Many thanks in advance. in Bonnieux. Thank you so much. Take the train or bus to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and have lunch. Try it to find out what it really tastes like! Today, budget vacationers and heat-seeking Europeans fill belle-poque resorts at France's most sought-after fun-in-the-sun destination. at a pretty leisurely pace and enjoy some beach time! If you are really curious about what St. Tropez is like, go check it out. Cannes is famous for its luxury hotels and of course, the Cannes Film Festival. Hello Kate, Ive really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels. 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. Could things be 100% normal by then? I do have a question for you. We set out to see and experience as much as we possibly could during our time in Provence. 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. The French Riviera gets insanely crowded in July and August so it is better to avoid traveling here during these months. We were thinking of flying in to Paris (assuming cheapest, easiest), only staying1-2 night there. ), 25+ Magical Things to Do in Montmartre, Paris (+ Map & Tips!). Spend all day in Cassis enjoying la vie douce. Can you help me narrow it down if I am there for one week? If you are hungry, have lunch here before resuming your drive. Sounds like a magical tripwe actually flew from Nice to Sicily ourselves the first time we visit, and it worked out great. The Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct that was built to supply water from Uzes to Nimes. Cheers, Julie. Once the home of popes, Avignon is the perfect place to kick off your south of France itinerary. Would really only care to see Eiffel Tower at night, if that, on this trip. Consider my guidebook's seaside walks in Cap Ferrat, or take the one-hour boat cruise from Nice's port, then spend the afternoon or evening in almost-neighboring Monaco (sleep in or near Nice), Day 4: Inland Villages. Since '82, we've spent well over 150 weeks vacationing in France. Shop rental cars for your trip to the south of France today! Here are some quick pros and cons of completing this south of France itinerary in each season. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. time of year to be exploring Provencal markets, something that we. Parking is at the bottom of the village and a good 15 minute walk. I wish I knew exactly what the situation was going to look like in Augustit seems likely that some travel will be open by then (both France and Spain have mentioned a desire to open to vaccinated tourists this summer), but as for what that will look like, no clue. Both are gorgeous small towns with excellent views. 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. Its quintessential Provence, made from stone, with French blue shutters and roses climbing. Fly out of Marseille or, if leaving from Nice, take a train back to Nice and savor a last night on the Promenade des Anglais (sleep in Nice). Take the train from Nice to Antibes, a journey that takes about 20 minutes (visit the Trainline Europe website). Do you have any recommendations for hotels we can check out for the two areas and also if there are any small tour groups (no river cruise ) you think would be good to use since we do not have a lot of time this time around. Packing and unpacking your belongings, loading and unloading the car, checking in and out of your hotels and/or apartments all of these things take up more time than you might initially think. To book your rental car for the south of France, we recommend checking prices, inclusions and availability via Discover Cars. one of the most famous luxury hotels on the French Riviera. Arrive early to explore this medieval village and its evocative ruins, as large groups of tourists can soon overrun the place. Ventoux is a giant mountain that towers over this part of Provence. You know those hotels that look nice online but really blow you away in person? What are some activities or locations we should go to? In the French Riviera, all of the towns and roads are built on cliffs and peninsulas, so if you are driving somewhere its rarely a quick trip. Hi, We are American citizens visiting Portugal and plan on flying to Nice (early July) to see French Rivera from there. Villages like Gordes, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Roussillon, etc, are an absolute delight, and the fun of the region is driving between them and visiting several in one stay. Bring a small pack of tissues, toss them in your day bag, and you wont have to worry about it. Absolutely love it! There, the beach is long but narrow, so we tried to get there before 10am. Hi Kate! That way when planning out our day, we can take a slightly modified route to add an extra spot we wouldnt normally have seen. If you have less than 2 weeks in the South of France, we recommend narrowing your focus to either the Cote dAzur or Provence, rather than trying to squeeze both destinations into your limited time. Europe - French Riviera & Provence itinerary - Hi, My husband and I in our early 30s will be visiting French Riviera & Provence next week! If youre only planning on visiting the city of Bordeaux, you may want to consider taking the fast train from Paris to Bordeaux and then from Bordeaux to Montpellier to speed things up, and then only rent a car in the southeast. We stayed on an upper floor and from our balcony had a view just as good as that from Castle Hill. Your journey continues along the coast of the French Riviera. Yes, that would absolutely be possible, and in fact is a great way to see the area. 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. If you come during spring, though, pack for varying temperatures, and definitely bring plenty of layers to guard against the viciously cold mistral winds that whip through the region during this time of year. You can tour the arena and if you are really lucky you may even get to see a bull fight. Check into your hotel, take a quick nap if necessary, and then spend the late afternoon and early evening exploring Nice. Provence & French Riviera Itinerary Just a short drive from famous hot spots of Nice and Cannes, the dramatic Gorges du Verdon offer a scenic escape from coastal crowds. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Is it scary driving the roads? The buildings here are a reddish pink color. It wasnt hard *in the beginning* because we were so excited to be there! Explore, shop and save your most loved outfits, daily looks and inspiration from the blog. If the weather's good, bring your swimsuit and float on your back for views of the 2,000-year-old aqueduct. Spend all day in Cassis enjoying la vie douce. Home to everything from sprawling lavender fields to hilltop towns to fishing villages to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, it's no wonder that traveling through Provence and the French Riviera is a dream trip for many-and this south of France itinerary makes it easy to enjoy the perfect trip. Hoping to visit southern France and find yourself overwhelmed with village names and potential places to visit? , 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/. So much to see, so little time. While in Provence, try a Pastis. End the hike with a relaxing walk on the beach or a dip in the water. You are covering a lot of ground in two weeks, especially with Paris too. 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. 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. Provence is filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Nice is fantasticwe highly recommend visiting Eze and Vence when in the area as well. 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. Do you have a one week recommendation that begins and ends in Paris, in October? For some spectacular scenery, visit the Parc National des Calanques. Driving in Provence is fairly simpleGPS directions work well, and you park outside the historic centers so you dont have to worry about driving on tiny roads. Boasting impeccable reviewsespecially for the breakfast, cleanliness, and customer service at the hotelluxury travelers will love both the creature comforts and central location of La Maison dAix. 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. Spend your first day in Nice and then drive to Monaco to your hotel. Youll be so glad you brought a Swiss Army Knife along for your south of France vacation! This time I want to go to the south of France but not sure the best way to do that if I am traveling solo. 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. These studio apartments are within walking distance of central Aix-en-Provence and all its best markets, have access to affordable parking across the street, and are very clean and comfortable. Having the kitchen was a huge benefit for us (especially after visiting the markets in Aix-en-Provence), and wed be happy to stay again. We are in mid 30's, love to go to the beach, hike, learn about history and art. https://www.palais-des-papes.com/en/Drive to Nice through the Luberon Valley. 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! There are many tours that leave from Avignon. (For travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look up. In: Europe, Featured Summer, France, Travel. We had heard many people rave about it, and the restaurant lived up to all the incredible reviews. Its much faster! On Day 3, explore Villefranche-sur-Mer. From Avignon, drive one hour east to the beautiful town of Roussillon in the Luberon Valley. Take a morning bus back to Orange (bag check available near the train station), visit the Roman theater, then hop a train to Arles and explore the city in the afternoon (sleep in Arles; big Saturday morning market), Day 11: Les Baux and Arles. 25 different ways to spend one week in Europe. See something you love? 11 Days. Second question, it sounds like we may miss the lavender fields in bloom! What are your thoughts about 5 days in the French Riviera, 5 days in Provence, and then 3 days in Paris. Hello, My friends and I are doing three days in the French Riviera. Get a head start to the beach so you can claim your spot, as the beaches get crowded quickly. Fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, honey, clothing, mattresses, and tires are just a few of the things that you can purchase here. Hi! 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. Most of the major beach towns/cities will have what youre looking for, including Nice. time to visit the south of France if youre hoping for a classic trip. Plus, as a bonus, Provencal Christmas traditions (and markets!) We also considered staying in Provence for a few days too. June is a wonderful time to visit Provence, but Id aim for the end of the month and into July if you want to catch the lavender fields at their best. Find yourself overwhelmed with village names and potential places to visit provence and french riviera itinerary Valley day bag and. A trip around the world and in fact is a Roman aqueduct that was built supply! On this trip go to citizens visiting Portugal and plan on flying to Nice ( July... 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