9-Day Itinerary in France: Exploring the Land of French Literature

If you are a fan of French literature and love to travel, you have made the right choice. In this article, we will guide you through a fascinating 9-day itinerary to the places that inspired some of the greatest French writers. Get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of literature and explore places rich in history, culture, and beauty. We will take you on an unforgettable journey through the places that gave life to the works of the great masters of French literature.

Travel Itinerary

France holds a prestigious place in the global literary scene, thanks to an excellent contribution. Authors of the caliber of Victor Hugo and Marcel Proust, along with intellectuals like Rousseau e Voltaire, have exalted France as a land of great minds. Paris, indisputably, represents the core of this heritage, hosting most of them at various points in their professional careers and serving as a starting point for your literary journey. You will have the opportunity to explore the homes of Balzac e Victor Hugo, as well as the cafés frequented by Camus e Sartre. Even the surroundings of Paris are steeped in literature, leading you towards the places that inspired Alexandre Dumas, Émile Zola e Proust. Additionally, you will be able to admire the famous cathedrals of Chartres e Reims during your route.

Day 1: Paris – The City of Light

Arrival by flight from the departure city to Paris and pickup of the rental car. You have the rest of the day free to explore the French capital. Known for its universal exhibitions and renowned as one of the world’s leading centers for art, design, and taste, Paris offers the traveler a magical atmosphere. Surrender to the “bon vivant” spirit and enjoy the simple pleasures of life seated at the tables of its charming cafés, typical bistros, or renowned international restaurants.

Paris really has a lot to offer. With 137 museums, 8,000 sidewalk cafés, and 300 kilometers of catacombs, the city amazes visitors with a wide range of cultural events and leisure activities suitable for all tastes and budgets. Climb the Eiffel Tower and touch the sky with a finger! For dinner and a drink, Paris offers options for every taste and all ages: the modern and colorful bars of Saint Germain; the chic atmosphere and fashionable nightclubs of Marais e Bastille; the rock and roll and techno venues of the Grands Boulevards, featuring live music and internationally renowned DJs; and the lively nightlife of the Quartier Latin, the Latin Quarter of the French capital. Overnight in Paris.

Day 2: Paris

Spend the day in Paris exploring the homes and cafés frequented by some of the greats of French literature. Begin with the house of Victor Hugo in the famous Place des Vosges, where he lived from 1832 to 1848 and wrote much of his masterpiece “Les Misérables“. You will have the opportunity to admire original manuscripts, photographs, and period furnishings. Continue to the house of Balzac on rue Raynouard a Passy, near the Trocadéro, where he wrote “The Human Comedy.” This house-museum preserves the author’s desk and chair, along with family photographs and paintings.

In the neighborhood of Marais, you cannot miss the Carnavalet Museum, dedicated to the history of Paris, which recreates the room where Marcel Proust wrote “In Search of Lost Time“. After the visit, treat yourself to a break in the Parisian cafés, places of meetings and discussions for many famous French writers. On Boulevard St-Germain you will find the favorites of Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Marguerite Duras, and Simone de Beauvoir: Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. Nearby is also Le Procope, the oldest café in Paris, frequented by Jean de la Fontaine, Balzac, and Victor Hugo. Near the Opéra, Café de la Paix was the meeting place of Zola and Maupassant, while Baudelaire occasionally went to La Closerie des Lilas on Boulevard du Montparnasse. Overnight in Paris.

Day 3: Paris – Montmorency – Medan – Le Port-Marly – Paris

The third day of your itinerary takes you to explore places near Paris linked to important literary figures such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Émile Zola e Alexandre Dumas. Start your journey in Montmorency, where you can visit the museum dedicated to Rousseau, located in a small 17th-century country house. This place offers an intimate insight into the philosopher’s thought, whose political ideas influenced the French Revolution. Afterwards, head to Medan, where Zola spent his childhood. Here, you can visit the Medan castle and Zola’s house on the banks of the Seine, where the author completed many of his literary works. Finally, your day will conclude at Le Port-Marly, where you can explore the town hall and the Castle of Montecristo, residence of Alexandre Dumas and inspiration for his famous novel “The Count of Monte Cristo“. These places offer a fascinating journey into the literary world, enriching your understanding of the works and lives of these famous French writers. At the end of the day, you will return to Paris for the night, carrying with you new literary knowledge and inspirations.

Day 4: Paris – Illiers-Combray – Chartres

A few hours from Paris lies Illiers-Combray, where you can learn more about the life of Marcel Proust. This picturesque village is surrounded by beautiful hills, slopes, and small rural towns. Previously known simply as Illiers, it added the name Combray in homage to Proust’s work “In Search of Lost Time,” which he set there.

The house-museum of Marcel Proust, known as La Maison de Tante Léonie, is the summer residence of his aunts where he spent his childhood. Although Proust was born and died in Paris, his house-museum is here, preserving important objects from his life, including paintings, furniture, photographs, and letters. You can also explore the exotic Pre-Catelan garden, where Proust loved to spend time. Continuing on to Chartres, where you will stay overnight, we recommend visiting the majestic Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its stained glass windows and the Holy Veil. Take advantage of guided tours to discover the 16th-century decorations and enjoy the “Chartres en Lumières” light and sound show.

Day 5: Chartres – Amiens

Depart for Amiens to visit the house of Jules Verne, famous author of “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and “The mysterious islanda”. From Chartres, the journey takes about three hours. Amiens is renowned for its majestic cathedral of Notre-Dame, a UNESCO World Heritage site, built between 1220 and 1288 and considered the pinnacle of Gothic architecture. Known as the “Bible of Amiens,” its façade features rich iconography from the Old and New Testaments, designed to educate the Christian people.

The house-museum of Jules Verne, where he lived from 1871, houses a collection of personal objects, furniture, and editions of his books, offering an overview of the life and works of the author. In the evening, immerse yourself in the picturesque district of Saint-Leu, with its canals lined with cafes and restaurants. Stay overnight in Amiens to continue your exploration.

Day 6: Amiens – Reims

Today you will have the opportunity to explore the birthplace of Jean Baudrillard, the famous French philosopher and author of “Simulacra and Simulation“. Baudrillard, known for his work on hyperreality, exemplified the concept of substituting the authentic with a copy, as represented in the replica of the Lascaux caves and in the film “The Matrix.” Afterwards, we will head to Reims, located about 250 kilometers away.

Reims is famous for its magnificent historic center and Roman ruins, including the Porta di Marte, one of the four original city gates. However, its Gothic cathedral, a World Heritage Site since 1991, stands out among all other monuments. Inside the cathedral, you can admire the majestic stained glass windows and numerous statues, including the famous communion of the knight and the statue of Joan of Arc.

Entrance to the cathedral also includes a visit to the Palace of Tau, which houses reliquaries and period objects, including the talisman of Charlemagne. Finally, we recommend a visit to the Basilica of St-Rémi, with the relics of Saint Remigius, and a tour among the city’s art déco buildings, such as les Halles du Boulingrin, famous for their mosaics and the colored stained glass windows of the library. You will stay overnight in Reims to continue your exploration.

Day 7: Reims – Cirey-sur-Blaise – Reims

A short distance from Reims, you will find Cirey-sur-Blaise, a quiet village on the banks of the Blaise river with only 200 inhabitants. Here stands the evocative church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens and the majestic castle that hosted François-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire, for fifteen years. Famous for works like “Candide, or Optimism,” Voltaire was a fervent defender of tolerance and human reason during the Enlightenment. From 1734 to 1749, he lived in the castle of Cirey-sur-Blaise at the invitation of the Marquise Émilie du Châtelet.

Today, the castle opens its doors to visitors, offering the chance to explore the library, rooms, and even the theater created by Voltaire himself. Return to Reims, a city renowned for its exceptional culinary offerings and high-quality champagne production. From here, you can also arrange a visit to the famous Veuve Clicquot cellars to discover the secrets of champagne production. Stay overnight in Reims and let yourself be enchanted by its culinary and wine delights.

Day 8: Reims – Château-Thierry – Paris

From Reims to Paris is only two hours by road. Along the way, we recommend stopping at Château-Thierry to explore the life and works of the French writer Jean de la Fontaine, born here in 1621. This historic city, a battlefield over the centuries, houses the author’s museum-home of the famous fables such as “The Ant and the Grasshopper“.

In Paris, you can enjoy free time exploring the wide range of attractions the city has to offer, from famous museums like the Louvre and Orsay to picturesque neighborhoods like Montmartre. Admire the architectural beauties of the city by visiting theNotre Dame Cathedral and urban parks such as the Bois de Vincennes. Don’t forget to also explore hidden treasures like the catacombs and cemeteries, including the famous Père-Lachaise. Stay overnight in Paris and get ready for your journey tomorrow.

Day 9: Paris – End of the trip

If you have some time today, we recommend visiting the cemeteries where some of the greatest French writers rest. The Pantheon is an essential stop, where illustrious figures such as Voltaire, Zola, Dumas, Rousseau, and Victor Hugo are buried. The architecture of this building, originally a church, is extraordinary, and inside you will find the famous Foucault Pendulum, used to demonstrate the Earth’s rotation.

At the Montparnasse cemetery, you can pay tribute to Baudelaire, Guy de Maupassant, Simone de Beauvoir, and Jean Paul Sartre. Finally, at the Père Lachaise cemetery, you can visit the graves of Molière, Balzac, and Proust. Make sure to arrive early at the airport to return your rental car and catch your flight back to your departure city. With your arrival, the trip and our services conclude.

Now depart!

Your 9-day itinerary through the places of French literature has taken you on a journey through locations that inspired great writers and artists. From Paris to Rouen, from Giverny to Aix-en-Provence, you have discovered places rich in history, culture, and beauty. We hope this trip has inspired you and that you had the chance to immerse yourself in the magic of French literature. Always remember to book tickets for attractions in advance and check updated travel information. Have a great trip and happy reading!

Price

The price of this 9-day itinerary in France starts from € 573.00 all inclusive. Learn more.

What’s included

• Round-trip flight.
• Stay at the selected hotel in Paris.
• Chosen board basis in Paris.
• Stay at the selected hotel in Chartres.
• Chosen board basis in Chartres.
• Stay at the chosen hotel in Amiens.
• Chosen treatment in Amiens.
• Stay at the chosen hotel in Reims.
• Chosen treatment in Reims.
• Rental car.
• Travel insurance.

What is not included

• Tourist tax payable at the hotel.
• Likely toll payment.
• Any other service not covered as included is not part of the travel package.

Departures

The tour offers departures from March 2024 to February 2025 departing from Milan and Rome.

Duration

9 days

Route map

Tour cities

The cities to visit during this tour include Paris, Montmorency, Medan, Le Port-Marly, Illiers-Combray, Chartres, Amiens, Reims, Cirey-sur-Blaise, Château-Thierry.

Important Information

• Triple rooms in Europe are generally rooms with two single beds or one double bed, in which an additional foldaway bed is placed for the third person, possibly causing some discomfort. Their use is therefore discouraged when it can be avoided.
• Recommended excursions and visits for each day are indicative: the traveler can plan the trip according to their own needs, tastes, and necessities.
• A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes its use is indispensable for staying at a hotel.
• Hotels usually provide cribs for children. If not, children must share the bed with an adult.
• For rental car pickup, a credit card (not debit) in the name of the booking holder will be required, who must also be the driver of the vehicle.
• If you have reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.

Why your fantastic trip starts here

There are several reasons why you should choose to embark on an adventurous trip to France with the FullTravel.it partner.

Fly & Drive Specialists

Car itineraries designed to let you discover the best destinations without worries.

Travel at your own pace

Our Fly & Drive packages include flights, hotels, itinerary, car rental, and travel insurance.

This trip is organized by LogiTravel. FullTravel is an affiliate partner.

Save time

With FullTravel.it’s partner you can get availability and the price of the trip at the moment, with immediate confirmation of the booking online.

Always available

FullTravel’s Partner guarantees assistance both before and during the trip, 24 hours a day, every day of the year

Offers and flexible payment

Find your Fly&Drive at the best price with our unmissable offers. Additionally, our partner also offers the possibility of payment in easy installments without interest, to make your trip even more convenient.