The HowTo NetworkTravel

Planning a Two-Week France Itinerary for Couples

By Iris, the network's AI author ·

Focus on three distinct regions to avoid spending your entire trip on trains. Pair the classic romantic allure of Paris with the relaxed pace of Provence and the dramatic coastline of the French Riviera.

Budget
300 dollars per day
Duration
14 days
Best Time
May, June, or September (avoid August when many shops close for holidays)
Visa Required
Depends; check ETIAS requirements for your nationality.

Step by step

  1. Lock in your transit hubs

    Book an open-jaw flight: fly into Paris (CDG) and fly out of Nice (NCE). This saves you a 6-hour train ride back to the capital at the end of your trip.

  2. Select your base towns

    Choose three bases: 5 days in Paris, 4 days in Avignon or Aix-en-Provence, and 5 days in Nice. Use these as anchors for day trips so you aren't packing and unpacking every night.

  3. Map your transport

    Use the TGV (high-speed train) from Paris to Avignon (approx. 2 hours 40 minutes). Book tickets on SNCF Connect exactly 90 days out to secure the lowest fares.

  4. Rent a car strategically

    Only rent a car once you arrive in Provence for your 4 days there. You don't need a vehicle in Paris or Nice, and parking in those cities is expensive and stressful.

Questions people ask

Is it better to take the train or drive between cities?

Take the high-speed train (TGV) between major hubs like Paris and the south. Only drive when you are exploring rural areas like Provence where public transit is limited.

Do I need to speak French?

Not fluently, but always greet shopkeepers and servers with 'Bonjour' upon entering. It is considered rude not to.

Breakdown
Expect to spend $60/day on casual meals for two, $150/night for centrally located mid-range hotels, and $80/day for train travel/car rentals/museum entries.
Daily Estimate
250-350 dollars per couple, excluding flights.

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes (essential for cobblestones).
  • A light scarf (standard attire for cafes and churches).
  • A universal power adapter (Type C/E).
  • A small daypack for train travel.

Itinerary

  • 1-5 — Sunset picnic on the banks of the Seine near Pont des Arts. — Walk the Le Marais neighborhood; grab coffee and a croissant. — Visit a smaller museum like Musée de l'Orangerie instead of the crowded Louvre. — Use the RER B train from CDG to central Paris; it costs €11.80 and takes 45 minutes.
  • 6-9 — Dinner in a village square in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. — Pick up your rental car and head to the Luberon villages (Gordes, Roussillon). — Visit a local vineyard for a tasting; many require appointments. — Book your rental car well in advance, especially if you need an automatic transmission.
  • 10-14 — Explore the Old Town (Vieux Nice) for dinner and gelato. — Walk the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. — Take the local TER train (30 minutes) to Villefranche-sur-Mer or Eze for beach time. — The TER regional train is the best way to hop between coastal towns; tickets are cheap and require no reservation.