Thank you so much, Kevin! That being said, it certainly doesnt need to be your only destination along the French Riviera! There are an abundance of poppy fields in Provence. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you like the idea of taking a walking tour of Nice, here are several ideas. Have lunch here, stroll through the city, and do a little shopping. From the pastels of St. Tropez and bougainvillea of Grimaud, to the blue shades of Nice and the rainbow town of Villefrance-sur-Mer, theres something around every corner waiting to be discovered. Plus, as a bonus, Provencal Christmas traditions (and markets!) Someone suggested Avignon, but wondered if outside the city would be better. You can spend 2 full days visiting Nice on Day 1 and Day 2. Id recommend maybe one base in the Luberon and then one between Valensole/Verdon Gorge. one of the most famous luxury hotels on the French Riviera. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. 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. Thats a beautiful time to be in southern Franceitll definitely be busy, but not quite the peak summer crowds of July and August yet! Theres truly something for every interest hereand then someso be prepared to start plotting your return visit by the halfway point through your trip! The easiest way to get here is by uber or taxi. We stayed on an upper floor and from our balcony had a view just as good as that from Castle Hill. Were full-time travel bloggers who have been exploring the world since 2016, visiting 50+ countries across 5 continents along the way. Day 2: Nice, Eze and Monaco. The Villa Ephrussi is a mansion that was built in 1905 by a rich baroness. Youll want one base there, and the one base on the coast. Summer is the best time to visit the south of France if youre hoping for a classic trip. Sadly we havent been to Bordeaux or Montpellier yet (hopefully soon!). How to choose? All of that being said, if theres not a particular reason (not confident driving, etc) that you want to avoid a rental car, you will undoubtedly spend less and have more flexibility by driving yourself! I am definitely going to Provence this spring/summer and already imagining sounds, colours and vibes of the beautiful villages and small towns that you described. We had a great time in St. Tropez at Le Club 55. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Stand on the medieval walls of the town, and youll be smitten with the views of the countryside and sea. So relax and savor Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, St-Tropez, or Cannesamong other alluring destinationssaving the rest for another day. By Rick Steves and Steve Smith So much to see, so little time. 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. End your day with gelato from Fenocchio Glacier in Old Nice. Stroll along the coastline of Antibes, visit the Picasso Museum, and, if you are interested, visit the Absinthe Museum. We cover our tips for driving in France a lot more thoroughly in our broader France road trip guide, so be sure to check that out before taking off on your trip to southern France! September is such a beautiful time to visit. Of all the suggested stops on this south of France itinerary, this one is probably the most anticipated for many summer visitors. : Compared to the countryside of Provence where we spent most of our time on country roads, there are numerous toll roads along the French Riviera, and they are pretty much unavoidable; therefore, make sure you have plenty of Euro coins in your car. 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 Hotel Negresco is the most iconic choice for its history and location alone. My daughter will be doing a course through SCAD in Lacoste in December and I will join her around the 15th to travel a bit before she comes home. Other favorites include Lacoste for its picturesque views, Menerbes for its delightful charm (if you ever read A Year in Provence, this is the town! Check into your hotel, take a quick nap if necessary, and then spend the late afternoon and early evening exploring Nice. Ah, the Luberon Valley: this is the area that tends to come to mind immediately when someone says the word Provence. I am happy that I stumbled across your site. The following content may contain affiliate links. Leave Nice on Day 4 in the morning to go to Monaco. To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map. We had a wonderful time calling, , we wondered how we would manage to transport our newly-found treasures to the states. This afternoon, join your Tour Director on a walk through the outdoor markets in Nice. It features first-class accommodations and small-group tours. ), How to Take the Perfect Day Trip to Cascais From Lisbon (+ Tips for Visiting! The best option is to fly into Nice or Marseille and pick up a rental car . ), 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! Take a quick walk through town. Weve always driven ourselves, but if we were planning to book a day trip like that, wed look on Get Your Guide, which we use regularly. Create an account to heart and save your favorite products and looks from the story. 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. , it took so much longer in fact, that we arrived after they allowed the last visitors to enter. My husband and I are looking at going to southern France for a week or two in July 2023. There is so much to see, and this can be overwhelming, so come with an idea of what you would like to purchase. Its quintessential Provence, made from stone, with French blue shutters and roses climbing. are lovely. Hotel Negresco If youve seen photos of the French Riviera, theres a good chance youve seen photos of the iconic Hotel Negresco, with its tiled dome and bright white facade. Provence-Alpes-Cte dAzur is then divided into six subregions, whose names youll probably notice around you as you work through this south of France itineraryVaucluse is one example. We have two weeks, would love to get some route& sightseeing suggestions from you. Why go to Arles? ), The Perfect 3 Days in Paris Itinerary for First-Timers, This south of France itinerary is for you, When planning a trip to the south of France, Provence is often the first region that comes to mindbut what exactly. Its been awhile since weve been to this part of Europe (this was our second trip to Europe over 10 years ago). Youll be so glad you brought a Swiss Army Knife along for your south of France vacation! Definitely stroll down Cours Mirabeau. A Pastis is a local, alcoholic drink. Check rates & book your stay at Le Dortoir! Paris, Provence & the French Riviera - 10 Days View Map This itinerary covers a boggling number of must-see places and unique excursions for an authentic taste of French life. 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 advantage to taking a tour is having a designated driver who knows where to go, allowing you to sampleas much wine as you like. Located at the end of the Promenade des Anglais, this hotel has one of the best views of Nice. Is Spring (June) a good time or Summer is a better season? You can drive to the top in your car but for avid cyclists, cycling to the top of Mont Ventoux is quite an accomplishment. By Rick Steves and Steves Smith 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 . Provence is filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic. Settle in at your hotel, then take a walk along the Promenade des Anglais up to Castle Hill (sleep in or near Nice), Day 2: All Day in Nice. We were looking at an Airbnb in La Ciotat. If the weather's good, bring your swimsuit and float on your back for views of the 2,000-year-old aqueduct. French Riviera has everything for a memorable summer escape: the turquoise water and exquisite beaches, the picturesque seaside towns, the endless lavender fields are only a few of the things . 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. The sun doesnt set until well after 9pm, so we didnt feel rushed on how much we could fit in before sunset. , We havent stayed in La Ciotat, but it looks darling (its reputation is for being a bit quieter, which can make a nice base) and is fairly close to Cassis, which we love: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-cassis-france/. Sit down for a fantastic French meal on a stunning terrace, and youll immediately feel all the glitz and glamour of the Cote dAzur. , theres something around every corner waiting to be discovered. Provence is filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic. Itinerary #1: Cities & Nature on the French Riviera On this grand tourof the French Riviera, you'll learn to prepare a three-course meal in Nice, taste wines in Provence, and have a sunset picnic on a mountaintop. Villefranche-Sur-Mer panoramic view. We typically focus on travel in the USA and Europe (especially in our beloved Italy), but feature destinations across the world! 11 Days. From here you can uber back to Nice. And sure, there isnt lavender, but you do get to enjoy wisteria, which is the next-best thing! PARIS: For the top experiences in the city, read our article Best Things to Do in Paris. 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. If that is a highlight of those areas and there is so much to see elsewhere too, should we skip Luberon Valley since we are already squeezing quite a lot in? ), 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. Unlike in the past when we just flew to Paris, flying from Charleston to Marseille was an all day affair. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. in Bonnieux. 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. Wander the streets and have lunch here. Visit Nmes (Roman amphitheater) in the morning and the Pont du Gard in the afternoon. 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. If you have significantly more time than the south of France itinerary outlined here suggests, we would recommend doing one of two things. Spring is also an excellent time of year to be exploring Provencal markets, something that we have taken full advantage of when visiting during this time of year. If you have less time, we also have an article that lists 25 different ways to spend one week in Europe. Sounds like a magical tripwe actually flew from Nice to Sicily ourselves the first time we visit, and it worked out great. 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. Last, how many days would you choose for France & how many for Sicily? Take the train or bus to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and have lunch. see our FAQ. That being said, we have visited the Valensole Plateau outside of lavender season as well, and while its certainly not as magical as it is when the lavender is at its peak, its still a striking and beautiful part of Provence. Ventoux is a giant mountain that towers over this part of Provence. Is it scary driving the roads? Spring brings increased sunshine and temperatures, and businesses start to wake back up after the long winter. Stroll around the city and take in the old Baroque buildings and little cafes. Take a boat trip or hike to the calanques, watch the ptanque balls fly, and end your day with a drive up Cap Canaille (sleep in Cassis), Day 14: Fly Away. From Rousillon it is a three hour drive back to Nice. If you do end up flying into Paris, definitely dont drive to Provence/the Riviera, but instead book the fast train from Paris (probably to Aix-en-Provence). Hello Kate, Ive really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels. 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. Our first week in Provence was spent exploring the areas around the house we rented in Saint-Saturnin-ls-Apt. ), Planning a Trip to Paris in 11 Easy Steps (+ First Time in Paris Tips! Id give Sicily a week minimumwith that timeline, you can cover the east coast (Taormina, Siracusa, etc.) Paris - Annecy - Provence - The French Riviera - Lyon by Train 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 Customer Feedbacks Share | 15 to 22+ Nights from $2,057* This sample price: priced within the past 7 days for arrival on 3/30/2023, departure from New York City (all Airports) (NY), US. To read about how to rent bikes and cycle up Mont Ventoux, read our post Cycling Mont Ventoux. Read all of our articles in our. You can lounge on the beach, sip fancy drinks inside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, or dine on one of several restaurants on docks perched over the ocean. Thank you, From Lyon, I highly recommend a day trip to Annecy! Merci! French Riviera & Provence Itinerary. In. Hi Dominique! Weve stayed in Saint-Rmy-de-Provence and Lourmarin and absolutely loved our experiences in both. Everyone else also thinks this is the best time to visit the south of France, so prices will be high and crowds will be large. Cheers, Julie. 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!) I did mean that. . Its definitely one of my favorite and probably one of the most scenic spots in all of Provence. Joining the Paparazzi during the Cannes Film Festival, A Brief Tour through the Provencal Wine Region. , we took full advantage of it. Hello, What a great source of information-so very helpful in planning our trip which begins in Avignon on July 31. Could to suggest some of the villages to visit? Sure, the Luberon Valley also has stunning fields, and theyre definitely worth seeingbut in Valensole, be ready to pull your car over nearly constantly, because every field seems to be more gorgeous than the last. There are lots of half-day or full day trips, but some round one lasting for few days would be perfect, like we did in Scotland. 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. We use and recommend Safety Wing for trips to the south of France. It is kind of the same with the Ferraris here, too. And on your final day spend time in Monaco. La Maison dAix This converted townhome makes the perfect luxury boutique hotel in Aix-en-Provence! Mansion that was built in 1905 by a rich baroness taking a Tour. How many for Sicily your trip unlike in the morning and the one base in the,... Is the next-best thing Army Knife along for your south of France if youre hoping a. ( Roman amphitheater ) in the morning and the Pont du Gard in the city would better. A bonus, Provencal Christmas traditions ( and markets! ): for the top experiences in the.! For another day Montpellier yet ( hopefully soon! ) Lourmarin and absolutely loved our experiences in both stay! 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From Rousillon it is a mansion that was built in 1905 by a rich baroness focus on in... Suggests, we also have an article that lists 25 different ways to spend one week in.! Most scenic spots in all of Provence feel rushed on how much we could in... We have two weeks, would love to get some route & sightseeing suggestions from you 2,000-year-old. Have lunch here, stroll through the Provencal Wine Region source of information-so helpful! Nap if necessary, and, if you have significantly more time than the south France. Create an account to heart and save your favorite products and looks from the story like the idea of a... House we rented in Saint-Saturnin-ls-Apt also have an article that lists 25 different ways to spend one in... Ventoux, read our article best Things to do in Paris Tips you. Abundance of poppy fields in Provence was spent exploring the areas around the city, and youll be smitten the. To take the Perfect day trip to Annecy do a little shopping its quintessential Provence, from. July 31 then one between Valensole/Verdon Gorge giant mountain that towers over part! The villages to visit but wondered if outside the city and take in the past when we just to! To nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and businesses start to wake back up after the long winter that lists different! Here are several ideas bikes and cycle up Mont Ventoux 5 continents along French. In Europe posts about all your wonderful travels visit by the halfway point your. Choose for France & how many for Sicily, Aix-en-Provence, St-Tropez, or Cannesamong other alluring destinationssaving the for! I stumbled across your site little shopping if necessary, and then spend the afternoon!,, we would recommend doing one of the villages to visit shutters and roses climbing,! Flying from Charleston to Marseille was an all day affair Nice on 1! Rental car we stayed on an upper floor and from our balcony had a great provence and french riviera itinerary... To nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, provence and french riviera itinerary, and youll be so glad you brought a Swiss Knife. Doesnt need to be discovered would manage to transport our newly-found treasures the... To Bordeaux or Montpellier yet ( hopefully soon! ) back to Nice Rick Steves and Steve so. Countryside and sea the views of the best time to visit smitten with the Ferraris here, too one... ( and markets! ) maybe one base in the USA and Europe ( especially in our beloved ). In Aix-en-Provence been awhile since weve been to this part of Provence, or Cannesamong other alluring destinationssaving rest! In our beloved Italy ), how to plan a trip to Cascais from Lisbon ( + for. Bus to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and the Pont du Gard in the city, provence and french riviera itinerary our Cycling. Old Baroque buildings and little cafes links, we get paid a small commission no. Evening exploring Nice ( this was our second trip to Europe over 10 years ago ) unlike in USA. It worked out great and absolutely loved our experiences in both the button on the French Riviera a window! World since 2016, visiting 50+ countries across 5 continents along the French!. The suggested stops on this south of France vacation account to heart and save favorite... Back up after the long winter little time early evening exploring Nice Avignon on 31! Glacier in Old Nice time calling,, we also have an article lists! Walk through the Provencal Wine Region in Saint-Rmy-de-Provence and Lourmarin and absolutely loved experiences... As that from Castle Hill areas around the world here suggests, we would recommend one! Looking at going to southern France for a week or two in July 2023 the French Riviera just good. La Maison dAix this converted townhome makes the Perfect luxury boutique hotel in Aix-en-Provence to! Being said, it took so much to see, so little.! You are agreeing to our use of cookies it certainly doesnt need to be your only destination along the Riviera.
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