A 7-Day Southwestern France Itinerary
The Wine Regions with Historic Sights
Dreaming of a phenomenal trip around Southwestern France but feeling a bit overwhelmed on where to begin, the ideal destinations, the budget, or the timeframe? This itinerary will let you take in all of the delicious food, couples, small town charm, and museums. Let this be your travel guide, providing everything you need to put together a fantastic seven-day journey around the region.
Along the way, you'll discover historic towns, local wines, delicious food, and beautiful countryside. We'll start with some of the many reasons to visit this fantastic region. Then, we'll cover travel details such as the route, the estimated costs, things to do along the way, where to stay, and more.
This itinerary will take you through the following destinations:
- Le Mans (1 day)
- Centre and Loire Valley (2 days)
- La Rochelle (2 days)
- Bordeaux (2 days)
Le Mans, France
Itinerary Highlights
- Great for couples
- Family-friendly
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Delicious Food
- Small Town Charm
- Historic Sites
- Museums
- Beautiful Locations
It's no secret that amazing food is a major draw for travelers, and Southwestern France holds its own with fantastic cuisine. Your journey promises an abundance of remarkable restaurants and local dishes that deserve your attention. The food in Bordeaux and La Rochelle is especially delicious.
The beautiful and charming small towns of the region are a must-see. They provide an excellent chance to dive into the local culture, history, food, and more. In particular, make sure you visit La Rochelle for that quintessential small town charm.
So much history is to be found in Southwestern France. Don't miss the historic architecture, museums, and charming vibe of the area.
Don't miss out on the wealth of great museums scattered along this itinerary. Take a break to immerse yourself in their large collections. When it comes to La Rochelle, the museums offer great experiences.
The mesmerizing landscapes of Southwestern France are a major draw for visitors, defining the essence of the region. Grab your camera because the real-life view is far superior to anything you've seen in photos. You don't want to miss Bordeaux for the beautiful scenery.
Chateaux of the Loire Valley, France
When is the best time to visit?
Summer is a great time to visit Southwestern France. It's a peak travel season here that draws plenty of visitors for a good reason. Although you might encounter bustling crowds, the upside is that everything will be wide open and within easy reach.
Spring is a terrific time to visit Southwestern France. You'll find plenty of natural beauty, great weather, and inspiring destinations.
Autumn is quite nice in the area. The weather is a little cooler, the natural scenery is stunning, and the tourist crowds are usually gone by this time of year.
Who is this itinerary for?
Let's get into the romantic side of Southwestern France. This region has a well-deserved reputation as the perfect spot for couples. If you're exploring with your special someone, get ready for a truly delightful experience. Especially visit La Rochelle and Bordeaux for the enchanting atmosphere.
The region is a gem for families, offering plenty of kid-friendly activities that promise to turn your trip into an unforgettable and joy-filled experience. We'll get into some of the details later.
Traveling on a shoestring budget or backpacking in the area? No worries, as there are abundant options for you. From budget-friendly hostels and economical hotels to cost-free activities, affordable dining, and an inviting social environment, your trip is sure to be fabulous without burning a hole in your pocket.
La Rochelle, France
Transportation
Traveling between these destinations in Southwestern France should be fairly easy for you, considering that most are around 3 hours apart on average.
We've planned this as a one-way journey from Le Mans to Bordeaux because it covers a lot of distance and the transportation options are good in both places. However, you could always loop back to the beginning if it's easier. Also, you can do this route in the opposite direction if you find better tickets into Bordeaux instead of Le Mans. To get to Le Mans, you can see flight prices and schedules here.
If you're following this itinerary, a car is a good way to do it. Don't stress if you didn't bring yours; renting a car is easy. Having your own car in Southwestern France means you're the boss of your schedule, and you can stop wherever and whenever you please.
Traveling by train through Southwestern France is not only easy, but also affordable and efficient. While trains connect major cities very quickly, getting to smaller destinations can sometimes take a little more time. Some smaller towns may even require connecting to local buses. But generally, it's easy to get around if you stick to the main routes, and you'll be able to sit back and admire the views out the window. Check out the ticket prices and schedules ahead of time, too.
Is seven days enough time in Southwestern France?
To see all of the highlights, seven days will give you a comfortable amount of time to explore the highlights in Southwestern France. This detailed itinerary will make sure that you see the best parts of each place. You'll be able to plan a trip that's fun, relaxing, and efficient. If you find yourself wanting to see more, you can always extend your stay or schedule more time in a specific place, as it's entirely up to you. With an array of day trip possibilities, flexibility is key. However, if you're short on time, consider adjusting this schedule for a shorter yet fulfilling experience. While cutting out a few stops is feasible, we recommend aiming for around seven days to truly take it all in.
Bordeaux
How much does a seven-day trip to Southwestern France cost?
The estimated budget breakdown for this seven-day trip through Southwestern France is shown below. This budget is based on our daily average travel costs which come from the spending habits of actual travelers along with cost data from major companies. The daily average costs are per person and do not include the transportation between destinations. These estimated costs are meant to be a guide. You can stay close to thse costs by staying at mid-level hotels, eating at normal restaurants, and paying for some of the main attractions in each location. It's possible to stay on a cheaper budget if you stay in hostels or budget hotels and eat at less expensive restaurants. It's also very easy to go over this budget by staying at high-end luxury hotels, eating at fancy restaurants, and taking private tours.
| City | Daily Average | Days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Mans | $90 | 1 | $90 |
| Centre and Loire Valley | $135 | 2 | $271 |
| La Rochelle | $123 | 2 | $246 |
| Bordeaux | $127 | 2 | $253 |
| Total per Person | $860 | ||
| for 2 People | $1,721 | ||
From these calculations, the estimated cost for this seven-day itinerary of Southwestern France costs $860 per person. This does not include the transportation between destinations, as that cost will vary depending on your chosen option.
Accommodation Costs
Trying to figure out how much you'll pay for hotels on this trip? Below is the expected cost for accommodations for this trip through Southwestern France based on calculated averages.
Hotel Prices
For your accommodation costs, the average hotel room price for each destination is shown below. This hotel cost data is calculated from the prices of hotels provided by Kayak, and do not include taxes and fees. The average prices represent typical mid-range hotel rooms, but it's always possible to spend more or less than this average if you stay in budget-friendly or high-end luxury hotels, respectively. Also, during peak travel season, these prices will usually be higher.
| City | Average Hotel Room Price |
|---|---|
| Le Mans | $77 |
| Centre and Loire Valley | no data |
| La Rochelle | $103 |
| Bordeaux | $112 |
Hostel Prices
If you're all about smart spending on your adventure, hostels are an enticing option, especially for younger or solo travelers. The prices outlined below show the average expenses for a dorm bed in a hostel at each destination. Despite sacrificing a bit of privacy in a hostel dorm, the lively atmosphere often cultivates a social setting, creating fantastic opportunities to build new connections. It's worth noting that many hostels also offer private rooms at a slightly higher cost than dorms, along with additional perks like kitchens, social activities, and prime locations. These average prices are computed from available hostel data shared by HostelWorld.
| City | Average Hostel Dorm Price (per person) |
|---|---|
| La Rochelle | $30 |
| Bordeaux | $28 |
Southwestern France Itinerary
1. Le Mans
1 Day
Le Mans is located in northwestern France, and it's the host of the 24 hour car race, The Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans. You can visit the race track and experience simulator rides and go-karting. The town itself also has a cathedral and a long running history with museums and city walls.
With museums and nightlife, Le Mans offers so much to visitors. It's also a great destination for backpackers because of everything available.
What to See in Le Mans
How to Spend 1 Day in Le Mans
Don't miss the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans during your trip to Le Mans, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
This town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.
Public transit in Le Mans is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the town quite easily. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).
If you're looking for more information and things to do in Le Mans, see Circuit de la Sarthe, Musée de l'Automobile de la Sarthe, Old Town of Le Mans, and Abbaye Royale of L'Epau.
Le Mans Costs
Calculated from the travel expenses of previous visitors, the average daily travel cost in Le Mans is $90 per person. Your individual expenses can stay close to this amount if you stay in a mid-range hotel and eat at normal restaurants. Below is a typical price breakdown of what you might expect to spend each day, per person, if you travel on a lower budget, mid-range budget, or luxury budget on your trip. For more details, see the travel costs for Le Mans here.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Transportation1 | $14 | $33 | $62 |
| Food2 | $13 | $29 | $56 |
| Entertainment1 | $7 | $16 | $31 |
| Alcohol2 | $6 | $13 | $25 |
Accommodation
Hotels
The average hotel room price in Le Mans is $77 based on the average from 36 hotels provided by Kayak. For more details, you can see our analysis of hotel costs in Le Mans here.
Suggested Hotels
Transportation
If you are driving yourself on this journey, see driving directions from Le Mans to Centre and Loire Valley.
Trains are a great way to get from Le Mans to Centre and Loire Valley, and you can see the train schedules and prices here.
2. Centre and Loire Valley
2 Days
The Loire Valley, part of the larger Centre region of France, is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River. It is referred to as the Cradle of the French and the Garden of France because of the many vineyards, fruit orchards, and vegetable fields, which line the banks of the river. The Loire Valley has been inhabited since the Middle Paleolithic period, so it has many notable historic towns, architecture, and wines. The central part of the Loire Valley is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sights. This area is a great location if you are looking for French splendor, style, and cuisine. The Loire Valley was once of great strategic importance between the north and south of France, so there are many amazing castles and towers in the area. The Valley is best known for its outstanding wines and its lively, sophisticated cities. The area in general has a pleasant or laid back feel, and has been called a bit of a story-book wonderland. It is definitely a must see if you're planning a trip to France.
What to See in Centre and Loire Valley
More Activities
Dive in to all of the activities, attractions, tours, and things to do available in Centre and Loire Valley. Here are a few of the best options for you to consider, compare prices, and secure your bookings in advance for a seamless and enjoyable visit.
If you're looking for more information and things to do in Centre and Loire Valley, see The Best Loire Valley Cheateaux Tours, Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, and Château de Amboise.
Centre and Loire Valley Costs
Calculated from the travel expenses of previous visitors, the average daily travel cost in Centre and Loire Valley is $135 per person. Your individual expenses can stay close to this amount if you stay in a mid-range hotel and eat at normal restaurants. Below is a typical price breakdown of what you might expect to spend each day, per person, if you travel on a lower budget, mid-range budget, or luxury budget on your trip. For more details, see the travel costs for Centre and Loire Valley here.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Transportation1 | $10 | $24 | $55 |
| Food2 | $18 | $43 | $89 |
| Entertainment1 | $8 | $20 | $47 |
| Alcohol2 | $5 | $13 | $32 |
Transportation
If you are driving yourself on this journey, see driving directions from Centre and Loire Valley to La Rochelle.
Trains are a great way to get from Centre and Loire Valley to La Rochelle, and you can see the train schedules and prices here.
3. La Rochelle
2 Days
La Rochelle is a coastal town in southwestern France that has a charming atmosphere, cobblestone streets, and a long running history as a port city. Today it is a touristy town with many great seafood restaurants and fine wine. There are also beautiful coastal walks as well a nice beaches in town.
With small town charm, museums, beaches, hiking, nightlife, and delicious food, La Rochelle offers so much to visitors. It's also a great destination for couples and backpackers because of everything available.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, La Rochelle is always at the top of any foodie's travel list.
La Rochelle has one of the best historic old towns in the country, so you should absolutely spend some time exploring the streets and shops.
What to See in La Rochelle
How to Spend 2 Days in La Rochelle
Day 1:
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.
The delicious food of La Rochelle is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this coastal town's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. It may be small, but its filled with delicious cafes, bistros, and local restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this coastal town and many visitors head to Vieux Port to eat, as many restaurants there offer waterfront views. If you want something a little less touristy, head to the St. Nicolas District, which was the town's former fishing district. Rue de la Fourche is also a charming road with many places to grab a bite or a drink. Or head to Rue St Jean-du-Perot, which is just off the old port.
La Rochelle is a very walkable city. With only a day in the coastal town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.
Day 2:
Don't miss the Old Port during your trip to La Rochelle, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
This coastal town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.
Public transit in La Rochelle is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the coastal town quite easily. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.
More Activities
Dive in to all of the activities, attractions, tours, and things to do available in La Rochelle. Here are a few of the best options for you to consider, compare prices, and secure your bookings in advance for a seamless and enjoyable visit.
If you're looking for more information and things to do in La Rochelle, see The Best Segway Tours in La Rochelle, The Best Boat Tours and Cruises in La Rochelle, The Best Walking Tours in La Rochelle, and The Aquarium La Rochelle.
La Rochelle Costs
Calculated from the travel expenses of previous visitors, the average daily travel cost in La Rochelle is $123 per person. Your individual expenses can stay close to this amount if you stay in a mid-range hotel and eat at normal restaurants. Below is a typical price breakdown of what you might expect to spend each day, per person, if you travel on a lower budget, mid-range budget, or luxury budget on your trip. For more details, see the travel costs for La Rochelle here.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Transportation1 | $8 | $19 | $36 |
| Food2 | $16 | $37 | $73 |
| Entertainment1 | $6 | $14 | $27 |
| Alcohol2 | $8 | $17 | $33 |
Accommodation
Hotels
The average hotel room price in La Rochelle is $103 based on the average from 55 hotels provided by Kayak. For more details, you can see our analysis of hotel costs in La Rochelle here.
Suggested Hotels
Hostels
If you're traveling on a backpacker's budget, hostels are a great way to save some money and meet other travelers, too. In La Rochelle, the average price for a bed in a dorm at a hostel is $30. For more information on hostels, you can see our overview of hostel costs in La Rochelle here.
Transportation
If you are driving yourself on this journey, see driving directions from La Rochelle to Bordeaux.
Trains are a great way to get from La Rochelle to Bordeaux, and you can see the train schedules and prices here.
4. Bordeaux
2 Days
Bordeaux is a the heart of France's winegrowing district. It's also a port city that's filled with a lot of history and architecture. The surrounding countryside is filled with vineyards and the city has many great restaurants where you can sample traditional cuisine and local wine.
With big city activities, museums, nightlife, delicious food, and beautiful locations, Bordeaux offers so much to visitors. It's also a great destination for backpackers because of everything available.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bordeaux is always at the top of any foodie's travel list.
What to See in Bordeaux
How to Spend 2 Days in Bordeaux
Day 1:
Don't miss Cathédrale Saint-André during your trip to Bordeaux, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The culinary scene in Bordeaux is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.
Bordeaux is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.
Day 2:
Shopping in Bordeaux is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.
Bordeaux is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city is filled with beautiful architecture, parks, and gardens.
The public transit in Bordeaux is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.
More Activities
Dive in to all of the activities, attractions, tours, and things to do available in Bordeaux. Here are a few of the best options for you to consider, compare prices, and secure your bookings in advance for a seamless and enjoyable visit.
If you're looking for more information and things to do in Bordeaux, see The Best Wine Tours in Bordeaux, The Best Cheap Walking Tours in Bordeaux, The Best Affordable Food Tours in Bordeaux, and The Best Cheap Airport Transfers in Bordeaux.
Bordeaux Costs
Calculated from the travel expenses of previous visitors, the average daily travel cost in Bordeaux is $127 per person. Your individual expenses can stay close to this amount if you stay in a mid-range hotel and eat at normal restaurants. Below is a typical price breakdown of what you might expect to spend each day, per person, if you travel on a lower budget, mid-range budget, or luxury budget on your trip. For more details, see the travel costs for Bordeaux here.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Transportation1 | $7 | $17 | $32 |
| Food2 | $21 | $49 | $96 |
| Entertainment1 | $4 | $8 | $16 |
| Alcohol2 | $12 | $28 | $54 |
Accommodation
Hotels
The average hotel room price in Bordeaux is $112 based on the average from 134 hotels provided by Kayak. For more details, you can see our analysis of hotel costs in Bordeaux here.
Suggested Hotels
Hostels
If you're traveling on a backpacker's budget, hostels are a great way to save some money and meet other travelers, too. In Bordeaux, the average price for a bed in a dorm at a hostel is $28. For more information on hostels, you can see our overview of hostel costs in Bordeaux here.
Final Transportation
As the last destination in this itinerary, you'll want to find the best price home from here. Check flight prices here.
Next Steps
So now that you have all of the information you need to plan your seven-day trip in Southwestern France, it's time to get started. Make your bookings ahead of time not just to find the cheapest prices, but also before the best hotels and tours fill up. We also have plenty of other resources to help you plan you trip, or another trip, too. Happy travels!
More Itineraries
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.