A Six-Day Storybook Escape Through Paris and the French Riviera

A particularly atmospheric bookstore stop. Browse the old books, typewriters, plants, and small upstairs nooks, then consider buying the exclusive Hunchback of Notre-Dame edition, a tote, postcard, or having a book stamped. Filming inside is not permitted.

Book a timed visit to go up the tower and allow extra time for the stairs. Pair the ascent with a picnic nearby and stay after sunset for the sparkling display; the creator saw it begin at 10:00 p.m., though the timing can vary with nightfall.

Choose the Place des Vosges branch for a quieter breakfast setting. Arrive around opening time, ideally before 8:00, for hot chocolate and croissants without the later queues. Dipping the croissant into the hot chocolate is part of the experience.

Stop at the Louvre complex, where the creator picked up a beautiful box of macarons from a shop after leaving the museum. The tasting included coffee, chocolate, apricot, lemon, vanilla, and raspberry flavors.

Include this classic Paris landmark on the first full sightseeing day, as part of the creator's intentionally tourist-focused first visit.

Visit this landmark as one of the essential first-time Paris highlights included on the route.

Wander through the hilltop square in the morning, when the atmosphere is quieter and the surrounding streets feel more cinematic.

Pick up Paris and Montmartre postcards from this small Montmartre postcard shop, a natural stop for a growing travel collection.

Take a vintage photo strip at this booth on Rue des Trois Frères. The creator found it easily through Apple Maps and encountered only a short wait.

Use the central Paris base for a slow morning walk before departure. The route's broader lesson is to see major attractions early, before crowds build.

The compact room, comfortable bed, small bathroom, desk, and balcony made this a practical two-night base. Request a balcony room if outdoor Paris views matter to you.

Use Paris's metro or bus network for the final sightseeing movements, with walking between nearby stops. The creator found the system easy once the metro layout had been figured out.

Use the apartment as a practical base with a kitchen, fridge, washing machine, air conditioning, and extra living space. The creator found a location roughly ten minutes from both Old Town and the train station especially convenient.

Spend the first Nice afternoon strolling the narrow lanes, then return here for evening restaurants and the coastal atmosphere.

Climb to this viewpoint on the first Nice day for a broad look over the city and coast.

Explore Menton's old town in the morning and look for the town's signature sunshine-and-lemon character. It was the creator's first Riviera day trip from Nice.

Take the train to Cap d'Ail, then walk approximately 15 minutes to the water for a swim. Bring a towel, water shoes if desired, and a picnic or takeaway lunch.

Swim at this coastal cove, then take takeaway pizza from Nice's Old Town to eat by the beach. The walk from the station takes about 15 minutes.

Walk through the old town in the morning, then continue to the waterfront for a swim before returning to Nice for lunch.

Stop at Focà in Nice for the focaccia sandwich lunch mentioned after the Villefranche morning.

Take the short train ride from Nice for an afternoon across the border. Walk around the marina and look at the yachts before exploring the other landmarks.

See the casino lobby and exterior atmosphere without needing to gamble. This was one of the afternoon's principal Monaco sightseeing stops.

Walk a section of the famous street circuit while exploring Monaco's central sights.

Travel to Beaulieu-sur-Mer and either walk approximately 50 minutes to the beach or use the bus. The coastal walk is scenic, but wear good shoes and carry water in the heat.

Spend the final beach day here. The beach remained open despite construction, and the creator found the coastline, cliffs, towns, and yachts exceptionally beautiful. Arrive early for a quieter, semi-private-feeling beach and bring shade because there is limited natural cover.

Finish with a sunset promenade walk and dinner along Nice's seafront after returning from Paloma Beach.