Here's the Ultimate Paris to Nice Road Trip – Itinerary & Map | France Bucket List (2024)

Paris to Nice by Car

There are many ways to travel from Paris to Nice, from night trains to quick flights. But if you are looking for an epic French holiday and have some time, then hit the road for a funParis to Nice road trip.

The drive from Paris to Nice is straightforward, and it is our favorite road trip from Paris. The distance from Paris to Nice by car Paris is 930 kilometers, with some memorable stops along the way depending on the route that you choose.

If you decide to try this road trip Paris to Nice, give yourself a week to 10 days to enjoy it. Of course, driving from Paris to Nice can be a lot faster, but why rush? For this Paris to Nice drive, the journey is just as interesting as the final destination.

If you are looking for a Nice to Paris road trip, you can also use this itinerary with a grand finale in Paris.

Drive from Paris to Nice – Map

Click here to view the Paris to Nice Road Trip Map on Google

Road Trip Paris to Nice – Itinerary

As this road trip begins in Paris, take this opportunity to explore the French capital before hitting the road. There is no road trip travel on the first three days of this Paris to Nice itinerary, but we have included recommendations on what to visit and where to stay.

How many days in Paris? We recommend a minimum of two full days to get a feel of what the city has to offer, plus an additional day trip to visit thePalace of Versailles and its Gardens.

Days 1 and 2 | Paris

For your days in Paris, be sure to cover the city’s main highlights such asCité,theLouvre Museum (check out how to visit the Louvre in 2 hours or less),Montmartre,the Latin Quarter, and of course,the Eiffel Tower. You can also have a look at this list of50 iconic things to do in Parisand choose your favorite ones.

A good idea for short stays in Paris is this top-rated Paris Highlights Bike Tour. Discover the city’s most emblematic landmarks on two wheels with an expert guide. This tour by bike is also available at night.

Day 3 | Day Trip to Versailles

On the third full day of your Paris to South of France trip, grab a train, ortake a guided tour to visit the amazingChâteau de Versaillesand its surrounding gardens.

A trip to Versailles deserves a day in full. You can decide tovisit just the Palace and the Gardens ordo thePalace plus the Trianons, with the Queen’s Hamlet.

There’s so much to see and do in Versailles that we recommend planning this day trip well in advance. Check out this Versailles guideto find the best way to visit Versailles for you.

Morning in Auxerre

Instead of heading directly to Beaune, we recommend a stop atAuxerre, a lovely small city in Burgundy bisected by the river Yonne.

The historical center is made of beautiful medieval and Renaissance-style buildings, and it is protected as a historic city. Wander the Old Town with its beautiful churches, half-timbered houses, and its iconic Clock Tower. The promenade along the river is beautiful and relaxing.

Afternoon in Beaune

Beauneis another must-see city in Burgundy. It is famous forthe Hôtel-Dieu, a wonder of Burgundian architecture, but there are also other beautiful sights such as Notre Dame Basilica or the Museum of Fine Arts.

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Beaune is an excellent place to spend the night, especially because it is the capital of Burgundy wines.Because wine-tasting and driving are far from perfect partners, we recommend parking the car for the afternoon and taking part in some Burgundy wine tastings.

Here’s the list of some great wine houses worth exploring during your afternoon in Beaune:

• Maison Champy(5 Rue du Grenier de Sel, Beaune; Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune wine regions)
• Domaine Chanson(10 Rue Paul Chanson /Rue du Collège, Beaune; Beaune wine region)
• Bouchard-Ainé & Fils(4 Boulevard du Maréchal Foch, Beaune; Beaune wine region)
• Domaine Loubet-Dewailly(11 Impasse Notre Dame, Beaune; Pommard wine region)

Day 5 | Beaune – Lyon

The next stop of this road trip from Paris to Nice itinerary isLyon, where we recommend spending one night. The drive from Beaune to Lyon is only one hour, so if you leave early in the morning, you will have a full day to explore Lyon.

Lyonis a bustling city that’s also a cultural hub. Situated in the country’s east, near the Alps, Lyon is France’s third-largest city and a major tourist destination that offers yet another side to France.

Afternoon at Fourvière Hill

In the afternoon, you can climb the Fourvière Hill for great views of the city and a short visit to theFourvière Basilica, which overlooks Lyon. This religious building is the focus of the famousFête des Lumières, which occurs at the start of December every year. The climb up to Fourvière Hill is an easy walk up from Old Lyon, but you can also take the funicular from the cathedral.

Lyon has also been recognized asFrance’s food capital (and the world, according to some!), so be sure to taste some local specialties! This Old Lyon food tour always gets excellent ratings.

Day 6 | Lyon – Avignon

The next stop of this drive from Paris to Nice is Avignon, the first destination inProvence. This charming historic city on the South Bank of the Rhône River was home to seven popes. The Papal Palace, where they lived, is a jewel of civil Gothic architecture and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Enjoyone day in Avignon. Here everything is within walking distance, and you can easily explore the city while strolling through its small cobblestone lanes. Be sure to visit the Palace of the Popes and wander along thePont d’Avignon(the famous bridge) or admire it from afar.

Day 7 | Avignon – Marseille

Marseilleis the capital of the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA between friends) and a famous port city. It’s quite different from Avignon and Nice, both in PACA, and an exciting city to explore.

The city is best explored in two days, but if you only have time for one day, look at thisMarseille 2-day itinerary and pick the sights and activities you like most.

You can also decide to wander around the picturesque port of Marseille and then take a catamaran cruise with lunch to explore the wonderful Calanques of Marseille – Cassis. The catamaran stops at spectacular coves for a swim and snorkel.

Days 8 and 9 | Marseille – Nice

The last stop on this road trip Paris to Nice isNice, the French Riviera capital. Nice is also located in the PACA region, but it is definitely more glitzy and glamorous than Marseille or Avignon.

The drive from Marseille to Nice takes two hours, and if you leave early in the morning, you will have almost two full days to explore Nice.

For your two days in Nice, we recommend thisNice 2-day itinerary, which also comes with some restaurant suggestions for your dinners in Nice.

Take your time to explore the Old Town, taste some provençal specialties, and of course, have a stroll on the famousPromenade des Anglais! Nice also has some of the best French Riviera beaches, and their turquoise waters are calling for a dip. If you want to explore the French Riviera from the water, this boat tour always has excellent reviews. You can also rent a boat or charter a yacht with or without a skipper.