A mix of art & culture and food & wine. A moderate mix of walking and active experiences, mostly at your own pace. Includes 2 must-see landmarks across Paris and Nice and Lyon.
Highlights: Seine River Cruise, French Riviera Beaches, Montmartre Village & Artist Quarter
Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking
11+ 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
ParisBrowse 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
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
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
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
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
Lyon
LyonSpend unstructured time in Lyon — browse a bouchon menu, walk along the Saône, or visit the Fourvière hill
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: €632–€948
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
$630 – $3,500 per person for 7 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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