10-Day France Itinerary with Paris and the Riviera

See a realistic 10-day France itinerary covering Paris, Versailles, the Loire Valley, Mont Saint-Michel, Lyon, Avignon, and the French Riviera.

Day 1: Paris, France

Arrive in Paris, settle into the Left Bank, and ease into the trip with a classic Seine-side evening.

9:30 AM — Arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and transfer into the city.
10:15 AM — Airport taxi to the Left Bank: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport → Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Paris. Direct taxi transfer after the flight so the first day stays light and simple.
11:15 AM — Stay at Hotel Le Six. Boutique hotel near Jardin du Luxembourg with easy Metro access.
2:00 PM — Jet-lag friendly walk through Jardin du Luxembourg (Jardin du Luxembourg) A gentle first-afternoon stop before heavier sightseeing starts.
4:30 PM — Seine Riverbanks and Pont Alexandre III: An easy riverside walk linking elegant bridges, Invalides views, and postcard Paris scenery. Follow the river toward sunset for a relaxed first look at the city.
6:30 PM — Early evening Seine cruise (Port de la Conference, Paris) A classic first-night activity with views of the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Ile de la Cite.
8:15 PM — Eat at Les Antiquaires. Reliable bistro in Saint-Germain-des-Pres for a low-stress first dinner.

Day 2: Paris, France

Pair two of Paris most famous sights with a structured sightseeing day that still leaves time for Montmartre.

9:00 AM — Eiffel Tower: Paris landmark with citywide views from the esplanade and upper levels. Go early to reduce queues and give the rest of the day breathing room.
9:30 AM — Timed summit or second-floor Eiffel Tower visit (Eiffel Tower) Advance booking is strongly recommended for this stop.
11:45 AM — Metro to the Louvre: Bir-Hakeim → Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre. Simple transfer across central Paris.
12:30 PM — Louvre Museum: One of the worlds great museums, best enjoyed with a focused route rather than trying to see everything. Use a timed entry and focus on a few wings so the visit stays enjoyable.
5:30 PM — Montmartre evening walk (Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur) Good end to the day once the busiest museum hours are behind you.
8:00 PM — Eat at Bouillon Pigalle. Popular casual Paris brasserie near the foot of Montmartre.

Day 3: Versailles, France

Take a realistic day trip from Paris to Versailles and return for a quieter evening in the city.

8:15 AM — RER C to Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche: Invalides Station → Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche. The standard rail route for an independent Versailles visit.
9:20 AM — Palace of Versailles: The grand royal palace of Louis XIV, famous for the Hall of Mirrors and formal gardens. Allow most of the day here if you want both the palace and gardens without rushing.
10:00 AM — Hall of Mirrors and garden circuit (Versailles Estate) A timed palace entry works best, followed by time outdoors in the gardens.
2:00 PM — Eat at La Petite Venise. Well-known lunch option inside the Versailles estate.
4:30 PM — Return train to Paris: Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche → Invalides Station. Back in Paris in time for a slower evening.
6:30 PM — Trocadero: One of the best open viewpoints for classic Eiffel Tower photos after dark. A strong final Paris evening before leaving the capital the next morning.

Day 4: Loire Valley, France

Move south to the Loire Valley for chateau scenery, vineyard country, and a slower pace than Paris.

8:00 AM — TGV Paris Montparnasse to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps: Paris Montparnasse → Saint-Pierre-des-Corps. Fastest practical rail link into the Loire Valley.
9:25 AM — Transfer to Chenonceau: Saint-Pierre-des-Corps → Chateau de Chenonceau. Direct transfer so the chateau visit starts smoothly.
10:00 AM — Chateau de Chenonceau: One of the Loire Valleys most photogenic chateaux, known for its galleries over the River Cher. A half-day visit here is realistic if you want the interiors and gardens.
2:30 PM — Loire wine tasting near Amboise (Vouvray or Amboise area cellar) Pairs well with an overnight in Amboise rather than trying to cover multiple chateaux in one day.
5:00 PM — Stay at Le Choiseul. Historic hotel in Amboise within easy reach of the old town.
7:30 PM — Eat at L Epicerie Amboise. Casual dinner option in the center of Amboise.

Day 5: Mont Saint-Michel, France

Travel across to Normandy and spend the night at Mont Saint-Michel so the island can be enjoyed after day crowds thin out.

7:30 AM — Amboise to Mont Saint-Michel via Rennes: Amboise / Saint-Pierre-des-Corps → Mont Saint-Michel shuttle stop. The practical rail route uses Rennes before the final shuttle connection.
1:30 PM — Mont Saint-Michel Abbey: A medieval abbey rising above the tidal bay and one of Frances most iconic UNESCO sites. Arriving for an overnight stay gives time for the abbey plus the atmosphere after most day visitors leave.
5:00 PM — Ramparts and village lanes at dusk (Mont Saint-Michel village) One of the best reasons to stay overnight instead of rushing back the same day.
6:30 PM — Stay at Auberge Saint-Pierre. Historic inn on the island itself.

Day 6: Lyon, France

Use the morning to leave Mont Saint-Michel, then settle into Lyon for old-town lanes and classic bouchon dining.

7:45 AM — Mont Saint-Michel to Lyon via Rennes: Mont Saint-Michel → Lyon Part-Dieu. A long transfer day, so keeping the Lyon program light is more realistic.
2:45 PM — Stay at Hotel des Artistes. Central hotel close to Place des Jacobins and Vieux Lyon.
4:00 PM — Vieux Lyon: Renaissance streets, traboules, and riverside viewpoints in Lyons UNESCO-listed historic core. Perfect for a first afternoon after a long rail journey.
5:30 PM — Funicular up to Fourviere Basilica (Fourviere Hill) Combines well with an early-evening wander back through the old town.
7:45 PM — Eat at Daniel et Denise Saint-Jean. Classic bouchon choice for Lyonnais cuisine in Vieux Lyon.

Day 7: Avignon, France

Head into Provence for papal history, compact old-town walking, and a lighter southbound stop before the Riviera.

8:30 AM — Lyon Part-Dieu to Avignon TGV: Lyon Part-Dieu → Avignon TGV. Quick southbound connection into Provence.
9:45 AM — Shuttle to Avignon Centre: Avignon TGV → Avignon Centre. Simple final connection into the old city.
10:30 AM — Palais des Papes: The huge Gothic palace built when the popes ruled from Avignon in the 14th century. This is the main must-see sight in Avignon and works well as the anchor visit for the day.
2:30 PM — Pont d Avignon and old-town walk (Avignon old city) A better-paced same-city afternoon than trying to force in Pont du Gard by bus.
5:30 PM — Stay at Hotel de l Horloge. Central stay right in the historic core.

Day 8: Nice, France

Ride east to Nice and spend the afternoon enjoying the Riviera at an easy pace instead of overstuffing the arrival day.

8:40 AM — Avignon Centre to Nice-Ville: Avignon Centre → Nice-Ville. Allow a half day for this move so the afternoon in Nice still feels enjoyable.
12:45 PM — Stay at Hotel La Perouse Nice. Well-placed base between Old Nice and the seafront.
2:30 PM — Old Nice: Colorful streets, markets, and cafes packed into the historic center near the sea. Arrival day sightseeing works best on foot around Old Nice and the waterfront.
5:00 PM — Castle Hill sunset viewpoint (Colline du Chateau, Nice) One of the best panoramas over the Baie des Anges.
6:45 PM — Promenade des Anglais: Nice seafront promenade lined with beaches and Belle Epoque hotels. Ideal for a final stroll before dinner.

Day 9: Nice and Monaco

Take a compact Riviera day trip to Monaco, then return to Nice for one last Mediterranean evening.

9:00 AM — Regional train to Monaco: Nice-Ville → Monaco-Monte-Carlo. Fast coastal train makes Monaco one of the easiest day trips from Nice.
10:00 AM — Monaco-Ville: Historic old town on the Rock with harbor views, lanes, and the Prince Palace area. Better first stop than heading straight to the casino quarter.
1:30 PM — Casino Square and harbor walk (Monte Carlo) A realistic Monaco afternoon focused on the exterior atmosphere rather than trying to overpack museums.
4:15 PM — Return train to Nice: Monaco-Monte-Carlo → Nice-Ville. Back in Nice with enough time for a final evening on the coast.
7:30 PM — Eat at Le Safari. Classic final-night dinner option on Cours Saleya in Old Nice.

Day 10: Nice, France

Departure day with a simple airport connection from central Nice.

8:00 AM — Breakfast, check-out, and final walk along the seafront if time allows.
9:00 AM — Tram line 2 to Nice Airport: Jean Medecin → Nice Cote d Azur Airport. The most practical public transport connection from central Nice.
12:00 PM — Departure from Nice Cote d Azur Airport.