Need help settling on France itinerary

Posted by addiez237 on 04/28/26 10:11 PM

Our family of four (two young adult children 22 and 19) will be in France July 16th-July 29th. We are spending 6 days in Paris to begin and will be ending our trip in Nice. We will depart from Nice on the 29th. I need guidance on whether our itinerary should be:

1) Paris 7/16-7/22
2) Chamonix 7/22-7/24
3) Provence (renting a car, home base Saint Remy) 7/24-7/26
4) Nice 7/26-7/29
OR
1) Paris 7/16-7/22
2) Provence 7/22-7/26
3) Nice 7/26-7/29

Question is whether to keep/cut the alps. We would love to get into the mountains, however I'm concerned it will be too much travel/transit time if we go to Chamonix, but maybe not? I want to be able to enjoy our time and not feel rushed. Any advice or insight is much appreciated.

Posted by Matt

Somerville, MA

04/28/26 10:25 PM

788 posts

I would go with option 1 but cut one day from Paris and add to Provence.

Posted by marnamc2

04/28/26 10:36 PM

77 posts

I like Matt's suggestions. Rome2Rio shows 7 hour train ride from Chamonix to St. Remy. We have LOVED Provence, but last year got to Chamonix on RS My Way Alpine. This was the town that I wasn't expecting much from, and we just loved it! SO I'd hate to give that part of the itinerary up! So many towns and markets to see in Provence. SO I go with Matt! If in Nice, try to get to Villefranche Sur Mer, We have stayed there twice when flying into Nice, and getting up to Provence.

Posted by ChristineH

Gettysburg PA

04/29/26 02:48 AM

9246 posts

Welcome!

I count 13 nights which equals 12 days.

I'm concerned it will be too much travel/transit time if we go to
Chamonix,

IMO it would be.
Have you worked out transportation to/from Chamonix? It’s at least a half day journey with multiple changes from Paris and then same to Avignon (I assume) where you would pick up car to drive to St-Remy.
A 2 night stay is just 1 full day in a location. Consider how much time that really gives you in Chamonix-is it worth the travel time to get there and from there?
Just 2 nights in St-Remy is not really time for much either- just another location change.

Can you pick up a car in Chamonix? Lots more driving but maybe less travel time.
Only you can decide how much driving/travel time you want to spend on your 12 days in France.

Rome2Rio shows 7 hour train ride from Chamonix to St. Remy.

St-Remy doesn’t have a train station (or any car rental agencies).

I would pick Option 2- but take a night from Paris and give to Nice.

Paris 5
Train to Avignon- pick up car
St-Remy 4
Drop car Avignon- train to Nice (or drop car in Nice)
Nice 4

If Paris 6 nights can't be changed then I would pick either Chamonix or St-Remy for 3 nights. .
Figure out how you will use your time in each- just doesn't feel like 2 nights/1 full day would be enough to justify travel time.
And give Nice 4 nights.

Posted by Judy

Long Beach, Ca, usa

04/29/26 07:10 AM

3176 posts

Addie,
Option 2 gives you 6 nights in Paris (7/16 through 7/21), so 5 1/2 days. 7/22 is a travel day, so just part of that day in Provence. 4 nights in Provence (7/22 through 7/25) is 3 1/2 days. Finally, after a travel day on 7/26, with a half day in Nice, you have 3 nights (7/26 through 7/28), so 2 1/2 days in Nice, leaving on the 29th.
You may wish to take one day from Paris and add it to Nice or whoever you plan on staying in Provence.
Adding in Chamonix is just too much time spent in transit.

Posted by Gaëlle Dunoyer

Annecy

04/29/26 09:12 AM

10 posts

yes going to Chamonix is not really on the way and you will lose some time (Chamonix is lovely at this time of the year but you might need more time also maybe also visit Switzerland and Annecy while around and fly out of Geneva, maybe another time?)
One crazy thought, from Chamonix you could drive to Nice via Italy (maybe even visit 5 terre or Portofino) but not convenient if you are flying out there and need to go to Provence first