France rewards the curious traveler: layers of royal history, world-changing art, and regional cuisines that make each meal feel like a small celebration. In seven days, you’ll savor Paris—medieval islands, grand Haussmann boulevards, and café culture—then slip south to Provence, where markets perfume the streets and the Mediterranean’s calanques glow aquamarine.

Paris, once a Roman outpost called Lutetia, became the stage for revolutions of politics and taste. Today, its landmarks—the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower—sit beside creative neighborhoods rich with bakeries, natural wine bars, and tiny bistros. Provence swaps slate roofs for terracotta and plane-tree shade; Roman ruins and Cézanne vistas meet rosé terraces and lavender roads.

Practical notes: Buy long-distance train tickets early for best fares. Book marquee museums and the Eiffel Tower ahead. In Provence, markets are often morning affairs; plan leisurely lunches and golden-hour strolls. This itinerary assumes an afternoon arrival on Day 1 and an afternoon departure on Day 7.

Paris

Paris is a masterpiece in motion. Mornings smell like butter and espresso; evenings glow along the Seine. From Gothic spires to Belle Époque mirrors, the city’s story unfolds block by block.

• Top sights: Louvre, Île de la Cité and Sainte-Chapelle, Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur, Eiffel Tower, Left Bank bookshops.
• Experiences: Seine dinner cruise, croissant classes, covered passages, natural wine tastings, market picnics on Canal Saint-Martin.
• Eat and drink: flaky viennoiseries, buckwheat galettes, old-school bouillons, modern bistros, and destination cocktail bars.

Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Paris or Hotels.com Paris. Handpicked options: The Ritz Paris (palatial icon near Place Vendôme), Hotel du College de France (Left Bank gem near the Sorbonne), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (cozy and arty), or Hôtel des Arts Bastille (great value near foodie corners).

Getting in: Fly into Paris (CDG/ORY). For flights, compare on Omio (flights in/to Europe). Traveling from outside Europe? Check Trip.com Flights. From CDG, the RER B to central Paris takes ~35–45 minutes; taxis to the center run ~€55–€65 fixed fare.

Day 1: Arrival, Left Bank Stroll, and a Seine Welcome

Afternoon: Check in, freshen up, and take a gentle Left Bank wander: Place Saint-Sulpice, the Luxembourg Gardens, and book-browsing on Rue de Mézières. Coffee stop at Café de Flore for people-watching or snag a cortado at KB Coffee Roasters in South Pigalle if you’re nearby.

Evening: Toast your first night with a glass-canopy Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise (expect classics like foie gras, slow-cooked beef, and live music as landmarks drift by).

After, stroll the Pont Alexandre III and Trocadéro for glittering views.

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Île de la Cité, and Marais Bites

Morning: Fuel up with pastries at Du Pain et des Idées (legendary escargot aux pistaches-chocolat). Then join a timed-entry Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access to see the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Italian masters without the guesswork.

Afternoon: Walk to Île de la Cité for Sainte-Chapelle’s stained-glass blaze. Lunch on buckwheat galettes and cider at Breizh Café (excellent Bordier butter). Ramble the Marais: Place des Vosges arcades and designer ateliers.

Evening: Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle (heritage French standards at friendly prices—order the beef bourguignon or poireaux vinaigrette). Nightcap at Little Red Door (inventive cocktails with seasonal ingredients).

Day 3: Montmartre, Food Stories, and Night Views

Morning: Climb to Sacré-Cœur for panoramic city views. Explore artists’ lanes around Place du Tertre and peek at the last Montmartre vineyard on Rue des Saules. Espresso break at La Fontaine de Belleville or Café Lomi for specialty roasts.

Afternoon: Dive into Parisian flavors on a Montmartre Gourmet Food Tour with 7+ Dishes & Wines—think aged Comté, charcuterie, chocolates, and a pâtisserie finale while learning how locals shop.

Evening: Reserve Clamato for seafood small plates (razor clams, maple tart) or Le Servan for modern French with Asian notes. End with a skyline stroll at the Esplanade of the Trocadéro.

Day 4: Versailles Grandeur and the Eiffel Tower

Morning: RER C or coach to Versailles for a guided palace visit. The Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris streamlines logistics and unlocks royal stories, from the Hall of Mirrors to manicured parterres.

Afternoon: Return to the city for a late lunch at L’As du Fallafel (grab-and-go, crispy and saucy), then a quiet hour in the Tuileries or at the Musée de l’Orangerie for Monet’s water lilies.

Evening: Ascend the Iron Lady with Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access—go for summit views if available and time it for sunset plus the hourly sparkle.

Celebrate with natural wine at Septime La Cave or Frenchie Bar à Vins (arrive early; both are popular).

Aix-en-Provence (Base for Provence)

Elegant Aix is all fountains and golden stone, the city of Cézanne’s studio and morning markets laden with goat cheese, olives, and sun-warmed tomatoes. It’s the ideal base for day trips to the Mediterranean calanques and hill towns of the Luberon.

• Top sights: Cours Mirabeau, Old Town lanes, Atelier de Cézanne, nearby Cassis and the Calanques National Park, Luberon villages (Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux).
• Flavors: tapenade, aioli, pastis, rosé from Coteaux d’Aix, and market-driven bistros.

Stay: Explore VRBO Aix-en-Provence or Hotels.com Aix-en-Provence. Standouts: Villa Gallici (sumptuous, garden pool), Aquabella Hôtel & Spa (spa and easy Old Town access), and Hôtel Le Mozart (solid value near Cours Mirabeau).

Getting there (Paris → Aix): Take the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Aix-en-Provence TGV (~3h10–3h30; from ~€45–€120 if booked early). Compare times and fares on Omio Trains (Europe). From the TGV station, shuttle buses or taxis reach the center in ~20–30 minutes.

Day 5: TGV South, Fountain Hopping, and Provençal Plates

Morning: Depart Paris on a late-morning TGV (snag a baguette sandwich and fruit for the ride). Enjoy views shifting from Burgundy vines to Provençal pines.

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll Cours Mirabeau’s plane-tree canopy and the Old Town’s baroque squares. Coffee at Mana Espresso (third-wave favorite) or sweet treats at Pâtisserie Weibel or Maison Béchard (try the calisson).

Evening: Dinner at Le Petit Verdot (market-driven French with a deep wine list) or La Fromagerie du Passage (cheese-centric plates and good bottles upstairs). For an after-dinner walk, listen for burbling fountains on Place d’Albertas.

Day 6: Cassis and the Calanques—Sea Cliffs and Local Wines

Morning: Head to Cassis (40–50 minutes by car; allow a bit more by bus). Join the Half Day in Cassis: Calanques Boat Ride, Local Appetizers & Wine for turquoise inlets, limestone cliffs, and a taste of local white wines.

Afternoon: Lunch on the harbor—grilled fish, aioli platters, or a Provençal bouillabaisse if offered. Swim at Plage de la Grande Mer when seas are calm, or walk the first segment of the Sentier du Littoral for cliff views.

Evening: Back in Aix, grab an aperitif of pastis or a crisp rosé on Cours Mirabeau. Dinner at Les Deux Garçons (historic brasserie vibe) or Koi for excellent sushi if you’re craving something lighter.

Day 7: Luberon Colors, Market Morning, and Departure

Morning: If it’s a market day (Aix’s daily markets bloom most mornings), pick up picnic supplies. Alternatively, take a short Luberon loop: Gordes (stone village stacked on a hill) and Roussillon (ochre cliffs and pastel lanes). Leave time to return for your train or flight.

Afternoon: Depart for your next destination. For trains and onward European connections, check Omio Trains and Omio Flights. Flying long-haul from Marseille (MRS) or Paris (CDG)? Compare on Trip.com Flights.

Optional Marseille add-on (if you extend): Visit the Old Port, the MuCEM, and lunch at Toinou (shellfish institution) or Chez Étienne (socca and wood-fired pies). Stay on the harbor or at InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu for knockout terrace views.

Food notes and local favorites across the week:

• Breakfasts: Holybelly 19 (hearty plates and great coffee), La Maison d’Isabelle (award-winning croissants), or a quick espresso at the zinc counter of a neighborhood café.
• Lunches: Breizh Café (galettes), L’As du Fallafel (quick and iconic), market picnics in Aix (chevre, olives, tomatoes, fougasse).
• Dinners: Bouillon Pigalle (classic French), Clamato or Le Servan (modern seasonal), Le Petit Verdot (Aix), Les Deux Garçons (historic brasserie style).
• Drinks: Little Red Door (cocktails), Le Syndicat (French spirits), rosé terraces in Aix, and a sunset apéro in Cassis.

Getting around and practical tips: Use the Metro and walking in Paris; plan 12–15k steps on museum days. In Provence, a rental car offers freedom for villages; otherwise, base in Aix and join day tours or use regional buses/taxis. Always prebook marquee tickets (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles) and TGV seats, ideally 2–8 weeks ahead.

Train and ticketing resources: For intercity trains and buses in Europe, compare schedules and fares on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

This 7-day France itinerary layers Parisian art and café culture with the olive groves, markets, and sea cliffs of Provence. You’ll leave with camera-roll icons and small, vivid moments: the smell of butter from a boulangerie, the glow on Cézanne’s Montagne Sainte-Victoire, the hush of the Seine at night.