A short trip to France from the UK couldn’t be easier. With ferry crossings and the EuroTunnel just a quick hop across the Channel, northern France is the perfect destination for a weekend escape or a bank holiday getaway. This 3-day France itinerary (which we did over an August bank holiday weekend) gives you a taste of the best France has to offer, combining a visit to the vineyards of the Champagne region, exploring the sights of Paris or Disneyland Paris, and wandering the medieval streets of a charming French town before heading home.
If you are planning a trip to France, check out our other guides:
How to get to France from the UK
Driving to France is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to explore. It gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace, discover new areas along the way and avoid the hassle of airports. There are two options for driving to France:
Option 1: Train
- Folkstone to Calais via the Euro Tunnel (just 35 minutes).
- Prices start from £77 one way. Taking the Euro Tunnel is our preferred method as it is quick and convenient.
Option 2: Ferry
- Dover to Calais (approx. 1h 30m).
- P&O Ferries have up to 15 sailings a day. Prices vary starting from £39.50 for one way.
- Portsmouth, Plymouth or Pool to Cherbourg, St Malo, Caen, Le Havre or Roscoff (shortest crossing approx. 4h 30m).
- Brittany Ferries offer crossings to a choice of destinations the shortest of which is Pool to Cherbourg . Prices vary starting from £89.00 for one way.
We have a detailed guide on driving to France from the UK, including information about the documents and equipment you’ll need. We also have a guide that covers renting a car in the UK and taking it to France.
We recommend that you start your weekend in France by taking an evening ferry or EuroTunnel from the UK. When we did this trip, we chose a late Dover–Calais ferry after work, arriving in Calais at night. From there, we drove 1h 45m south to Saint-Quentin, a practical overnight stop just north of the Champagne region.
Saint-Quentin, while not topping the list of picturesque destinations in France, offers practical benefits like budget-friendly accommodation and a range of shops and restaurants. If you do have time to see the town when you arrive or in the morning the next day, the art-deco style Basilica and town square are quite charming.
Day 1 France itinerary: Champagne region
Day 1 is all about Champagne, both the sparkling wine and the region itself which is home to rolling vineyards, impressive chateaus and centuries of history.
After arriving to Saint-Quentin the night before (see above section on how to get to France from the UK), you will have just over an hour to drive in the morning to reach the champagne region.
Start in the city of Reims at Pommery Champagne House, famous for its vast network of 30m deep cellars which were originally Roman chalk quarries. Over 60 of these chalk pits were transformed into wine cellars in the 1860’s. You can explore the cellars either on a guided or self-guided tour, both of which include a champagne tasting. As well as storing champagne, some of the chalk pits and tunnels have been transformed into monumental art installations.This underground maze is extremely impressive and interesting to see, so even if champagne isn’t your thing, the cellars are fascinating to explore.
Following our visit to Pommery, we drove south into the countryside to the pretty hillside village of Hautvillers. The village is surrounded by rolling hills covered in vineyards, including the vines that produce Dom Perignon. Wander around the village of Hautvillers and stop for lunch or a refreshment at one of the restaurants or bars.
Just 10-minutes south of Hautvillers is Épernay. Épernay is home to the famous Avenue de Champagne where you can find twenty Champagne Houses located in 19th century grand mansions. At these houses you can sample this decadent drink and learn about the history and making process of Champagne. Épernay is a good option to base yourself for the day and night if you want to experience several champagne tastings as you can wander along the beautiful street from one Champagne House to another. Advance reservations are recommended, particularly at the more famous houses like Moët & Chandon and Perrier-Jouët.
Alternatively, if you would like to visit a vineyard outside of a town, we recommend Champagne Château de Boursault. We booked a tasting here due to its beautiful surroundings. The grand Neo-Renaissance chateau was commissioned by Veuve Clicquot and sits in an estate surrounded by vineyards which have provided Champagne Chateau de Boursault since 1927. We enjoyed a tasting of 3 of their champagnes, plus a self-guided stroll around the estate for 15 euros. For 30 euros you can taste the 3 champagnes plus a guided tour of the chateau and cellars beneath it.
To end the day, have dinner back in Épernay and if you have time, take a drive around the countryside roads for more beautiful views.
Night 2: Champagne region
Day 2 France itinerary: Paris or Disneyland Paris
On day 2, there are two options, either visit Paris or visit Disneyland Paris. Both are fantastic options, it just depends on what you would prefer. Disneyland Paris is an hour and 15 minutes drive from Epernay and Paris is approximately 2 hours drive. Whichever you decide to visit, start your day early so you can fit as much in as possible.
Option 1: Disneyland Paris:
A classic choice, fun for kids and adults, adults with kids and adults without kids. We don’t feel we need to provide too much information about visiting here as you know what you get. Tickets can be purchased at the gate although there may be some savings on advance bookings. There are many decent and budget-friendly hotels located just outside the park while Disney-themed hotels inside the park offer the full experience. If you do have any questions about visiting Disneyland Paris, drop them in the comments box at the end of this guide and we’ll get back to you.
Option 2: Paris:
Visiting Paris is a great option if you haven’t been before as it is one of the must-see cities in the world for its famous sights, beautiful architecture and general Parisian culture. If you decide to visit Paris for the day, leave the car parked and use the metro, public electric scooters and walk to get around the city. We’ve visited Paris in a single day many times, and even though you can’t see and do everything, it’s amazing how much you can fit in. This is the itinerary we would recommend:
Start your day at one of the most famous structures in the world, the Eiffel Tower. No matter how many times we’ve seen it, catching that first glimpse never gets old. The tower can be seen throughout Paris, but getting up close to it really gives the scale of it’s enormity. Head down to the River Seine near the Jardins du Trocadero for a fantastic view and then if you’re up for it, ascend to the top of the tower for an additional experience, plus incredible 360 degree views across Paris. The top can be reached by taking one of the lifts or climbing the 1,665 steps. If you do decide to visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, we recommend booking a ticket in advance as it will save a long wait to buy a ticket on the day.
From the Eiffel Towel, walk 5-minutes to Rue de l’Universite, a quiet little street with a gorgeous view of the tower framed by Parisian buildings and trees. Next, head to Sain-Germain-des-Pres. You can either catch the metro or ride a public scooter which can be easily found throughout the streets of Paris.
Saint-Germain-des-Pres is one of the more beautiful neighbourhoods in Paris, home to classic Parisian-style cafes with tables spilling onto the pavement, patisseries with windows full of colourful deserts and upscale boutique shops. Stop by Les Deux Magots or Cafe de Flore for lunch and people watch from a street side table. After lunch, wander the streets and check out the shops and art galleries.
From Saint-Germain, walk to the River Seine and head west along the river bank where you will see Ile de la Cite, one of the two natural islands on the river and home to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Entry into the cathedral is free, but a reservation is recommended to avoid the lines.
Once you’ve visited the Notre Dame, cross over to the northern side of the Seine and make your way to the Louvre. The Louvre is a national art museum which houses a large collection of over 500,00 pieces from Egyptian artefacts to Italian Renaissance works, and of course the most famous piece of all, the Mona Lisa. You could honestly spend a few hours visiting the Louvre, so if this is something you really want to do, then make sure you calve out enough time and book a ticket in advance. We’ll admit, we don’t always go inside, but even seeing the glass pyramid up close is special.
From the Louvre, head north to the neighbourhood of Montmarte. This is our favourite part of Paris. Climbing the hill through the cobblestoned streets lined with artists sketching portraits, ducking into little wine bars and finally reaching the Sacré-Cœur Basilica with its sweeping view over Paris feels like the epitome of Paris.
As evening falls, loop past the Arc De Triomphe and witness the chaos of the 12 avenues that culminate at this monument. Close to the Arc de Triomphe are many excellent, authentic French restaurants where you can dine among locals. Our top picks are: Gabylou, La Gazette and Le Petit Pergolese. Finish your day with a walk to Place du Trocadero, for a final view of the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the night sky.
If you are looking to spend the night in central Paris, we recommend Hotel West End. This boutique hotel is located in an ornate Parisian style building, with just 49 spacious rooms that are elegantly decorated and some even have a view of the Eiffel Tower. A continental breakfast is included and the staff will even bring it to your room free of charge.
Night 2: Paris
Day 3 France itinerary: Senlis and return to UK
On your final day, head north towards Calais but make time for a stop in Senlis, a beautiful town just an hour northeast of Paris. It is a well-preserved medieval town, with a classic French flare, that was once home to monarchs of France, making it an ideal stop to round off your long weekend getaway.
Wander the cobblestoned streets of Senlis stopping by the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Senlis for its gothic architecture and the Chateau royal de Senlis – the ruins of an ancient castle which today has been transformed into a peaceful garden. Senlis is also home to many restaurants and cafes, making it the perfect place to stop for lunch.
From Senlis it’s a 2.5-3 hour journey north to Calais where you can catch a ferry or the EuroTunnel back to the UK in the evening.
If you have any questions about planning this trip, feel free to drop a comment below. We’d love to help you craft the perfect itinerary.
