Cover photo: La Saône dans le vieux Lyon à la Renaissance.jpg (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons

France rewards a route that follows the train lines. This one starts in Lyon and heads south: Lyon, then Avignon for Provence, then Marseille on the coast, then Nice on the Riviera. It covers a lot of ground in seven days without returning over the same stretch, and each leg is a manageable rail journey.

Train schedules, fares and sightseeing hours change, so use this as an outline and confirm the details with SNCF and each attraction before you book.

Route overview

• Days 1 and 2: Lyon.
• Days 3 and 4: Avignon, with a day for the surrounding area.
• Day 5: Marseille.
• Days 6 and 7: Nice and the coast.

The route goes from a large food city to a walled papal town, then a working port, and finally a resort city. That gives it variety. It also keeps you moving in one direction, so your last night is in Nice, close to its airport.

Day 1: Lyon, the old town and the hill

1. Morning: Start in Vieux Lyon, the old quarter beside the Saône river. It is a UNESCO World Heritage area with Renaissance streets and covered passages.
2. Late morning: Climb or take the funicular to Fourvière hill, where the basilica overlooks the city. Confirm whether the funicular is running on your day.
3. Lunch: Lyon is known for its traditional restaurants, called bouchons. Look for one with a short menu and check reservations, since popular places fill up.
4. Afternoon: Walk down and cross to the Presqu'île, the central peninsula between the two rivers. Place Bellecour is the main square.
5. Evening: Have dinner on the Presqu'île, then walk the riverbank.

Day 2: Lyon, markets and neighborhoods

1. Morning: Visit Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the indoor food market. Check the days it is open, since many markets close on certain days.
2. Midday: Eat lightly if you plan a big dinner.
3. Afternoon: Explore the Croix-Rousse hill, known for its traboules, or covered passageways that once helped silk workers move goods. Some are open to the public and some are private residences, so respect signs.
4. Evening: Take an easy walk along the Rhône, then an early night if you have a morning train.

Day 3: Train to Avignon

Trains run from Lyon to Avignon, and many are direct or need only a simple change. Check the timetable and whether you need to reserve a seat. Fast trains often require a reservation.

1. Morning: Travel to Avignon and drop your bags at the hotel or the station.
2. Afternoon: Enter the old town through its medieval walls. The Palais des Papes is the major monument, so check the ticket rules and opening times. The Pont d'Avignon, the partial bridge over the Rhône, is a short walk away.
3. Evening: Have dinner in the old town, then walk back through the squares.

Day 4: Around Avignon

Avignon is a good base for a day out. Options include the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct, or the hill villages of the Luberon. Without a car, the choices narrow, and bus service can be limited, so look at current options before committing. A guided tour is one way to cover more ground.

1. Morning: Head out for your chosen trip.
2. Afternoon: Return with time for a quiet coffee in Avignon.
3. Evening: Pack and prepare for the next leg.

Day 5: Marseille

Trains connect Avignon and Marseille, and the trip is a shorter hop than the previous ones. Check the current timetable.

1. Morning: Arrive at Marseille Saint-Charles and head to the Vieux-Port, the old harbor.
2. Late morning: Walk through the Panier district, the old quarter with narrow streets and murals.
3. Lunch: Fish soup and seafood are typical of Marseille. Ask what is fresh that day.
4. Afternoon: Go up to Notre-Dame de la Garde for a view of the city and the sea. Alternatively, look into a boat trip to the Calanques coast, subject to weather and season.
5. Evening: Dinner near the port, then an early night.

Day 6: Train to Nice

The line from Marseille to Nice follows the coast for part of the way. Check timetables and seat reservations.

1. Morning: Travel to Nice.
2. Afternoon: Walk the Promenade des Anglais along the seafront. The pebble beach is public in many areas, although some sections are run by private clubs.
3. Evening: Explore Vieux Nice, the old town, for dinner. Socca, a chickpea pancake, is a local snack.

Day 7: Nice and a short coastal choice

1. Morning: Climb to Castle Hill for the view over the bay, or visit the Cours Saleya market. Confirm the market days.
2. Midday: Choose a day trip or stay put. Monaco and Antibes are often reached by regional train, but verify the times.
3. Afternoon: Return with time to spare before your flight or departure.

Getting around

Between cities, trains are the easiest option. Buy tickets in advance for the best choice of times, and validate any ticket that requires it before boarding. Within cities, walking, trams, buses and metro lines cover most needs. Lyon and Marseille both have metro systems, and Nice has a tram.

Timing

• Spring and early autumn tend to be comfortable for walking, while high summer is hot and busy in the south.
• Many shops and restaurants close on Sundays or Mondays, so check before you plan a special meal.
• Strikes sometimes affect French rail. Look at the SNCF site and keep a flexible plan for travel days.
• Book accommodation early for July and August, especially in Nice.

Budget notes

Train fares change with how early you book and the time of day. Lunch menus in restaurants are often cheaper than dinner, and markets and bakeries are good for a simple meal. Coastal hotels tend to cost more than those in Lyon or Avignon, so compare before you fix your dates.

Common mistakes

• Cramming in extra cities. Seven days is short for a country this size.
• Arriving at the station with no reservation on a fast train.
• Booking dinner only on the day. Popular restaurants in Lyon fill up.
• Ignoring Sunday and Monday closures.
• Carrying too much luggage on trains. Storage space is limited.

Packing and etiquette

Bring comfortable shoes for cobbles, a light jacket, and a small bag that closes securely. Greet staff with a simple bonjour when you enter a shop or restaurant, since it is expected. Dress modestly when entering churches. Keep noise down on trains.

Connectivity note

Train tickets, maps and restaurant bookings all live on your phone, so it helps to have data working from the moment you arrive. Setting up a France eSIM through eSIMCircle is one way to do it, and its flexible top-up feature lets you add more data when you run low. Install it at home over Wi-Fi so you can test it before departure.

Last thoughts

The trick with a seven-day route is to move only when the next place is worth it. Lyon, Avignon, Marseille and Nice are different enough that each day feels new, and the rail links keep the travel simple. An eSIM for France is one small thing to settle before you leave.