Spring brings increased sunshine and temperatures, and businesses start to wake back up after the long winter. Depending on how fast you tend to go and how much each village captures your heart (okay, and how much French wine you indulge in at lunch), you can comfortably visit 2-3 villages a day. If so, can you recommend a particular town or inn? Villefranche-sur-Mer sits on the coast just east of Nice. Thank you, From Lyon, I highly recommend a day trip to Annecy! Instead of sleeping when we arrived (which is what our bodies wanted to do since it was the middle of the night back home), we kept ourselves awake until that evening. This 10-day French vacation takes you to Paris, Aix-en-Provence, and Nice to sample French food and wine and enjoy its cultural delights. , we took full advantage of it. Antibes is home to Port Vauban, the largest yachting harbor in Europe. Your itinerary will leave you tired at the end, but its definitely realistic. Is that all doable from one location, or see part from Nice, as I imagine will need to stay there a night or two to be in the area to catch a flight out. Just past Nice, it is time to take a detour to the highly underrated and very pretty town of Vence. Villefranche-Sur-Mer panoramic view. Would it make sense for us to stay between Luberon Valley, Valensole and Verdon Gorge so that we have a single base while visiting both of those areas before we head down to Nice? For that reason alone, I cant resist adding a day here to this suggested itinerary for the south of France! Though, I have to say, our favorite part of the experience was the cheese cart (that is rolled out right before dessert), which had just about every kind of cheese (over 30 varieties!) Hope you guys have a fantastic trip! Long before we even mapped out where we would be staying, I had this on my list of, While not as popular as nearby St. Tropez or Port Grimaud, the town of. Your adventure begins with a walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais, a 2.5-mile waterside boardwalk that offers stunning views over the Mediterranean, beaches, and the ornate facades of iconic buildings such as the Hotel Negresco. Thank you so much, Mercedes! Each season brings with it a reason to visit the south of France! Learn how to visit Pere LeChaise Cemetery, plan your time with our 3 Day Paris Itinerary, learn where to get the best views of Paris, and read our Paris Food Guide for information on what to eat in Paris. A Pastis is a local, alcoholic drink. Summer in Italy: How to Plan Your Sun-Soaked Dream Trip. From the Pont du Gard drive 40 minutes south to Arles. Do you think things are opening up? (For travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look up Mentons February lemon festival!). ), etc, we cant recommend the Luberon Valley more highly. Cycling Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence, Vence, Our Favorite Town in the French Riviera, Driving the Monaco Grand Prix Race Course. at the best online prices at eBay! The destinations mentioned toward the end of the trip like Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence are located along the Cte dAzuraka the French Rivierain the eastern part of the region. Sjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau This is where we stayed when visiting Aix-en-Provence, and we loved it! Spend all day in Cassis enjoying la vie douce. , a wonderful Michelin star restaurant located near Lourmarin. . I wish we knew! Early July is considered the absolute optimal time for enjoying the lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau, though late June, the rest of July, and maybe the very beginning of August can work as well. La Maison dAix This converted townhome makes the perfect luxury boutique hotel in Aix-en-Provence! Make your way from the seaside in Provence to the rolling hills of Tuscany, taking in some of France and Italy's most striking vistas as you go. Drive to Cassis, stopping for lunch and a midday visit to Aix-en-Provence or Marseille, then set up in Cassis and watch the sun set from the old port while you savor a bouillabaisse dinner (sleep in Cassis), Day 13: All Day in Cassis. Check rates & book your stay at Boutique Htel Neptune Nice! I am wondering if you have a 1 week dont miss version and anyway to print your itineraries. I knew it was going to be pretty, but what we arrived to was a complete dream! Note that on Sundays, fewer trains run, and buses often disappear. ), Paris Bucket List: 50 Fun Attractions + Things to Do in Paris, How to Plan an Epic 2 Week Europe Trip (+ Europe Itinerary Ideas! Perched high above the Mediterranean Sea along the Cote dAzur, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of those destinations that we expected to enjoy but quickly move on from, but in actuality knocked us off our feet and charmed us completely. The Middle Corniche is the bestjust high enough for amazing views of the rocky coastline and the towns below. Mint in the town of Arles there is another amphitheater. France with girlfriends sounds delightful. Were driving from Paris south, areas I want to specifically hit; Bordeaux, Nice/Cannes & Montpellier and then driving back to Paris. Here are some quick pros and cons of completing this south of France itinerary in each season. While we enjoyed our room, hotel and town, access to the hotel was difficult as only very compact cars can drive all the way to the hotel. Can you help me narrow it down if I am there for one week? I am happy that I stumbled across your site. Something to consider when negotiating prices is that summertime is the height of tourist season, therefore it is the most expensive time to buy antiques in places like LIsle-sur-la-Sorgue. If you click through a link on Our Escape Clause, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Lavender fields stretch as far as the eyes can see, hillside towns and villages boast an uninterrupted charm, rocky beaches bring feelings of tranquility, and quaint farmhouses offer simple, yet stunning beauty. From Saint-Remy, drive a half an hour north back to Avignon. We are planning a trip to southern France (flying into Nice) in mid-July for our long-awaited honeymoon! https://www.palais-des-papes.com/en/Drive to Nice through the Luberon Valley. at a pretty leisurely pace and enjoy some beach time! Getting Around During Your Trip to Southern France. The house is gorgeous but what most people come here to see are the gardens. Once in the city, it was almost impossible to get around by car. Splitting 2 weeks up between Provence and Barcelona (a little of each) thx. In Monaco, stroll along the harbor, as this is the place to go yacht spotting. Read more: Driving the Monaco Grand Prix Race Course. End your day with gelato from Fenocchio Glacier in Old Nice. Another tip we wish we were aware of before traveling, is to bring along swimsuits, cover ups, and towels in your travel bag. We explored the most stunning villages, tasted the recipes of some of the finest restaurants, including ones topping the Michelin star list, perused the local markets for goods to bring back home, and took countless pictures of the brightly colored surroundings that inspired us. I am meeting my daughter in Paris and plan to travel via train to Nice and hit some of your highlighted spots in reverse. You can spend 2 full days visiting Nice on Day 1 and Day 2. You can also research ahead of time and get a reservation at one of the many beach clubs throughout the beaches in the South of France. We made great use of the pool and all of the lounging areas, eating breakfast on the patio and sipping wine in the evening. Im not exaggerating when I say that the markets in Aix-en-Provence, which sell everything from flowers to fruits to fedoras, are some of the best that weve ever seen. Day 3: Coastal Route to Monaco. Take a bus north to Vence and St-Paul-de-Vence; stop for a stroll and visit the Fondation Maeght and/or Matisse's Chapel of the Rosary or link Vence with Grasse by bus, skipping St-Paul-de-Vence to save time (sleep in Vence, or back in Nice), Day 5: Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are our recommended priorities: Day 1: Fly into Nice. Today, budget vacationers and heat-seeking Europeans fill belle-poque resorts at France's most sought-after fun-in-the-sun destination. Winter definitely isnt an ideal time to be experiencing this south of France itinerary, but if cold weather and closed businesses are a worthy trade for rock-bottom prices and a lack of crowds, winter might be an option for your trip! Lavender fields stretch as far as the eyes can see, hillside towns and villages boast an uninterrupted charm, rocky beaches bring feelings of tranquility, and quaint farmhouses offer simple, yet stunning beauty. one of the most famous luxury hotels on the French Riviera. Hello, this is simply superb, thank you very much for sharing this. The bridge received worldwide fame when it was commemorated in the song Sur le Pont DAvignon.. First, small aperitifs were served outside in the garden with a view over the town. It was built 2000 years ago. We will be coming from the U.S. in Sept. & only have 18 days, including travel, for France & Sicily. Stroll through the tiny cobblestone streets of the village, and youll feel like youre back in the Luberon Valley. That way when planning out our day, we can take a slightly modified route to add an extra spot we wouldnt normally have seen. For day trips right around the coast, it will undoubtedly work. The day starts with a half an hour drive west from Avignon to the Pont du Gard. For the Luberon Valley, all the major towns such as Gordes and Roussillon have beautiful places to stay, but youll want to book in advance as theyre mostly small, boutique properties. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Check into your hotel, take a quick nap if necessary, and then spend the late afternoon and early evening exploring Nice. I love your site. You are covering a lot of ground in two weeks, especially with Paris too. Current Page: Essential travel tips and interactive map. Wed recommend only changing lodging every 2-3 days at the absolute maximum, and structuring your trip to the south of France as a series of day trips taken from various bases instead of actually sleeping in each location. After touring Arles, drive a half an hour to Les-Baux-de-Provence. From there, you can reach the southern coast (we highly recommend Cassis in the surrounding area) on a day trip, as well as the Valensole Plateau, Avignon, Aix en Provence, etc. Tote Bag Trust me: youll want a very sturdy reusable bag with you when you visit Provencal markets! Of course, if all you want to do with the final days of your south of France vacation is lay on Nices famous beach, we certainly cant blame you for that! There is a small beach and harbor here. We personally explored the Luberon from a base of Aix-en-Provence. For a more classic Provence feel with small farming villages, lavender fields (July is a great time to catch the blooms! The water can be choppy but it is worth it for the views. Hi We are thinking of spending 1 week in Lyon and 1 week in Porto to relax and at the same time visit the sights in and around in Sept/Oct 22. With 18 days you have some flexibility. Going back and forth to markets, preparing our own french al fresco spreads, and exploring different villages with a home to come back to truly made the trip a special one. And if buying larger items, its much more cost-effective to buy a few pieces to fill a crate, that way youre making it worthwhile. Your journey through France begins in Paris, the City of Light and arguably the most popular city on the planet. Its where Gordes is as well as places like Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc. If you like the idea of visiting Cannes and Antibes on a tour, check out this 5 hour tour from Nice. Day 2: Bellagio and Varenna A short drive or ferry ride from Como will take you to Bellagio. We also timed the blooming of roses and hydrangeas especially well, and though the lavender wasnt quite at peak bloom, it was definitely worth seeing. Day 2: Nice, Eze and Monaco. Pick up your rental car as early as possible in Nice. You can use one base in a pinch, but thatll mean a lot of driving each day. Spend your first day in Nice and then drive to Monaco to your hotel. For dinner, go to Old Nice (Vieux Nice), a scenic part of town with narrow streets, colorful buildings, and lots of cafes to choose from. Ah, the Luberon Valley: this is the area that tends to come to mind immediately when someone says the word Provence. We had never witnessed such incredible hydrangeas and bougainvillea. It is kind of the same with the Ferraris here, too. My husband & I just relocated to Amsterdam and we are planning a trip here for early July. Once in Marseille, check into your hotel and then explore the Old Port. Personally, if I were renting a villa Id look somewhere in the Luberon Valley, so near villages like Gordes or Bonnieux. drive), in a medieval village called Cagnes-sur-Mer. Over the course of 10 days, you'll enjoy the beauty of Paris with the help of a local guide before spending three nights in Aix en Provence. Here is our Provence and French Riviera Itinerary from a couple of summers ago when we went on a road trip in Southern France. Ive outlined some popular, well-reviewed, and well-located options in two of the most popular bases visited during this south of France itinerary: Aix-en-Provence and Nice. time to visit the south of France if youre hoping for a classic trip. Hoping to visit southern France and find yourself overwhelmed with village names and potential places to visit? Youll have a much better end to the day by arriving early in Nice and going out for a nice dinner and night on the town rather than visiting the headache that is St. Tropez. Day 5: Beach day or additional sightseeing. Let us know in the comment section below! You can stroll through the entire complex in less than an hour if you are quick, longer if you are a history buff. Its been awhile since weve been to this part of Europe (this was our second trip to Europe over 10 years ago). on a budget while still keeping themselves within walking distance of Nices best highlights. The French Riviera is another beautiful and special place to experience as well. I took my last trip based on your itineraries here. Last, how many days would you choose for France & how many for Sicily? If you have time, also consider ducking into one of the other beautiful art museums in the city. , and we enjoyed an incredible lunch there. Take a bus to Vaison-la-Romaine or ride a morning train to Orange (frequent departures), then connect to a less frequent bus to Vaison-la-Romaine, then explore the town's upper medieval village and lower Roman city in the afternoon (sleep in Vaison-la-Romaine; market day is Tuesday, so a Monday arrival is ideal), Day 9: Ctes du Rhne Villages. Check rates & book your stay at Sjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau! So can you suggest a list of all the places we should use as our bases (overnight stays) so that we can cover all these places and yet not be packing/unpacking every other day? 11 Days. Bring a small pack of tissues, toss them in your day bag, and you wont have to worry about it. Provence and the French Riviera in particular are so treasure-filled that you may barely do more than skim the surface in a week. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission. In Avignon, we stayed at Hotel dEurope. We have loaded up our backpack more than once on shopping extravaganzas here! Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries including 1-2 days in Nice, 2 days in Monaco, and 2 days in Cannes; Strategic advice for art lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, film fans, sports car aficionados, and more South of France Itinerary Note: Pay Attention to Market Days! If you get your timing right, you may be able to see the Monaco Grand Prix, Tour de France, or Cannes Film Festival. A good thing to do on your first day is to stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, a paved walkway along the coastline of Nice. Wed like to head visit the small towns/villages of the south of France. Take This Map With You! ), 21 Epic Hidden Gems in Europe: Secret Spots + Offbeat Highlights, A Splendid One Day in Strasbourg Itinerary, 11 Things to Do in Annecy, Frances Lakeside Gem. In Nice, we stayed at Hotel Suisse. I am interested in going to the South of France but would like to stay in a house or villa that we would use as home base, but do day trips to various areas. I loved reading this! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Also, before heading home, we stopped in Gordes for drinks at. The view to Villefranche-sur-Mer is pretty spectacular, also! Cannes is famous for its luxury hotels and of course, the Cannes Film Festival. Outdoor dining and activities will definitely be your best bets, but luckily, thats generally where youll find the best of southern France anyway! After you get your fill of snapping photos, head to the Verdon Gorge, home to cascading cliffs, turquoise water, the nearby Lake of Sainte-Croix, some incredible hiking, andagain for summer visitors specificallyexcellent kayaking and rafting. Any input or advice would be so appreciated. Do you have any 2020 specific tips or anything you think might be closed or different? Planning a trip to France? Our last full day in the countryside of Provence, we visited the charming village of. If youre looking for a guide to antique shops around Provence, our friend Vicky has a wonderful. As an Amazon Associate, Our Escape Clause earns from qualifying purchases. , theres something around every corner waiting to be discovered. If you have the energy, climb Castle Hill for a birds eye view over Nice. Id like a few beach dates where I can swim in the ocean, sit under an umbrella (basically being catered too lol) and then go out to fun dinners, walk around, shop (love antique markets etc.) has incredible shopping. Larger yachts will be anchored farther out in the deeper waters.For a scenic stroll, walk along the Promenade Maurice Rouvier to Beaulieu-sur-Mer. And, whether you want to go for a hike or simply take a boat tour past the beautiful calanques, visiting this stunning part of the French coastline is a must! 8 Day Northern Italy and French Riviera Itinerary Day 1: Lake Como The city of Como is lovely and honestly, really well priced. Hope you guys have a wonderful trip! This was our second time to Valensole, and rather than stopping at the first lavender field we could find, we ventured off on a rocky road and found these rolling hills. Provence is filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic. We loved having a drink at Cafe de Paris Monte Carlo. The Pont du Gard is the highest of all Roman aqueducts and built without mortar. As much as I love visiting a city, its the countryside where I feel most at home and at ease with life. Im wearing a dress I bought at one of the lovely boutiques there. In our opinion, St. Tropez does not live up to the hype. The gorgeous city of Aix-en-Provence is known for its beauty, its accessibilitythis is a great place to base yourself for part of your southern France tripand most importantly, its markets. Obviously not enough time to see both in detail, but thought we could get a basic overview & know if there was somewhere we want to return with more time. Day 4: Scenic drive from Cannes to St.-Tropez. To save this map to Your Places on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. I am having a hard time deciding where to go. Arrive early to explore this medieval village and its evocative ruins, as large groups of tourists can soon overrun the place. Day 1: Arrive in Nice Day 2: Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Day 3: Monaco Day 4: Antibes and Cannes Day 5: Drive to Marseille Day 6: Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon Day 7: Mont Ventoux, Rhone wine region Day 8: Explore Provence Youll want one base there, and the one base on the coast. Check rates & book your stay at Les Quatre Dauphins! In Chateauneuf-de-Pape, we recommend La Cave du Verger des Papes, a great, old wine cellar that offers tastings everyday.Honestly, just driving the area around Malaucene, Vaison-la-Romaine, and Orange is spectacular. Avignon is a beautiful town and I think this would be a great home base for exploring Provence. See something you love? Please see our, 21 Epic Places to Visit in the South of France, 15 Best France Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Driving Tips! For small towns Id recommend the Luberon Valleytruly gorgeous and very typically Provencal. Id consider skipping the Riviera and sticking to the areas surrounding the Luberon Valley since youre short on time and visiting in winter. My favorite was a thin crusted truffle pizza. In other words, when you pull into town at 7:00 PM, that doesnt count as a day in the destination on this suggested route. Wearing a lemon print dress, while sipping a fresh frozen lemonade in Menton, a city famous for its lemons. Fly out of Marseille today or, if leaving from Nice, drive to Antibes and spend your final day and evening there (sleep in Antibes). From one of the world's prettiest and most romantic capital cities to a fairytale-like countryside sprinkled with lavender fields and century-old vineyards to the glistening Mediterranean Sea and its cosmopolitan coastal towns, this 10-day tour of Paris, Provence, and the French Riviera has it all. Theres truly something for every interest hereand then someso be prepared to start plotting your return visit by the halfway point through your trip! And sure, there isnt lavender, but you do get to enjoy wisteria, which is the next-best thing! The easiest way to get here is by uber or taxi. Hi Kate, I really enjoyed reading your post. Take the train or bus to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and have lunch. Would really only care to see Eiffel Tower at night, if that, on this trip. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Well, is one of those places. Really not interested in the city (no doubt fun, but save for another time). Winter is very quiet in the south of France, and if you visit during this time, expect to find some businesses (including accommodation) closed. Oh, Im thinking early/mid September. Best French Riviera Itinerary in 5 Days To get the best of the French Riviera let's dive into the perfect itinerary! . If youre not interested in seeing Paris on this trip, Id definitely recommend checking flights to Nice as well, as that will save you time. ), 19 Sun-Soaked Summer Destinations in Europe, French Breakfast Guide: How to Enjoy Breakfast in France, 19 Best Things to Do in Strasbourg, France, The Many Charms of Cassis, France: Things to Do + Guide, The Ultimate Packing List for Europe: Summer Edition, The Ultimate Europe Bucket List: 75 Fun Things to Do in Europe, Sublime Saint-Emilion, France: Things to Do + Travel Guide, Paris in August is Actually Pretty Wonderful, One Day in Paris: How to See Paris in a Day, 35 Best Cities to Visit in Europe (Bucket List for City Lovers! Right now I am thinking around 10 days but could extend a little if necessary. Much smaller and prettier than nearby Marseilles, Cassis is also the perfect jumping-off point for visiting Calanques National Park. South of France Itinerary: 10 Days in the French Riviera & Provence South of France Itinerary: 10 Days in the French Riviera & Provence By: Woodrow Matthews Last updated: February 15, 2023 France As much as I love to travel around France and see the rest of Europe, there is nothing quite like coming back to my home on the French Riviera. You can easily take a train from Paris to Nice, Marseille, Avignon, or Aix-en-Provence, but be sure to account for that cost and travel time when planning your southern France itinerary! After lunch, take another uber or taxi to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild located on Cap Ferrat. Highlights like Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Antibes would be a great place to start, but there are endless gorgeous small towns and rural beaches to choose from in the region. were so happy to have a home base during our time in Provence. Near the French Riviera, hilltop towns like Eze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence are well worth adding in to mix up beach towns if youre looking for great views. Your flight to Nice, France should land on Day 1 of the itinerary - this means that you should depart your home airport the day prior - your round-trip travel time on this Journey is 10 Days (9 Days, 8 Nights . Nice: Cote d'Azur, French Riviera, Saint Paul de Vence; Provence: Saint Remy, Journey Villa, Avignon, Les Baux, Culinary Experience; . Were full-time travel bloggers who have been exploring the world since 2016, visiting 50+ countries across 5 continents along the way. Our longest beach day was in. Into one of the south of France your post around every corner waiting to be.... You do get to enjoy wisteria, which is the next-best thing hotel, a. Neptune Nice base of Aix-en-Provence of Nice takes you to Paris, Aix-en-Provence, and you wont have to about! Note that on Sundays, fewer trains run, and buses often disappear in. 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