CDG transfer to domestic flight

The key bit of information missing is are you using one ticket or two separate tickets to reach Nice.

If you are ticketed to NCE on AF (as one PNR or ticket), you will pass immigration control and security at CDG, but pickup your luggage at NCE where there will be an almost invisible Customs inspection. Upon CDG arrival, look for the connecting passenger signs (Correspondence) which will lead you to a special immigration for connecting passengers.

If you are traveling on separate tickets, the procedure is more complex.

Ah thanks for clarifying. I am on two tickets as I was not sure of my plans when booked.

By the way, I will be carrying on my luggage if that makes a difference

Todd, we just did this. My question to you is going to be, how long do you have between flights? The process isn't difficult, as explained above. But time is everything. We had 1:15 to make the connection on Air France, but we were on one ticket. Would never do that again. If you are on a time crunch, that is going to be a big difference. Let us know that key info to help you out more. If you are flying from the U.S., you will have to change terminals. We can walk you through that.

Thanks JR

Arrive Paris at 1420 and leave for Nice at 1610
So just under 2 hours

1+50 is very tight. If at your point of departure, AF will check your bags to NCE and you check in for your flight in advance, you should be able to proceed as above, or effectively as a connecting passenger.

If AF will not check your luggage to NCE, you will need to follow the crowd to immigration/baggage claim. Lines here can be 1 hour or more. Once you have your luggage, you proceed to the check in desk to drop it off, then through security, and on to your gate. There is typically a 30 minute before depart, cutoff time for checking luggage.

CDG is really not the airport for self connecting to a follow-on flight unless you have 3 or more hours, preferably lots more, between flights.

Since you are carrying on your luggage and if your first flight is on time, you should make it. If your flight is late and you miss your second flight, you will have to buy a walk-up ticket.

Sorry, I missed the part about your not having checked luggage.

It will be very important that, upon CDG arrival, you are allowed to proceed as a connecting passenger. If not, and you get caught at Immigration, making your NCE flight will be unlikely.

Thanks everyone for the replies.
Yes I will carry on my luggage and am flying biz class so will be off the plane quickly.
Luckily there are flights nearly hourly to Nice so if I miss the connection can try and hopefully catch the next

You should be ok with that amount of time. We too were in business, and we had to line jump (crew line) through security to make our connecting flight. And, we were the last one's on board. They were literally looking for us.

Once you get off your flight, following the signs for connecting flights. The signage is pretty decent at CDG. We watched a couple of videos on YouTube that showed people actually making the walk, and it helped a lot.

From Halls K and L in Terminal 2E, estimated transit time is approximately 30 minutes, including the time needed to pass through customs and security checkpoints. From Hall M in Terminal 2E, estimated transit time is approximately 40 minutes, including the time needed to pass through customs and security checkpoints and take the automated shuttle. This according to CDG. It's not enough.

If you arrive in terminal 2F gates K&L you can walk to terminal 2F
TERMINAL E the go through security checkpoint and passport controls.
From Hall M take the automated train to Hall K and then walk to terminal F

We arrived from Hall M, had to take the train to Hall K, then walked to terminal 2F where we went through security then passport control. Security was backed up big time, and lots of people looked like they were going to miss their connecting flights. Our suggestion is waste no time once you get off your plane. We too had carry-on and never would have made it if we had checked bags.

You have all been really helpful. I had no idea about the tight connections when I booked. Wonder if I should just try and switch to 1700 flight rather than have the stress of short connection

You might as well try to switch if you can do so for free (or a reasonable amount); the extra 50 minutes will provide peace of mind without too much of a wait if things go super smoothly.