10-Day Luxury France Itinerary with Vegetarian Dining, Shopping, and Movie Locations

Early Afternoon — Check in and settle into Four Seasons Hotel George V

Make Four Seasons Hotel George V your calm starting point after arriving in Paris. The hotel is just off the Champs-Élysées, a convenient base for your first afternoon, and check-in is normally from around 3:00 PM, although the concierge can store luggage and arrange access to the room if it is not ready. Allow about an hour to refresh, collect maps or shopping advice, and ask the concierge to confirm department-store closing times and arrange a taxi if you prefer not to walk.

Late Afternoon — Luxury shopping around Opéra

Take a taxi from Four Seasons Hotel George V to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann—usually 10–20 minutes depending on traffic—or use Franklin D. Roosevelt metro station and change toward Chaussée d’Antin–La Fayette. Spend roughly two hours browsing the fashion, accessories, beauty halls, and gourmet sections; most departments are open until about 8:30 PM, with later hours on selected evenings. Do not miss the ornate glass dome and the rooftop terrace, which is generally free and gives a memorable view toward Opéra Garnier and the Paris skyline. From there, Le Printemps Haussmann is only a few minutes away on foot across Boulevard Haussmann. Give it about an hour for its more polished fashion and homeware displays, and check the rooftop or upper-level terraces if open.

Evening — Dinner at Café de la Paix

Walk approximately 5–10 minutes from Le Printemps Haussmann to Café de la Paix, beside Place de l’Opéra. This historic dining room is best enjoyed slowly, with its Belle Époque interiors and excellent people-watching from the terrace. Ask for the vegetarian options when booking or ordering; the menu commonly includes vegetable-led dishes, salads, pasta, and seasonal preparations, though choices can change. Budget around €40–€70 per person before additional drinks, and reserve ahead for dinner, particularly in August. Afterward, stroll around the illuminated Opéra Garnier and Boulevard des Capucines before taking a taxi back to the hotel or using nearby Opéra metro station.

Morning

Start at the Arc de Triomphe, ideally around 9:30, before the Champs-Élysées becomes busy. The monument generally opens from 10:00, with admission around €16; allow an hour for the rooftop climb and its excellent view down the twelve avenues. Use the underground pedestrian passage from the avenue—never attempt to cross the traffic circle. From here, take Metro line 1 from George V or Franklin D. Roosevelt toward Concorde, then walk through the Tuileries Garden to the Musée de l’Orangerie. The journey takes roughly 20–25 minutes.

Spend about 90 minutes inside the Musée de l’Orangerie, whose oval rooms hold Claude Monet’s Water Lilies; it is one of Paris’s most serene art experiences. The museum is usually open 9:00–18:00 and closed Tuesdays, with tickets around €12. Reserve a timed entry in advance, especially in August. Afterward, walk through the Tuileries Garden and take Metro line 1 from Concorde to Hôtel de Ville, then continue on foot toward Le Marais—about 25 minutes in total.

Afternoon and Evening

Give Le Marais two relaxed hours rather than following a strict route: wander along Rue des Rosiers, Rue Vieille-du-Temple, and Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, looking into the courtyards and independent boutiques around the Place des Vosges. Most shops open around 11:00 and stay open into the evening, while museums and smaller galleries vary; this is a good place for French fashion, jewelry, and design shopping. For a light vegetarian stop, look for falafel, cheese plates, or a café terrace, but leave room for dinner. Around 18:00, take Metro line 1 from Saint-Paul to Châtelet, change to line 4 for Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and walk to Café de Flore in about 20–25 minutes.

Finish at Café de Flore, one of the classic Saint-Germain-des-Prés cafés and a favorite setting for writers, artists, and cinema-inspired Paris strolls. Ask for a vegetarian main—availability changes, so confirm the day’s options with your server—and expect approximately €35–€65 per person. Dinner around 19:30 is more comfortable than arriving during the busiest late-evening period; reservations are helpful, although the café often accommodates walk-ins. Afterward, stroll along Boulevard Saint-Germain and the nearby Rue de Buci before returning by Metro or taxi.

Morning

Take the RER C from Paris toward Versailles Château–Rive Gauche, aiming to leave around 8:30; the journey takes roughly 40–50 minutes. Buy or validate the correct ticket before boarding, as trains on different RER C branches can look similar. From the station, it is an easy 10-minute walk along Avenue de Paris to the palace. Arrive for your timed entry to the Palace of Versailles, allowing about 2½ hours for the State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors. In August, morning entry is the best way to avoid the heaviest crowds; keep your ticket and passport or ID accessible, and expect airport-style security.

Afternoon

After the interiors, step into the Gardens of Versailles through the palace grounds and spend about two hours exploring the formal parterres, fountains, and long tree-lined perspectives. Fountain and Musical Garden programming can involve a separate ticket, so check the official schedule when booking; comfortable shoes and a refillable water bottle are worthwhile, as distances are deceptively large and shade is uneven. Continue toward La Petite Venise, a quieter lakeside corner named for its canal-like waterways. You can simply stroll beside the Grand Canal or rent a small rowboat if available; allow around 45 minutes and check the weather and rental queue before committing.

Late Afternoon

Finish at Angelina Versailles, inside the palace estate, for its famously elegant tea-room setting and a vegetarian light meal or afternoon tea. Budget approximately €25–€45 per person, and expect a queue at peak times; the savory vegetarian options can be more limited than the pastries, so ask what is available before ordering. Afterward, return to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche on foot in about 10–15 minutes for the RER C back to Paris. If you still have energy, leave the palace grounds via Avenue de Paris rather than rushing straight to the station—the grand view back toward the town makes a pleasant final photograph.

Morning

After arriving at Lyon Part-Dieu, leave your luggage at your hotel and take the metro or a taxi toward Presqu’île; allow about 15–20 minutes. Begin at Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon, the magnificent former hospital on the Rhône, whose courtyards and river-facing façades are free to admire. Continue through Grand Hôtel-Dieu, where the restored historic buildings now house boutiques, cafés, and design shops. Plan roughly 1½ hours here, keeping in mind that individual shops generally open around 10:00 or 11:00. A taxi is easiest with luggage, while metro line B to Saxe–Gambetta followed by a short walk is the budget option.

Afternoon

Walk west toward Place Bellecour, about 10 minutes from Grand Hôtel-Dieu. Lyon’s vast central square is best appreciated from its edges, with views toward Fourvière and the Rhône–Saône axis; allow 30 minutes for photographs and a relaxed pause. From here, follow Rue de la République, Lyon’s main pedestrian shopping avenue, northward. It is lined with familiar French retailers as well as department-store shopping at Printemps Lyon and Galeries Lafayette Lyon Bron, though the most convenient browsing is along the central stretch between Place Bellecour and Cordeliers. Most stores close around 19:00 or 19:30, so leave larger purchases at the hotel rather than carrying them through the evening.

Evening

For dinner, take a short taxi ride or walk toward Culina Hortus, reserving well in advance for its elegant, entirely vegetarian tasting menu. Expect approximately €70–€120 per person before drinks, with seasonal courses that make the restaurant one of Lyon’s strongest choices for a special meat-free meal. The dinner usually takes around two hours; check the reservation time and menu format when booking, particularly in August when opening days can vary. Afterward, stroll briefly along the illuminated Saône if you still have energy, or return directly to your hotel—this is a good night to keep quiet after the early intercity departure.

Morning

Take the Funicular F2 from Vieux Lyon–Cathédrale Saint-Jean up to Fourvière, rather than climbing the steep hill on foot. Start at Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière around 9:00; entry to the basilica is free, while the rooftop viewpoint may require a small guided-tour fee. Allow about 90 minutes for the mosaics, crypt, and sweeping view over Lyon. Dress modestly inside, and check the basilica’s current visiting hours before leaving—religious services can temporarily limit access. From the basilica, walk downhill for five minutes to Théâtres Romains de Fourvière, usually open from morning until early evening with admission around €7–€10; the ancient terraces are especially atmospheric before the heat builds and offer a memorable connection to Lyon’s festival and film-history setting.

Afternoon and Evening

Continue downhill through Vieux Lyon, allowing roughly two hours to wander its Renaissance lanes, courtyards, and public traboules. Focus on Rue du Bœuf and Rue Saint-Jean, but keep the pace loose: many passageways are inside residential buildings, so enter only where the door is open and signage permits. Stop for coffee or a light vegetarian snack at Café Gadagne near Place du Petit Collège; August afternoons can be warm, so this is a good point to rest in the shade. Then visit Musée Miniature et Cinéma on Rue Saint-Jean, generally open into the early evening, with admission around €17–€18. Its miniature rooms, creature effects, costumes, and practical props make it far more engaging than a standard film museum; allow 90 minutes and reserve online if possible during the summer peak. For dinner, take the D metro from Vieux Lyon toward Bellecour, then walk or use a short taxi to Le Potager des Halles in the Presqu’île. Expect a seasonal, vegetable-led dinner of about €35–€60 per person; book ahead, especially for an evening terrace table, and confirm the latest August opening hours before setting out.

Morning

Take the planned early TGV INOUI from Lyon Part-Dieu to Avignon TGV, then allow 15–30 minutes by taxi to central Avignon; a taxi is worth it with luggage. Aim to reach the walled city around 10:00 and leave bags at your hotel before walking to the Palais des Papes. Allow about two hours for the grand halls, chapels, cloisters, and courtyards—this is one of Provence’s most impressive historic sites and a frequent film backdrop. Tickets are typically around €12–€15, with combination tickets including Pont Saint-Bénézet costing more; check the official schedule, particularly in August, and reserve an entry time if available.

Afternoon

From the palace, stroll downhill through the old lanes toward the Rhône and Pont Saint-Bénézet, usually called the Pont d’Avignon. The visit takes roughly 45 minutes, and the elevated views toward the river, city walls, and surrounding countryside are best before the late-afternoon heat; combined admission is generally the most economical option. Continue back into Les Halles d’Avignon, the covered market in the Halles district, for a relaxed tasting stop. Market hours are often Tuesday–Sunday mornings into early afternoon, but individual stalls vary, so verify the August schedule and arrive before closing. Look for Provençal fruit, olives, cheeses, tapenade, and ready-to-eat vegetable dishes; ask vendors about ingredients if you avoid eggs or dairy.

Evening

After a break at your hotel, wander the quieter streets around Rue des Teinturiers and return to the centre for dinner at Le Petit Bedon. It is a friendly, atmospheric choice for Provençal cooking, with vegetarian possibilities typically available, though it is wise to request a meat-free menu when booking. Expect about €30–€55 per person before drinks. Reserve ahead for August evenings, and confirm the day’s vegetarian dishes rather than assuming every item can be adapted.

Morning — Arrive and settle into Cannes

Take the planned morning TGV from Avignon TGV and expect to reach Cannes around late morning after the connection. Reserve seats in advance, keep your luggage compact, and arrange hotel bag storage before heading out; from Cannes station, the western end of La Croisette is roughly a 10-minute walk, while a short taxi is easier with larger bags. Begin at Marché Forville, usually open from around 7:00 until 13:00–13:30, though hours can vary by day. Spend about an hour browsing Provençal tomatoes, peaches, herbs, flowers, cheeses, and prepared foods. For a vegetarian snack, look for socca or a vegetable tart, but confirm ingredients if you avoid eggs or dairy. The market is busiest and most atmospheric before noon, so arrive promptly rather than leaving it for the afternoon.

Late Morning and Afternoon — Le Suquet and the Croisette

From Marché Forville, walk uphill into Le Suquet, Cannes’ oldest quarter. Allow around 90 minutes for the steep lanes, small stairways, painted façades, and views toward the harbor; comfortable shoes are essential, and the stone streets can be slippery. Pause around Place de la Castre for one of the best elevated views over the rooftops and blue water, then descend gradually toward the waterfront. After a relaxed lunch near the old quarter—choose a restaurant with a clearly marked vegetable plate, salade composée, or ratatouille rather than relying on a generic “vegetarian” label—continue east along La Croisette. Give yourself about two hours for the waterfront promenade, the grand hotel façades, designer boutiques, and the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. Cannes is far more pleasant here in the late afternoon, when the heat softens; browse slowly and treat the famous festival steps as a photo stop rather than trying to cover every shop.

Evening — Dinner at Le Jardin Secret

After the Croisette, walk back into central Cannes for dinner at Le Jardin Secret, allowing roughly €35–€60 per person. Book ahead and mention that you are vegetarian when reserving, as menus and opening hours can change seasonally. Keep the evening unhurried: Cannes is ideal for a final promenade after dinner, particularly around the illuminated waterfront and the quieter streets behind the main hotels. In August, carry water, expect crowds around the Palais des Festivals, and check the restaurant’s same-day opening hours before setting out.

Morning

Take a morning TER ZOU! from Cannes to Nice-Ville, ideally arriving around 9:30–10:00. The coastal ride takes roughly 35–45 minutes; trains are frequent, and a ticket is usually about €6–€8. Leave your bags at your hotel or a staffed luggage facility near Nice-Ville, then take bus 5 or 33 toward Cimiez—allow about 20 minutes—or use a taxi for a simpler uphill arrival. Begin at Musée Matisse, housed in the elegant Villa des Arènes; allow 1½ hours for Matisse’s paintings, drawings, and personal objects. Opening hours vary by season, but it is commonly open from around 10:00 to 17:00 or 18:00 and closed on Tuesdays; admission is generally about €10, with a combined ticket sometimes available for other municipal museums.

Early Afternoon

Walk a few minutes through the olive trees to Monastère de Cimiez and its peaceful garden, one of the nicest quiet corners in the city. Allow about 45 minutes for the church, historic interiors, and views over the rooftops; entry is usually free, though hours can be limited around religious services. From Cimiez, take bus 5 downhill toward Old Nice, or use a taxi if the afternoon is hot. Browse Cours Saleya Market for approximately an hour, where flower stalls, fruit, socca vendors, and Provençal products fill the long pedestrian square. The food market generally runs Tuesday through Sunday, while Monday is more associated with antiques; go before the late-afternoon winding-down period, and keep some small change for snacks.

Late Afternoon and Evening

From Cours Saleya, walk toward Colline du Château via the seafront and climb the stairs—or use the elevator near the base if you prefer to save your legs. Spend about 1½ hours on the paths and viewpoints, timing your visit for the soft evening light over the Baie des Anges; sunset times in late August are around 20:30, but arrive 30–45 minutes earlier for the best position. Descend back into Old Nice for Lou Pilha Leva, a casual local favorite for socca and other inexpensive street food. Vegetarian choices are straightforward, with a meal costing roughly €10–€20 per person; it is counter-service rather than a long dinner, so expect a lively, no-frills atmosphere. Check the day’s opening hours before relying on it, as small eateries can close between services or take an occasional weekly break.

Morning

Take the TER ZOU! from Nice-Ville around 8:30 to Monaco–Monte-Carlo; the coast-hugging ride takes about 25 minutes and costs roughly €5–€6. From the station, follow signs for Monte-Carlo—the walk uphill takes around 15 minutes, or you can use a local bus if the August heat is strong. Begin at Casino de Monte-Carlo late in the morning, when the Belle Époque façade is beautifully lit and the square is still manageable. You can admire the exterior and Place du Casino freely; access to the gaming rooms usually begins later in the morning and costs approximately €20, with passport and smart-casual dress requirements. Keep shoulders covered and avoid beachwear.

Afternoon

For a slower midday break, take bus 5 or 6 toward Larvotto Beach, or walk downhill in roughly 20 minutes. The renovated waterfront is ideal for about an hour and a half beside the Mediterranean, with broad promenades, showers, and cafés; bring swimwear, sunscreen, and water, as shade is limited. For lunch, choose a simple vegetarian meal such as a salad, vegetable panini, or pasta at one of the waterfront cafés—expect around €20–€30 per person. Later, take a bus toward Monaco-Ville and visit the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, perched dramatically above the sea. Allow about two hours for the aquarium galleries, Mediterranean collections, and rooftop terrace; admission is generally around €20–€22, and opening hours are commonly approximately 10:00–18:00, though August schedules should be checked before you leave.

Evening

After the museum, wander the quieter lanes around Monaco-Ville rather than rushing straight to dinner. The old town is compact, and the views from the cliffside streets are especially good in the late afternoon. Finish at Le Castelroc, near the Place du Palais, for a relaxed vegetarian-friendly dinner overlooking the harbor. Ask for meat-free pasta, vegetable dishes, or a seasonal plate when ordering; budget approximately €40–€70 per person, excluding extensive drinks. Reserve ahead for an outdoor table, particularly in August, and return to Monaco–Monte-Carlo station by local bus or taxi after dinner. Trains back to Nice-Ville are frequent, but check the final evening departures and allow extra time for the walk through the station.

Morning

After your morning in Monaco-Ville, take a TER ZOU! from Monaco–Monte-Carlo to Nice-Ville—roughly 25 minutes, with frequent trains and fares around €5–€6. Leave enough time to collect luggage or arrange hotel storage in Nice before walking down to the Promenade des Anglais. Spend about an hour along the seafront between Jardin Albert 1er and Quai des États-Unis, where the Baie des Anges opens into one of the Riviera’s best final views. Early morning is cooler and calmer; wear comfortable shoes, as the broad promenade is paved rather than sandy.

Late Morning and Lunch

From the waterfront, take a taxi or the tram toward Cimiez—allow 15–20 minutes—to reach the Musée National Marc Chagall. It usually opens from around 10:00, with admission commonly around €10–€12; reserve or check the official schedule because summer hours and exhibitions can change. Give yourself about 90 minutes for the luminous biblical message cycle, then pause in the peaceful museum garden. For a light vegetarian lunch, return toward central Nice and try Le Bistrot du Port near the Old Port, or choose a simple salad, socca, and seasonal vegetables at a well-reviewed café along the edge of Vieux-Nice; August kitchens can have irregular hours, so booking is wise.

Afternoon and Evening

Spend the afternoon on Avenue Jean Médecin, Nice’s main shopping artery, where department stores and French and international retailers make an efficient final shopping stop. Allow around two hours, and keep receipts together if you are eligible for a VAT refund; larger stores can explain the electronic tax-free process before departure. A short walk then brings you to Place Masséna, where the red façades, ochre arcades, geometric paving, and illuminated sculptures are particularly photogenic in the late afternoon. Finish at Le Speakeasy for a relaxed vegetarian-friendly dinner, budgeting approximately €35–€60 per person; confirm the current menu and reserve ahead, especially for an August evening. If you still have luggage to collect, return to your hotel before dinner or leave at least 30 minutes afterward—Nice-Ville is generally easy to reach by tram or taxi, but allow extra time during summer traffic.