Arrive at Charles de Gaulle or Orly and take a private transfer or a comfy taxi into central Paris, dropping your bags at a charming boutique hotel in Saint-Germain-des-Prés or near the Île Saint-Louis. Freshen up with a leisurely café breakfast — pain au chocolat and café au lait at Café de Flore — then take a gentle stroll along the Seine to stretch your legs and soak in the first glimpses of Notre-Dame and the riverboats.
Wander the nearby Île de la Cité and visit the atmospheric Shakespeare and Company bookstore or browse the artisan stalls on Île Saint-Louis, treating yourselves to Berthillon ice cream. If jet lag allows, enjoy a relaxed light lunch at Le Procope or a bistro in the Latin Quarter, then return to the hotel for a short nap and a wardrobe change for the evening.
Board an early evening Bateaux-Mouches or a private Seine dinner cruise to watch Paris glow as you glide beneath illuminated bridges and pass the lit façades of the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Notre-Dame; toast with Champagne and share a plated French dinner on deck. After the cruise, take a moonlit walk to the Pont Neuf and up to the Place Dauphine for a quiet moment together, or stop for a nightcap at a cozy wine bar in Saint-Germain to complete your first romantic Parisian night.
Start the day with a hearty Parisian breakfast at your hotel or nearby Café de Flore, then head early to the Louvre to beat the crowds—focus on highlights like the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory, and the Grande Galerie while enjoying the palace’s grand halls. After your visit, cross the Seine to linger on the Pont des Arts for a few romantic photos and pause for macarons at a nearby pâtisserie.
Wander Île de la Cité to marvel at Notre-Dame’s exterior and the evocative square at its front, then duck into the atmospheric Shakespeare and Company on the Left Bank for a browse and a shared bookish moment. Continue your stroll through the Latin Quarter, stop for a leisurely lunch at Le Procope or a tucked-away bistro, and explore the narrow streets, the Panthéon exterior, and the Sorbonne courtyard at a relaxed pace.
As dusk falls, enjoy a candlelit dinner in Saint-Germain—consider Les Deux Magots or a small bistro along Rue de Buci—then take a slow riverside walk back toward the Île Saint-Louis to savor Berthillon ice cream and the softly lit bridge views. Finish the night with a glass of wine at a cozy rive gauche wine bar or a short detour to the Seine to revisit the glowing cityscape you first saw on arrival.
Rise with the city and take a short Métro or taxi ride to the Trocadéro esplanade for classic, postcard-perfect views of the Eiffel Tower; enjoy a flaky croissant and café at Carette nearby while watching the tower shimmer in the morning light. Stroll across the lawns to the Champ de Mars and, if you’re feeling adventurous, pre-book skip-the-line tickets to ascend the Eiffel Tower for panoramic views of Paris — a perfect shared moment high above the Seine.
Descend for a leisurely riverside lunch at Les Ombres on the Musée Quai Branly terrace or a tucked-away bistro in the 7th arrondissement, then wander through the chic rue Cler market street to sample cheeses, charcuterie, and fresh baguette. Later, head to the charming hill of Montmartre: explore the Sacré-Cœur basilica, browse Place du Tertre’s artists, and duck into the Musée de Montmartre or the grapevines of Clos Montmartre for a taste of bohemian Paris.
As golden hour approaches, find a café terrace near Sacré-Cœur or the funicular to claim a cozy spot and watch the sun set over the city skyline, then take a romantic twilight stroll down cobbled Rue des Abbesses toward Moulin Rouge. For dinner, choose a quaint Montmartre bistro like Le Relais Gascon or La Maison Rose, then linger over a glass of wine on a quiet street corner to let the day’s dazzling views settle into memory.
Catch an early RER C from central Paris to Versailles-Château-Rive-Gauche and arrive before the crowds to tour the State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles; consider booking a timed entry ticket or guided tour to hear the stories of Louis XIV while wandering the glittering rooms. After the palace interior, step outside to stroll the formal Gardens of Versailles, admiring the fountains, clipped parterres and the grand perspective toward the Grand Canal — perfect for romantic photos together.
Walk or take the little train to the Trianon estate to explore the more intimate Grand Trianon and the rustic charm of the Queen’s Hamlet where Marie-Antoinette escaped court life, then enjoy a leisurely lunch at La Flottille by the Grand Canal or a nearby bistro in the town of Versailles. Spend the early afternoon renting a rowboat on the Grand Canal if weather permits or wandering the market-lined streets near the Place du Marché to sample local cheeses and pastries before returning to Paris at a relaxed pace.
Back in Paris, freshen up at your hotel and savor a relaxed dinner in Saint-Germain or the Latin Quarter — perhaps at Le Procope or a cozy bistro along Rue de Seine — letting the day’s regal splendor give way to intimate Parisian ambiance. Finish with a slow riverside walk or a quiet glass of wine at a nearby wine bar, reflecting on the contrast between Versailles’ grandeur and the city’s softer, candlelit streets.
Savor a slow Parisian morning with a late breakfast at your hotel or a nearby café—think croissants, jam, and strong café au lait—then return to pack at an unhurried pace and check out. Head to Gare d’Austerlitz or Gare de Lyon with pre-booked TGV seats (first-class if you fancy extra comfort) and enjoy the scenic 2.5-3 hour ride south as the landscape shifts toward lavender-scented Provence.
Arrive in Avignon and take a short taxi or tram to your charming hôtel particulier or boutique B&B within the old town; drop your bags and wander to the Palais des Papes to admire its dramatic medieval facades and enjoy panoramic views from the Rocher des Doms. For lunch, settle at La Fourchette or Le Vintage for Provençal specialties—ratatouille, tapenade and local rosé—then stroll across the iconic Pont Saint-Bénézet, pausing for photos of the Rhône and the stone arches.
As evening falls, explore the cobbled lanes around Place de l’Horloge and choose a romantic candlelit dinner at L’Essentiel or Restaurant Christian Etienne to sample truffle-studded dishes or a seasonal Provençal menu. Finish with a leisurely digestif at a terrace bar, soaking in the warm glow of Avignon’s ramparts and the intimate atmosphere that marks the start of your southern escape.
Leave Avignon after a leisurely breakfast and drive (or join a small-group tour) into the Luberon, arriving in picture-postcard Gordes mid-morning to wander its honey-colored stone streets and visit the panoramic terrace by the Château de Gordes; pop into a local épicerie for calissons or a café on Place du Château for a strong café noir. Pause at the nearby Sénanque Abbey to admire the Romanesque abbey set among olive groves (and, if in season, fields of lavender), capturing romantic photos of the valley before heading on to Roussillon.
After a light Provençal lunch at a village bistro—try lamb shoulder or a savory pissaladière—stroll Roussillon’s famed Ochre Trail (Sentier des Ocres) to marvel at the vibrant red and orange cliffs and the towns’ painted facades; browse artisan studios and galleries for ceramics or linen. Continue your slow-drive through hilltop villages such as Bonnieux or Ménerbes for sweeping vineyard views, stopping at a local domaine for a tasting of regional Côtes du Luberon rosé or a platter of chèvre and tapenade.
Return to Avignon as the sun slants low, and freshen up before dinner in the old town—choose a candlelit table at L'Essentiel or La Table d'Uzes for refined Provençal cuisine that highlights olive oil, herbs de Provence, and local truffles when available. Finish the night with a digestive on Place de l’Horloge or a quiet riverside walk along the Rhône, letting the day’s golden village light linger as you compare favorite moments from the Luberon.
Wake in Avignon and drive through sun-drenched lanes toward the Plateau de Valensole or Sénanque Abbey (season permitting) to wander fragrant lavender fields and capture golden-hour photos together; pause at a roadside producer to taste lavender honey and pick up a sachet as a honeymoon keepsake. If lavender isn’t in bloom, swap in a leisurely visit to the olive groves and Provençal markets of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue for fresh produce, antiques, and a café crème at La Sorguette.
After a light countryside lunch—think salade niçoise or a bowl of aioli at a village bistro—head to the famed vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for an afternoon of cellar tours and tastings; book a guided tasting at Château Mont-Redon or Domaine de la Janasse to learn about Grenache-led blends and compare vintages. Stroll the sunlit vineyard paths together, visit the ruins of the papal castle for panoramic views over the Rhône, and pick up a bottle or two to enjoy later.
Return to Avignon as the light softens and settle into a romantic table at Restaurant Christian Etienne or L’Essentiel, pairing a local Châteauneuf-du-Pape with Provençal specialties such as lamb confit or truffle-scented gnocchi. Finish the night with an after-dinner digestive on Place de l’Horloge or a moonlit riverside walk, savoring the scents and stories of Provence as you compare favorite moments from the day.
Leave Avignon after a relaxed Provençal breakfast and enjoy a scenic drive east along the autoroute or opt for the slower coastal route through fragrant pine and olive groves, pausing at dramatic viewpoints above the Mediterranean. Arrive in Nice mid-morning, check into your boutique hotel near the Vieille Ville or Promenade des Anglais, then stretch your legs with a stroll through Cours Saleya’s bustling flower and food market to sample socca, fresh olives, and a morning espresso together.
Spend the afternoon wandering Nice’s Old Town (Vieux Nice), popping into Baroque churches like Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate and browsing artisan shops down Rue Droite before climbing to Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for panoramic coastal views and photos of the Baie des Anges. For a late lunch, settle on a terrace at La Petite Maison or Le Bistrot d'Antoine to savor Niçoise specialties—salade niçoise, tapenade and local rosé—then enjoy a relaxed promenade along the seafront toward the Russian Orthodox Cathedral for a touch of cultural contrast.
As the sun softens, claim a bench on the Promenade des Anglais to watch the golden light on pebbled beaches, then choose a romantic dinner in the Old Port—try Le Plongeoir or Chez Acchiardo for Provençal seafood and intimate ambiance. Finish with a slow moonlit walk along the Promenade or a nightcap at a rooftop bar overlooking the bay, letting the Mediterranean breeze mark the start of your Riviera chapter.
After breakfast in Nice, drive or take the scenic coastal bus up to the cliff-top village of Èze; wander the Jardin Exotique’s terraces for dramatic views of the Baie des Anges and explore the village’s winding cobblestone lanes, stopping to browse artisan perfumeries like Fragonard for a personalized fragrance souvenir. Pause at Château Eza or a café on Rue du Château for a light mid-morning coffee and a shared pastry while you soak in the medieval atmosphere and postcard panoramas.
Continue along the Moyenne Corniche to glamorous Monaco—park near Port Hercules and stroll the waterfront to admire superyachts before visiting the Prince’s Palace for the afternoon changing of the guard and panoramic views from the Rocher. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at Café de Paris on the Place du Casino or a quieter seafood meal at Le Vistamar, then explore the Oceanographic Museum or the lovely Japanese Garden for a cultured, romantic interlude.
As evening falls, return toward Nice with time to stop at Cap-Ferrat for sunset views from the coastal path or Villa Ephrussi’s gardens if you prefer a golden-hour detour, then head back to Nice for a relaxed final Riviera dinner. Choose a seaside table on the Promenade des Anglais or a cozy bistro in Vieux Nice—savor Niçoise cuisine and a local rosé while reminiscing about the day’s coastal panoramas and Monte Carlo glamour.
Enjoy a slow final morning with a lingering breakfast at your hotel or at Cours Saleya’s café-lined terrace—savor fresh croissants, orange juice and a last café crème while watching the market vendors set up. Take a gentle stroll along the Promenade des Anglais or pop into the Russian Orthodox Cathedral for a quiet moment, then return to pack with time to purchase any last-minute souvenirs from Maison Auer or a local pâtisserie.
Check out at a relaxed pace and, if your schedule allows, leave your bags at the hotel to squeeze in a light lunch at La Merenda or Le Bistrot d'Antoine in Vieux Nice, enjoying one last plate of salade niçoise or socca. Head to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport by taxi or airport shuttle with plenty of time—if you fly late, consider a final stop at the Promenade or a seaside bench for a last view of the Baie des Anges.
Depending on your flight time, toast your honeymoon with a glass of local rosé or a Champagne at the airport lounge and reflect on highlights from Paris to the Riviera; if you’re still in Nice, savor an early dinner near the port such as Le Plongeoir before departing. End the journey with warm memories of candlelit dinners, village sunsets and coastal panoramas as you travel home together.