janisj

You certainly don't need to spend a week in Paris. That would be easiest, but if you can't manage that I'd really recommend at least 5 days there. It is a beautiful city w/ TONS to see and do so I'd recommend the same for most first time visitors. But you have the added complication of a wedding. Not that you are planning a huge affair and I'm sure it will be lovely.

For practicality sake if nothing else, I would not plan the ceremony for the first two days. Jet lag, last minute arrangements, just acclimating - that will take time. So say the wedding is on day 3 (I personally think a longer cushion would be better) You won't have seen much of the city at all yet. So add two more days for sight seeing in Paris and then head south to Nice or someplace (where ever sounds interesting)

Michael

I really want to spend some time on the beach: Corsica, Nice or Cassis?

Corsica is an island. It will take time to get there unless you fly. Time to look at a map, or Google distances and travel time between locations.

I am planning to have a small wedding in Paris and then a short honeymoon afterwards

If this is the official, i.e. legal, wedding, has everything been arranged in terms of French requirements? Which mairie will you use? And if you do not understand the last question, you are not having an official wedding in Paris.

NinaL

PDX, thank you, yes, I agree with you that Paris may be exhausting a little that is why I was considering to spend just a few days there (I totally understand that 3 days is not enough but I think for the city like Paris month will be not enough...); but I do really want to have my wedding there...

StCirq

It's going to take a lot of time and logistics to get to Corsica (and why? - just to be on a beach?) out of a very short trip. Why not be sensible and just divide the trip into Paris and the Côte d'Azur for the beach part. It's a simple and relatively inexpensive train ride to Nice, and then you don't have to wrangle with this complex itinerary you've put together. Nice is a wonderful place.

And I do hope you take note of what Michael has said. Getting married in Paris, unless you've gone through the daunting bureaucratic procedures, isn't really getting married - though maybe you're just having some sort of private ceremony there, which is fine, and lovely.

nytraveler

But you didn't answer the question about the Mairie. Have you looked into the legal requirements for non-citizens to be married in France? Do you know the laws? Are you working with a wedding planner there who can led you through the process?

Going to so many places in a secondary issue.

NinaL

Michael: I am ok with the geography so I am aware that Corsica is an island and it takes 3.5-4 hours to get there on a ferry from Nice (if you read my original post it has all transportation means and times). Re Wedding: I read and I am aware about French requirements for the wedding, thank you though.

janisj, thank you for your tips.

NinaL

Thank you guys for your concerns about wedding and legal issues. I am just going to have a small private ceremony in Paris. I am not getting legally married there (I read and I am aware about their requirements.)

janisj

NinaL: I don't find Paris exhausting at all. It can be of course, if one runs around hitting every 'must see'. That is especially true on a short/whirlwind visit.

But just wandering around, boating on the Seine, cafes/bistros, picnics in the parks, a few of the major sites - it is actually a great city for a 'kick back' visit w/o any strict 'agenda' or hectic itinerary.

W/ just 2 or 3 days in Paris including a wedding you likely WILL feel (very) stressed. W/ a week there where you don't have to run around like the proverbial chickens . . .

IMO Paris is an ideal city for a romantic, casual, scenic - even relaxing - holiday.

Cathinjoetown

Beaches-- Nice has a pebble beach but you can rent mattresses or day beds/loungers. Cannes' beach is sandy as is Antibes'. Know nothing about Corsica or its beaches.

Transport from Nice along the coast or up into the mountains is very cheap by bus, was about 2€ in 2010. Trains are more but very reasonable. Without a car Nice is a good base because there's much to see and the transport connections are so easy.

I've been to Cassis and don't remember anything about the beach. Taking one of the small boats which tour the calanques is interesting, tour lasts maybe 90 minutes. From Nice I think you'll need a combination of train to Marseille then bus to Cassis. St Tropez has beautiful beaches but that would involve train, then bus or possibly train then boat. No time to research at the moment.

StuDudley

>>I've been to Cassis and don't remember anything about the beach.