10-Day France River Itinerary for City Experiences

1. Day 1: Paris - The City of Light
   Sainte-Chapelle (10 min walk from Notre-Dame de Paris)

   Admire the stunning stained glass windows at the 13th century gothic chapel

2. Day 2: Château de Versailles - The Ultimate Palace
   Pont Alexandre III (30 min drive from Paris)

   Explore the palace's opulence with its Hall of Mirrors, the royal apartments, and its manicured gardens.

3. Day 3: Lyon - UNESCO Heritage City
   Musée des Confluences (15 min walk from Hôtel-Dieu)

   Discover the modern museum dedicated to natural history and the sciences.

4. Day 4: Avignon - Palace of the Popes
   Pont Saint-Bénézet (27 min drive from Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

   Visit the world's largest gothic palace at the center of the fortified city.

5. Day 5: Aix-en-Provence - City of Water
   Cours Mirabeau (30 min drive from Avignon)

   Wander the markets and follow in the footsteps of famous painters Cézanne and Van Gogh.

6. Day 6: Arles - Van Gogh's Inspiration
   Theatre Antique (35 min drive from Aix-en-Provence)

   Marvel at the well-preserved ancient theater and Roman amphitheater where bullfighting originated.

7. Day 7: Bordeaux - Famous Wine Regions
   Cité du Vin (10 min drive from Place des Quinconces)

   Unravel the history, culture and techniques of wine-making in a museum experience like no other.

8. Day 8: Nantes - City of Giants
   Machines de l'Île (30 min walk from the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany)

   View amazing mechanical creatures and ride on top of the most famous one, the Elephant!

9. Day 9: Normandy - WWII Sites
   Musée Mémorial d'Omaha Beach (30 min drive from Bayeaux)

   Learn about the D-Day invasion, walk on the beaches, visit American cemeteries, and pay respects to WWII veterans.

10. Day 10: Mont Saint-Michel - Magical Abbey
    Le Mont-Saint-Michel (1 hour 30 min drive from Normandy)

    Gaze at the majestic Abbey atop a rocky tidal island with a surrounding fortified village.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Sainte-Chapelle (45 min, €11.50)
• Château de Versailles (4-6 hours, €20)
• Musée des Confluences (2-3 hours, €9)
• Palace of the Popes (1-2 hours, €12)
• Cours Mirabeau (1-2 hours, free)
• Theatre Antique (1.5-2 hours, €8)
• Cité du Vin (2-3 hours, €20)
• Machines de l'Île (1-3 hours, €8.50-€36.50 depending on the activity)
• Musée Mémorial d'Omaha Beach (2-3 hours, €7)
• Le Mont-Saint-Michel (3-4 hours, €10.50-€14 for Abbey entrance)
Total Estimated Costs: €116.50-€157.00

Useful Tips

If you have extra time in Nantes, visit the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany or the Jules Verne Museum. In Avignon, check the theater and opera schedules. In Bordeaux, take a wine tour to Saint-Émilion or Médoc. In Paris, visit the Eiffel Tower and Musée d'Orsay. If you have less time, Paris, Normandy, and Mont Saint-Michel are the highlights to prioritize.