A mix of food & wine, art & culture, and walking tours. Mostly low-effort and walkable, mostly at your own pace. Includes 3 must-see landmarks across Paris and Nice and Lyon.
Highlights: Seine River Cruise, Les Halles Paul Bocuse & Lyon Bouchon Experience, French Riviera Beaches, Montmartre Village & Artist Quarter
Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking
17+ 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
Float past the Eiffel Tower, restored Notre-Dame, and the Louvre on a 1-hour Seine cruise
$17 Verified Mar 2026 Best spring-summer 📍 MapLe Marais / Saint-Germain / Latin Quarter
Browse Van Gogh, Monet, and Degas in Paris's finest Impressionist museum, a converted railway station
$17 Verified Mar 2026 Closed Mondays; Thursday evenings open until 9:45 pm with reduced €12 admission after 6 pm
Climb Paris's bohemian hilltop village, once home to Picasso, Van Gogh, and Renoir
Year-round; best in morning before tour groups arriveLe 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
Nice
Nice
Spend a day on the pebble beaches of Nice and the Côte d'Azur — free public beaches and private beach clubs
Swimming best June-September; beach clubs close Oct
See the world's largest Matisse collection in a 17th-century Genoese villa above Nice, surrounded by Roman ruins
$11 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; closed Tuesdays and public holidays; monastery gardens best in spring 📍 MapPromenade des Anglais / Old Nice / Port
Hike red porphyry rock cliffs above turquoise coves in the Esterel Massif west of Cannes
Best spring and autumn; fire risk can close trails Jul-Aug — check Var Préfecture restrictions before going 📍 MapTaste 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 SaleyaPromenade 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 recommendedSpend unstructured time in Lyon — browse a bouchon menu, walk along the Saône, or visit the Fourvière hill
Presqu'île / Vieux Lyon / Croix-Rousse
Explore Lyon at your own pace
Best spring through fall with mild weather 📍 MapPresqu'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.
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