Paris, Reims, Bordeaux, and Nice, here’s how to travel France luxuriously on a budget.
Table of Contents
Out of all the countries I have traveled to, France is the one that keeps calling me back. Anywhere you go, you will encounter the rich history, the romance, and most importantly, the smell of fresh-baked croissants. Typically, people travel to France and never venture outside of Paris, but there’s so much more to see and do. From the French countryside filled with vineyards of the Loire Valley, 16th-century chateaus in Bordeaux, to the luxurious waters of the French Riviera; France has many explorable destinations and small towns that should be on your travel bucket list.
The 10 Days in France Itinerary includes Paris, Reims, the Champagne region of France, Bordeaux, and Nice on the French Riviera. We’ll also discuss budgeting and travel tips so you’re fully prepared for your next trip.
Best time to visit France on a budget
France’s high season is during its summer months, from June through August. Flights are expensive, everything is booked, and it’s crowded. Flights are much more affordable from April through May and September through November, and hotels also have more availability at lower price points. The sweet spot is September; the weather is hot during the day and cools down at night, so you get that summer vacation at half the price of June or July. The perfect time of the year to use the 10 days in France Itinerary.
Budget Tip:
Norwegian Air is a budget airline that flies direct round trip from JFK in New York City to Paris in under 7 hours for $500. Sign up for their emails, as they often have sales for even cheaper tickets.
Read More:
7 Tips for Affording Luxury Travel on a Budget
DAY 1: Paris
Getting to Paris:
Fly into Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG). It’s much closer to the city, and the last thing you want is long travel times after a long flight. You can either take the metro into the city for $11 or an uber/taxi for $50.
I highly recommend checking out my How To Plan A Stress-Free Trip With Google Maps Trip Planner article. I provide step-by-step instructions on how to to use Google maps trip planner to create itineraries and custom maps within Google. This will have you money and time on transportation.
Where to Stay in Paris:
Saint Germain in the 6th arrondissement of Paris is the city’s quintessential neighborhood. Located next to the Luxembourg Gardens, Saint Germain is filled with shops, cafes, and charming streets. Stay in an Airbnb to get the real Parisian apartment feel.
Where to Eat in Paris:
Breakfast:
Budget: The French aren’t big into breakfast. If you’re staying in a hotel, ask if they serve breakfast for a more traditional meal. If you’re staying at an Airbnb, walk down the streets to find cafes offering a quick meal for around 9 euros: a coffee, fresh-squeezed orange juice (my favorite), a croissant, and a baguette with a side of jam and butter.
Leisurely: Café Le Rostand
Located across the street from the Luxembourg Gardens, Le Rostand is a charming cafe that serves a fine omelet. Sit outside and enjoy a leisurely breakfast while you sip on your caffe latte and watch people stroll into the gardens.
Lunch: Chez Aline
At Chez Aline, order the classic “Le Parisien”: ham and butter. The sandwich includes Le Guel’s ham, Norman salted butter, and award-winning Landemaine baguette tradition. It’s an iconic yet simple sandwich for only 8 euros.
Dinner: Les Antiquaires
Les Antiquaires is located on a little side street right down the road from the MusĂ©e d’Orsay and the Seine river. It’s a charming Parisian secret filled with all the classics and then some. Try the escargots, charcuterie board, onion soup, or steak tartare. You can’t go wrong with anything you order at Les Antiquaires.
What to Do in Paris:
Paris, the French capital, is a huge city composed of 20 arrondissements. Getting from place to place takes time, so make sure you plan your route efficiently.
Book a boat tour on the Seine at sunset
Before your first day pre-book your boat tour tickets online so you can skip the line. Boat tours are a fun way to see everything along the Seine. Take the tour at night and be dazzled by the sunset and the main attraction of the evening, the Eiffel Tower light show.
Visit the Louvre Museum
No 10 days in France Itinerary is complete without visiting the Louvre. Most famous for Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Louvre is a must-see for everyone who visits Paris. Buy tickets in advance, and join a guided tour. Museums can be overwhelming; your tour guide will be able to walk you through all the highlights.
Sign up for a walking tour in Paris
The best way to truly see Paris is with a local. By booking a walking tour, you’ll get the authentic experience, discovering where locals like to spend their time and learning about the neighborhoods.
READ MORE:
The Ultimate Weekend in Paris, France
Days 2-4: Paris to Reims
Reims, the Champagne region of France, is best known for producing the world’s ultimate celebratory drink. Located in northeastern France, Reims is only a 45-minute train ride on the TGV train from Paris. Whether you’re going for a day trip or a longer stay, I highly recommend going. Harvest season is in September, so if you want to see the Champagne making process, you must go then. Champagne is not just bubbles in a glass; the winemaking method is strictly regulated by the Champagne appellation, which states that for a product to be legally called “champagne,” it must be harvested with specific grapes grown in the Champagne region. That’s why we say Champagne Only Comes From Champagne. Any other bubbly that calls itself Champagne is fraudulent. Highly recommend adding Reims to your 10 days in France Itinerary.
Where to Stay in Reims:
Staying in the Reims city center is like staying in a Disney storybook. The streets are charming, filled with French countryside architecture, blooming flowers, and people sitting and laughing outside as they sip their morning coffee. Besides Champagne, Reims is also famous for the Reims Cathedral, the site of 25 coronations of the Kings of France. The cathedral was originally constructed in 1211.
Everything you need in town is centered around the cathedral. There are NO Ubers in Reims, so plan on walking, or ask your lodging representative about taxis.
This Airbnb has a spectacular view of the Cathedral and is located within walking distance of everything in town:
Where to Eat in Reims:
Travel Tip: If you’re in Reims on a Sunday, lookup restaurant hours. Like in most of Europe, Sunday is a day of rest, and most restaurants will be closed. Prepare a backup plan or go grocery shopping at the local market the night before.
Breakfast: Le Four Ă Bois
This traditional French breakfast offers coffee, fresh-squeezed orange juice, a croissant, and a baguette with a side of jam and butter. They don’t just make your typical french baguettes, however. Their loaves of bread are made in a firewood oven using organic flour and natural sourdough, and they are salted with Guérande salt. They are then worked and shaped in an artisanal fashion. Can you smell the aromas yet?
Lunch: Anna-S. — La Table Amoureuse
This friendly and charming local eatery is full of excellent food at fair prices. They even offer a tasting menu if you’re after a particular dinner. Regardless of what you order, you’ll have a good time.
Dinner:
Brasserie Le Jardin inside the Les Crayères Hotel
Located outside of Reims City Center and next to Parc de Champagne stands the Les Crayères Hotel. This 5-star hotel recreates and modernizes the “Chateau” in an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere. Make a reservation at the Brasserie Le Jardin, one of the hotel’s restaurants which offers an à la carte menu for individual dishes under 35 euros or the Autour des Produits de la Région prefixed menu for 53 euros. Walk the grounds, take photos of yourself living like French royalty, and then enjoy your meal for a fraction of the $700 per night price tag.
What to Do in Reims:
There are several well-known and local Champagne houses you can visit.
Travel Tips
Make Appointments
● Unlike other wineries where you’re more than welcome to walk in and take a tour, Champagne’s venues are mostly by appointment only. Appointments are available for either small or private tours, and they need to be booked online well in advance.
Pace your drinking
● The French are very generous when they pour the bubbly (sharing is caring). It’s common to spend a full day touring different Champagne houses. Even though each tour is a “tasting,” the chances are high that you’ll be over-served, so make sure to pace yourself.
Wear comfortable shoes
â—Ź Yes, you’ll want to look cute for your Instagram photos, but make sure to dress practically. Weather can be very unpredictable, and you might encounter rain, sun, chills, and heat all within the same day. Plus, you’ll be walking on cobblestone streets, stairs, and dirt, so wear sneakers. Pack a sweater If you’ll be visiting underground cellars as it can get chilly.
Champagne Houses to Visit:
WB “Wafflart-Briet” Champagne
Twenty minutes outside of Reims lies the small, picturesque village of Sacy. The town has a population of only 379 people, with one restaurant and vineyards for miles. WB Champagne is a family-owned, 5th-generation Champagne house in the region that has owned their land since the 1880s.
Rachel, who married into the family, runs the private tours, and it’s an experience you can’t miss. Unlike the bigger houses, The WB tour includes a chance to walk the vineyards, a tour of the facility, a three-course lunch at the only restaurant in town, an opportunity to label your own bottle of champagne, and bubbly tastings! This tour was my favorite by far; you can feel the history and heritage of the land. You’ll want to pick up a few bottles of their Champagne, too, as it’s not sold in the States.
Email [email protected] to book a tour
Ruinart
Ruinart is best known as the first official Champagne house, founded by Nicolas Ruinart in 1729 after his uncle, a monk, introduced him to the Champagne making process. In the mid-18th century, Ruinart acquired the ancient crayères (chalk caves).
Walk 139 steps down and you’ll be 125 feet below ground in a five-mile network of Champagne history. The crayères were built in the middle ages from chalk. The atmosphere is cold and dark; this is where thousands of bottles are stored.
During this two-hour tour in a small, intimate group, you’ll visit a classic french parlor to taste two different Champagne blends. A Ruinart Sommelier will walk you through the history of the house and the blends you’re tasting. Afterward, you’ll go down into the caves and experience the magic for yourself.
Taittinger
Taittinger, pronounced Tet-ahn–zhay, was originally founded in 1734 under the name Forest-Fourneaux. It wasn’t until 1932 that Pierre Taittinger acquired the estate and relaunched it as Taittinger. One of the largest Champagne producers in the region, it’s known for its fruity, floral, and Chardonnay-driven house blend. Just like the Ruinart bottles, this champagne is also stored underground in crayères.
Budget Tip: If the tours are all booked or you want to save some money, you can still go in and try the champagnes at the reception area bar.
Veuve le Clicquot
One of the most well-known brands around the world and the annual organizer of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Veuve le Clicquot is the champagne of high society. The company was founded in 1772 and taken over by 27-year-old widow Madame Clicquot in 1805, at a time when women weren’t allowed in the business world. The young and determined Madame Clicquot made her presence known around the world.
The champagne house offers a variety of tours. Enjoy a picnic in the garden overlooking the vineyards, tour the cellars and enjoy a tasting, or visit the vineyards and learn about the grapes.
READ MORE:
The Best Day Trip from Paris to Reims, Champagne
Days 5-8: Reims to Bordeaux
After you’ve tasted your fix of champagne, head over to Bordeaux to experience their famous red wines. The city’s overall charm, wine offerings, and one-of-a-kind spa, the Les Sources de Caudalie, make it a destination you don’t want to miss during your 10 days in France.
Getting To Bordeaux
There are a few ways to get from Reims to Bordeaux. I personally choose to fly, as I am usually on a tight schedule and want to squeeze in every minute possible in the city.
From Reims, you can take the train back into Paris and then to Charles De Gaulle airport. If you book tickets to Bordeaux via Bordeaux-Merignac Airport (BOD) well beforehand, it will only cost you $80-$100. The flight is an hour and fifteen minutes, and once you land it’s a 30 minute car ride into town.
Traveling by train from Reims will take about four hours, but if you have the time and want to see the French countryside then I highly recommend it. Book your tickets in advance. Train tickets are like airline tickets; the prices fluctuate, and you will get the best deal if you buy them ahead of time.
Where to Stay in Bordeaux:
The city of Bordeaux is anything but a sleepy little town. It’s full of nightlife, restaurants, cafes, and breathtaking architecture. You won’t have any trouble finding something to do here. I personally stayed in an Airbnb that was a 10 minute walk from everything I needed and right above a bakery. That’s right, you can wake up to the smell of fresh baguettes in the morning!
The apartment is a classic and elegant Parisian one bedroom. The host even leaves a book for you to write in, so you can see other guests’ recommendations, which I found very helpful.
Where to Eat in Bordeaux:
Picnic Lunch: Jean D’Alos Fromagerie is known for its wide selection of cheeses. Pick some up and enjoy a picnic in the public garden.
Dinner: Le Petit Commerce is a local hotspot with great seafood.
Travel Tip: Ask locals for recommendations on where to eat. They’ll be more than happy to help. You can also ask your lodging for recommendations.
What to do in Bordeaux:
No trip to Bordeaux is complete without wine tastings. Unlike Champagne, where you have to make individual appointments, in Bordeaux, I highly recommend doing group tours. They pick you up in the city and drive you out to the vineyards. It’s a really easy way to see the countryside, and it’s budget-friendly too.
Day Tour to Saint-Emilion:
Visit the UNESCO-listed medieval village of Saint-Emilion. Book a day tour led by a sommelier and tour operator. Enjoy riding electric bikes in a small group from vineyard to vineyard. After tasting some Bordeaux wine, enjoy a french picnic outside of a chateau.
Luxury Spa Day at Les Sources de Caudalie:
Thirty minutes south of Bordeaux in Martillac stands Les Sources de Caudalie, a luxury hotel and spa. The French skincare brand Caudalie is best known for incorporating the grapes they harvest at Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux into their products. In 1999, Caudalie discovered a hot spring 1,500 feet underground, and thus the Vinothérapie Spa was born.
Budget Tip:
Rooms start at around $600 per night. If that’s out of your price range, you can book a half-day at the spa and have dinner for the price of one night. Take an Uber to the spa from the city, and have the hotel send a car to pick you up.
Book the spa package Source Vital. It’s their least expensive offering but still a bucket list experience. Best of all, you get access to all the spa amenities, including the indoor and outdoor pools and saunas. The package includes a 15-minute bath or wrap, a 20-minute warm oil massage, and a 50-minute Resveratrol lift facial or any other 50-minute facial treatment for 260 euros.
Afterward, head over to dinner at one of Caudalie’s signature restaurants and watch the sunset over the vineyard.
Read More:
Les Sources de Caudalie, In The French Vineyards of Bordeaux
Visiting Bordeaux: Wine Lovers 3 Day Travel Guide
Days 8-10: Bordeaux to Nice
A 10 Days in France Itinerary is not complete without some rest and relaxation on the French Riviera. Nice is the perfect option for any budget, unlike Cannes and St-Tropez. Full of rich history, gorgeous weather, pristine beaches, and gourmet food, Nice has something to offer for everyone. By the end of the trip you’ll be wanting to stay an extra day.
Getting To Nice:
The Nice CĂ´te d’Azur Airport is an hour-and-a-half-long flight from Bordeaux. Book your tickets well in advance to pay as little as $50 one way.
Where to Stay in Nice:
Hotels in the South of France can cost a fortune, but if you book early enough, you may be able to snag an Airbnb steps away from the beach like the one below:
Where to Eat in Nice:
What surprised me the most about the South of France was how multicultural it is. Walk along any street and you’ll hear several different languages being spoken, which translates into diverse and delicious food offerings.
Breakfast:
La Femme du Boulanger: Order the bread and pastry basket with a variety of jams, honey, and butter with a cup of coffee.
Lunch:
Il Vicoletto: This Italian and Mediterranean restaurant serves some of the best pasta dishes. I highly recommend the Gnocchetti (Gnocchi with gorgonzola, walnuts, and arugula) and a nice glass of wine.
Dinner:
Le Plongeoir: Looking to splurge on a one-of-a-kind dinner? Take a 15-minute drive east from the center of Promenade des Anglais and you’ll discover a Mediterranean restaurant situated on a rock offshore, which you can access via a walkway. Make a dinner reservation to watch the sunset over the French Riviera while waves crash against the rock and you enjoy a crisp glass of Rose. The restaurant is booked up fast, so make dinner reservations well in advance of your trip. Highly recommend adding this to your 10 days in France Itinerary.
Budget Tip:
The restaurant also offers a lounge bar, which is not on the rock but still on the water. Grab a drink at sunset for an equally unique experience.
What to do in Nice:
Plage Beau Rivage Beach Club:
The French Riviera is famous for its private beach clubs. There are public parts of the beaches, but trust me, you’ll want to indulge and opt for the private option. Plage Beau Rivage is located on the Promenade des Anglais and offers lounge chairs, umbrellas, lockers, and restaurants. Beds cost 20 euros and an extra five to be in the front row; umbrellas and towels are five euros. Arrive when they first open at 10 a.m., have lunch at their restaurant, and just relax.
Travel Tip: Make a reservation at private beaches well in advance. Depending on the season, they might be booked weeks or a month ahead of time. Plage Beau Rivage only takes reservations before noon.
Parasail over the Bay of Angels
If you’re an adventure seeker, seeing Nice from 165 feet in the air is a must. Book a 7-minute ride solo or with a partner for an exhilarating experience.
Explore Old Town
The Old Town of Nice (Vieille Ville) is the historic section in classic European style, consisting of cobblestone streets, tall and colorful tenement houses, shops, and restaurants. Stop by Fenocchio Ice Cream shop and choose from 100 different flavors.
Read More:
How To Do Nice France on a Budget – Cheap Girls Trip Idea
Days 11: Nice To Home
Unfortunately, the 10 Days in France Itinerary must come to an end. When it’s time to go home, fly back into Paris from the Nice CĂ´te d’Azur Airport and then to the States. There are direct flights to America from Nice, but they’re costly.
10 Days in France Itinerary Overall
There’s so much you can see and do in France. Hopefully, this 10 Days in France Itinerary will inspire you and help you explore the country’s many regions. Whether you’re into history, wine, or food, or you’re just looking to relax, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Read More:
The Ultimate Carry-On Packing List
Save This Post On Pinterest
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love.
