A France Five-City Itinerary: Paris, Nice, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux

The short answer: yes, but reorder the stops

You can do Paris, Nice, Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux in about ten days, and it is a good trip. Take the train between cities, and fly into one end and out of the other. Do not list the cities in the order of the brief, because Bordeaux and Nice sit at opposite corners of the country. The sequence that avoids backtracking is Bordeaux, Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice. Fly into Bordeaux and home from Nice.

With fewer than eight days you spend most of your time on platforms. If that is your budget, drop Bordeaux or Lyon rather than rush all five.

Who this route suits

It suits first-time and second-time visitors who want contrast: a wine port, the capital, a food city, a hard-edged Mediterranean harbour and the Riviera. It does not suit anyone who dislikes unpacking often. You will change hotels four times, and that is the real cost of the plan.

The route, leg by leg

Treat the times as approximate and confirm them before you book (see the checklist below).

Bordeaux: two nights

Walk the river quays, the old centre and the wine-trade quarter. A day trip into the vineyards is possible, but it is a second day, not an afternoon. Skip it if you only have one night.

Paris: three or four nights, with one day trip

Paris rewards a slower pace. The Louvre is the one place where a plan really matters. The Louvre Highlights Guided Tour with Entry Ticket starts at 09:00, runs about three hours and includes the timed entry ticket. It is a shared small-group tour of up to 15 guests, with commentary in English, German or another language on request. Versailles is a day visit, not a hotel change; our Versailles day trip guide covers timing. If you travel in autumn, read Paris in October first.

Lyon: two nights

Lyon is about food, the old quarter on the Saône, the hill of Fourvière and the traboules, the covered passages. One full day plus an evening is enough. It is a stop to eat well in, not a city of headline sights.

Marseille: two nights

Marseille is the city people either love or find rough. Spend time around the Vieux-Port, the Panier quarter and the hilltop basilica. A boat trip along the Calanques coast is worth the half day if the sea is calm. In strong wind, boats can be cancelled, so keep that day flexible.

Nice: three nights, two day visits

Nice is the best base for the Riviera, because trains and roads fan out from it. Start with the Old Nice and Cours Saleya Food Tasting Walk: three hours from 10:30, with enough tastings for a full meal, a shared group of up to 12, in English or German. Then give one day to the Èze and Monaco Day Trip from Nice. It is an eight-hour day from 09:00, a shared small group of up to 8 in a minivan, in English or German. Entry to the Èze garden and the Prince's Palace is not included. For beach weather outside summer, see Nice in October and November.

Fly, rail, drive or boat?

• Fly only to open and close the trip. An open-jaw ticket saves a day of backtracking.
• Rail for every city-to-city leg. Stations sit in the centre, and the Marseille to Nice line runs along the coast.
• Drive only if you want the hill villages. Between these cities a car means tolls, parking and one-way fees, with no time saved.
• Boat is for day excursions, such as the Calanques or a river cruise at Bordeaux, not for getting between cities.

Day visit or overnight?

Stay overnight in all five cities. Treat Versailles, Èze and Monaco, the Calanques and the vineyards near Bordeaux as day visits from those bases. Our featured tours start in Paris and Nice and cover only the places named above. For a guide based in Lyon, Marseille or Bordeaux, send us an enquiry and we will discuss what is possible.

What to check on official sites before you go

• Train timetables and any strike notices, on the national rail operator's site.
• The Louvre's weekly closing day and current entry rules.
• Opening days for the Prince's Palace and Èze garden.
• Boat operators' sailing notices for the Calanques.

France five city itinerary FAQ

How many days do you need for five cities in France?

Ten days is comfortable. Eight is possible but tiring, because each move costs a half day.

Is it better to start in Paris?

Not for this route. Starting in Bordeaux or Nice and ending at the other end saves a long train or a second flight.

Can I do Monaco as a day trip?

Yes, from Nice. Monaco and Èze fit in one long day, as in the Helios day trip above.

Does Helios run tours in Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux?

The tours featured here start in Paris and Nice. For the other three cities, enquire and we will tell you what we can arrange.