Nice French Riviera coastline Monte Carlo Casino and harbour yachts in Monaco Louvre Museum glass pyramid entrance Sacré-Cœur Basilica on Montmartre hill Paris

Best 3 Days in France — from Nice

Nice → Paris

3 days · 2 cities · 6 activities · route optimized by distance

A mix of history and art & culture. A moderate mix of walking and active experiences, mostly at your own pace. Includes 4 must-see landmarks across Nice and Paris.

Highlights: Eiffel Tower, Paris, Louvre Museum, Paris, Palace of Versailles Day Trip from Paris, Promenade des Anglais & Vieux Nice, Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Paris

Arriving Wed, Jul 1 Change

This variant starts in Nice instead of the default, with the route re-optimized from that entry point.

Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking

6+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 2 cities

Where you'll stay
Hotel in Nice · From €100/night +1 more
See lodging →
Trip cost
~$588 total · $196/day
See budget →
Top picks
Promenade des Anglais & Vieux Nice, Monaco & Monte Carlo Day Trip from Nice, Eiffel Tower, Paris
See itinerary →

Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out

Nice

Nice 2 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 1 Wed, Jul 1 Full Nice View on map
Morning Nice Promenade des Anglais coastline and bay
Promenade des Anglais & Vieux Nice$~3 hrs

Walk the 7 km Riviera promenade then dive into Vieux Nice's Baroque lanes and Cours Saleya market

Best May-Jun and Sep; avoid August crowds; Cours Saleya flower/food market Tue-Sun mornings; Mon is antiques/brocante day 📍 Map
Afternoon Monte Carlo Casino and harbour yachts in Monaco
Monaco & Monte Carlo Day Trip from Nice$$~5 hrs

Take the 25-minute train to Monaco for the Prince's Palace, Monte Carlo Casino, and a yacht-filled harbour walk

$5 Verified Mar 2026 Best spring/autumn; avoid Monaco Grand Prix weekend in late May (2026: May 21-24); Prince's Palace guard change daily at 11:55 am 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Nice

Promenade des Anglais / Old Nice / Port

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Travelers book: Hotel La Pérouse €200-350/nightNice Garden Hotel €80-140/nightVilla Rivoli €100-170/nightPromenade des Anglais $100-200/night2 p. cosy/terrasse Nice $60-120/nightL'Abeille - Boutique Apartments $100-200/nightLuxueux appartement $100-200/nightCapitole Bleu $60-120/night
Book Hotel in Nice from €100/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Nice → Paris
1h 36m ~€70 Flight from Nice NCE to Paris CDG (1h35m)

Paris

Paris 4 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 2 Thu, Jul 2 Full Paris View on map
Morning
Eiffel Tower, Paris$$~3 hrs

Ride the elevator to the summit of the world's most visited monument for 360° views over Paris

$40 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; timed entry required — book online weeks ahead in peak season (Apr-Sep) 📍 Map
Afternoon Palace of Versailles Hall of Mirrors and formal gardens
Palace of Versailles Day Trip from Paris$$~6 hrs

Take the RER C to Versailles for the Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments, and Le Nôtre's vast formal gardens

$38 Verified Mar 2026 Garden fountain shows Apr-Oct weekends; pre-booking strongly recommended Apr-Sep; closed Mondays
🏨 Hotel in Paris

Le Marais / Saint-Germain / Latin Quarter

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Travelers book: Hotel Le Petit Paris €180-280/nightGenerator Paris €50-90/nightHotel Jeanne d'Arc Le Marais €120-180/nightRitz Paris $200-400/nightLouvre Luxury Apartment and Spa $100-200/nightAppartement Rue des Francs Bourgeois $100-200/nightHotel du Rond-Point - Esprit de France $100-200/nightCour des Vosges $200-400/night
Book Hotel in Paris from €150/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 3 Fri, Jul 3 Moderate Paris View on map
Morning Louvre Museum glass pyramid entrance
Louvre Museum, Paris$$~4 hrs

Walk past the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory at the world's most visited museum

$35 Verified Mar 2026 Shorter queues Oct-Mar; closed Tuesdays; book timed entry online in advance 📍 Map
Afternoon Sacré-Cœur Basilica on Montmartre hill Paris
Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Paris$~3 hrs

Climb Paris's bohemian hilltop village to Sacré-Cœur for the city's widest unobstructed view

Year-round; arrive early morning to avoid midday crowds 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Paris

Le Marais / Saint-Germain / Latin Quarter

wifibreakfastair-conditioningelevator
Travelers book: Hotel Le Petit Paris €180-280/nightGenerator Paris €50-90/nightHotel Jeanne d'Arc Le Marais €120-180/nightRitz Paris $200-400/nightLouvre Luxury Apartment and Spa $100-200/nightAppartement Rue des Francs Bourgeois $100-200/nightHotel du Rond-Point - Esprit de France $100-200/nightCour des Vosges $200-400/night
Book Hotel in Paris from €150/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

Where You’ll Stay

Estimated total: €320–€480

Trip Budget Estimate

$588 estimated total per person
$196 per day
Lodging $400
Activities $118
Transport $70

Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.

Typical range for France

$270 – $1,500 per person for 3 days

Budget: $90/day — Hostels, boulangeries, metro passes Mid-range: $250/day — Boutique hotels, bistros, TGV tickets Luxury: $500/day — Palace hotels, Michelin dining, private guides

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

🚄 Rail

TGV high-speed trains via SNCF Connect link Paris to Lyon (2h), Marseille (3.5h), and Bordeaux (2h). Book early for best fares.

🚄 Rail

TER regional trains cover shorter routes without reservation. Buy at the station.

🚗 Car

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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