis XIV. France loves its statues!

I walked everywhere in Lyon and stopped at many cafes and bouchons. A Bouchon is a traditional Lyonnaise restaurant serving traditional meats and is something you must experience while in Lyon. 

I truly loved Lyon and hope to go back someday for an extended period of time. If you go to France then you’ll want to add Lyon to your itinerary. And even though there was plenty more to explore it was time to move on. Next stop on my 14 day road trip, Southern France!

2 Days in Martigues, France 

Martigues is a lesser known town in Southern France probably because it’s overshadowed by its more popular neighbor Marseille. Martigues sits on a large channel that connects to the Mediterranean Sea and has extensive channels through the city. It is known as the Venice of France and has been a destination for painters for hundreds of years. It is quite picturesque and tends to be quieter and less traveled than many other places in Southern France. 

There are some nice white sand beaches to relax on while in Martigues. And the waterfront is lined on one side with brightly painted houses and bright flowers. And the other side is all boats! 

It really feels like a life of leisure here and was most welcome after spending a few busy days in the city. I admit I could have done much more during my two days here but the slow pace was just what my soul needed. After a couple of days of rest and relaxation I moved on to a very special French town, Eze. 

3 Days in Eze, France

Eze is a medieval fairy tale village like nothing you’ve ever seen. That’s why it’s become a popular tourist destination and is something you must see if you are ever in Southern France. Eze exudes the Mediterranean vibe but in a medieval style pedestrian only village perched on top of a hill at the edge of the sea.

Stroll through the winding stone passageways, climb the ancient stone staircases, and admire the construction of this
awesome village. When you reach the top of Eze you will find the gardens. The Jardin Exotique d’Eze  is famous around the world and you can see why. The stunning view of the French Riviera, the succulents bursting out of every crevice, and feminine sculpted art nestled into the plant life… I was in paradise at Eze Garden! 

Eze has a hotel and restaurants within the stone walls. But at the base of the village, just outside of the stone walls is a small neighborhood full of cafes and shops. I found this area to have better dining options and chose a small cafe where I enjoyed some French Onion Soup and a glass of local Rose. Some of the best Rose’s in the world come from this region of France and this one did not disappoint!

The sea around Eze is lovely and I spent some of my time here lounging on the beach and dipping in the warm water. The Airbnb I stayed in was right across the street from a private beach. I only ever saw one other person while there!

The plant life in this part of the world really added to this soul filled adventure. Walking through the neighborhoods and seeing pomegranate trees, citrus fruit trees, olive trees, bananas, and various other exotic foods growing was a real treat for me! 

Eze is worth longer stay, but with only 14 days in France I had to say goodbye. Time for the long drive back north to my final stop, Dijon.

3 Days in Dijon, France

I’m so glad I decided to see Dijon during my 14 days in France, it is a truly unique place. During World War 2 Dijon surrendered right away to preserve their city. So unlike Lyon, Dijon has most of its old architecture. The city itself is a work of art. 

I stayed in an Airbnb in the historic district. I recommend this since the whole historic district is pedestrian only and most of what you want to see is in this area. 

Stroll through the historic district in the city’s center and take in the gothic and Roman architecture. You can book a guided tour, or follow the owl signs through the network of cobblestone streets to see the highlights.

The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy (Palais des ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne) is one of Dijon’s most visited sites and is in the heart of the historic district. It dates back to the 15th century and currently houses a museum and the city council. It is in a square with fountains and is lined with cafes. This is a great starting point to explore the city. 

The city center is enchanting with its timbered houses, incredible flowers, and open markets. Dijon is known to be one of Europe’s most charming cities, and you can see why!

Dijon is full of culinary delights. There are several Michelin star restaurants, and the city even hosts an international food festival. You are still in Burgundy so don’t forget about the wine!

Also, Dijon is where dijon mustard originated from. So there are mustard mills, tastings, and products everywhere. I really enjoyed trying all the exotic mustard flavors. If you are a foodie like me, then Dijon should go on your list of places to see in France.  

I’m not much of a shopper when I travel, but I have to say Dijon has some pretty awesome shops and galleries in the city center. If you love to shop then plan on spending some time here!

It was really hard to leave Dijon. It is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen and I hope to visit again someday. From here I drove back to Charles de Gaulle airport and headed back to the States. My 14 days in France was over. 

5 Takeaways From Spending 14 Days In France

First, France is really big! It is about the size of Texas. After driving around France for 14 days I realized that Texas must be huge! But really, a 2 week road trip is hardly enough time to see the country. If I could do it again, I would have taken the high speed trains instead of renting a car. 

And about that road trip… The motorway (interstates) tolls are really expensive. And then you can’t get on and off the motorways very often. The rest areas are not just bathrooms but have gas stations and markets. They have to be since there are so few exits!

Next, the public toilet situation is bleak. If you are female then I highly recommend a She-wee or equivalent. I bought one after this trip and have traveled with it ever since. Thanks France!

France has a cap on international transactions for the week. Meaning that sometimes my credit card couldn’t be used on the weekends if the max international transactions had been met of the week. This was a weird one for me, but I’d have some Euros on hand just in case. Especially if you are traveling during peak season. 

Lastly, learn some of the language, even if it’s just a few words or phrases. French people are prideful, especially when it comes to their language. You’ll find people more willing to speak English with you if you attempt some French. And not everyone speaks English so using a translator app will likely be needed at times. 

I hope you enjoyed reading about my 14 day road trip around France!