Itinerary Paris, Lyon & Nice

June is an excellent month to visit France: expect long days, lively café terraces, vibrant markets, and generally pleasant weather in all major cities. All museums and sites are open, and cities are buzzing but not yet as crowded as July-August.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$1,600
🏨 Accommodations	$2,100
🧳 Gear	$150
🗺️ On-site	$2,000
Total	$5,850

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇫🇷 Paris - 4 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🗼 Eiffel Tower ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • France’s icon—book your tickets to avoid queues, go early for fewer crowds.
• [ ] 🏛️ Louvre Museum ⭐⭐⭐ (~3-5h)
  • Masterpieces from ancient to modern—prebook for best time slots.
• [ ] 🏛️ Musée d’Orsay ⭐⭐ (~2-3h)
  • Impressionist treasures in a grand former railway station.
• [ ] 🏛️ Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior & Île de la Cité) ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Historic heart of Paris—restoration ongoing, but area walks are beautiful.
• [ ] 🌳 Jardin du Luxembourg ⭐ (~1-2h)
  • Classic Parisian park; perfect for relaxing with a pastry.
• [ ] 🏙️ Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Bohemian hills, stunning basilica, winding streets.
• [ ] 🏛️ Sainte-Chapelle ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Breathtaking stained glass—visit with morning light.
• [ ] 🏛️ Musée Rodin ⭐ (~1-2h)
  • Gardens and sculptures in a beautiful hôtel particulier.
• [ ] 🧭 Le Marais Neighborhood ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Trendy, full of boutiques and historic squares.
• [ ] 🏙️ Saint-Germain-des-Prés ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Café culture, lush squares, jazz history.
• [ ] 🏛️ Pantheon ⭐ (~1h)
  • French heroes’ resting place—check out the crypt.
• [ ] 🌳 Seine River walk & Pont Alexandre III ⭐⭐ (~1-2h)
  • Riverside strolls, romantic sunset views.
• [ ] 🏛️ Palace of Versailles (day trip) ⭐⭐⭐ (~5h)
  • Opulence and grand gardens; take RER C—half day from Paris.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Le Bar Hemingway (Ritz Paris) ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Iconic cocktails, literary flair, reservations recommended.
• [ ] 🎶 Opéra Garnier show or guided visit ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Splendid Belle-Epoque architecture; see a performance or take a tour.
• [ ] 🚢 Seine river dinner cruise ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Gastronomy with city lights—book early for best menus.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Marché des Enfants Rouges ⭐⭐
  • Paris’ oldest market—international food stalls, $10–20.
• [ ] 🍽️ Le Comptoir du Relais ⭐⭐⭐
  • Bistro classics, prized for local flavor. $50–60/person.
• [ ] 🥐 Du Pain et des Idées ⭐
  • Legendary croissants, perfect for breakfast.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (~1-2h)
  • Quirky scenic park, local feel.
• [ ] 🏛️ Picasso Museum (~1-2h)
  • Picasso’s work in a grand old hôtel.
• [ ] 🧭 Canal Saint-Martin walk (~1h)
  • Trendy, lesser-trodden waterside stroll.

---

🇫🇷 Lyon - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Vieux Lyon (Old Town) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Medieval lanes, Traboules passageways, UNESCO World Heritage.
• [ ] 🏛️ Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Dramatic hilltop basilica, panoramic views over Lyon.
• [ ] 🏛️ Musée des Confluences ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Iconic modern architecture, narratives of society and science.
• [ ] 🏙️ Presqu’île district & Place Bellecour ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Lively urban heart, shopping, grand architecture.
• [ ] 🧭 La Croix-Rousse neighborhood ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Silk workers’ quarter, artistic vibe, great views.
• [ ] 🍷 Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse ⭐⭐ (~1-2h)
  • Gastronomy market—sample regional cheeses and charcuterie.
• [ ] 🌳 Parc de la Tête d'Or ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Expansive park, botanical garden, and lakeside strolls.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Antiquaires neighborhood wine bars ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Local wines and a convivial Lyonnaise atmosphere.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍽️ La Mère Brazier ⭐⭐⭐
  • Legendary Lyonnaise cuisine, Michelin-starred. $80–150/person.
• [ ] 🍜 Les Halles – various food counters ⭐
  • Sample sausages, quenelle, pastries; $15–30.
• [ ] 🥘 Bouchon des Filles ⭐⭐
  • Authentic “bouchon” with classic fare.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏛️ Musée des Beaux-Arts (~2h)
  • Second only to the Louvre—impressive art collection.
• [ ] 🧭 Mur des Canuts (~1h)
  • Famous mural illustrating Lyon’s history.

---

🇫🇷 Nice (French Riviera) - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🌊 Promenade des Anglais ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Iconic palm-lined beach boulevard; perfect for a scenic stroll.
• [ ] 🏙️ Vieux Nice (Old Town) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Colorful Baroque lanes, markets, artisan shops.
• [ ] 🌳 Colline du Château (Castle Hill) ⭐⭐ (~1-1.5h)
  • Panoramic city and sea views, park for picnics.
• [ ] 🧭 Cours Saleya flower & food market ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Lively Provencal market, best in early morning.
• [ ] 🌊 Beach day (Plage Beau Rivage / Castel Plage) ⭐⭐ (~2-4h)
  • Private and public options—bring water shoes for pebbles.
• [ ] 🧭 Russian Orthodox Cathedral ⭐ (~1h)
  • Striking architectural gem.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Le Shapko Bar (live jazz & cocktails) ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Lively music and intimate ambiance.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍲 Lou Pilha Leva ⭐⭐
  • Socca (chickpea crêpe), street food favorite – $5–10.
• [ ] 🍽️ Bistrot d’Antoine ⭐⭐⭐
  • Niçoise specialties, elegant setting—$35-60/person.
• [ ] 🍦 Fenocchio Glacier ⭐
  • Famous for creative ice cream flavors.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Day trip to Èze or Villefranche-sur-Mer (~3-4h)
  • Medieval hill town and stunning sea views nearby.

---

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇫🇷 Paris

• [ ] 🎬 Amélie (2001) — ⭐ 8.3 — Whimsical romance in Montmartre — Prime Video
• [ ] 🎬 Midnight in Paris (2011) — ⭐ 7.7 — Time-travel fantasy through the city’s literary history — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Lupin (2021) — ⭐ 7.5 — Heists and Parisian landmarks — Netflix

🇫🇷 Lyon

• [ ] 🎬 The Connection (La French, 2014) — ⭐ 7.1 — 1970’s crime drama—Marseille/Lyon — Amazon
• [ ] 📺 L’Odyssée de la Gastronomie Lyonnaise (2021) — ⭐ 7.8 — Gastronomy-focused documentary — Arte

🇫🇷 Nice

• [ ] 🎬 To Catch a Thief (1955) — ⭐ 7.4 — Hitchcock classic set on the Riviera — Paramount+
• [ ] 📺 Riviera (2017) — ⭐ 6.7 — Drama amid French Riviera’s glitz — Amazon Prime

🍜 Local specialties

🇫🇷 Paris

• [ ] Croissant, pain au chocolat
• [ ] Duck confit
• [ ] Onion soup

🇫🇷 Lyon

• [ ] Quenelle de brochet (pike dumpling)
• [ ] Saucisson brioché (sausage in brioche)
• [ ] Cervelle de canut (herb cheese spread)

🇫🇷 Nice

• [ ] Socca (chickpea pancake)
• [ ] Salade niçoise
• [ ] Pissaladière (onion tart)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇫🇷 Paris

1. 🗼 Eiffel Tower
2. 🍸 Le Bar Hemingway
3. 🛍️ Le Marais boutiques
4. 🏨 Hotel d’Aubusson
5. 🍽️ Le Comptoir du Relais

🇫🇷 Lyon

1. 🏙️ Vieux Lyon
2. 🍸 Antiquaires wine bars
3. 🛍️ Les Halles de Lyon
4. 🏨 Cour des Loges
5. 🍽️ La Mère Brazier

🇫🇷 Nice

1. 🌊 Promenade des Anglais
2. 🍸 Le Shapko Bar
3. 🛍️ Cours Saleya Market
4. 🏨 Hôtel Rossetti
5. 🍽️ Bistrot d’Antoine

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Paris
• [ ] 🚅 Paris → Lyon
• [ ] 🚅 Lyon → Nice
• [ ] ✈️ Nice → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Paris	4	Hotel d’Aubusson (4*)	$960
Lyon	3	Cour des Loges (4*)	$630
Nice	3	Hôtel Rossetti (4*)	$510
Total	10 nights		$2,100