All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. 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. After touring Arles, drive a half an hour to Les-Baux-de-Provence. The bridge received worldwide fame when it was commemorated in the song Sur le Pont DAvignon.. 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. Merci! You can also tour Monaco on one of these day trips from Nice: In 2023, the Monaco Grand Prix will be held from May 26 to 28. Continue west into the Luberon and explore the villages of the Provenal heartland la Provence profonde (sleep in or near Roussillon), Day 6: Luberon Hill Towns. Check rates & book your stay at Boutique Htel Neptune Nice! If youd like to get out of town for a bit in the afternoon, the 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard aqueduct is incredibly impressive and only a 30-minute drive from Avignon. Though Ive noted you can see the major sites of the area in one day here, like in the Alpilles, photographers and/or outdoor enthusiasts will probably want to spend at least a couple of days here if at all possible. very similar to the one of Nimes. 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. SLEEP IN: Aix-en-Provence Pick up your rental car and drive to Aix-en-Provence. . Hello, this is simply superb, thank you very much for sharing this. Oh, Im thinking early/mid September. Splitting 2 weeks up between Provence and Barcelona (a little of each) thx. Take a minivan tour of the wine road, bike to Sguret and Gigondas, or hike to Le Crestet for lunch (taxi back) (sleep in Vaison-la-Romaine), Day 10: Orange and Arles. If you want, you have enough time to relax on the beach in Nice during the morning before traveling to Monaco. In. 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. The old town and marina of Saint-Tropez However, we do recognize that the views from Les Baux-de-Provence themselves are top-notch! Today you will return to Nice, completing your circuit of the French Riviera and Provence. We hope that our Provence and French Riviera Travel Itinerary serves as an inspirational guide to your own French road trip. , we took full advantage of it. Perusing the open-air markets of the villages of Provence is an iconic part of any trip to the regionso make sure to structure your South of France itinerary so you dont miss the best ones! From Villa Ephrussi it is a short walk into Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Hi! Stroll along the coastline of Antibes, visit the Picasso Museum, and, if you are interested, visit the Absinthe Museum. Youll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! The Valensole Plateau is the iconic home to those never-ending lavender fields pictured on tourism brochures around the world! French Riviera & Provence Itinerary 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 Day 9: Drive to Nice via the Luberon Valley 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 Overview Itinerary Hotels Tours Map Both towns are absolutely lovely, but in our biased opinion, we do think that Saint-Rmy-de-Provence is slightly prettier than Les Baux-de-Provence. This French Riviera and Provence Itinerary is good for: 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 Day 9: Drive to Nice via the Luberon Valley Day 10: Fly home (or extend your travels). 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? Winter is very quiet in the south of France, and if you visit during this time, expect to find some businesses (including accommodation) closed. Current Page: Essential travel tips and interactive map. 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. 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. ), 55 Epic Road Trips in Europe (Itinerary Ideas + Tips! We highly suggest making reservations ahead of time, as this is a popular destination. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Hotel Negresco is the most iconic choice for its history and location alone. To help you get started, we've listed our top picks for where to go in Provence and the French Riviera, and our plan for your best two-week trip. The first few days in the French Riviera, we stayed at a friends house near Grimaud. Maybe, but Id bank on a contingency plan or two. 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. Here is my recommendation for a road trip itinerary in the French Riviera starting in Nice: Arrival in Nice on Day 1. Day 3: Coastal Route to Monaco. My husband and I are looking at going to southern France for a week or two in July 2023. 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. Im not sure if youre planning inland at all, but the Verdon Gorge is incredible and is a couple of hours from Cannes. We stayed at Hotel dEurope, one of the best hotels in Avignon. 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. Provence & the French Riviera 8 days France Max 18 Passengers Overview Itinerary Inclusions URL Overview 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! 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. Planned to then drive to southern France & fly out of Nice to Sicily. Would you just skip Paris & fly into another city, or not that big of a deal to start there & drive, or take a train from Paris to the south & then get car? If youre looking for a guide to antique shops around Provence, our friend Vicky has a wonderful. 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 Le Dortoir Featuring near-perfect reviews and a crisp, bright interior, Le Dortoir is an excellent option for visitors to Nice who want to enjoy a spacious hotel room without Nices top-end luxury prices. If you have significantly more time than the south of France itinerary outlined here suggests, we would recommend doing one of two things. The most important thing to keep in mind when deciding where to stay in the south of France? 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. Along the way, you have the option to make a detour to St. Tropez, if you so desire. I will be part of a group of 8 women, arriving in Paris in October for one week. If you want to spend time both on the coast and inland, Id recommend choosing a second base as well. (For travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look up Mentons February lemon festival!). Small Pack of Tissues Most bathrooms in France will have toilet paper, but not all of them (especially in rural areas). , 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/. 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. It also happens to be one of our favorite corners of France and one that we love to visit repeatedly! ), 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. Called Rgion Sud or PACA, Southern France includes Provence, French Alps and Cte d'Azur. Spend your day sampling hill towns in the Luberon taste a village market, then drive over the hills to the valley of the Ctes du Rhne. 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. You cant day trip everywhere from one base, but you can sure see a lot! The traffic getting into and out of St. Tropez was a nightmare. Visit the colorful markets along the Cours Saleya in Nice's Old Town. 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. To book your rental car for the south of France, we recommend checking prices, inclusions and availability via Discover Cars. Tuesday and Saturday are great backup options. Heres our post on it: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-annecy-france/. 8 Day Northern Italy and French Riviera Itinerary Day 1: Lake Como The city of Como is lovely and honestly, really well priced. Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Thanks and much Appreciated for your help! Steve Smith is the co-author of the Rick Steves Provence & the French Riviera guidebook. Planning a trip to France? The first two towns on your list in the Alpilles? Delicious!! 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! at Bastide de Marie is wonderful! Take the train from Nice to Antibes, a journey that takes about 20 minutes (visit the Trainline Europe website). Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. There, the beach is long but narrow, so we tried to get there before 10am. Provence is filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic. Mont Ventoux is legendary for cyclists, making it into the Tour de France every few years. Note that on Sundays, fewer trains run, and buses often disappear. 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. Both are gorgeous small towns with excellent views. Thank you so much for your thoughts! , and after working up an appetite walking through all the shops, we went to, for lunch. are lovely. If you still have not visited the Palais des Papes or Pont DAvignon, see them in the morning. Your email address will not be published. Provence and the Cte d'Azur are made for explorers. Were talking about yachts that are large enough that staff needs to be employed to take care of them. Between Nice and Monaco are the three corniches, winding roads along the mountainous coastline. See as much of the French Riveria as we can then head towards Avignon. Villefranche-sur-Mer sits on the coast just east of Nice. Id consider skipping the Riviera and sticking to the areas surrounding the Luberon Valley since youre short on time and visiting in winter. The house has a lovely pool and courtyard area, and as you will find in this. The Cannes Film Festival is held for 10 days in mid-May every year. Fly out of Marseille today or, if leaving from Nice, drive to Antibes and spend your final day and evening there (sleep in Antibes). As the largest city in the region and home to a good airport, glamorous Nice is the obvious final stop for your south of France trip. If your group is comfortable with it, Id look into potentially taking a train from Paris to Aix-en-Provence or Avignon and then hiring a driver for the Provence portion. If the weather's good, bring your swimsuit and float on your back for views of the 2,000-year-old aqueduct. Nice: Cote d'Azur, French Riviera, Saint Paul de Vence; Provence: Saint Remy, Journey Villa, Avignon, Les Baux, Culinary Experience; . As much as I love visiting a city, its the countryside where I feel most at home and at ease with life. The second site not to be missed is the Palais des Papes. Once your table is ready, they bring you inside, where the all-glass dining room looks out at the vineyard with the sun setting right behind. We use and recommend Safety Wing for trips to the south of France. From the Old Port you can take a two or three hour boat tour of the coastline. My husband and I are fully vaxed and cant wait to start travelling overseas again! Day 9-10: French Riviera . see our FAQ. With just one more day to fill our French Riviera holidays, it's Monaco that does the honour, just 30 minutes by train outside of Nice. The Luberon Valley is a stunning place, and I personally think its absolutely worth visiting with or without lavender! 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? Day 5: Beach day or additional sightseeing. 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. See something you love? Read about how to see and do it all in our French Riviera and Provence itinerary. and the itinerary was excellent. 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. They are easy to drive and give travelers a much different perspective of the French Riviera than from the shoreline. We typically focus on travel in the USA and Europe (especially in our beloved Italy), but feature destinations across the world! Thanks for subscribing! Spend all day in Cassis enjoying la vie douce. Outdoor dining and activities will definitely be your best bets, but luckily, thats generally where youll find the best of southern France anyway! Our first time visiting Provence we made t, his mistake, staying only one or two nights at four different hotels. 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. Were driving from Paris south, areas I want to specifically hit; Bordeaux, Nice/Cannes & Montpellier and then driving back to Paris. From here you can uber back to Nice. Visit Nmes (Roman amphitheater) in the morning and the Pont du Gard in the afternoon. Planning a trip to France? The Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct that was built to supply water from Uzes to Nimes. Provence in particular has spawned countless novels and memoirsif youre looking for an excellent starting point, Peter Mayles A Year in Provence is a classic. For one week beach in Nice during the morning before traveling to.. 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