10 Days in France: Paris, Provence & the Riviera Itinerary

I spent ten days bouncing from the grand cafes of Paris to the lavender fields of Provence and finally the pebbled beaches of Nice. The whole thing worked because I didn’t try to do too much. Three main stops, connected by high-speed trains, with enough time in each to actually feel the place rather than just check it off. Here’s exactly how I did it, including what I’d skip next time.

Is ten days enough for Paris, Provence, and the French Riviera?

Yes, but only if you move smart. I flew into Paris Charles de Gaulle, spent three full days in the capital, then took the TGV from Gare de Lyon down to Avignon. From there, I rented a car for two days to explore Provence, dropped it in Aix-en-Provence, and took another TGV to Nice for the final four days. The train connections are seamless—I booked everything on SNCF Connect a few weeks ahead and paid about €80 per leg in second class.

Paris (Days 1–3): Stay near Saint-Germain or Le Marais. We booked a small apartment on Rue de Buci and could walk to the Louvre and Notre-Dame.
Provence (Days 4–6): Base yourself in Avignon for the walled-city vibe, or Arles for Roman ruins and Van Gogh’s old haunts.
Nice (Days 7–10): Stay in the old town (Vieux Nice) near Cours Saleya market. The tram from the train station drops you right in the center.

What are the best things to do in Paris in three days?

I skipped the Eiffel Tower climb (long queue, better view from Tour Montparnasse) and focused on neighborhoods. Day one was the Louvre in the morning—book a timed slot for 9 a.m. to dodge the crowds—then a walk through Tuileries Garden and an afternoon at Musée d’Orsay. Day two was Montmartre: Sacré-Cœur at sunrise, then a coffee at Café des Deux Moulins (the Amélie cafe, actually good). Day three we just wandered Le Marais, hit the Picasso Museum, and ate falafel at L’As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers.

Louvre: Skip the Mona Lisa line. The Napoleon III apartments and the Cour Marly sculpture gallery are quieter and more impressive.
Musée d’Orsay: The Impressionist collection on the top floor is the reason to go. Allow two hours.
Le Marais: Best for casual walking, vintage shops, and Jewish bakeries. Try the brisket sandwich at Sacha Finkelstajn.
Saint-Germain: Overpriced for dinner, but Café de Flore is fine for a single coffee and people-watching.

How do you get around Provence without a car?

You don’t, really. Public buses exist between Avignon and Arles, but they’re infrequent and don’t reach the hilltop villages. I rented a car from Europcar in Avignon for two days. It cost about €90 total plus fuel. If you don’t drive, book a small-group tour from Avignon that hits three or four villages in a day—GetYourGuide has a good one that stops at Gordes, Roussillon, and Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.

Avignon: The Palais des Papes is worth 90 minutes. The bridge (Pont d’Avignon) is a photo stop, nothing more.
Arles: The Roman amphitheater is still used for bullfights. Van Gogh’s “Café Terrace at Night” location is now a tourist restaurant—skip the meal, just take the photo.
Gordes: The hilltop village is stunning from the valley road. Park outside the walls and walk in.
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue: Saturday morning antique market is huge. Bring cash, haggle politely.

Is the French Riviera overrated?

Parts of it. Cannes and Saint-Tropez felt like luxury shopping malls with salt water. Nice, though, is genuinely great. The Promenade des Anglais is perfect for a morning run or evening stroll. The old town has narrow streets full of socca (chickpea pancake) stalls and seafood restaurants. I ate at Bistrot d’Antoine on Rue de la Préfecture—simple grilled fish, fair price, no tourist menu.

Nice Old Town: Cours Saleya market every morning except Monday (antiques day). Buy olives, tapenade, and a baguette for a picnic.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence: A 30-minute bus ride from Nice. The Fondation Maeght art museum is worth the trip alone. The village itself is crowded but beautiful before 10 a.m.
Antibes: The Picasso Museum inside the Grimaldi Castle is small but excellent. The marina has a great lunch spot called Les Vieux Murs.
Èze: The exotic garden at the top has a view that stretches to Corsica on a clear day. Take the 82 bus from Nice.

What’s the best way to travel between cities?

The TGV is the only way. Paris to Avignon takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. Avignon to Nice via Marseille takes about 3 hours with one change. I booked direct on SNCF Connect. First class was barely more expensive than second and included a meal and quieter car. Don’t bother with the slow regional trains for long distances—you’ll lose a day.

Paris to Avignon: TGV from Gare de Lyon. Arrive 20 minutes early for platform info.
Provence to Nice: TGV from Avignon TGV station (outside the city, take the shuttle bus from the center) to Nice Ville.
Local tip: The TER regional train along the coast from Nice to Cannes is cheap and scenic. Buy tickets at the machine, validate before boarding.

Where should you eat in each city?

I tracked every meal. Here’s what I’d repeat and what I’d skip.

Paris: Breakfast at Claus on Rue des Saints-Pères (pastries and good coffee). Dinner at Le Comptoir du Relais in Saint-Germain—book a month ahead or go at 6:30 p.m. for the bar menu. Skip the tourist crêperies near Notre-Dame.
Avignon: Lunch at L’Épicerie on Place de l’Horloge—simple sandwiches and local wine. Dinner at La Fourchette, a tiny bistro on Rue Racine. The lamb chops were perfect.
Nice: Socca at Chez Pipo on Rue Bavastro. Pissaladière (onion tart) at Boulangerie Jean-Luc Pelé on Rue de la Buffa. Dinner at La Merenda—no phone, no menu, just whatever the chef bought that morning. Cash only.

FAQ

Is it worth renting a car in Provence? Yes, for two days. The villages are spread out, and public transport is too slow. Rent from Avignon, not from the TGV station—the city-center agency is cheaper. Return it in Aix-en-Provence to catch the train to Nice.

Should I book trains in advance? Absolutely. TGV tickets double in price if you buy them the day before. Book at least two weeks ahead on SNCF Connect. If you’re flexible, the Ouigo low-cost TGV can be as cheap as €25.

What’s the best time of year for this trip? May or September. June through August is crowded and hot, especially in Provence and Nice. Lavender peaks in late June, but the traffic in the Luberon is a nightmare. September has warm sea water in Nice and empty museums in Paris.

Conclusion

Fly into Paris, take the TGV south, and end in Nice for the beach and food.
Rent a car for exactly two days in Provence—no more, no less.
Book trains and Louvre tickets ahead. Everything else you can figure out on the ground.
Eat local, not touristy: socca in Nice, lamb in Avignon, falafel in Paris.
Skip Cannes and Saint-Tropez unless you want to watch rich people shop.