Paris to the Riviera
Seven days, two regions, one group — from Left Bank bistros to the Corniche roads above Monaco.
What this sample shows
This is an example of the day-by-day plan a Group Theory Travel client receives — built for a group of friends celebrating together, moving from the museums and bistros of Paris to the coastal towns above the Mediterranean.
Every itinerary is written around the group in front of us: this one leans toward a first-time-in-France pace, with structured mornings, open afternoons, and a reserved table each night so no one is left deciding where to eat after a full day of walking.
Bienvenue à Paris
Private airport transfer
Group is met at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and transferred by private van directly to the hotel — no coordinating taxis after an overnight flight.
Check in & free time in Montorgueil
Rooms ready on arrival. The hotel sits on a pedestrian market street — an easy first walk to reset the internal clock: cheese shops, wine bars, and a proper café crème.
Welcome dinner — Chez Georges
A classic Parisian bistro near the Bourse, reserved for the group: steak frites, duck confit, and a round of kir to open the trip.
The Louvre, the Tower, the Seine
Skip-the-line guided tour — the Louvre
A private guide walks the group through the Denon wing highlights, timed to beat the mid-morning crowds around the Mona Lisa.
Lunch — Café Marly
Under the Louvre's arcades, overlooking the glass pyramid — a relaxed lunch to close out the morning.
Eiffel Tower & Seine River cruise
Summit access to the Eiffel Tower, followed by a golden-hour boat cruise along the Seine past Notre-Dame and the Musée d'Orsay.
Dinner — Le Comptoir du Relais
A Saint-Germain favorite for market-driven French cooking; smaller tables, so the group splits into twos and threes for a quieter night.
Day trip: the Palace of Versailles
Depart Paris by private coach
A 45-minute drive out to Versailles, avoiding the RER crowds — the group travels together and arrives ahead of the tour buses.
Guided tour — Palace & Hall of Mirrors
A local historian guide leads the State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors before the afternoon crowds arrive.
Lunch — La Flottille
Lakeside dining inside the gardens themselves, looking out over the Grand Canal.
Gardens & the Estate of Trianon
An unhurried walk through the formal gardens, with time built in for anyone who wants to see Marie-Antoinette's estate or simply sit by the fountains.
Insider access — private Champagne cave tasting
Coach returns the group to Paris by early evening, where a small-group, after-hours tasting has been arranged in a 17th-century wine cave in the Marais — the kind of door that doesn't open without a personal connection, led by a sommelier who walks the group through five Champagnes by candlelight.
Why this is on the list: this is the one experience on the trip that a group truly can't book on their own — it's arranged through a longstanding relationship with the cellar, not a ticketed tour.
Dinner, open
Dinner is left unscheduled tonight after the tasting; the planner leaves a short list of nearby spots for anyone who wants a reservation made.
Montmartre, then south by rail
Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
A morning walk through the hilltop village — the basilica, the artists' square at Place du Tertre, and the view back over the city before saying goodbye to Paris.
Depart Gare de Lyon
Lunch is grabbed to-go from the station before boarding — a chance to relax and watch the countryside change from farmland to hillside vineyards.
Arrive Nice-Ville — transfer & check-in
Private van transfer from the station to the hotel on the Promenade des Anglais.
Dinner — La Petite Maison
A first taste of the Riviera table: Niçoise vegetables, whole grilled fish, and a room that feels like the south of France is supposed to.
Old Town & the coast
Cours Saleya market
A guided wander through the flower and produce market that anchors Nice's Old Town, ending with a coffee in the square.
Castle Hill
A short climb up to the viewpoint overlooking the Baie des Anges — the best orientation shot of the whole trip.
Lunch — Chez Palmyre
A tiny, family-run Niçoise institution serving a fixed multi-course lunch — reserved ahead, since it seats barely twenty.
Free time — beach & Promenade des Anglais
Open afternoon for the beach, a swim, or simply the walk along the Promenade. The planner has loungers and towels arranged at a beach club steps from the hotel for anyone who wants them.
Dinner — Café de Turin
An old-school seafood room in the Old Town, known for oysters and a lively, communal dining room — a good night for the whole group at one long table.
Day trip: the Corniche, Èze, and Monaco
Private coach along the Moyenne Corniche
The scenic middle road above the coast, made famous in a dozen films — the group rides together with stops for photos along the way.
Èze village
A walk up through the stone lanes of this clifftop medieval village to the exotic garden at the summit, with the whole coastline laid out below.
Lunch — Château Eza
A terrace lunch built into the village's cliff face, one of the more memorable tables of the week.
Monaco & Monte Carlo
Free time to explore the Prince's Palace, the harbor and its yachts, and the Casino Square — with the option to step inside the Casino de Monte-Carlo.
Return to Nice — dinner at leisure
Coach returns the group to the hotel by early evening. This is the trip's one open dinner — a good night for the group to split up and choose their own spot after a big day.
Départ
Free morning
Optional visit to the Matisse Museum or one last walk through the Old Town for gifts to bring home — kept unscheduled on purpose after six full days.
Private transfer to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)
Group transfer timed to departing flights, ending the trip the same way it started — together, without a taxi line.
Where the group stays
Hôtel Bachaumont
A 4-star boutique hotel on a pedestrian market street in Montorgueil — an easy, central base for walking to the Louvre, Les Halles, and the Marais.
3 nights Visit hotel website →Le Méridien Nice
A 4-star hotel directly on the Promenade des Anglais, with sea-view rooms and a rooftop pool — steps from the beach and a short walk into the Old Town.
3 nights Visit hotel website →Good to know
A few practical notes we brief every group on before departure — this section travels with the full itinerary packet.
Used in both Paris and Nice. Cards are widely accepted; a small amount of cash is useful for markets and small cafés.
English is common in hotels and central tourist areas. A few basic phrases go a long way in smaller shops and restaurants.
6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time. Paris and Nice are in the same time zone, so no adjustment when the group takes the train south.
Standard European two-round-pin plugs. U.S. travelers will need a plug adapter; most modern electronics handle the voltage automatically.
A service charge is included by law at restaurants. Rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated but not expected.
Paris trends cooler and more changeable; Nice and the Riviera run several degrees warmer and sunnier — pack layers for the train ride between them.
Both city centers are very walkable. All transfers, coaches, and the Paris–Nice train are arranged and reserved as a group in advance.
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for short stays. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date.
What to pack
A quick-reference list we send every group ahead of departure — organized for two climates and one train ride in between.
- Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestones at Versailles)
- A layer for cool mornings & evenings
- One smart-casual outfit for dinners
- A light scarf or wrap
- Compact umbrella
- Swimsuit & cover-up
- Sunscreen & sunglasses
- Sandals for the Promenade & sandy stops
- A dressier outfit for Monaco
- Light layer for the boat/coach along the Corniche
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Plug adapter, Type C/E
- A day bag for the TGV & day trips
- Portable charger for the train ride
- Copies of train & transfer confirmations