This 7-day France itinerary combines Paris and Nice, written the way a visa officer reviews it: the city each day, activities, transport and accommodation. You can use it as the basis for your own plan, or submit it with your France visa file after adjusting the dates to match your flight and hotel bookings.
Best time to visit France
Spring (April and May) and early autumn (September and October) are best: mild weather and fewer crowds in the museums. Summer is the season for families and the French Riviera, but it is the most expensive and crowded, and visa appointments before it fill up quickly, so apply early if you choose July or August.
Day-by-day itinerary
| Day | City | Activities | Transport | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris | Arrival and check-in, a walk along the Seine | Flight to Charles de Gaulle, then RER train or taxi | Hotel, Paris |
| 2 | Paris | Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden | Metro | Hotel, Paris |
| 3 | Paris | Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe | Metro | Hotel, Paris |
| 4 | Versailles | Palace of Versailles and gardens, return in the evening | RER C train | Hotel, Paris |
| 5 | Paris → Nice | Transfer, Promenade des Anglais | TGV train (about 6 hours) or domestic flight | Hotel, Nice |
| 6 | Nice and Monaco | Nice Old Town, day trip to Monaco | Regional train | Hotel, Nice |
| 7 | Nice | Departure | Flight from Nice or via Paris | — |
Getting around between cities
The metro is the easiest way to get around Paris, and the RER C train reaches Versailles in under an hour. Between Paris and Nice you have two options: the high-speed TGV from Gare de Lyon, or a domestic flight of about an hour and a half. The train is more comfortable for families because it leaves from and arrives in the city centre. Monaco is about half an hour from Nice by regional train.
Monaco is an independent country outside the EU, but entering it from France involves no border checks, and a day trip does not affect your visa file.
How to use this itinerary in your visa file
- Match the dates: your arrival and departure days must match your flight reservation, and your nights in Paris and Nice must match your hotel booking.
- The responsible embassy: all nights here are in France, so you apply to the French embassy. The steps are in our guide to the France visa from Saudi Arabia.
- Insurance: covering all seven days. Schengen travel insurance
We prepare this itinerary with your actual dates, with flight and hotel bookings in Paris and Nice, in one order.
Frequently asked questions
Does the French embassy require an itinerary?
Not always, but it explains the purpose of your trip and links your bookings together, especially when you travel between more than one city.
Can I change the plan after my visa is issued?
Yes in the details, but keep France as your main country and respect the length of your visa.
Can I add another city or country?
Yes, as long as most nights stay in France and you add a hotel booking for every night outside it.
Is this itinerary suitable for families with children?
Yes, and you can swap the Versailles day for a day at Disneyland Paris.
