Travel guides for couples; romantic escapes, city breaks + worldwide adventures

Paris to Nice: Our 7-Day Road Trip 🚗 Across France 🇫🇷

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A row of golden tickets with the text 'Admit One' and 'my return ticket' printed on them.
VERDICT: We gave 5 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!

From rental surprises to toll roads and changing weather; everything you need to know before driving across France

This wasn’t just a drive…this was 7 days across France, from Paris to Nice. Four major cities, changing weather, unexpected costs…and a few moments that caught us completely off guard. If you’re thinking about doing a France road trip, this is what you need to know first.

A black SUV parked in a rental car garage with a suitcase and a backpack nearby, indicating travel.

Driving from Paris to Nice isn’t just a way to get south, it’s one of Europe’s classic road trips. Roughly 1,000 kilometres end to end, this journey takes you from grand boulevards to vineyard-lined backroads, medieval towns, lavender fields, and finally the blue shimmer of the Mediterranean.

After spending a few days exploring Paris, we picked up our rental car at Charles de Gaulle Airport. We booked the vehicle through Sixt Rentals, pre-paid, expecting a quick and easy pickup.

But right away… a surprise. We were told we needed snow tires? Pardon me? In mid-February… heading south to Nice. A bit confused, we were shown a winter driving map and despite the conditions being mild, we had no choice but to pay the additional $320 CDN. Surprisingly we did actually face snow in the end and the demand was genuine. Not the best start. But, we needed to start our journey.

We grabbed the keys to our Opel Frontera Hybrid and headed to the parking lot ready to begin. But even getting out of the airport wasn’t straightforward. At the barrier… we needed an exit ticket which the rental company hadn’t given to us. After holding up traffic for a few awkward minutes, a kind local stepped in to help us find a kiosk and get through. Lesson learned, always confirm exit procedures before driving off. Interestingly we never had an issue the last time we were here.

Once on the road, we took the A10 heading south-west, and navigating out of Paris was… a little challenging. But once we were clear, things improved quickly.

Our pre-planned route was simple: Using Saily , as our data source, for online access, using GPS or researching places to visit was very easy. We made some key stops along the way and took the opportunity to visit each of the locations.

A table setting with a cup of cappuccino topped with cocoa powder, a small cookie, two glasses of orange juice, and a plate of croissants, all on a light green table.
A woman wearing glasses and a teal scarf looks upwards with a historic building in the background.
Facade of a grand cathedral with two tall towers, set against a cloudy sky with the sun peeking through.
A panoramic view of an ancient amphitheater surrounded by ruins, with visitors exploring the site against a backdrop of cloudy skies and distant buildings.
A large historic church with twin towers, elaborate stonework, and a staircase leading to its entrance, set against a partly cloudy blue sky.
A historic stone building with towers and gothic architecture, surrounded by a cobblestone square. People are walking around, and there is a dog among them. The scene is set under a blue sky.
A historic stone bridge with multiple arches spanning over a river, featuring a partially ruined building on one end and surrounded by trees. The scene is set against a cloudy sky with a road in the foreground.
A black electric car parked next to a beachfront promenade, with palm trees in the background and a clear blue sky.
A display of colorful crepes topped with various fruits, chocolate, and marshmallows at a confectionery shop called La Confiserie Ballanger.
Two large sculptures of a man and woman with exaggerated cartoonish lips, standing in front of a building, surrounded by green foliage.
A scenic view of the beach at sunset, featuring pink and orange clouds reflecting on the calm sea, lined with palm trees and a promenade along the shore.
A large, colorful float depicting a fantastical creature with multiple arms and heads is seen at night, surrounded by a crowd of people watching the parade.
A vibrant sunset over the sea, featuring a dramatic sky with shades of orange, pink, and blue. Silhouetted palm trees line the foreground along a coastal promenade.
A sunset viewed through curtains, with the sun setting over the ocean and a palm tree silhouetted in the foreground.
A historic building with ornate architecture and a domed roof, surrounded by potted plants and a plaza featuring a wet stone floor, under a cloudy sky.
A stone castle featuring tall towers with conical roofs, set against a gray sky. The foreground shows a person standing on a pathway, surrounded by grass and a light dusting of snow.
  • Three days in Orléans… amazing Cathedral and stories about Joan of Arc
  • One day in Lyon… striking Basilica , Roman Ruinsand wait to you see the accommodation
  • Two days in Avignon…Pont’d’avignon was impressive
  • Finishing in Nice on day seven – Promenade des Anglais and the Carnaval were amazing.

Our accommodation was either booked through VRBO or Expedia. We were extremely happy for the most part, particularly in Nice (Check out our story here). We use both platforms for much of our travel.

Along the way, we encountered multiple toll roads, averaging costs of about 30+ Euros each time, so having a credit card ready is essential. Also make sure to use the correct lane – otherwise you will be billed at a later date and pay additional charges. Getting from one place to another was reasonably quick on the French autoroutes. The speed limit is 130 km/h, so we certainly took advantage of that.

We also made several service stops, and one standout was PAUL’s, easily one of the best roadside food experiences we’ve had. However our favourite service station stop was at Aire de Limagne ,south of Orléans.  

What made this trip even more memorable?

The contrast. Rain in Paris… Snow in Orléans… And 23-degree sunshine in Nice.

We had the chance to see cathedrals, basilicas, learn about Joan of Arc’s efforts to save France, the broken bridge in Avignon (famous – Pont d’Avignon), chateaus, beautiful beaches and amazing scenery.   It felt like multiple seasons all wrapped up in one journey.

Rolling into Nice after days on the road feels different than stepping off a plane. The light changes. The air softens. The Mediterranean appears without announcement.

You’ll understand why people linger here and why so many travellers say the drive south was the highlight, not just the destination.

And that’s what makes a road trip across France so special. Every stop… every city… adds something completely different. And without question… it’s a trip we would do again.

Visit myreturnticket.ca for road trip details and full travel guide including tips we learned along the way.

Watch for more videos and stories as we travel through France.

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Our road trip helps you with:

  • Detour through Loire Valley, 
  • Stop at villages that don’t have train stations
  • Visit attractions in Lyon and Avignon easily
  • Travel at your own pace, espresso when you want, wine when you stop
  • Arrive in French Riviera feeling like you earned it

Rental Car Reality Check: Book early. Automatic transmissions cost more and sell out first. Check for Hybrids – saves fuel charges. Be aware of extra charges for one way drop-off. Check for the need to use Winter Tires. Although speed limits are 130 KM/h be aware there are lots of speed cameras around.

Key tips:

  • Choose a compact or midsize car (French villages were not built for SUVs)
  • Ensure unlimited kilometres
  • Confirm cross-region drop-off fees
  • Take photos at pickup, French rental inspections are… thorough

The Exact Road Trip Route: Paris → Orléans → Lyon → Avignon → Nice.

1. Paris → Orléans

  • Take A10 (L’Aquitaine) out of Paris
  • Direction: Orléans / Bordeaux
  • This is your main exit route from the Paris region

👉 Distance: ~130 km

👉 Drive time: ~1.5 hours

2. Orléans → toward Lyon

  • Switch to A71 at Orléans
  • Direction: Clermont-Ferrand

This cuts diagonally through central France—fast, quiet, and less traffic than sticking west.

👉 Distance: ~280 km

3. Connecting toward Lyon

  • From A71, take A89 (optional scenic connector) or
  • More common: connect to A72 / A46 ring roads around Lyon

👉 Lyon is a major hub—you’ll follow signs carefully here (watch traffic).

4. Lyon → Avignon

  • Take A7 (famous as Autoroute du Soleil)
  • Direction: Marseille / Avignon

This is one of France’s most iconic drives—especially as you enter Provence

👉 Distance: ~230 km

5. Avignon → Nice

  • Continue A7 briefly, then merge onto A8
  • Direction: Nice / Cannes

This is your final stretch into the French Riviera

👉 Distance: ~260 km

A scenic sunset view featuring palm trees, with text overlay that reads 'PARIS: SNOW > SUN We didn’t expect this! Follow us on our ROAD TRIP 7-Day French Road Trip' alongside an image of a car.

With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.

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