The Art of France: 10 Days From Paris Icons to Riviera Glamour

You settle into your hotel in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, my favorite base for first-time visitors, and head out for fresh air after travel.

Timed sunset tickets take you to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower for your first iconic views. Capture photos from Trocadéro at dusk and along the Seine when the tower sparkles.

Dinner is reserved at Les Ombres, where I suggest French onion soup, duck confit, and crème brûlée.

Your morning reservation is at Musée d’Orsay, where I recommend heading straight to Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and the giant clock window photo.

A relaxed walk brings you to the Jardin du Luxembourg to sit like a local. The afternoon is intentionally unplanned for browsing boutiques and enjoying café stops in Saint-Germain. Photograph the garden fountains and your café table spilling onto the sidewalk.

Dinner is booked at Café de Flore, where a croque monsieur, cheese plate, and house wine are perfect choices.

Take the metro to Montmartre early to wander before the crowds. Stop for photos at La Maison Rose, the Love Wall, and the windmill at Moulin Rouge.

Your timed entry later is at Sainte-Chapelle, where the upstairs chapel is the highlight. Look up for the stained glass glow and capture the quiet charm of Montmartre’s side streets.

A guided reservation at the Louvre Museum ensures you see the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and Napoleon’s Coronation without overwhelm.

Afterward, stroll to Notre-Dame Cathedral and along the Seine’s bridges and bookstalls. Photograph Notre-Dame’s façade at golden hour and the illuminated monuments from the water.

The evening reservation is a two-hour dinner cruise on the Seine.

Your morning is at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, including the rooftop Eiffel view. Photograph the glass dome above you and the charming café corners in the neighborhood.

The afternoon is free for boutiques and café stops back in Saint-Germain. This is your moment to soak in Paris at your own pace.

Dinner is reserved at Le Comptoir du Relais for a memorable final evening, and where I recommend beef bourguignon and a cheese course.

Private transportation is arranged to Gare de Lyon train station, where you board a high-speed train from Paris to Nice with reserved seats on the right side of the train for better scenery of the countryside and even better views as you approach the Mediterranean.

After your Nice hotel check-in and pool time, wander the lanes of Vieux Nice.

Dinner is enjoyed in one of the charming squares of the old town.

A morning boat reservation takes you along the Riviera coast to Saint-Tropez.

Wander harbor cafés, market stalls (open only on Wednesdays and Saturdays), boutiques, and marina viewpoints.

Enjoy a casual waterfront lunch and return to Nice by late afternoon. Capture photos of pastel harbors, yachts, and dramatic cliffside scenery from the boat.

Dinner reservations for an outdoor table at La Petite Maison, where I recommend ordering the linguine with truffles or seafood, paired with a local Provence rosé.

A short train brings you to Cannes for a reserved beach club setup and lunch at La Môme Plage. I suggest grilled sea bass or dorado with Provençal rosé.

Stroll La Croisette for shopping before returning to Nice. Soak up golden-hour sea photos before heading back to the hotel.

End the day with a reserved sunset cruise that includes champagne and canapés, seasonal small bites, and charcuterie-style plates. Perhaps a quick dessert stop for gelato, or my favorite in Nice, a Tarte Tropézienne!

A perfect night in Nice.

Your private driver picks you up for a full-day experience along the coast, starting with the medieval hilltop village of Èze (about 45 minutes from Nice).

You spend about an hour here wandering cobblestone streets, artisan shops, and the exotic garden viewpoint overlooking the Mediterranean. I always suggest pausing at the top for photos—this is one of the most dramatic panoramic views on the entire Riviera. It’s a slow, beautiful start before heading down the coastal road into Monaco.

In Monaco, you’ll spend time in Monte Carlo with a planned 2-hour visit to the iconic casino. Inside Monte Carlo Casino, you can explore the grand gaming rooms, admire the Belle Époque architecture, take photos outside of the famous façade and luxury cars lined up in the square.

Dinner reservations in Monaco at Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse, one of the most iconic Michelin three-star restaurants in the world. This is your celebratory farewell dinner, where I recommend the tasting menu with seasonal Riviera ingredients, paired with French wines. If you prefer something slightly lighter but still elegant, a terrace table overlooking the marina will be secured instead.

You’ll end the evening with a relaxed stroll through Monte-Carlo’s illuminated streets before returning to Nice, closing your Riviera journey in true style.

A private transfer is arranged to Nice Airport according to your flight time.

You leave with photos, memories, and zero stress from the journey.