France: Paris, Mont-Saint-Michel & the Riviera in 8 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary
The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles and the island abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, then Mediterranean sun in Nice and Monaco.
FranceCulture & historyCity breakFoodFirst-timers
Length8 days / 7 nights
CitiesParis, Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel, Nice, Monaco
CurrencyEUR Euro
Best time to goMay–Jun and Sep–Oct are ideal; Jul–Aug is crowded with heatwaves, and Paris winters are grey and damp.
Day-by-day overview
Day 1 Arrive × Le MaraisDay 2 Louvre × Champs-ÉlyséesDay 3 Versailles × Eiffel TowerDay 4 Mont-Saint-Michel day tripDay 5 Montmartre × OrsayDay 6 To NiceDay 7 Èze × MonacoDay 8 Fly home
Day 1Arrive × Le Marais
07:00🚗 Transport
Arrive at Paris CDG
Type / No.Flight
Schengen area: the EU Entry/Exit System is in use and ETIAS is due to phase in from late 2026 — check official guidance.
10:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
LocationLe Marais, Paris 🧭
Drop your bags first.
11:00📍 Sight
13:00🍽 Food
15:00📍 Sight
Île de la Cité & Notre-Dame
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationNotre-Dame de Paris 🧭
Reopened after restoration; free entry but expect a queue.
19:30📍 Sight
Day 2Louvre × Champs-Élysées
09:00📍 Sight
The Louvre
Suggested time3.5 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationLouvre Museum 🧭
Timed tickets are required; closed Tuesdays.
🎟 Book ahead
13:00🍽 Food
14:30📍 Sight
Musée de l’Orangerie (Monet’s Water Lilies)
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationMusée de l'Orangerie 🧭
16:30📍 Sight
18:30📍 Sight
Sunset from the Arc de Triomphe
Suggested time1 hr
TicketsBuy on site
LocationArc de Triomphe 🧭
🌙 Night view📸 Photo spot
Day 3Versailles × Eiffel Tower
08:30🚗 Transport
09:00📍 Sight
Palace and Gardens of Versailles
Suggested time4 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationPalace of Versailles 🧭
Closed Mondays; timed entry required. The gardens are huge — rent a golf cart.
🎟 Book ahead🚶 Lots of walking
13:30🍽 Food
16:30📍 Sight
Eiffel Tower photos from Champ de Mars & Trocadéro
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationPlace du Trocadéro 🧭
📸 Photo spot
19:00📍 Sight
Up the Eiffel Tower
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationEiffel Tower 🧭
Book on the official site; it sparkles on the hour after dark.
🌙 Night view🎟 Book ahead
Day 4Mont-Saint-Michel day trip
07:00🚗 Transport
Mont-Saint-Michel day tour
Type / No.Bus / coach
LocationMont-Saint-Michel 🧭
4–5 hours each way; or TGV to Rennes plus bus.
12:00📍 Sight
Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
Suggested time4 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationMont-Saint-Michel 🧭
Check tide times — big tides make it a true island.
📸 Photo spot🚶 Lots of walking
13:00🍽 Food
17:30🚗 Transport
Day 5Montmartre × Orsay
09:00📍 Sight
Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
Suggested time2 hrs
LocationSacré-Cœur 🧭
Ignore the “friendship bracelet” scam.
📸 Photo spot🚶 Lots of walking
11:30🍽 Food
13:30📍 Sight
17:00📍 Sight
Galeries Lafayette & rooftop
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationGaleries Lafayette Haussmann 🧭
Bring your passport for tax refunds.
🛍 Shopping list📸 Photo spot
19:30🍽 Food
Day 6To Nice
08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
09:00🚗 Transport
13:00🏨 Stay
14:00📍 Sight
Promenade des Anglais
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationPromenade des Anglais 🧭
🧴 Sunscreen📸 Photo spot
16:30📍 Sight
19:30🍽 Food
Day 7Èze × Monaco
09:00🚗 Transport
09:45📍 Sight
Èze village & Exotic Garden
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationÈze 🧭
📸 Photo spot🚶 Lots of walking
12:30🚗 Transport
13:00🍽 Food
14:30📍 Sight
Prince’s Palace, Oceanographic Museum & Monte-Carlo Casino
Suggested time3 hrs
LocationCasino de Monte-Carlo 🧭
📸 Photo spot
18:30🚗 Transport
Day 8Fly home
08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Double-check passports, power banks and valuables.
08:30📍 Sight
Cours Saleya flower & food market
Suggested time1.5 hrs
LocationCours Saleya 🧭
Mondays become an antiques market.
🍜 Must-eat🛍 Shopping list
11:30🚗 Transport
Head to the airport and fly home
Type / No.Flight
LocationNice Côte d'Azur Airport 🧭
Aim to reach the airport 2.5–3 hours before an international flight.
🎟 Book these before you go
- Day 1｜Seine river cruise
- Day 2｜The Louvre: Timed tickets are required; closed Tuesdays.
- Day 3｜Palace and Gardens of Versailles: Closed Mondays; timed entry required. The gardens are huge — rent a golf cart.
- Day 3｜Up the Eiffel Tower: Book on the official site; it sparkles on the hour after dark.
- Day 4｜Mont-Saint-Michel day tour: 4–5 hours each way; or TGV to Rennes plus bus.
- Day 5｜Musée d’Orsay: Closed Mondays.
🌦 Monthly temperatures: Paris, Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel, Nice, Monaco
| City / month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris High / low | 7° 3° | 8° 3° | 12° 5° | 16° 7° | 19° 11° | 23° 14° | 25° 16° | 25° 16° | 21° 13° | 16° 10° | 10° 6° | 7° 3° |
| Nice & Provence High / low | 13° 5° | 13° 5° | 15° 7° | 17° 10° | 21° 13° | 24° 17° | 27° 20° | 28° 20° | 25° 17° | 21° 13° | 16° 9° | 13° 6° |
(typical averages — check the forecast before you go)
FAQ
How many days does France: Paris, Mont-Saint-Michel & the Riviera in 8 Days take?
It’s planned as 8 days / 7 nights with 40 stops (19 sights and 8 meals). Copy it and add or remove stops to suit your pace.
What should I book in advance?
We recommend booking or buying ahead: Seine river cruise, The Louvre, Palace and Gardens of Versailles, Up the Eiffel Tower, Mont-Saint-Michel day tour, Musée d’Orsay.
How do I make this template my own?
Tap “Use this template”, enter a name and start date, and an editable copy is created. Add your flights and hotels, adjust times and stops, then export a PDF or image to share.
Make it your trip
Copy the template, add your flights and hotels, then export a PDF, image or share link.
Note: opening hours, prices, timetables and entry rules change often — check official sources. This page offers general suggestions, not bookings or professional travel advice.