7 Day France Itinerary: Paris and the South of France in 7 Days

Have you ever dreamt of strolling down cobblestone streets, savoring croissants in quaint cafés, and gazing upon world-famous landmarks? If you’re planning a 7 day trip to France, you are in the right place!

France is full of history, delicious food, and beautiful scenery. In fact, it has over 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites!! But with so much to see and do, planning a trip can feel overwhelming.

In this post, I will cover exactly how to spend 7 days in France, including where to stay, how to get around, and a specific day-by-day itinerary for Paris, Marseilles, and Nice!

After visiting this incredible country multiple times, including visiting French family, I think this is the perfect introduction to France.

Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick look at what’s in store in this 7 Day France itinerary!

Day 1: See the Louvre & Notre Dame + Picnic at the Eiffel Tower
Day 2: Day trip outside Paris + Dinner Show
Day 3: Explore Le Marais and Montmartre + Dinner Cruise
Day 4: Travel from Paris to Marseille
Day 5: Explore Marseille & Provence region
Day 6: Travel from Marseille to Nice
Day 7: Explore Nice & the French Riviera

How Many Days Do You Need in France? 

When planning a trip to France, the number of days you need depends on your interests and the regions you want to explore. France is a very big country – you could spend months traveling around it and still not see everything.

For your first trip to France, I recommend at least seven days to really get a feel for French culture, which is what we will cover in this itinerary!

However, the pace of this itinerary is somewhat fast-paced, as you will be covering three different cities in just 7 days. If you are looking for a more relaxed trip, I recommend cutting out the Marseille portion and sticking to just Nice and Paris!

When is the Best Month to Visit France?

The best month to visit France is generally in the spring or fall. 

From April to June, the weather is mild, and the countryside bursts with colorful blooms, making it perfect for outdoor activities. Plus, there are fewer tourists, so you can enjoy attractions with fewer crowds.

Similarly, the weather remains pleasant from September to October, and the landscapes are painted with autumn colors. It’s an ideal time to explore villages, vineyards, and sites without the summer crowds. 

Additionally, you may find lower prices on accommodations and flights during these seasons compared to the peak of summer!

Of course, summer is not a bad time to visit. However, with the warm weather and Europeans taking their summer vacations, you can expect larger crowds and higher hotel costs, especially in August!

Detailed 7-Day France Itinerary For First Time Visitors

Now that you know when to visit France andhow many days to spend in the country, let’s dive into this itinerary!

From the romantic streets of Paris to the sun-drenched beaches of the French Riviera, this itinerary will guide you on how to see the best of France in just one week.

Keep in mind you can do this itinerary in any order, but as most travelers will likely start in the capital of Paris, this itinerary will begin there as well. 

If you have round-trip tickets out of Paris, you’ll need to return to the capital at the end of the trip!

Or, book one-way tickets so you can fly home directly from Nice and reduce some travel time. I recommend using Google’s Multi-City tool to find cheaper one way tickets.

✈️ Planning a week in France that covers two regions takes more prep than you might think — flights, hotels in multiple cities, transfers, travel insurance, money, phone plans. My Passport to Confidence guide is a $7 step-by-step planning roadmap covering every decision from 6 months out to departure day. Download it instantly!

Day 0: Arrival in Paris and Where to Stay

Getting from the Airport to the City Center

If you’re traveling from the United States, you are most likely going to arrive in Paris at Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG).

This airport is located about 20 miles (~30 km) outside of the city center. To get from the airport into Paris, you can take the RER-B metro line, the Roissy bus, or grab an Uber or private transfer.

Taking the metro is the fastest and cheapest option, costing around 13 euros and taking 35 minutes. Tickets can be purchased directly at the airport station and do not require advanced purchase.

You’ll arrive at Gare du Nord station in central Paris, and from there, you can transfer to several different Metro lines to reach your hotel.

Or, if you don’t want to deal with hauling your suitcases on public transportation and through the cobblestone streets of Paris, you can also book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel!

We did this on our last trip to Paris, and it was so convenient, especially after being tired from an overnight flight!

Where to Stay in Paris

As you can imagine, there are literally thousands of hotels to choose from in Paris. Because of this, it can feel very overwhelming to choose one for your trip.

I wrote a whole guide on where to stay in Paris for this reason, but my biggest piece of advice is to consider the area more than the actual hotel.

As long as your hotel has the basic necessities you need, the neighborhood you stay in is going to impact your trip a lot more!

Paris is broken down into 20 neighborhoods, called arrondissements. For first-time visitors to Paris, I recommend staying in either the 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th arrondissement, as these are close to the main attractions like the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower.

Not only that, but these areas have plenty of cafes, restaurants, bars, and stores to explore.

Below are some specific hotel recommendations for you to consider!

• Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse ($$): Located near the center of Paris, this hotel is within walking distance of the Jardin du Luxembourg and a short metro ride away from iconic sites like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. This is where we stayed on our first trip to Paris!
• Hotel Monge ($$$) – A beautifully designed boutique hotel with luxurious touches like a library lounge and complimentary tea service. Just a short walk to 3 different Metro Lines (Line 7 & 10).
• Hôtel Eiffel Seine ($$) – A charming, affordable option with Art Nouveau decor, located steps from Bir-Hakeim Metro (Line 6) and Champ de Mars (RER C). Perfect for travelers looking to stay close to the Eiffel Tower without breaking the bank.

Lana’s Tip: Whatever hotel you choose, make sure it is within walking distance to a Metro line! This will make getting around Paris much easier! 🚇

Day 1: The Louvre, Notre Dame, and a Picnic at the Eiffel Tower

Today starts day 1 of this one week France itinerary in the City o f Love. A lot of people say Paris is overrated, but I couldn’t disagree more. The city is magical and there is SO much to experience in it!

If it’s your first time in Paris, make sure to check out my list of 10 things to know before visiting Paris for the first time!

Begin your first day by hitting one of the most famous museums in the world: the Louvre. Make sure to buy your ticket ahead of time to avoid the insane lines.

Tickets for the Louvre have timed-entry, which means you’ll have to choose a specific time slot when purchasing. I recommend going as early as possible to avoid the crazy crowds.

Of course, these are the time slots that sell out first, so try to book your tickets a few months in advance, if possible!

The Louvre is massive, so I highly recommend doing some research about what you want to see (like the famous Mona Lisa or Venus de Milo statue)! You could spend days in the Louvre and not see it all. My favorite part was the Galerie d’Apollon (shown below with the incredible ceiling!).

After you’re done at the Louvre, grab lunch and wander along the Seine towards the Île de la Cité, an island in the middle of the Seine that houses the famous Notre Dame Cathedral!

Notre Dame officially reopened in 2025 to the public and is 100% free to enter. There may be a line to get in, but it moves quickly!

In addition to Notre Dame, I highly recommend wandering around Île de la Cité and experiencing the beautiful bridges like the Pont Alexandre III, Pont des Arts, and Pont Neuf.

In the late afternoon, head over to the famous Champs-Élysées for some shopping. At the end of this famous street, you’ll find the Arc de Triomphe.

Then (about an hour or two before sunset), make your way to the TOP of the Arc de Triomphe! Similar to the Louvre, you’ll want to secure your tickets for the Arc de Triomphe ahead of time in order to skip the INSANE line.

Most people just admire the Arc de Triomphe from afar, but going up to the top is such a magical experience and offers insane views of all of Paris and the 12 avenues that extend from the Arc.

Note: As you can see, you’ll be doing a lot of walking on Day 1! Make sure to pack comfortable shoes and check out more packing tips in my guide on What to Pack for Paris!

To wrap up this action-packed first day in Paris, head over to the Eiffel Tower for a late picnic dinner! You can grab cheese, fruit, bread, and wine from a local store, bring a blanket, and find a spot on the Champ de Mars.

The Champ des Mars is a large public green space right in front of the Eiffel Tower where families, teenagers, and couples all congregate throughout the day. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic at the Eiffel Tower.

At dusk, the Eiffel Tower lights up golden, and then on the next hour, it will sparkle for 5 minutes. It’s so fun to see this throughout different times of night as the sky changes colors.

Keep in mind that in the summer, the sun doesn’t set until 9pm or 10pm, so plan accordingly!

Day 2: Day Trip Outside the City

Since you have 3 full days in Paris, I highly recommend spending one of them (or at least a half day) getting outside of the city.

However, if you want to soak in more time in Paris, you can easily spread the day 1 and day 3 activities out over 3 days to have a more relaxed trip.

There are so many great day trips from Paris by train to choose from – below are just a few!

Just northwest of Paris lies the famous region of Normandy. Here, you can visit the small commune of Giverny, where Claude Monet lived and painted his famous water lilies. Spend the morning wandering through the blooms of his home and garden, if you are a fan!

Continuing further north from Giverny, you will find the famous Normandy beaches. where the largest sea invasion took place during World War II. This is a popular day trip from Paris, especially for Americans. It takes just over 2 hours to reach the beaches of Normandy by train.

One of the most popular options, however, is a day trip from Paris to Versailles. Located just 30 minutes away from Paris by train, the Palace of Versailles and its surrounding gardens and hamlets can fill an entire day.

This is the day trip we chose on our last trip to Paris, and it was magical!! We loved wandering around the gardens and seeing the fountain shows.

Make sure to purchase tickets in advance, as the tickets (like the Louvre) are timed-entry and sell out quickly, especially for the morning slots.

For more details on these places, make sure to check out my guide on the 7 Best Day Trips from Paris by Train!

No matter which day trip you choose, it’s important to know almost every region can be accessed via a guided tour from Paris if you don’t want to navigate alone!

If you return back to the city with enough time, consider watching a burlesque show and/or visit the Paris catacombs!

Personally, I highly recommend the Crazy Horse show, which is geared towards adults and is much sexier than the traditional Moulin Rouge show. We were absolutely blown away by this performance!

For more ideas, check out my full guide on the top things to do in Paris at night here!

Day 3: Le Marais, Montmartre, and a Dinner Cruise

On your last day in Paris, dive deeper into the culture with a visit to the Le Marais district. Here, you can explore the historic streets lined with boutiques, galleries, and cafés. The modern shops and restaurants here are tucked between 17th century mansions once owned by rich aristocrats.

During our last trip to Paris, we did a walking pastry tour through Le Marais that was incredible! We got to try all kinds of different French pastries (way more than just croissants!) with a local while learning about the history of Le Marais.

After exploring Le Marais, head over to the artsy Montmartre district just outside the city center.

Montmartre is also full of history, and the most popular thing to do in the area is visiting the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for panoramic views of the city.

The climb up to the Basilica is a little intense, but there is a funicular you can take to the top too! You’ll be rewarded with sprawling views of all of Paris. We loved sitting on the steps here and enjoying the vibes.

After you’re done at the Basilica, head down the road to Place du Tertre, the Artist’s Square. Here, you’ll find tons of artists displaying their work and painting people live. Montmartre is famously known for housing many well-known artists like Picasso and van Gough.

To close out your time in Paris, spend your last evening on a dinner cruise along the Seine. We were worried this was going to feel super touristy, but it ended up being totally magical!!

The cruises typically depart right before sunset, so you’ll get to see all the famous sites along the river like Notre Dame and the Louvre lit up in golden hour lightning.

Then, you’ll eat a 4-course meal with wine and champagne. And by the time you’re done with your meal, you’ll be pulling up to the Eiffel Tower right as it sparkles for the first time after dusk.

Getting to witness this from the Seine on the boat’s rooftop was completely mesmerizing and something everyone should get to experience once in their life!

P.S. I highly recommend booking this 4-course dinner cruise, but if you want to compare your options, check out my guide on the Top 5 Paris Dinner Cruises here!

Day 4: Paris to Marseille

Getting from Paris to Marseille

It’s time to start the second half of this one week France Itinerary! Today, you’ll be heading south to the Provence region of France! Specifically, you’ll be staying in the beautiful port-city of Marseille for 2 nights.

You have a few options for getting from Paris to Marseille! If you don’t want to rent a car, you can either take a direct flight or take a train!

AirFrance runs several direct flights from Paris to Marseille (MRS) every single day, both from Paris Orly Airport (ORY) and the larger Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Prices range from $75 to $200, depending on time of year, time of day, and when you book! The flight time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

If you do not want to fly, you can also take a train from Paris to Marseille. The most popular and fastest train option is the TGV, which stands for Train à grande vitesse (aka high-speed train).

There are several TGVs that run from Paris to Marseille daily. Costs range from $70-$200, and the journey should take about 3.5 hours if you book a direct train.

Book your train tickets on Omio here! 🚆

Explore Marseille

Once you arrive in Marseille, check into your hotel and spend the evening exploring the Vieux Port and getting acquainted with the area.

Marseille is actually the oldest city in France, as it was founded in 600 BC as the Greek colony of Massalia!

Where to stay in Marseille

Hotel Escale Oceania Marseille Vieux Port: Located near the Vieux Port in Marseille, this hotel offers comfortable rooms and a convenient location for exploring the city’s attractions. With affordable rates and friendly service, it’s a great option for travelers looking to experience Marseille on a budget.

InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu: Situated in a historic building overlooking the Old Port, the InterContinental Marseille offers luxurious accommodations and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s the perfect choice for travelers seeking a high-end experience!

Day 5: Explore Marseille & Provence Region

Today, spend time continuing to explore the beauty of Marseille and the Provence region of France. You can choose to stay in town, as there is plenty to do in Marseille to fill your day.

For example, you can visit the Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica, which sits atop a hill overlooking the city and offers awesome views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Or, wander through the markets of the Noailles district, sampling local delicacies like pastis and bouillabaisse. Then, end your day with a leisurely walk along the Corniche Kennedy for sunset.

If you want to get outside the city and enjoy a bit of nature, another great option when visiting Marseille is to take a trip to Parc National des Calanques (Calanques National Park).

Calanques is French for rocky “inlet” or “cove“, and this area is famous for its massive calanques.

There are several ways to experience Calanques National Park, whether it be hiking, kayaking, or a boat tour! There are tons of tour options with pick up in Marseille, so you can choose the tour that fits your interests.

I personally recommend a boat tour!!! You just can’t beat a day on the water, especially in the Mediterranean. The water here is absolutely gorgeous.

Another option is to visit the famous Gorges du Verdon, Europe’s largest canyon. Although this area is a bit further away from Marseille, it offers similar, stunning landscapes and water-based activities.

Check out this post from my friend Caity for everything you need to know about visiting Gorges du Verdon!

Also, if you are visiting the area in June or July, this is the best time to see the lavender fields in full bloom!

Day 7: Nice and Surrounding Areas

On the final day of this 7 Day France itinerary, take it easy and explore nearby attractions around Nice! One of the most popular things to do is visit the medieval village of Eze.

Eze is perched high on a cliff overlooking the sea and offers stunning views of the Mediterranean. You can spend your whole morning here getting lost in the cobblestone streets.

In the afternoon, head to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for a picturesque lunch in the harbor. Or, you can hit the beach in the nearby, picturesque town of Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Or simply hang at the beautiful beaches of Nice if you didn’t get to do that yesterday!

Once evening rolls around, make your way back to Nice and dine al fresco at a waterfront restaurant, savoring fresh seafood and local wines. This is the perfect way to spend your last evening in France!

P.S. If you don’t want to rent a car or use public transportation to visit the surrounding areas of Nice, you can book a tour like this one, which includes a full day of activities. Explore the village of Eze, the luxurious Monaco and Monte Carlo, and old town Antibes!

Check pricing and availability of this all-day tour here! 🇲🇨🇫🇷

FAQs on Visiting France 

If you still have questions about visiting France for 7 days, this list of FAQs should help cover anything I missed above!

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!