France in 14 Days: From Paris to the French Riviera

From CDG, the RER B reaches central Paris in 35 min for €11.45. From Orly, Orlyval + RER B or direct bus.

The historic heart of Paris. Notre-Dame (under restoration but visible from outside), Sainte-Chapelle and its stained glass.

The intellectual quarter on the Left Bank. Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots and antique bookshops.

The pedestrian bridge over the Seine with views of the Île de la Cité and the Louvre. Perfect at sunset.

Rue Mouffetard is one of Paris's oldest street markets. Bistrot Le Bouillon, crêpes or fondue.

The world's most visited museum. The Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory. Allow at least 3 hours.

Paris's most elegant formal garden. Connects the Louvre to Place de la Concorde. Fountains, sculptures and a tranquil rest.

The Palais Royal gardens have charming cafés. Café Kitsuné or Bistrot Valois for a classic French meal.

The world's most famous avenue. Climb the Arc de Triomphe (€13) for the best 360° views of Paris.

The Petit Palais is FREE and has an impressive collection spanning antiquity to 1900. Beautiful inner garden.

Evening walk to the Trocadéro to see the illuminated Eiffel Tower. Every hour on the hour there's a 5-min light show.

The bohemian artists' quarter. Climb to Sacré-Cœur for panoramic views. Place du Tertre with portrait painters.

The world's most famous cabaret (since 1889). The Pigalle area is now a trendy neighbourhood full of bars and vintage shops.

Le Bouillon Chartier (1896): historic brasserie with a full meal for €15-20. Duck confit, steak-frites or onion soup.

Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art inside a former railway station. Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas, Cézanne.

Paris's most chic neighbourhood. Place des Vosges (the city's oldest square), galleries, boutiques and the best LGBTQ+ scene.

L'As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers (Paris's best falafel) or Breizh Café for gourmet Breton crêpes.

35 minutes from central Paris. Use your Navigo or buy a ticket (€7.10 return).

Europe's most lavish palace. The Hall of Mirrors, the Grand Apartments and the Royal Chapel.

800 hectares of formal gardens, fountains, the Grand Canal and the Trianons. Musical Fountains days are special.

Marie Antoinette's private retreat. The Hamlet is an ornamental farm that looks straight out of a storybook.

Rue de Satory has good bistros off the tourist track. La Cour or Ore by Ducasse (inside the palace) for splurge.

RER C back. Free evening in Paris to explore neighbourhoods you haven't visited.

1h30 from Paris Austerlitz. Blois is the perfect base for exploring the Loire châteaux.

The Loire's most spectacular château. 440 rooms, 365 chimneys and the double-helix staircase attributed to Da Vinci.

Restaurants within the estate, but better to bring a picnic: baguette, local cheese, pâté and Loire wine.

Right in the centre of Blois. Four architectural styles in one château (Gothic, Renaissance, Classical and Louis XII).

Charming town with medieval houses, narrow stairways and Loire views. The Maison de la Magie is fun.

Try a Vouvray or Sancerre with local goat cheese. L'Orangerie du Château or Au Coin du Feu in Blois.

The 'Ladies' Château', built spanning the River Cher. The Loire's most elegant and photogenic castle.

Amboise is surrounded by vineyards. Caves Duhard or Domaine de la Gabillière for Touraine tastings.

Royal residence overlooking the Loire. Clos Lucé was Leonardo da Vinci's final home — his inventions are recreated.

Charming medieval town. Friday and Sunday markets. Rue Nationale has artisan shops and chocolateries.

The Loire at sunset from the Île d'Or or the bridge at Amboise. The golden light on the châteaux is magical.

L'Épicerie (modern French cuisine) or Le Pavillon des Lys for starred gastronomy. Tasting menus from €45.

From Tours (30 min from Amboise by regional train), direct TGV to Lyon in 2h15.

The centre between the Rhône and Saône rivers. Place Bellecour (Europe's largest pedestrian square) and shopping streets.

Bouchons are Lyon's traditional bistros. Quenelle de brochet, salade lyonnaise, cervelle de canut. Daniel et Denise is legendary.

The Renaissance old town, a World Heritage Site. Traboules are secret passages between buildings — there are over 40 open.

Take the funicular up the hill. Panoramic views of all Lyon. Inside: gold, mosaics and marble.

Lyon has more restaurants per capita than any other French city. Café Comptoir Abel (1928) or Le Musée for classic bouchon.

Lyon's gastronomic temple. 60 stalls: aged cheeses, charcuterie, seafood, pastries. France's finest covered market.

France's second museum after the Louvre. Housed in a former convent with cloisters and garden. Notable Impressionist collection.

The silk weavers' quarter. Now bohemian and alternative. Le Kitchen Café or L'Espace Carnot for modern cuisine.

Where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. Spectacular deconstructivist architecture and science exhibitions.

The Rhône quays are where locals stroll. Floating bars (péniches), terraces and outdoor living.

Lyon has 15+ Michelin stars. Tetedoie (incredible views), Takao Takano (Franco-Japanese fusion) or a chef's bistro.

Just 1h10 from Lyon to Avignon TGV. Provence greets you with cypresses, lavender and golden stone.

The world's largest Gothic palace. Avignon was the seat of the papacy for 70 years (1309-1377). Interactive tablet included.

The famous bridge from the song. Only 4 of the original 22 arches remain. Best viewed from the opposite bank.

Provençal cuisine is pure sunshine: ratatouille, tapenade, aïoli. L'Épice and Love or Restaurant Numéro 75 (in a mansion).

Hilltop public garden with views over the Rhône, the Pont d'Avignon and Mont Ventoux in the distance.

Les Halles d'Avignon: covered market with local products. Olives, goat cheese, lavender honey and herbes de Provence.

Avignon's main square. Christian Étienne (Michelin star next to the Palais des Papes) or a square bistro.

Gordes, Roussillon and Ménerbes are among France's most beautiful villages. Golden stone, lanes and valley views.

Provence's red village. Ochre-coloured houses and the Sentier des Ocres (trail through former pigment quarries).

Set menu at a village square café. Chèvre chaud salad, daube provençale and a Luberon rosé.

Cistercian abbey with lavender fields in front. Provence's most iconic photo (lavender blooming June-July).

Gordes has a market on Tuesdays. Olive oil, Marseille soap, ceramics and lavender honey.

Les Cuisines du Château in Gordes or La Bastide de Gordes for dinner overlooking the Provençal valley.

20 min by TGV from Avignon or 1h by car on the motorway. Aix is elegant, university Provence.

Provence's most beautiful avenue. Century-old plane trees, fountains, terrace cafés and 17th-century buildings.

The studio where he painted Les Grandes Baigneuses with views of Montagne Sainte-Victoire. Everything is as he left it.

Place Richelme market (daily). Local produce, specialty breads and the signature treat: calissons d'Aix (almond confection).

From Aix-en-Provence TGV, 2h30 direct to Nice. The Côte d'Azur begins.

The world's most famous seafront promenade. 7 km of Mediterranean coast. The blue chairs are iconic.

Nice's old town. Socca (chickpea crêpe), pissaladière (onion pizza) and ratatouille. Chez Pipo has the best socca.

Flowers, fruit, spices and local produce at the Côte d'Azur's most colourful open-air market.

Nice was the painters' city. Matisse (cut-outs and paintings) and Chagall (biblical mosaics) each have dedicated museums.

Authentic salade niçoise (with fresh tuna, NOT canned), pan bagnat or daube niçoise. Le Safari or Acchiardo in the old town.

Climb the stairs or take the free lift. Panoramic views over the Baie des Anges, the port and the red rooftops.

The pebble beaches (not sand) are unique. Castel Plage has a restaurant on the beach. Head west for swimming.

Nice's port has the best seafood restaurants. Chez Davia or La Réserve de Nice for bouillabaisse and fresh fish.

20 min by regional train from Nice. Èze is a medieval eagle's nest perched 429 metres above the sea.

Medieval village clinging to a clifftop. The Exotic Garden at the summit has cacti and views stretching to Corsica.

Château Eza has a restaurant with a terrace over the precipice. More affordable tourist menus in the village.

10 more minutes east by train. Monaco is tiny (2 km²) but fascinating.

The Monte Carlo Casino (1863). Entering the lobby is free; the gaming rooms cost €17. Place du Casino is pure glamour.

Changing of the guard at 11:55am. The Oceanographic Museum (founded by Prince Albert I) has Monaco's best views.

Train back (20 min). Farewell dinner in Vieux Nice. La Merenda (no phone, no cards) for authentic Niçois cuisine.

Marseille soap, Grasse perfume, olive oil and lavender. Shops in Vieux Nice and Cours Saleya.

Butter croissant, pain au chocolat and café crème at a Vieux Nice boulangerie. Maison Auer (1820) for chocolates.

Nice Côte d'Azur is 6 km from the centre. Tram L2 (€1.70) or taxi (€20-25). Arrive 2h before international flights.