France in 10 days: Paris (4 nights), Loire Valley day trip, train to Provence (2 nights), Côte d’Azur (3 nights). TGV + one rental car day.
The TL;DR
Duration: 10 days
Estimated cost: $2,500-4,800 per person excluding flights
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: Arrive Paris
Land CDG. RER train to your hotel (Marais or Saint-Germain). Dinner at Le Comptoir du Relais.
Day 2: Paris classics
Eiffel Tower morning (book sunset slot for later), Champs-Élysées + Arc de Triomphe, lunch at Buvette, evening Seine boat cruise.
Day 3: Louvre + Marais
Louvre morning (book skip-the-line), lunch at Marché des Enfants Rouges, Marais walking afternoon, dinner at Septime.
Day 4: Versailles day trip
Train to Versailles morning. Gardens + Hall of Mirrors. Lunch in town. Evening back to Paris, dinner at Le Train Bleu.
Day 5: Paris to Loire Valley + back
Day trip by train to Tours, rental car for castles. Chambord + Chenonceau. Back to Paris evening.
Day 6: Paris to Provence
Morning TGV Paris to Avignon (3h). Pick up rental car. Drive to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Walk Van Gogh’s spots.
Day 7: Provence villages
Drive lavender country (Sénanque Abbey if July), Gordes hilltop village, Roussillon ochre cliffs, dinner farmhouse table d’hôte.
Day 8: To Côte d’Azur
Drive to Nice (2h). Drop rental car. Old town walking, Promenade des Anglais, dinner at La Petite Maison.
Day 9: Riviera coast
Train to Eze (medieval village), Monaco day trip (casino + Old Town), back to Nice for evening.
Day 10: Departure
Beach morning or shopping, flight home from NCE.
What to book in advance
- Flights: 10-16 weeks ahead via Google Flights + Going alerts
- Hotels: 8-12 weeks ahead for popular destinations
- Major attractions: 4+ weeks ahead for skip-the-line tickets
- Travel insurance: Within 14 days of first deposit (real claims tested)
Travel essentials for France
- Travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees
- eSIM data plan
- When to actually visit France
- Real cost of 1 week in France
- Pre-travel checklist
FAQs
Is 10 days enough for France?
10 days covers the essentials without rushing. For deeper exploration, add 3-5 days.
How much does this France itinerary cost?
$2,500-4,800 per person excluding flights. See our travel credit card guide to cover up to 50% with sign-up bonus points.
When’s the best time for this itinerary?
Generally shoulder seasons (May-June and September-October). See our best time to visit France.
Can I do this France trip on a budget?
Yes – the low end of the cost range assumes hostels/guesthouses, local food, and public transit. Mid-range and luxury options are detailed in our cost guide.
What’s the biggest mistake first-time visitors make?
Over-scheduling. Pack 2-3 activities per day max. Build in buffer time for jet lag recovery and spontaneous discoveries.