Itinerary Paris, Lyon & Nice

June is an excellent season to visit France: long days, mild to warm temperatures, and vibrant city life. Outdoor cafés, lively markets, and festivals are in full swing—ideal for culture, history, and gastronomy lovers.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$1,750
🏨 Accommodations	$2,800
🧳 Gear	$200
🗺️ On-site	$1,200
Total	$5,950

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🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇫🇷 Paris - 4 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🗼 Eiffel Tower ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Iconic symbol of Paris; book skip-the-line tickets, best views at sunset.

• [ ] 🏰 Louvre Museum ⭐⭐⭐ (~3-4h)

  • World's most visited museum; Mona Lisa & masterpieces, reserve tickets online.

• [ ] 🥐 Le Marais District ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Trendy, historic neighborhood with boutiques, art galleries, and cafés.

• [ ] 🏛️ Musée d'Orsay ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Impressionist and post-impressionist collections, housed in a beaux-arts station.

• [ ] 🌳 Jardin du Luxembourg ⭐ (~1h)

  • Expansive gardens, Mediterranean flora, palace views—perfect for a stroll.

• [ ] 🏰 Château de Versailles ⭐⭐⭐ (~4-5h, incl. transport)

  • Extravagant Sun King palace, gilded halls, splendid gardens; RER train from Paris.

• [ ] 🗺️ Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Bohemian hilltop quarter, artists, panoramic city views.

• [ ] 🏛️ Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior) ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Gothic icon under restoration, see from Seine or Île de la Cité.

• [ ] 🖼️ Centre Pompidou ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Modern art museum, unusual architecture, rooftop views.

• [ ] 🚶‍♂️ Latin Quarter & Panthéon ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Vibrant student areas, bookstores, and Sorbonne University.

• [ ] 🏙️ Avenue des Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Legendary avenue, luxury boutiques, iconic triumphal arch.

• [ ] 🎨 Musée Rodin ⭐ (~1h)

  • Sculpture gardens & masterpieces in a tranquil mansion.

• [ ] 🛍️ Galeries Lafayette & Printemps ⭐ (~1h)

  • Elegant department stores, stained glass domes.

• [ ] 🥂 Opéra Garnier ⭐ (~1h, guided tour)

  • Lavish 19th-century opera house.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Le Comptoir Général (Canal Saint Martin) ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Quirky bar/cultural hub, eclectic décor, lively local crowd.

• [ ] 🚤 Seine River Cruise ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Illuminated Paris by boat, magical after dark.

• [ ] 🎭 Moulin Rouge Cabaret ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Famous cabaret, iconic French cancan (book tickets ahead).

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Marché des Enfants Rouges ⭐⭐⭐

  • Paris' oldest covered market; French, Moroccan, Italian specialties (~$15-30).

• [ ] 🍽️ Le Procope ⭐⭐

  • Oldest café in Paris; classic French cuisine (~$40-60).

• [ ] 🍷 Bistrot Paul Bert ⭐⭐

  • Classic bistro, famed for steak frites and tarte Tatin (~$40).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏞️ Bois de Vincennes (~1.5h)

  • Expansive park, lake, local escape; ideal for a picnic.

• [ ] 🖼️ Petit Palais (~1h)

  • Ornate free-entry art museum near the Champs-Élysées.

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🇫🇷 Lyon - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Vieux Lyon (Old Town) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • UNESCO site, cobbled lanes, Renaissance houses; explore traboules (hidden passages).

• [ ] ⛪ Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Hilltop basilica, panoramic city views.

• [ ] 🍷 Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Legendary indoor food market with Lyonnaise gourmet products.

• [ ] 🏛️ Musée des Confluences ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Striking modern museum; science and anthropology exhibits.

• [ ] 🚶‍♂️ Parc de la Tête d’Or ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Vast urban park with botanical gardens and boating lake.

• [ ] 🏰 Théâtre Gallo-Romain & Roman Sites ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Ancient Roman amphitheatre; history walks.

• [ ] 🏞️ Presqu’île ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Heart of Lyon between two rivers; shops, culture, and public art.

• [ ] 🖼️ Musée des Beaux-Arts ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Significant fine arts collection in a historic abbey.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Le Sucre (Confluence) ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Rooftop club/bar with river views and DJ sets.

• [ ] 🚶‍♂️ Evening stroll on the Saône quays ⭐

  • Illuminated riversides ideal for balmy evening walks.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍽️ Bouchon Les Lyonnais ⭐⭐⭐

  • Traditional Lyonnaise eatery, best for quenelles and sausages (~$35-50).

• [ ] 🍷 La Mère Brazier ⭐⭐

  • Michelin-starred, classic Lyon gastronomy (~$70+).

• [ ] 🧀 Fromagerie Mons at Les Halles ⭐

  • Renowned cheese shop, tastings midday.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🛍️ Village des Créateurs – Passage Thiaffait (~1h)

  • Local designer boutiques and creative workshops.

• [ ] ☀️ Ile Barbe (~1h)

  • Island in the Rhône, riverside restaurants.

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🇫🇷 Nice (French Riviera) - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🌊 Promenade des Anglais ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Iconic seaside avenue, perfect for walking and people-watching.

• [ ] 🏙️ Vieux Nice (Old Town) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Colourful alleys, Provençal markets, Baroque churches.

• [ ] 🏖️ Plage Publique de Beau Rivage ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Public beach, sunbathing, swimming; bring water shoes.

• [ ] 🏞️ Colline du Château ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Hilltop ruins, waterfall, and Mediterranean views.

• [ ] 🎨 Musée Matisse ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Works by Henri Matisse, set in an elegant villa.

• [ ] 🖼️ Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (MAMAC) ⭐ (~1h)

  • Focus on 20th-century avant-garde artists.

• [ ] 🌿 Cimiez Monastery Gardens ⭐ (~0.5h)

  • Tranquil gardens above the city, rose beds in bloom.

• [ ] 🚗 Day trip to Èze & Monaco ⭐⭐⭐ (~5-6h)

  • Medieval Èze Village and opulent Monaco, both accessible by bus/train.

• [ ] 🌅 Coco Beach ⭐ (~1h)

  • Natural shoreline, less crowded than city beaches.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🥂 Le Plongeoir Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Over-water bar/restaurant, iconic location for sunset drinks.

• [ ] 🚶‍♂️ Cours Saleya Night Market ⭐

  • Lively market and cafés, best for people-watching.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍽️ Chez Pipo ⭐⭐⭐

  • Home of authentic socca (chickpea pancake), casual and lively (~$15).

• [ ] 🦐 Café de Turin ⭐⭐

  • Legendary seafood platters, fresh oysters (~$35).

• [ ] 🥗 Lu Fran Calin ⭐

  • Traditional Niçoise cuisine and local wines (~$30).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏖️ Villefranche-sur-Mer (beach village) (~2h)

  • Charming nearby harbor village & scenic bay.

• [ ] 🚢 Boat trip to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (~2h)

  • Coastal villas and swimming coves.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇫🇷 Paris

• [ ] 🎬 Amélie (2001) — ⭐ 8.3 — Whimsical Parisian romance set in Montmartre — Prime Video
• [ ] 🎬 Midnight in Paris (2011) — ⭐ 7.7 — Magical time-travel in Paris, nostalgia for the 1920s — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Lupin (2021) — ⭐ 7.5 — Gentleman-thief action and Parisian intrigue — Netflix

🇫🇷 Lyon

• [ ] 🎬 The Chef (Comme un Chef) (2012) — ⭐ 6.6 — Food comedy set in Lyon's gourmet kitchens — Netflix
• [ ] 🎬 Mood Indigo (L'écume des jours) (2013) — ⭐ 6.5 — Surreal romance shot in Paris & Lyon — Amazon Prime

🇫🇷 Nice

• [ ] 🎬 To Catch a Thief (1955) — ⭐ 7.4 — Hitchcock’s classic thriller on the Riviera — Prime Video
• [ ] 🎬 Heartbreaker (L’Arnacoeur)** (2010) — ⭐ 6.7 — French rom-com featuring Nice and Monaco — Netflix

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🍜 Local specialties

🇫🇷 Paris

• [ ] Croissant & pain au chocolat
• [ ] Duck confit
• [ ] Bœuf bourguignon

🇫🇷 Lyon

• [ ] Quenelle de brochet (pike dumplings)
• [ ] Salade lyonnaise
• [ ] Cervelle de canut (herby cheese dip)

🇫🇷 Nice

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

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇫🇷 Paris

1. 🗼 Eiffel Tower
2. 🍸 Le Comptoir Général
3. 🛍️ Galeries Lafayette
4. 🏨 Hotel Le Six (example)
5. 🍽️ Marché des Enfants Rouges

🇫🇷 Lyon

1. 🏙️ Vieux Lyon
2. 🍸 Le Sucre
3. 🛍️ Village des Créateurs
4. 🏨 Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Beaux-Arts (example)
5. 🍽️ Bouchon Les Lyonnais

🇫🇷 Nice

1. 🌊 Promenade des Anglais
2. 🥂 Le Plongeoir Bar
3. 🛍️ Nice Étoile Shopping Center
4. 🏨 Hôtel Rossetti (example)
5. 🍽️ Chez Pipo

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Paris (CDG or ORY)
• [ ] 🚅 Paris → Lyon (TGV ~2h)
• [ ] 🚅 Lyon → Nice (TGV ~4h, scenic route along the Riviera)
• [ ] ✈️ Nice → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Paris	4	Hotel Le Six (4*) or similar	$1,200
Lyon	3	Mercure Lyon Centre Beaux-Arts or similar	$900
Nice	3	Hôtel Rossetti or similar	$700
Total	10 nights		$2,800

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Enjoy an immersive journey through France’s capitals of art, food, and sunshine!