This food & wine itinerary reshuffles the schedule around food & wine activities — local cuisine, wine tastings, and food tours. Mostly low-effort and walkable, with a mix of self-guided and guided activities. Includes one must-see landmark across Paris and Nice and Lyon.
Highlights: Vieux Lyon — UNESCO Renaissance Quarter & Traboules, Les Halles Paul Bocuse & Lyon Bouchon Experience
This 10-day France itinerary is built around food and drink experiences — 17 activities focus on local cuisine, markets, cooking classes, and tastings across Paris, Nice, and Lyon.
Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking
18+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 3 cities
Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out
Paris
Paris
Taste artisan cheese, wine, and pastries in Paris's trendiest quarter with a local guide
$92 Verified Mar 2026 Best spring-fall; market open Tue-Sun mornings 📍 Map
Walk Place des Vosges, the Marché des Enfants Rouges, and the Jewish Quarter falafel strip in one half-day
Year-round; Marché des Enfants Rouges open Tue-Sun; Musée Picasso closed Mondays; many galleries closed MonLe Marais / Saint-Germain / Latin Quarter
Eat 100% gluten-free French pastries, eclairs, and croissants at Paris's first dedicated celiac patisserie
$18 Year-round; Saint-Honoré location Tue-Sat; verify current hours via Instagram 📍 MapBrunch or lunch at NoGlu, a stylish 100% gluten-free restaurant and grocery near the Palais Royal
$24 Year-round; Grenelle location open daily; hours vary by branch 📍 MapLe Marais / Saint-Germain / Latin Quarter
Lunch at Le Potager du Marais, a beloved plant-based bistro serving vegan French classics since 2004
$18 Year-round; check current hours — many Paris bistros close Sunday evenings and Mondays[CLOSED 2025] Gentle Gourmet — Paris's acclaimed vegan fine-dining tasting menu restaurant — permanently closed in 2025
$75 PERMANENTLY CLOSED as of 2025 — verify before including in itineraryLe Marais / Saint-Germain / Latin Quarter
Brunch at Biosphère Café, a certified organic, 100% gluten-free and plant-based café near Parc Monceau (8th arr.)
$26 Year-round; dinner Saturdays, brunch Sundays; lunch Mon-Fri 📍 MapStop at Cloud Cakes for Instagram-worthy 100% vegan pastries and cakes in the Marais
$10 Year-round; cakes often sell out by mid-afternoon — visit in the morningLe Marais / Saint-Germain / Latin Quarter
Learn to taste and decode French wine in an atmospheric underground cellar with cheese pairings
$93 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; ideal for rainy days
Tour Moët & Chandon cellars, sip Champagne in Épernay vineyards, and visit Reims cathedral
$217 Verified Mar 2026 Harvest season in September is especially atmospheric Book this tour →Le Marais / Saint-Germain / Latin Quarter
Nice
NiceTaste socca, pissaladière, and panisse at nine stops through Vieux Nice's specialist eateries
$86 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; morning tours best for market freshness at Cours SaleyaDrive into Provence for a full day of tastings at three wineries, local lunch, and winemaking history
$199 Verified Mar 2026 Harvest season September-October is most atmospheric Book this tour →Promenade des Anglais / Old Nice / Port
Cycle Provençal hills on an electric bike to a family winery for tastings and a picnic lunch
$90 Verified Mar 2026 Spring and autumn most pleasant; grape harvest in September Book this tour →Hit four bars with a complimentary shot at each, then get free nightclub entry at the Riviera's best spots
$23 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; busiest in summer season Book this tour →Promenade des Anglais / Old Nice / Port
Lyon
Lyon
Browse Lyon's legendary indoor food market with 60+ vendors, then lunch at a traditional Lyonnais bouchon
Open Tue-Sun 7am-10:30pm; food stall activity peaks 8am-1pm; bouchon reservations recommendedVisit Beaujolais wineries for tastings and drive through the best-preserved medieval village in France
$122 Verified Mar 2026 Beaujolais Nouveau released third Thursday in November — a festive time to visit Book this tour →Presqu'île / Vieux Lyon / Croix-Rousse
Walk Lyon's UNESCO-listed Renaissance district and duck through the famous traboules — hidden silk-merchant passageways
Year-round; Fête des Lumières light festival in December transforms the old town 📍 MapCycle through Vieux Lyon, the Presqu'île, and La Croix-Rousse with a local guide and regional tastings along the way
$80 Verified Mar 2026 Best spring-autumn; also runs in dry winter weather Book this tour →Presqu'île / Vieux Lyon / Croix-Rousse
Check out of your hotel, grab a final breakfast, and head to the airport. Safe travels from Lyon!
Where You’ll Stay
Estimated total: €904–€1,356
Trip Budget Estimate
Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.
Typical range for France
$900 – $5,000 per person for 10 days
Similar Destinations
Similar vibes, fewer crowds — destinations our algorithm rates as close matches to France.
🧳 Practical Info for France
- Visa
- Schengen Area — visa-free for up to 90 days for US, UK, CA, AU citizens. EU/EEA nationals have freedom of movement.
- Tipping
- Service charge included by law (service compris). Round up the bill or leave 1–2€ for good service.
- Currency
- Euro (€ EUR). Cards accepted almost everywhere; some markets and small vendors prefer cash.
- Power
- 230V, Type C/E plugs. US/CA travelers need a plug adapter.
- Connectivity
- SIM cards at airport shops (Orange, SFR, Free Mobile). Good 4G/5G coverage nationwide.
- Emergency
- 112 (general emergency), 15 (medical/SAMU), 17 (police)
🚄 Getting Around France
TGV high-speed trains via SNCF Connect link Paris to Lyon (2h), Marseille (3.5h), and Bordeaux (2h). Book early for best fares.
TER regional trains cover shorter routes without reservation. Buy at the station.
Car rental recommended for wine country, Provence, and the Loire Valley where trains are infrequent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 5 days enough for France?
5 days works for Paris (3 days) plus one region — Normandy, Loire Valley, or Provence. For the French Riviera and wine country, plan 7-10 days.
What is the best way to travel around France?
TGV high-speed trains connect major cities in 1-3 hours. Book on SNCF Connect for best prices. Renting a car is better for wine country and rural Provence.
What is the best time to visit France?
May-June and September are ideal — warm weather, fewer crowds than July-August. Lavender blooms in Provence peak late June to early August.
How much does 5 days in France cost?
Budget: $90-120/day. Mid-range: $200-350/day. Luxury: $500+/day. Paris is 30-40% more expensive than the rest of France.
Do I tip in France?
Service is included in the bill (service compris). Rounding up by a euro or two for good service is appreciated but not expected.
