1 week in France: Paris & the French Riveria

On a self-drive tour, we hand you the keys to a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary – then let you get on with it. You’re the driver and the tour guide. The road trip playlist is entirely your call.

Before you set off, your personal travel consultant will have pre-booked everything that matters: rental car, accommodation, and any planned activities listed in your itinerary.

Everything else is yours to shape. The highlights we’ve suggested along the way are Nordic Visitor favourites – places we think you’ll love. But if something catches your eye, or a village looks worth a detour, stop. That’s the whole point.

On arrival, you’ll receive your full itinerary, a hand-annotated map, and our own Travel Guide – everything you need to feel confident from day one. And if you ever need us, our 24/7 helpline is just a call away throughout your trip.

Your hotels have been chosen with care. You’ll stay in a mix of 3- and 4-star properties, each one selected to put you in the right part of town, with easy access to everything on your itinerary.

Expect clean, comfortable rooms, good breakfasts, and staff who know the area well. If you have a specific request, just let us know before you travel. We’ll do our best to arrange it.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.

The TGV from Paris to Nice is a comfortable, scenic journey of around 7 hours. It takes you smoothly from the capital all the way down to the Côte d’Azur.

And yes, it’s included in your itinerary. You’ll depart from Paris Gare de Lyon – your travel pack will include your ticket and all the detail you need to board with confidence.

Nice’s train station puts you right in the heart of the city, a short walk or taxi ride from your hotel. It’s a great way to kick off your time on the Riviera.

You need to be at least 21 to hire a car in France. If you’re under 25, most rental companies will apply a young driver surcharge – it varies by company, but it’s worth factoring into your budget.

We’ll let you know the specifics when we confirm your booking. Got questions before then? Just get in touch.

No, if you hold a full licence issued in the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Your standard licence is all you need.

If you’re travelling from elsewhere, it’s worth checking in advance. France requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) for some countries. You can request one from your national motoring association before you travel.

Not sure which applies to you? Drop us a message and we’ll point you in the right direction.

France – especially the countryside – is a pleasure to discover by car. Roads are generally well-maintained, signage is clear, and, outside the cities, traffic is rarely a problem.

All road trippers should be aware that driving is on the right, seatbelts are compulsory for all passengers, and speed limits are strictly enforced. That’s 130km/h on motorways, 80km/h on most rural roads, and 50km/h in towns unless signs say otherwise.

One French quirk worth knowing: at unmarked junctions, the vehicle coming from the right has priority (priorité à droite). It catches visitors out more than anything else. Take it steady at first and you’ll find your rhythm quickly.

France has a lower drink-drive limit than some countries. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5g/litre (compared to 0.8g/litre in the UK, for example). For drivers with less than two years’ experience, it’s lower still, at 0.2g/litre.

Our practical advice: if you’re driving the next day, be sensible the evening before. France’s wine is genuinely excellent, and there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy it. Just not at the wheel.

Yes. Every route is yours to shape.

We’ve planned each day to balance driving time with exploring time. You’ll get all our recommendations – the scenic roads, the stops worth making, the views that deserve a pause.

Then it’s up to you. Visit them all, pick your favourites, or take a detour somewhere else entirely. This is your trip.

Yes, with ease. The borders between France, Monaco and Italy are open and driving into either from Nice is a straightforward, scenic trip along the coast. Both of these countries make for perfect day trips while you’re staying on the Côte d’Azur.

Simple answers are: yes, and by card. But here’s a few more details.

France has an extensive motorway (autoroute) network, and most of it is tolled. Your route will include toll roads, so it’s worth being prepared.

Payment is straightforward – most booths accept cash and cards. Contactless and chip-and-PIN both work well. Some lanes are card-only, so it’s worth having a card handy even if you’re carrying cash.

You’ll either pay at a booth before entering a toll road, or at the end of one. It’ll be clear when it’s time to pay. Toll prices vary depending on the stretch of road. For budgeting purposes, we’d allow around €50–80 for tolls across a typical week-long self-drive route in southern France.

Yes – several French cities have introduced Low Emission Zones (Zones à Faibles Émissions, or ZFE), which restrict access for older, higher-polluting vehicles.

Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, and Strasbourg are among those with active restrictions, and the rules are expanding. Your rental car will need to display a Crit’Air vignette. It’s a colour-coded sticker indicating its emissions category.

If your itinerary includes any cities with ZFE, we’ll arrange your vignette as part of your booking (or advise you how to obtain one in advance).

It depends on the city. In smaller towns and villages, parking is usually easy to find and often free outside the centre. In larger cities – Paris, Lyon, Nice, Marseille – it’s more of a challenge. And city-centre parking can be expensive.

Most hotels will advise on the nearest car parks, and many provide parking (sometimes included, sometimes at a charge). In general, we’d suggest parking up when you arrive somewhere and exploring on foot from there. French cities are best walked anyway.

Absolutely. During the booking steps, you'll see the option to add extra nights at the beginning or end of your trip.

If you're looking to stay longer somewhere in the middle of your itinerary, get in touch. Your travel consultant will be happy to help.

Some are, some aren’t. Each tour page lists what’s included in the package.

Some attractions come pre-booked. Others are recommendations – you decide if you’d like to visit. You might also see options to add as extras during booking. It’s your adventure, so choose what intrigues you most.

Absolutely. Many of your itinerary days are flexible, allowing you to add optional activities. These could be cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and other things that make your trip richer. Of course, sometimes, most of your day could be spent travelling or exploring something specific, meaning there may not be time for extra experiences in every case.

You’ll be able to customise your trip by adding extra activities in the booking steps. Pick what speaks to you. Leave out what doesn’t.

Yes, for popular sites, you should pre-book tickets in advance. This way you can make sure you see the spots on your travel wish-list but also secure the ideal times for you. Your travel consultant will let you know the attractions where this is highly recommended. 

More than its reputation suggests. In hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas, you’ll find English spoken regularly, especially in Paris and the South. Smaller villages and local markets are where you’re more likely to need a few words of French. And a little effort goes a long way.

Learning a handful of basics – bonjour, merci, s’il vous plaît, l’addition s’il vous plaît (the bill, please) – will be warmly received. The French genuinely appreciate it when visitors try … even if they sometimes correct you.

Southern France in summer is reliably hot and sunny. Provence and the Côte d’Azur regularly see temperatures above 30°C (86°F) in July and August.

The north is milder and more variable, but summer is still the best time to visit. Pack sunscreen and light clothing, and plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning or late afternoon if the heat is intense.

A hat and a refillable water bottle will serve you well. August is peak holiday season in France, so roads and popular spots can be busy. That means early starts are your friend.

France takes food seriously, which generally works in your favour. Restaurants are usually willing to accommodate dietary requests. Vegetarian options are widely available, and gluten-free awareness has grown significantly in recent years.

Vegans may find it more of a patchwork: easy in cities and larger towns, patchier in rural areas. Severe allergies are worth communicating clearly, and restaurant staff will generally take them seriously.

It helps to have a short written note in French explaining your requirements. We’re happy to help you put one together before you travel.

Light, breathable clothing for summer days, with a layer or two for cooler evenings. Particularly if you’re heading inland or into higher ground.

Comfortable walking shoes are essential: cobblestones, old town streets, and vineyard paths all demand something more than sandals. Beyond that, pack a power adaptor (France uses the standard European two-pin plug), sunscreen, sunglasses, and a small day bag.

If you’re planning to visit churches or cathedrals, a scarf or light wrap can be useful for covering shoulders. You’ll want swimwear for those Riviera beaches. And a small amount of euros in cash is handy for markets, small cafés, and the occasional toll booth.

As a rough guide, budget around €50–80 per person per day for meals if you’re eating out for lunch and dinner. Less if you’re picking up picnic supplies from local markets and boulangeries (which we’d highly recommend).

A sit-down lunch at a simple bistro typically costs €15–25 per person. Dinner at a decent restaurant will likely be €30–50 without wine. And you may well want to try that local wine.

Petrol in France costs roughly €1.70–1.90 per litre (prices fluctuate). Supermarket stations are usually the cheapest option.

All three countries – France, Monaco, and Italy – use the euro, so there’s no need to change currency if you’re crossing borders. Card payments are widely accepted everywhere, though smaller towns, markets, and rural cafés may prefer cash.

It’s worth keeping €50–100 in small notes handy for small purchases and incidentals. ATMs are easy to find in all three countries too.

There are limited laundry facilities in the countryside, though you’ll find laundrettes in the larger cities and towns. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning for an additional cost.

Service is included by law in French restaurant bills (service compris), so you’re never obligated to tip. That said, leaving a euro or two on the table after a meal, or rounding up a café bill, is a common and appreciated gesture.

For taxis, rounding up to the nearest euro or two is standard. There’s no pressure and no expectation – but a little generosity goes down well, especially if you’ve had good service.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, please let your travel consultant know at the time of booking. They'll see what they can do to accommodate you. 

If you prefer, you can begin your tour in a different city in the region. Just ask your travel consultant and they can let you know the options in terms of train travel or rental car fees. We’ll be happy to try to rearrange your itinerary so it works for you. 

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

France is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries don’t need a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

However, visa requirements depend on your nationality and can change. It’s always worth checking the current rules with the French embassy or consulate in your country before you travel.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us. 

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

We aim to complete bookings within a few weeks. During this time we take care of booking your accommodation, activities, and transport, confirming all parts of your journey. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. 

When we get back to you might depend slightly on how far ahead you’ve booked your travels and other tours running at the time. 

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

We’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents – including your itinerary, service vouchers, and any relevant guides – around 3-4 weeks before your departure date.

If your trip is less than a month away when you book, we’ll get everything to you as quickly as we can. If anything needs clarifying when you receive them, we’re here.

Then, upon your arrival in France, you’ll receive a welcome pack with hard copies of your itinerary, accommodation and tour vouchers, our exclusive France Travel Guide and more.

That depends on how and where you’re arriving. If you’re flying into Paris or Nice, your travel pack will include clear instructions on how to get to your first hotel. Most guests make their way by train or taxi. We can also arrange a private transfer if you’d prefer a smooth start.

Check-in is usually between 2–4 PM. If you’re landing early and want to head straight there, it’s worth asking about an early check-in. There’s an additional fee, and it’s not always possible, but we’ll do our best. Either way, the hotel can hold your luggage while you wait. Head to a local bakery for your first croissant before check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching your transfer to the airport.

All bookings are billed in euros (EUR) – that’s the currency in France.

If you’ve been browsing in another currency, the prices you’ve seen are based on the daily exchange rate. They’ll give you a good sense of cost, but the final charge will be in EUR, so the exact amount in your currency may vary a little depending on when you pay.

Not sure what to expect? Your bank or card provider can give you the most up-to-date conversion rate.