Itinerary Summary
Two days in Paris cover the Bastille market, a booked Rungis morning visit and a patisserie dessert class, then a 2-hour TGV brings you to Lyon for the old town, Les Halles de Paul Bocuse market lunch…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Paris arrival and a first bistro dinner on the Left Bank
10:00
2.5h
RER B and hotel check-in
Take the RER B into the centre, then check into a Left Bank hotel near Odeon or Saint-Germain. Ask the desk for a neighbourhood bistro recommendation and let them call ahead for a table.
📍 Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris
16:00
2h
Rue Mouffetard food shops
Walk this market street's cheese shops, bakeries and wine merchants as they set up for the evening. Saturday and Sunday mornings are busiest, while Monday brings closures.
📍 Rue Mouffetard, Paris 5e
19:30
2h
Bistro dinner in the 6th
Order from a chalkboard menu of onion soup, confit de canard and creme brulee at a small Left Bank bistro. Reserve two days ahead and confirm whether the kitchen takes a card.
📍 Saint-Germain-des-Pres
💡 Pro Tip: French kitchens run on a fixed rhythm: lunch from 12:00 to 14:00 and dinner from 19:30. Book even a neighbourhood bistro in the evening. Entry rules depend on your passport, so check the France visa section. Paris is UTC+1, moving to UTC+2 from late March to late October.
Days 2-8 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$68035%
Comfort hotels, 7 nights in Paris, Lyon, Provence and Nice
Food & DiningUS$39020%
Bouchons, market-hall meals, Michelin bookings and seafood dinners
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book Lyon bouchon restaurants and Paris dining ahead?+
Yes. Popular bouchons on Croix-Rousse and Michelin-listed tables in Paris book one to three months ahead, especially Friday and Saturday. Smaller neighbourhood places may take same-week bookings. Ask about the menu price before ordering, since some bouchons charge by the dish.
What is the best season for a food and market trip through France?+
May and June bring spring produce and the start of lavender in Provence; September and October bring harvest produce, mushrooms and cooler dining weather. Avoid mid-August, when many independent restaurants and market stalls close for annual holidays.
Should I fly into Paris and out of Nice for this food route?+
Yes. An open-jaw ticket into Paris (CDG) and out of Nice saves backtracking after Provence. The TGV links Paris, Lyon and Avignon, and a regional train or bus covers the last leg to Nice. Book internal TGV legs early for cheaper Prem's fares.
Are the Provence markets and Rungis visit reachable without a car?+
Avignon and Nice are walkable and their markets sit in town. The hill village of Gordes and nearby farms are harder without a car, so many visitors join a small-group tour or hire a driver for the day. Rungis is a working market and usually needs a pre-arranged visit.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 8 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $1,640–2,240 (≈ €1,430–1,950), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: easy
- Best for: Food & Dining
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