Arrive at Charles de Gaulle or Orly and take a comfortable transfer or RER into central Paris, checking into your hotel in the 1st-7th arrondissement to be close to major sights. Unpack briefly, freshen up, and enjoy a relaxed café breakfast — think croissants and café au lait at Café de la Paix or a neighborhood boulangerie — while watching Paris wake up.
Spend the afternoon familiarizing yourself with the Île de la Cité and nearby neighborhoods: stroll past Sainte-Chapelle to admire its stained glass, cross to the Latin Quarter for charming streets and bookshops, and pop into a local bistro for a light lunch. If energy allows, take a gentle walk along the Seine toward the Louvre courtyard for a first glimpse of the glass pyramid and the Tuileries gardens, setting the tone for the days ahead.
As dusk falls, enjoy an unhurried early evening Seine riverwalk from Pont Neuf toward the Eiffel Tower, pausing to watch the city lights appear and perhaps sampling a plate of charcuterie and a glass of wine at a riverside bar. Finish with an optional short Seine cruise near sunset to see Notre-Dame, Île Saint-Louis and the illuminated landmarks from the water — a perfect, atmospheric introduction to Paris before tomorrow’s deeper exploration.
Start the day with an early visit to the Louvre to beat the crowds—enter through the glass pyramid and drift from the Denon wing to admire the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory and the Grande Galerie; pause in the museum café for a mid-morning espresso. Afterward, stroll through the Tuileries Gardens toward Place de la Concorde, enjoying winter light on the sculptures and a quick stop at the Orangerie if you’d like to see Monet’s Water Lilies.
Cross the Seine to Île de la Cité and explore Sainte-Chapelle’s jewel-like stained glass before walking to the newly restored Notre-Dame precinct to view the façade and nearby archeological crypt; linger at a riverside crêperie on Île Saint-Louis for a leisurely lunch and fresh buckwheat galette. Continue wandering the Latin Quarter’s narrow streets—browse Shakespeare and Company, warm up with a hot chocolate at a classic café, and soak in the scholarly, bohemian atmosphere that contrasts with the morning’s grand museums.
As evening approaches, head to Saint-Germain-des-Près for aperitifs—try a glass of Champagne at Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots—then enjoy a bistro dinner of confit de canard or boeuf bourguignon at a nearby brasserie. Finish the night with a short twilight walk along the Seine toward Pont Neuf, watching the city glow and reflecting on your first full day of Parisian masterpieces before returning to your hotel to rest for tomorrow’s Eiffel Tower and Montmartre explorations.
Begin your day at Trocadéro for unobstructed morning views of the Eiffel Tower, then walk down the Champ de Mars to approach the tower and, if you like, pre-book tickets to ascend to the second floor or summit for sweeping city panoramas. After descending, warm up with a coffee and a freshly baked pain au chocolat at a nearby patisserie and take a leisurely stroll along the Seine toward the Musée Quai Branly for a quick visit to its distinctive collection and rooftop garden.
Cross the river and head to the charming streets of Montmartre—start at the Place du Tertre to watch artists at work, visit the luminous interior of Sacré-Cœur for its panoramic view over Paris, and pop into the Musée de Montmartre and the Renoir gardens to sense the neighborhood’s artistic past. Stop for a late lunch at a classic bistro such as Le Consulat or La Maison Rose, then wander down Rue des Martyrs, sampling macarons or chocolates at local shops while soaking up the village-like atmosphere.
As twilight falls, enjoy a relaxed dinner in Montmartre — choose a cosy neighborhood table for dishes like onion soup or steak frites — then descend toward the Pigalle district for an optional cabaret show at Moulin Rouge or a quieter evening drink at a rooftop bar with views back toward the lit Eiffel Tower. Finish with a gentle night-time stroll along Boulevard de Clichy or return to the Seine to see the city lights, maintaining the easy, romantic pace set by your first two Paris days.
Take an early RER C or a pre-booked shuttle from central Paris to beat the crowds and step directly into the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles; begin with a guided or audio tour of the State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors and the King’s Bedroom to soak in the opulent history and courtly stories. Pause for coffee and a light pastry at La Petite Venise or a café on the palace grounds before wandering the ornate Royal Chapel and admiring the palace façades in the winter light.
Spend the afternoon exploring the vast Gardens of Versailles and the Grand Canal—stroll along the tree-lined paths from the Orangerie to the Bosquet du Théâtre d’Eau, and if the schedule allows, catch the musical fountain show (seasonal) or rent a small electric golf cart to cover more ground comfortably. Visit the Trianon domain: the Grand Trianon’s elegant pink marble and the intimate Queen’s Hamlet to glimpse Marie-Antoinette’s private world, followed by a relaxed lunch at La Flottille by the Grand Canal for classic French fare.
Return to Paris in the early evening with fresh memories of royal pageantry and landscaped vistas; back in the city, warm up with a cozy dinner in Saint-Germain or the Latin Quarter—choose a charming bistro for soupe à l’oignon and braised dishes—to contrast the day’s palace splendor with a convivial Parisian meal. End the night with a gentle Seine-side walk or a nightcap at a nearby bar, reflecting on the historic sweep from Versailles’ courtly extravagance to Parisian neighborhood life as your journey continues toward the Loire Valley.
After a final Parisian breakfast, take the TGV from Gare Montparnasse (or a private transfer) to Tours or Amboise, arriving by mid-morning; settle into a charming chambres d'hôtes or riverside hotel and enjoy a coffee while admiring the Loire’s winter light. Head straight to Château d'Amboise to walk its terraces and Royal Chapel, where sweeping views of the river and the town set the scene for your château-focused days ahead.
Cross the Loire (or drive a short scenic route) to the fairytale Château de Chenonceau and explore its graceful arches spanning the Cher, the richly furnished galleries and the riverside gardens—pause for a leisurely lunch at the château’s onsite café or a nearby auberge serving regional goat cheese and rillettes. If time allows, visit the nearby Château du Clos Lucé to see Leonardo da Vinci’s workshop and inventive machines, linking Renaissance artistry to the Loire’s storied past.
Return to Amboise or Tours as evening falls for a relaxed dinner of local specialties—try a plate of rillons, a Loire sauvignon blanc or a glass of regional sparkling—at a recommended bistro such as L'Épicerie or Le Shaker in Amboise. End the night with a gentle riverside stroll or a warm drink by your hotel’s hearth, reflecting on the day’s seamless shift from Parisian bustle to the tranquil elegance of the Loire Valley.
Ease into the day with a late breakfast in Amboise, then drive or cycle along the Loire toward the village of Montsoreau—pause to wander its stone streets and visit the Château de Montsoreau-Museum of Contemporary Art for a surprising blend of history and modern exhibitions. From there, continue to the picturesque village of Candes-Saint-Martin, perched at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne, and step inside its Romanesque collegiate church for peaceful riverside views and winter light on the water.
After a leisurely village lunch—savor goat cheese, pâté and a local Sancerre or Touraine white—head to a nearby family-run winery such as Domaine Vacheron (Sancerre) or Domaine Huet (Vouvray) for an intimate tasting and cellar tour to learn about Chenin Blanc and Loire winemaking traditions. If weather permits, take a short scenic drive through rolling vineyards to the hilltop town of Chinon to explore its medieval fortress and sample robust Cabernet Francs at a caveau tasting room.
Return to your base in Amboise or Tours as dusk settles and choose a cozy riverside bistro for dinner—opt for regional dishes like poulet à la tesse or a warm tarte tatin for dessert—paired with a bottle from the day’s tastings. Finish the night with a quiet stroll along the Loire under the winter stars or a relaxed glass by the hotel hearth, reflecting on the day’s intimate encounters with Loire villages, vineyards and culinary traditions as you prepare to travel south toward Provence tomorrow.
Board an early TGV from Tours or Paris to Avignon TGV and arrive by late morning; settle into your hotel near the Île de la Barthelasse or the pedestrian Old Town and enjoy a comforting coffee and fougasse at a nearby café. Walk straight to the Palais des Papes to join a guided or audio tour of the papal apartments and the grand Gothic halls, letting the scale and history of the medieval court bridge your Loire châteaux experience with Provence’s storied past.
After a Provençal lunch—try a salade niçoise or daube provençale at a bistro on Rue des Teinturiers—stroll across the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet to admire views of the Rhône and the river islands, then explore the winding streets around Place de l'Horloge, peeking into artisan shops and the Rocher des Doms gardens for sweeping vistas. If time permits, visit the Musée Calvet or take a short drive to nearby Villeneuve-lès-Avignon to see the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction and enjoy a quieter riverside perspective of Avignon’s ramparts.
As dusk falls, linger over a relaxed dinner at a Provençal restaurant—sample local olive oils, goat cheeses and a Côtes du Rhône—followed by a digestif at a riverside terrace while the Palais des Papes is illuminated. Cap the night with a gentle moonlit walk along the Rhône or return to Place de l'Horloge for an after-dinner coffee, savoring the shift from central France’s châteaux calm to the aromatic, sun-drenched charm of Provence that awaits tomorrow’s village explorations.
Drive or join a small-group tour from Avignon to the Luberon and begin your day in Gordes, wandering its honey-coloured lanes and pausing at the panoramic terrace by the Château de Gordes for winter light over the valley. Continue a short drive to the nearby Abbey of Sénanque to admire the Romanesque architecture and, if the lavender fields are dormant for winter, enjoy the tranquil stone cloister and the on-site boutique selling essential oils, soaps and apéritifs made from local herbs.
After a leisurely Provençal lunch in Gordes or at a farmhouse bistro, head to the perched village of Roussillon to explore the ochre trails of the Sentier des Ocres and the vivid hues in the old quarries—photographic opportunities abound against clear winter skies. Finish the afternoon with a stop in Bonnieux or Lourmarin to browse artisan shops, sample local olive oils and tapenades, and warm up with a café gourmand while soaking in the region’s slow, sunlit rhythm that contrasts with the Loire’s stately calm.
Return toward Avignon as dusk falls and enjoy a cozy Provençal dinner at a country auberge—order dishes like brandade de morue or a seasonal vegetable gratin paired with a Côtes du Rhône village wine—from a terrace or dining room overlooking garrigue-clad hills. Cap the night with a quiet digestif by the fireside or a short stroll through Avignon’s Old Town, letting the fragrant memory of lavender, thyme and rosemary linger as you prepare for tomorrow’s journey to the French Riviera.
Travel from Avignon to Nice by morning TGV or a scenic hire-car drive along the Mediterranean route, arriving in time to check into your hotel near the Promenade des Anglais and drop off luggage. Start with a leisurely stroll along the Promenade des Anglais to breathe in the sea air, pause for a café and viennoiserie at a beachfront café, and admire the Belle Époque façades and sweeping Baie des Anges that mark your transition from Provence to the Riviera.
Head into Vieux-Nice to get lost among pastel-painted lanes, visiting Cours Saleya’s marché (flowers and local produce) and sampling socca at a standing stall for an authentic Niçois snack; pop into the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate and the colourful artisan shops on Rue Saint-François de Paule. Climb or take the lift up to Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for panoramic views over the old port and Mediterranean—a perfect late-afternoon vantage point as the light softens—and wander down to the Quai des États-Unis to watch yachts and local life unfold.
As evening falls, choose a seafood-focused dinner in the Old Town or along the port—try grilled fish, pissaladière or a plate of fresh oysters paired with a Provençal rosé—then enjoy an after-dinner passeggiata along the Promenade des Anglais to see the shoreline lit up. Finish with a digestif at a cocktail bar near Place Masséna or a relaxed nightcap at your hotel terrace, reflecting on the Riviera’s luminous contrast to your inland days and preparing for tomorrow’s Monaco or Èze excursion.
After breakfast, take the quick train or drive east along the coast to the medieval village of Èze; wander the fragrant Jardin Exotique’s terraces for dramatic views of the Mediterranean and visit the Fragonard perfumery to see traditional scent-making and pick up a fragrant souvenir. Alternatively, extend the morning to Monaco—arrive at the Casino Square to admire Belle Époque architecture, stroll the exotic gardens and watch the changing of the guard at the Prince’s Palace for a touch of principality pomp before returning to Nice.
Choose a relaxed coastal lunch in Monaco’s Port Hercule or back in Nice’s Old Town—savor salade niçoise or a seafood platter with a local rosé—then visit the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco or, if in Èze earlier, descend to the seaside Èze-sur-Mer for a short beachside walk and panoramic photos of the rugged coast. If time allows, pop into the Musée Masséna or browse the chic boutiques along Avenue Jean Médecin in Nice to pick up last-minute gifts and regional specialties like olive oil and tapenade.
Return to Nice to collect luggage and enjoy a final dinner near the Promenade des Anglais—choose a table with sea views for grilled fish or a comforting bouillabaisse paired with a Provençal wine—to toast your 10-day journey across France. Allow time for a leisurely stroll along the lit promenade or a last café stop at Place Masséna before transferring to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport or the train station for your onward flight or departure, ending the trip on a luminous Mediterranean note.