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10-day itinerary

France First-Timer's Guide

10 days in Paris, Provence, and the French Riviera

Length
10 days · 6 sights
Pace
Challenging
Estimated cost
€587 per person
Based in
France

Day by day

  1. Day 1: Arrival in Paris & The Grand Trianon

    Arrive in Paris, settle in, and explore the lesser-known but stunning Trianon estates in Versailles to avoid the main palace crowds.

    • 10:00

      Travel to Versailles

      Take the RER C train from central Paris to Versailles Château station.

      About 2 hours

    • 12:00

      The Grand Trianon

      Visit the 18th-century pink marble palace. It offers a more intimate and serene experience than the main palace, with beautiful gardens.

      About 3 hours

    • 15:00

      Lunch in Versailles

      Light lunch at a café near the Place d'Armes.

      About 60 min

    • 16:30

      Return to Paris

      RER C train back to Paris city center.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Versailles Town Center
    Where to stay:
    Stay in the 6th or 7th arrondissement for easy access to transport.
    Getting around:
    RER C train is essential for Versailles. Metro for city travel.

  2. Day 2: Parisian Classics & River Cruise

    Experience the iconic sights of Paris, including the Seine and a classic landmark.

    • 09:00

      Louvre Museum (Exterior & Tuileries)

      Walk through the Tuileries Garden and view the Louvre pyramid. Skip the interior to save time for other regions.

      About 2 hours

    • 11:00

      Seine River Cruise

      A 1-hour boat tour to see Notre-Dame (exterior), Eiffel Tower, and bridges from the water.

      About 3 hours

    • 14:00

      Lunch in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

      Traditional French bistro lunch.

      About 60 min

    • 16:00

      Walking Tour of Le Marais

      Explore the historic Jewish quarter and trendy shops.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Saint-Germain-des-Prés
    Where to stay:
    Continue staying in Paris.
    Getting around:
    Walking and Metro.

  3. Day 3: Train to Provence: Aix-en-Provence

    Travel south to the heart of Provence. The train ride offers scenic views of the French countryside.

    • 08:00

      TGV Train to Aix-en-Provence

      High-speed train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Aix-en-Provence TGV. Book 2-3 months in advance.

      About 6 hours

    • 12:00

      Lunch in Aix

      Provençal cuisine near the Cours Mirabeau.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Cours Mirabeau & Old Town

      Stroll along the famous avenue lined with plane trees and cafes.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Aix-en-Provence Center
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Aix-en-Provence city center.
    Getting around:
    TGV Train. Local buses or walking in Aix.

  4. Day 4: Provence Villages: Gordes & Roussillon

    Explore the iconic hilltop villages of Provence. A rental car is highly recommended for this day.

    • 09:00

      Car Rental & Drive to Gordes

      Pick up a rental car and drive to Gordes.

      About 60 min

    • 10:00

      Gordes Village

      Visit one of the 'Plus Beaux Villages de France' with stunning panoramic views.

      About 2 hours

    • 12:30

      Lunch in Gordes

      Picnic or light meal with a view.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Roussillon Ochre Trail

      Hike the colorful ochre cliffs and trails in Roussillon.

      About 2 hours

    • 16:00

      Return Car to Aix

      Drive back to Aix-en-Provence.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Gordes
    Where to stay:
    Continue staying in Aix.
    Getting around:
    Rental car is essential for this day.

  5. Day 5: Travel to Nice & Promenade

    Drive south along the coast to Nice, the capital of the French Riviera.

    • 09:00

      Drive to Nice

      Scenic drive along the A8 autoroute towards the Mediterranean.

      About 3 hours

    • 12:00

      Lunch in Nice

      Socca and local specialties near the Old Town.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Parc de la Colline du Château

      Hike up to the park for panoramic views of Nice and the Baie des Anges.

      About 2 hours

    • 16:00

      Promenade des Anglais

      Walk along the famous seaside promenade.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Nice Old Town
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Nice, near the Promenade or Old Town.
    Getting around:
    Rental car for the drive, then public transport/walking in Nice.

  6. Day 6: Monaco & Monte Carlo

    A short trip to the glamorous principality of Monaco.

    • 09:00

      Bus to Monaco

      Take Bus 5 or 11 from Nice to Monaco.

      About 30 min

    • 10:00

      Monte Carlo Casino & Square

      See the iconic casino exterior and the luxurious square.

      About 2 hours

    • 12:30

      Lunch in Monaco

      Casual lunch with a view of the harbor.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Monaco Cathedral & Oceanographic Museum

      Visit the Prince's Palace area and the famous museum.

      About 2 hours

    • 16:30

      Return to Nice

      Bus back to Nice.

      About 30 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Monaco
    Where to stay:
    Continue staying in Nice.
    Getting around:
    Local bus to Monaco.

  7. Day 7: Train to Burgundy: Cluny

    Head inland to Burgundy to explore medieval history and Romanesque architecture.

    • 08:00

      Train to Cluny

      Train from Nice to Lyon, then local train to Cluny. This is a long travel day.

      About 5 hours

    • 13:00

      Lunch in Cluny

      Traditional Burgundian lunch.

      About 60 min

    • 14:30

      Église Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul

      Visit the 12th-century church in Sussey/Cluny area, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Cluny
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Cluny or nearby Mâcon.
    Getting around:
    Trains. Local taxi or walk.

  8. Day 8: Loire Valley: Saumur & Loches

    Explore the Loire Valley's castles and historic towns.

    • 09:00

      Château de Saumur

      Visit the Gothic castle-museum with panoramic Loire views.

      About 2 hours

    • 12:00

      Lunch in Saumur

      Lunch near the Loire river.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Marché de Loches

      Visit the historic Royal City of Loches and its market (if day matches) or explore the castle.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Saumur
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Tours or Saumur.
    Getting around:
    Rental car recommended for Loire Valley flexibility.

  9. Day 9: Return to Paris & Notre-Dame Area

    Travel back north to Paris to conclude the trip.

    • 09:00

      TGV to Paris

      High-speed train from Tours or Saumur to Paris Gare de Lyon.

      About 4 hours

    • 13:00

      Lunch in Paris

      Final French meal in Paris.

      About 60 min

    • 15:00

      Île de la Cité & Sainte-Chapelle

      Explore the historic heart of Paris, including the exterior of Notre-Dame and the stunning Sainte-Chapelle.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Paris 4th Arrondissement
    Where to stay:
    Final night in Paris.
    Getting around:
    TGV Train. Metro for city travel.

  10. Day 10: Departure

    Final morning in Paris and departure.

    • 09:00

      Morning Coffee & Croissant

      Enjoy a final French breakfast at a local café.

      About 60 min

    • 11:00

      Transfer to Airport

      Take the RER B or taxi to Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly Airport.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Breakfast at Paris Hotel/Café
    Getting around:
    RER B or Taxi.

Practical information

For a ten-day first-time trip covering Paris, Provence, and the French Riviera, the optimal visiting windows are April to June or September to October. These shoulder seasons offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation costs compared to the peak summer months. July and August bring intense heat and significant congestion, particularly in coastal areas like Nice and along the Riviera. If traveling in summer, expect higher prices and the need for advance bookings for both transport and lodging. Transportation strategy is critical for this multi-city itinerary. Begin in Paris, where the metro system is efficient for local travel. To move between cities, the high-speed TGV train is the recommended mode of transport, particularly for the journey from Paris to Aix-en-Provence. Book train tickets one to three months in advance to secure better rates, as prices rise sharply closer to the departure date. While buses like Flixbus are cheaper, they take significantly longer (10–12 hours) and are less comfortable for long distances. Avoid flying between major cities unless necessary, as airport transit times often negate the short flight duration. Once in Provence, renting a car is highly advisable to access rural villages and vineyards, though parking in cities like Aix-en-Provence can be challenging. Accommodation should be distributed to minimize backtracking. Spend three nights in Paris, staying in central arrondissements for walkability. For the southern leg, base yourself in Aix-en-Provence for a few nights to explore the region, then move to Nice or a Riviera town for the final days. Consider staying in one location for multiple nights to reduce packing stress. Budgeting should account for the high cost of intercity train tickets and popular restaurant meals in tourist hubs. Costs generally exclude national park fees or specific guided tours. Pack layers, as weather can shift quickly, especially in spring and autumn. Essential items include comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets, a universal power adapter, and a reusable water bottle, as tap water is safe in France. Key tips include learning basic French phrases, as English proficiency varies outside major tourist centers. Always validate train tickets before boarding to avoid fines. For dining, lunch menus often offer better value than dinner. Finally, carry small cash for markets and smaller establishments, though cards are widely accepted in urban areas.

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