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Switzerland or France First? Mid-June to Early July Trip – Advice Needed!

Hi everyone!

I’m planning a trip from June 19th to July 9th that includes both Switzerland and France, and I’d love some input on which country to visit first.

If I visit Switzerland first,
Day 1, 2: Appenzel
Day 3, 4: Zermatt
Day 5, 6: Geneva
Day 7, 8: Chamonix
Day 9: Lyon
Day 10, 11: Nice (overnight train to Paris on Day 11)
Day 12, 13, 14, 15, 16: Normandy and Loire
Day 17, 18, 19: Paris

I am wondering if I should reverse the order, so that way I may get better weather in Switzerland, as June might still be very rainy there. I haven’t booked accommodations yet, so I still have flexibility to change the itinerary.

If I go to Paris first,

Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5: Normandy and Loire
Day 6, 7, 8: Paris (overnight train to Nice on Day 8)
Day 9, 10: Nice
Day 11: Lyon
Day 12, 13: Chamonix
Day 14, 15: Geneva
Day 16, 17: Zermatt
Day 18, 19: Appenzel

Please let me know what do you think. Also, if you have suggestions for the itinerary, please do share.

Posted by
853 posts

It depends on what you want to do in Switzerland - hiking? If so, I’d probably do France first for trails to have more time to open up.

I’d also adjust the amount bases you’re doing, because you’re moving way too often. Personally for 18 nights I’d only be doing 4-5 bases max. You have 8, so at minimum cut out Geneva and do 7….

Loire - 3 nights
Paris - 3 nights
Nice - 2 nights
Lyon - 2 nights
Chamonix - 3 nights
Zermatt - 3 Nights
Appenzell - 2 Nights