Paris and Nice 7-Day France Itinerary

Morning

Start at Louvre Museum when it opens, ideally with a timed ticket for around 9:00. Allow roughly three hours, but don’t try to see everything: follow signs to the Mona Lisa, then choose a few galleries in the Denon and Sully wings. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, but Sunday 25 October is a normal opening day; verify the exact 2026 hours and reserve through the official website, with admission generally around €22–€32 depending on the ticket type. Arrive 20–30 minutes early, and use the Carrousel du Louvre entrance if the main pyramid queue is long.

Walk west through Tuileries Garden, following the central allée toward the river. This is a good place to slow down after the museum—grab a coffee or crêpe from a garden kiosk and take a chair beside one of the fountains. After about 45 minutes, continue to Musée de l’Orangerie at the garden’s western end. Give yourself an hour for Monet’s huge Water Lilies panels and the smaller Impressionist collection; it is usually open from late morning to early evening, with reduced hours on some days, so check the museum calendar and book ahead if available. Admission is typically around €12–€16.

Afternoon and Evening

From Musée de l’Orangerie, step out to Place de la Concorde for the obelisk, fountains, and broad views along the Champs-Élysées and toward the Arc de Triomphe. Spend about 30 minutes here, but stay alert when crossing the surrounding traffic-heavy roads. You can then walk north up Rue Royale toward Place de la Madeleine and Opéra, roughly 20 minutes, or take Metro line 1 from Concorde to Concorde and change for line 8 toward Opéra if your feet need a break. Finish at Café de la Paix, beside the Palais Garnier, for a classic Parisian coffee, pastry, or early dinner; expect approximately €25–€60 per person, more for a full meal. The grand Belle Époque interior is part of the experience, so reservations are sensible for dinner, while afternoon coffee is usually easier. Afterward, wander around Place Vendôme and the illuminated Opéra Garnier before returning by Metro or taxi.

Morning

Begin on Île de la Cité around 8:45, before the central island becomes busy. Visit Notre-Dame de Paris first; the restored cathedral is generally free to enter, but timed reservations or entry arrangements may apply, so check the official booking system shortly before your trip. Allow about an hour, and dress respectfully. From here, walk a few minutes through the old heart of Paris to Sainte-Chapelle, ideally for a 10:00–10:30 entry. Its upper chapel is compact but extraordinary, with walls of 13th-century stained glass; reserve ahead, and allow about an hour. Security can be slow, so avoid carrying large bags.

Midday and Afternoon

After the chapel, spend 30 minutes at Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II, just beside the Hôtel de Ville de Paris side of the island. It is a pleasant, old-fashioned stop for flowers and small plants rather than a major sightseeing attraction. For lunch, cross toward Saint-Germain-des-Prés—about 20 minutes on foot via the Pont Neuf, or take Metro line 4 from Cité to Saint-Germain-des-Prés—and eat casually around Rue de Buci before entering the Musée d’Orsay. Book a timed ticket for roughly 14:00; the museum is usually open Tuesday–Sunday from 9:30 to 18:00, with a later closing on Thursdays, and admission is commonly around €16–€18. Allow two and a half hours for the Impressionists, the former railway hall, and the upper-floor views toward the Seine.

Evening

Walk through Saint-Germain-des-Prés to Le Procope, around 10 minutes from the museum. This historic restaurant is atmospheric rather than inexpensive, so reserve for approximately 19:00–19:30 and expect about €35–€70 per person depending on your choices. Classic French dishes and a leisurely meal suit the setting; ask for a table in one of the older rooms if available. After dinner, take a gentle walk along Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie and Boulevard Saint-Germain, or return by Metro from Odéon—a relaxed finish without adding another major attraction.

Morning

Start at Sacré-Cœur Basilica around 9:00, before the steps and forecourt become crowded. From central Paris, take Metro line 12 to Abbesses—then either walk uphill through Montmartre or use the small funicular from Anvers if you prefer to save your legs. Entry to the basilica is free, while climbing the dome costs roughly €8–€10; allow about an hour for the church and panoramic view. Keep valuables secure on the steps and avoid anyone offering unsolicited “friendship bracelets.” Wander downhill afterward to Place du Tertre, where artists set up portraits and sketches among the cobbled lanes. It is charming but touristy, so browse rather than committing immediately to a portrait; late morning is a good time for a quieter look.

Continue a few minutes on foot to the Musée de Montmartre, usually open Tuesday–Sunday from around 10:00 to 18:00, with admission generally about €15–€18. The museum’s former artists’ homes and gardens explain Montmartre’s cabaret and studio life far better than a quick street walk, and the peaceful garden is worth leaving time for. Buy a timed ticket if available, particularly during autumn school holidays. Afterward, stroll through the residential lanes toward Lamarck–Caulaincourt—roughly 15–20 minutes, mostly downhill—and stop for lunch at Le Refuge des Fondus, Le Café de la Poste, or another café around Rue du Ruisseau and Rue Lamarck. Expect approximately €15–€30 per person; a traditional formule with the day’s dish is usually better value than eating directly around the main square.

Evening

Allow the afternoon to remain unstructured: return to your hotel for a rest or explore the small shops and cafés around Rue des Abbesses before heading toward Moulin Rouge in Pigalle. Arrive 30–45 minutes before your booked show, since seating and security can be slow; Metro line 2 stops at Blanche, directly outside. Cabaret performances commonly last about two hours, with tickets roughly €90–€250 per person depending on the show, seating, and whether champagne or dinner is included. Reserve through the official venue well in advance, dress smart-casual, and avoid assuming dinner is included unless it is clearly stated. Afterward, the safest easy return is Metro line 2 or a licensed taxi/rideshare; the surrounding nightlife is lively, so keep your phone and wallet secure while leaving.

Arrival and Late Afternoon

After arriving at Nice-Ville, leave your luggage at the hotel and give yourself a little breathing room after the long morning. The easiest way into central Nice is usually Tram Line 1 toward the old town—trams run frequently and a single journey costs roughly €1.70—or take a short taxi if you have heavy bags. Begin your first look at the city with a gentle 45-minute stroll through Promenade du Paillon, the long green corridor between the station area and the sea. Its fountains, lawns, palms, and shaded paths are ideal for resetting after the train journey; in late October, daylight fades relatively early, so aim to arrive by about 15:30–16:00.

Continue south to Place Masséna, about a five-minute walk from the gardens. Spend half an hour admiring the red ochre façades, arcades, black-and-white paving, and the illuminated sculptures that become especially atmospheric toward dusk. This is a good place to pause for coffee or a quick pastry before moving into the old town—avoid eating a full meal here, as Cours Saleya is the more memorable evening stop.

Evening in Vieux Nice

From Place Masséna, walk through the narrow lanes of Vieux Nice to Cours Saleya, roughly 10 minutes away. The flower and produce market generally winds down by late afternoon, though some stalls may remain until around 17:30–18:00; arrive promptly to see the best selection of local olives, socca ingredients, flowers, and Provençal specialties. Even after the stalls close, the square is lively and makes an easy introduction to the old town. Dinner at Le Safari, on the edge of the market, is a convenient first-night choice for Provençal and Mediterranean cooking—reserve ahead if possible, and expect approximately €30–€55 per person. Allow about 90 minutes, then wander the nearby lanes at an unhurried pace; most restaurants serve dinner from around 19:00, while shops and market stalls will largely be closed by then.

Morning

Start around 9:00 at Castle Hill (Colline du Château), when the paths are quieter and the light is especially good over the Baie des Anges. From Vieux Nice, walk up via the stairs, or use the free lift at the end of Rue des Ponchettes if you would rather save your legs. Allow about 1½ hours for the viewpoints, waterfall, park paths, and the panorama toward the port; there is no entrance fee. Descend toward the seafront and continue along Quai des États-Unis, a relaxed 45-minute walk beneath the arcades between the old town and the Promenade des Anglais. This is a good stretch for photographs and a coffee stop, though the exposed waterfront can feel breezy in late October.

Afternoon

Have lunch in Cimiez before visiting Musée Matisse, ideally around 14:00. Bus routes from the center toward Cimiez take roughly 20–30 minutes, while a taxi is quicker and usually costs about €15–€20 depending on traffic. The museum, housed in the Villa des Arènes, displays paintings, drawings, and personal objects associated with Henri Matisse; allow 1½ hours. Check the official schedule before travelling—October hours are commonly around 10:00–17:00, and Tuesday closures are possible. A combined or related museum pass may offer savings if you plan further museum visits, but otherwise budget roughly €10–€12 for admission.

Walk a few minutes afterward to the Monastère de Cimiez and its gardens. Spend about 45 minutes in the peaceful cloister, church, and terraced garden, which offers a quieter hillside view than the busier seafront. The monastery’s interior hours can be limited, so treat the gardens and exterior as the reliable part of the visit. In the early evening, take a bus or taxi down to Port Lympia for dinner at Le Bistrot du Port. Reserve ahead for a harbor-side table and expect approximately €35–€70 per person for seafood, wine, and dessert; confirm the October opening schedule, as restaurants sometimes adjust service outside summer.

Morning in Èze

Take the TER from Nice-Ville to Èze-sur-Mer around 08:30; the train takes roughly 15 minutes. From the station, you have two choices: the steep Nietzsche Path up to Èze Village—beautiful but demanding, usually 45–60 minutes—or a local bus toward the village, which is the better option if the ground is wet or you want to conserve energy. Avoid driving into the medieval village, where streets are narrow and largely pedestrianized. Start with Le Jardin Exotique d’Èze, opening hours varying seasonally but generally from around 9:00; allow 1½ hours for the cactus gardens, stone terraces, and superb views across the Mediterranean. Tickets are usually about €7–€8. Wear shoes with good grip, as the paths are uneven.

Around midday, visit Fragonard Parfumeur – L’Usine Laboratoire Èze, where guided tours explain the production of perfume, soap, and cosmetics. Tours are typically free and last about an hour, though booking ahead is sensible in October. Have a light lunch in Èze Village—the terrace at Le Nid d’Aigle is a practical choice—or pick up a sandwich and enjoy it before continuing. Then descend by bus to Èze-sur-Mer and take the TER east to Monaco-Monte-Carlo; the journey is about 15 minutes, with a short uphill connection into the old town.

Afternoon in Monaco

Spend roughly two hours in Monaco-Ville, beginning around Place du Palais and the Prince’s Palace area. The palace state apartments may be open seasonally, but check the official schedule before relying on an interior visit. Continue to Saint Nicholas Cathedral, associated with Monaco’s ruling family, then wander the compact lanes for cafés, souvenir shops, and viewpoints over Port de Fontvieille. From Monaco-Ville, walk or take the local bus toward Monte Carlo—allow 20–30 minutes on foot, since Monaco is surprisingly steep, or use a bus if you would rather save your legs.

Early evening and return to Nice

Finish at the Casino de Monte-Carlo and its grand square around 17:30–18:00, when the Belle Époque façades are beginning to glow. Exterior viewing is free; entering the gaming rooms generally requires identification, an admission fee, and smart attire—avoid shorts, sportswear, and beach shoes. Check the casino’s current opening times and dress code before setting out. Aim to leave Monaco-Monte-Carlo between 19:00 and 20:00 for a frequent TER back to Nice-Ville, taking about 25 minutes. From Nice station, walk to your accommodation or use the tram; allow extra time because evening trains can be busy.

Morning

Make an early start from Nice for Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, ideally leaving around 8:30–9:00. The most straightforward option is a taxi, taking roughly 25–35 minutes depending on traffic; by public transport, take a bus toward Beaulieu-sur-Mer and continue on a local service toward the peninsula, allowing closer to an hour. Arrive near opening time and spend about two hours touring the villa and its themed gardens, especially the French, Spanish, Japanese, and rose gardens. Admission is usually around €17–€18, and October is a particularly pleasant time to visit, with softer light and fewer visitors. Check seasonal opening hours before setting out, as the estate may close one day each week.

Lunch and Afternoon

Continue to Paloma Beach on the eastern side of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, either by a short taxi ride or on foot if you are happy with a longer coastal walk. Set aside about 90 minutes for a leisurely seaside stop and lunch; expect approximately €30–€60 per person depending on the restaurant, drinks, and menu. In late October, beach restaurants may operate reduced hours or close seasonally, so confirm availability and keep a nearby café in Beaulieu-sur-Mer as a backup. After lunch, travel to Villa Kérylos in Beaulieu-sur-Mer—a short taxi ride or roughly 15–20 minutes on foot from the waterfront. Allow 1½ hours to explore this extraordinary recreation of an ancient Greek villa, with its mosaics, carved woodwork, and sea-facing rooms; admission is generally about €11–€13, with reduced rates available.

Late Afternoon and Evening

Return to Nice by TER from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to Nice-Ville, a journey of about 10 minutes, then make your way to the Promenade des Anglais for an unhurried final walk beside the Baie des Anges. Walk west or east according to the light, stopping near the blue chairs for photographs; allow about an hour, and bring a light layer because the seafront can feel cool after sunset. Finish at La Merenda in Vieux Nice, a tiny, much-loved address for traditional Niçoise dishes such as pissaladière, petits farcis, and panisses. Dinner is usually around €25–€45 per person, but the intimate restaurant has limited seating and often keeps simple hours, so reserve ahead and verify the opening schedule.