Tour little Crestet and take a walk above Gigondas (sleep in or near Vaison-la-Romaine), Day 8: Orange and Chteauneuf-du-Pape. Outdoor dining and activities will definitely be your best bets, but luckily, thats generally where youll find the best of southern France anyway! The two biggest airports in the Provence-Alpes-Cte dAzur region are Marseille and Nice, and you can easily fly into either to start your trip to southern France. As much as I love visiting a city, its the countryside where I feel most at home and at ease with life. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Are freely accessible. This is an upscale hotel in the heart of Avignon, within walking distance of the best of Avignon. Street parking is available nearby, and everything you could hope to visit within the center of Aix-en-Provence is at your fingertips when staying at Les Quatre Dauphins. We grabbed a basket from the house, filled it with cheeses, bread and wine, and found a scenic spot to watch the sunset. Id also only recommend booking one country right nowwhichever is your priorityand then giving it another couple of months to see how easy it will be to travel between the two (will you need to test or isolate, etc). 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. This was the place of the papal residency in the 14th century. PARIS: For the top experiences in the city, read our article Best Things to Do in Paris. You are covering a lot of ground in two weeks, especially with Paris too. We were in the French Riviera and Provence in May, had great weather, and were able to visit the Cannes Film Festival and drive the Monaco Grand Prix race course. It sits on 23 acres of vineyards, with everything from olive trees to lavender to rose gardens. Tuesday and Saturday are great backup options. I love that you added books about the South of France as well. Books About the South of France Whats better to add to your packing list than a book about the region youre visiting? Its much faster! Sounds like a magical tripwe actually flew from Nice to Sicily ourselves the first time we visit, and it worked out great. If you are really curious about what St. Tropez is like, go check it out. For COVID-19 Travel and RS Tours information, Best French Riviera Itinerary in 5 Days To get the best of the French Riviera let's dive into the perfect itinerary! 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. Your first stop is Aix-en-Provence, the gateway into Provence, just a half an hour away by car. Fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, honey, clothing, mattresses, and tires are just a few of the things that you can purchase here. The hill towns about the Riviera are excellent for wandering around, restaurants, etc, but of course, youre missing the beach. What are your thoughts about 5 days in the French Riviera, 5 days in Provence, and then 3 days in Paris. Heres our post on it: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-annecy-france/. You will be visiting a variety of wineries, each with their individual wine-making style. This is a small town and it does not take long to walk all of it. I am thinking, is it possible to arrange a multi-day round trip in Province, to avoid renting a car? It really depends on your personal tastessome people prefer to move around, and others prefer to stay in one base. Lots of missed celebrationsso our first planned trip is to France in September, I grew up there and cant wait to share it with him. Could to suggest some of the villages to visit? Both are gorgeous small towns with excellent views. From Villa Ephrussi it is a short walk into Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Be prepared to give yourself a few hours here its a wonderful experience. Villefranche-sur-Mer sits on the coast just east of Nice. 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. I know you suggested 14 days in Provence and the French Riviera but weve never been to Paris! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for PROVENCE & THE FRENCH RIVIERA FOR TRAVELERS. thank you for the wonderful blog! Other cool things to do are to go gambling at the Monte Carlo Casino, visit the private collection of cars of Prince Rainier III, or walk through the Japanese Gardens. The Middle Corniche is the bestjust high enough for amazing views of the rocky coastline and the towns below. The buildings here are a reddish pink color. Nice: Cote d'Azur, French Riviera, Saint Paul de Vence; Provence: Saint Remy, Journey Villa, Avignon, Les Baux, Culinary Experience; . Your journey continues along the coast of the French Riviera. By Rick Steves and Steves Smith Except for perhaps in the very early fall during a hot year, though, you likely wont want to swim during this time of year, and of course, there wont be any lavender around. Most of the major beach towns/cities will have what youre looking for, including Nice. 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. Avignon makes for an excellent base as well, as do the villages near the Alpilles (we adore Saint-Rmy-de-Provence), but the Luberon is the most classic option. With 18 days you have some flexibility. We were thinking of staying in Nice and visit the surrounding areas and then going to Provence region before flying back to California. We have recommended hotels for some of the most popular places to stay in the area under the Where to Stay section above, including Nice! Spend all day in Cassis enjoying la vie douce. Below you will find highlights from our trip (aka what we found to be the cant-miss moments), including essential travel tips and links to all the wonderful places we stayed to assist you with turning our special trip into your own. Spend the day exploring the town, hitting up the impressive Papal Palace, the Pont dAvignon, and the Les Halles Market in between wandering the streets and marveling that youre finally in southern France! Sounds like we would like to be sure to see Aix-en-Provence, Gorge, Eze & Vence. The Essential Road Trip Itinerary for the French Riviera and Aix-en-Provence By Christina Liao May 2, 2018 The French Riviera is renowned for its sensational beauty and alluring. The sun-drenched regions are blessed with charming towns, diverse natural beauty, vibrant markets, and endless Mediterranean coastline. See something you love? In. Please see our, 21 Epic Places to Visit in the South of France, 15 Best France Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Driving Tips! . While the cities and towns visited throughout this south of France itinerary are generally walkable (even Nice! Wed like to head visit the small towns/villages of the south of France. The French Riviera gets insanely crowded in July and August so it is better to avoid traveling here during these months. Shop rental cars for your trip to the south of France, Sjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau. Visit Nmes (Roman amphitheater) in the morning and the Pont du Gard in the afternoon. , theres something around every corner waiting to be discovered. Aix and Nice are both pretty bignot Paris big, but definitely small towns. After dinner in Monte Carlo, take the train back to Nice. Summer in Italy: How to Plan Your Sun-Soaked Dream Trip. 25 different ways to spend one week in Europe. This is a popular tourist attraction so expect large crowds of people. 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! This was something that Tim and I did not think would be exciting to visit, but we were amazed by the Pont de Gard. Les Baux-de-Provence, often considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, and Saint-Rmy-de-Provence, the former home of Van Gogh and a bit of an artistic enclave. Explore Vaison-la-Romaine's upper medieval village and lower Roman city, then set sail along the Ctes du Rhne wine road and visit a winery or wine cooperative. Do you have a one week recommendation that begins and ends in Paris, in October? Driving the Monaco Grand Prix Race Course. In our opinion, St. Tropez does not live up to the hype. Definitely stroll down Cours Mirabeau. Any input or advice would be so appreciated. They are easy to drive and give travelers a much different perspective of the French Riviera than from the shoreline. The old town and marina of Saint-Tropez (For travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look up. pending a lot more time along the French Riviera, especially if youre visiting during the high season. Planning a trip to France? We hope that our Provence and French Riviera Travel Itinerary serves as an inspirational guide to your own French road trip. Some will be about food, and others will be, Be sure to visit the town of Bonnieux for some of the best views over the valley, Gordes for its impressive location built into a hilltop, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse for its lovely spring and river, Roussillon for its majestic red cliff, and. Your journey through France begins in Paris, the City of Light and arguably the most popular city on the planet. ), Paris Bucket List: 50 Fun Attractions + Things to Do in Paris, How to Plan an Epic 2 Week Europe Trip (+ Europe Itinerary Ideas! ), 55 Epic Road Trips in Europe (Itinerary Ideas + Tips! We stayed on an upper floor and from our balcony had a view just as good as that from Castle Hill. In Monaco, stroll along the harbor, as this is the place to go yacht spotting. Thanks for subscribing! Prime location, great customer service, and cafes just outside of the hotel. Stand on the medieval walls of the town, and youll be smitten with the views of the countryside and sea. Located at the end of the Promenade des Anglais, this hotel has one of the best views of Nice. Getting Around During Your Trip to Southern France. I cant personally vouch for any of the companies that pop up in those results, though. Rolling hills, vineyards, tiny French townsjust breathtaking! What is, in your opinion best alternative to renting a car? Free shipping for many products! Winter is very quiet in the south of France, and if you visit during this time, expect to find some businesses (including accommodation) closed. Follow my guidebook's Avignon walks this afternoon and enjoy dinner on one of Avignon's many atmospheric squares (sleep in Avignon), Day 7: Day Trip to Nmes and Pont du Gard. Planned to then drive to southern France & fly out of Nice to Sicily. Come here for a delightful combination of all the things that makes the south of France so charming, from the delicious food to the winding stone streets to the sublime views. After touring Arles, drive a half an hour to Les-Baux-de-Provence. Catch a flight back to your home town or continue you travels. If you get your timing right, you may be able to see the Monaco Grand Prix, Tour de France, or Cannes Film Festival. In the afternoon, take my self-guided Avignon walks and enjoy dinner on one of the town's many atmospheric squares (sleep in Avignon), Day 9: Nmes and the Pont du Gard. Joining the Paparazzi during the Cannes Film Festival, A Brief Tour through the Provencal Wine Region. As a silver lining, if the lavender is gone some of the crowds will disperse also. Enjoy the views out to Cap Ferrat, your destination for later today. Antibes is another great option for a base in the area, and of course trips to places like Menton, Eze, and Monaco are all fabulous ways to spend a day. Thank you so much, Mercedes! ), Planning a Trip to Paris in 11 Easy Steps (+ First Time in Paris Tips! I am meeting my daughter in Paris and plan to travel via train to Nice and hit some of your highlighted spots in reverse. For that reason alone, I cant resist adding a day here to this suggested itinerary for the south of France! Basing yourself in Nice and taking day trips (on non-beach days!) ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. To read about our experience at the Cannes Film Festival, read Joining the Paparazzi during the Cannes Film Festivaland find out how you can visit the Cannes Film Festival for free. Thanks , That sounds lovely, and congratulations on your marriage! , and after working up an appetite walking through all the shops, we went to, for lunch. PROVENCE AND FRENCH RIVIERA through Avignon, Aix en Provence, Cannes and Arles TOUR SUMMARY Glamour, picturesque villages and stunning mountain scenery: this tour through the French Riviera and Provence is sure to impress with its diversity and dramatic beauty! First, small aperitifs were served outside in the garden with a view over the town. Thank you so much. 11 Days. , was near Nice (about a 30 min. Wander the streets and have lunch here. Vence is quaint, scenic, and gets very few tourists. Hope you guys have a wonderful trip! If you still have time, drive by Pont Saint-Benezet (Pont DAvignon), the remains of the bridge that collapsed when the Rhone River flooded centuries ago. ), you will likely need a car to get between them. On day 2 you could drive and visit the towns in between Nice and Monaco (Villefranche, Saint John Cap Ferrat, and Eze). South of France Itinerary: 7-Day Road Trip Through Provence & the French Riviera Whether you're cruising with the top down through the stunning wine country of Provence, or driving through the French Riviera along the sparkling coast (aka "The Cte d'Azur"), southern France is a region you'll want to absorb every last inch of. Alternatively, check the prices of flights to Geneva (on one of our trips to France, we flew into Geneva, spent a few days in the delightful city of Annecy, and then drove to Avignon to start exploring Provence-Alpes-Cte dAzur). 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. Leave Arles on day 2, driving 19km (12 miles) northeast to the tiny village of Les Baux-de-Provence in the southern Alpilles. (Family of 4 with two college-age boys) Thank you. This is such a great guide! The Luberon Valley is a stunning place, and I personally think its absolutely worth visiting with or without lavender! The absolute best lavender fields are over at the Valensole Plateau, which is a bit of a drive but worth it if you want to see the biggest fields. Theres truly something for every interest hereand then someso be prepared to start plotting your return visit by the halfway point through your trip! 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. 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. Check into your hotel, take a quick nap if necessary, and then spend the late afternoon and early evening exploring Nice. So relax and savor Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, St-Tropez, or Cannesamong other alluring destinationssaving the rest for another day. Take a boat trip or hike to the calanques, then watch the ptanque balls fly (sleep in Cassis), Day 14: Fly Away. When planning a trip to the south of France, Provence is often the first region that comes to mindbut what exactly is Provence, anyway, other than an endless collection of photos of blooming lavender fields? The second site not to be missed is the Palais des Papes. Spring brings increased sunshine and temperatures, and businesses start to wake back up after the long winter. Our website uses cookies. Weve stayed in Saint-Rmy-de-Provence and Lourmarin and absolutely loved our experiences in both. Les Quatre Dauphins Located in the heart of Aix-en-Provence, Les Quatre Dauphins boasts light and bright decorthis is the kind of hotel that you dream of when booking a trip to the south of France! Hi, We are American citizens visiting Portugal and plan on flying to Nice (early July) to see French Rivera from there. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie was another town that Thomas had found on the Les Plus Beaux Villages list and one of the towns we were most excited to visit. Anecdotally, borders just officially opened between all Spanish regions for Spanish residents and citizens this week, and France is experiencing a notoriously long and expansive list of restrictions. Some will be about food, and others will be French flea markets/brocantes that focus on textiles, clothing, or antiques. Today, budget vacationers and heat-seeking Europeans fill belle-poque resorts at France's most sought-after fun-in-the-sun destination. Why go to Arles? Here are some quick pros and cons of completing this south of France itinerary in each season. We absolutely love exploring southern France and have enjoyed a handful of road trips, train trips, and more throughout the region. Take the train from Nice to Antibes, a journey that takes about 20 minutes (visit the Trainline Europe website). Low Unpublished Prices on Tauck - French Escapade: Paris to the Riviera - Northbound by Tauck Tours with 874 Reviews - Tour Id: 185095 Were driving from Paris south, areas I want to specifically hit; Bordeaux, Nice/Cannes & Montpellier and then driving back to Paris. We love the south of France in the spring, and would happily visit in the spring again. Drive the Middle Corniche (Moyen Corniche) towards Monaco, stopping along the way at the very pretty town of Eze. The hotel is known for its impeccable location, and you cant go wrong staying here on your south of France trip! 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. A few tips on driving in southern France: budget generously for gas and tolls, book your lodging each night with the parking situation in mind, and rent the smallest car you possibly can. Would really only care to see Eiffel Tower at night, if that, on this trip. Scary driving is a matter of perspective of course, but for confident drivers, the Riviera isnt too bad! Short version: Provence is part of the French administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Cte dAzur, which is located in southeastern France. If you get a chance and are in the area (even if youre not staying at the hotel), head there for dinner or have lunch and set-up a wine tasting at their winery next door. We stayed at Hotel dEurope, one of the best hotels in Avignon. Is there somewhere you would suggest. you could ever want. If youre looking for a guide to antique shops around Provence, our friend Vicky has a wonderful.