France: Paris to the Riviera in 12 Days
France
Overview
France's high-speed TGV network turns this into an easy south-bound line: Paris for the icons, Lyon as the country's unofficial food capital, then the Côte d'Azur's glamour in Nice and the gritty port energy of Marseille. Each leg is a two-to-four-hour train ride, so the pace stays relaxed even while covering real distance.
- Duration
- 12 days
- Pace
- Balanced
- Transport
- Public transport
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- €1,500–€1,950
Route
Highlights
- Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and a Seine-side evening in Paris
- Lyon's Vieux Lyon and its bouchon restaurants
- The Promenade des Anglais and Old Town in Nice
- Marseille's Vieux-Port and the calanques coastline
Worth knowing
- The French Riviera is dramatically more expensive and crowded in July–August
- Paris museum queues are long without pre-booked tickets
- Twelve days moves fast for four cities — an extra day in Nice helps
Day by day
Day 1
ParisMain activities
- Arrive, settle in
- Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro at sunset
Optional additions
- Seine river cruise
Day 2
ParisMain activities
- The Louvre
- Notre-Dame area and Île de la Cité
Optional additions
- Sainte-Chapelle
Day 3
ParisMain activities
- Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
- Musée d'Orsay
Optional additions
- Day trip to the Palace of Versailles
Day 4
Paris → LyonMain activities
- TGV high-speed train (~2h)
- Vieux Lyon and the traboules
Optional additions
- Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Day 5
LyonMain activities
- Presqu'île district
- Bouchon dinner — Lyon's traditional bistros
Optional additions
- Musée des Confluences
Day 6
Lyon → NiceMain activities
- TGV high-speed train (~4.5h)
- Promenade des Anglais at sunset
Day 7
NiceMain activities
- Old Town (Vieux Nice) and the flower market
- Castle Hill viewpoint
Optional additions
- Day trip to Èze or Monaco
Day 8
NiceMain activities
- Beach day
- Matisse or Chagall museum
Optional additions
- Train along the coast to Villefranche-sur-Mer
Day 9
Nice → MarseilleMain activities
- Train along the coast (~2.5h)
- Vieux-Port and Le Panier district
Day 10
MarseilleMain activities
- Boat trip to the Calanques
- Notre-Dame de la Garde viewpoint
Optional additions
- Château d'If
Day 11
MarseilleMain activities
- MuCEM and the waterfront
- Bouillabaisse dinner
Optional additions
- Day trip to Cassis
Day 12
MarseilleMain activities
- Departure via Marseille Provence Airport or TGV to Paris
Alternatives
Drop Lyon and go directly Paris → Nice, then Nice → Marseille.
Add the Loire Valley châteaux and Bordeaux before heading south.