The French Riviera is another beautiful and special place to experience as well. ), you will likely need a car to get between them. 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! We should be arriving in Nice on the 26th of June. Have lunch here, stroll through the city, and do a little shopping. French Riviera A hundred years ago, celebrities from London to Moscow flocked to the French Riviera to socialize, gamble, and escape the dreary weather at home. 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. 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! If youre looking for a small group tour, Id look for day trips to the Luberon Valley area, probably leaving from Aix-en-Provence or perhaps Avignon. 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. Right now I am thinking around 10 days but could extend a little if necessary. We made great use of the pool and all of the lounging areas, eating breakfast on the patio and sipping wine in the evening. 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. , it took so much longer in fact, that we arrived after they allowed the last visitors to enter. You have now given me a starting point in planning my trip! Hoping to visit southern France and find yourself overwhelmed with village names and potential places to visit? So helpful! This was something that Tim and I did not think would be exciting to visit, but we were amazed by the Pont de Gard. From Avignon, spend the 3 days exploring the towns, villages, and wineries in Provence. Take a quick walk through town. If it is not market day, it is worth visiting the Roman Arena in Arles. From Le Dortoir, youll be able to reach all of Nices highlights on foot, and its fabulous customer service ratings mean that youll be able to ask for advice on just about anywhere you want to go! The Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct that was built to supply water from Uzes to Nimes. This is exactly the itinerary I plan to follow next month, and I just have one question. The bridge received worldwide fame when it was commemorated in the song Sur le Pont DAvignon.. In theory, theres supposed to be more news from the EU on this front June 7, but well see! We had never witnessed such incredible hydrangeas and bougainvillea. Im wearing a dress I bought at one of the lovely boutiques there. The Valensole Plateau is the iconic home to those never-ending lavender fields pictured on tourism brochures around the world! September is such a beautiful time to visit. It looks like it would taste citrusy but it is nothing like that. There are an abundance of poppy fields in Provence. Your help would be awesome. Day 5: Beach day or additional sightseeing. Enjoy the views out to Cap Ferrat, your destination for later today. Leave Nice on Day 4 in the morning to go to Monaco. Pick up your rental car as early as possible in Nice. Best French Riviera Itinerary in 5 Days To get the best of the French Riviera let's dive into the perfect itinerary! We stayed at Hotel dEurope, one of the best hotels in Avignon. All rights reserved. Discover the wines of the French Riviera, its countryside and its magnificent sights. Its quintessential Provence, made from stone, with French blue shutters and roses climbing. Day 9-10: French Riviera . Sadly I dont have a printable version of our itineraries yet, but I hope to create them in the future! Thank you!! in Bonnieux. Take a gourmet tour, a historical walking tour, or see Nice through the eyes of a local. From the Old Port you can take a two or three hour boat tour of the coastline. 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! Catch a flight back to your home town or continue you travels. Basing yourself in Nice and taking day trips (on non-beach days!) Are freely accessible. 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!) We bought china from the most adorable shop and had it shipped home. 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. Top 10 things to do in the French Riviera. What would a 3 day tour of Provence look like? Do you have any suggestions for some cant miss day trips from Lyon? , 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/. Thanks. ), 25+ Magical Things to Do in Montmartre, Paris (+ Map & Tips!). 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! That being said, we highly recommend basing yourselves at least once in a smaller village, 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. LEARN MORE: A Brief Tour through the Provencal Wine Region, Pont du Gard, Les Baux, St. Remy, and more. Books About the South of France Whats better to add to your packing list than a book about the region youre visiting? You will be visiting a variety of wineries, each with their individual wine-making style. Visiting hilltop towns in the Luberon area is something not to be missed. 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. . For that reason alone, I cant resist adding a day here to this suggested itinerary for the south of France! Weve structured this South of France itinerary with the assumption that youll be spending roughly 2 weeks in the region, and the number of days noted by each city is the minimum number of full days that we recommend spending in each spot. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. 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). The Middle Corniche is the bestjust high enough for amazing views of the rocky coastline and the towns below. Rick Steves, for example, has a tour that touches on Provence but it doesnt really focus on it. Hello, this is simply superb, thank you very much for sharing this. To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map. Cycling Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence, Vence, Our Favorite Town in the French Riviera, Driving the Monaco Grand Prix Race Course. Cannes is famous for its luxury hotels and of course, the Cannes Film Festival. Current Page: Essential travel tips and interactive map. Before we left the States, we did a lot of research to find small towns to visit during our stay, which we added to our Google Maps. The traffic getting into and out of St. Tropez was a nightmare. You can spend 2 full days visiting Nice on Day 1 and Day 2. 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? 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. 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. Why go to Arles? 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. 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. Thank you so much, Kevin! In a pinch, you can certainly complete this itinerary with a combination of buses, trains, and booked tours, but that would be far less efficient than a road trip! 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. Explore, shop and save your most loved outfits, daily looks and inspiration from the blog. one of the most famous luxury hotels on the French Riviera. A Week in France: The Riviera, Provence & Paris 9 days | 12 days with Normandy & Paris extension Group size 15-38 travelers Reviews 113 See dates & prices Overview Itinerary Reviews Traveler photos Hotels, flights & FAQ Fully Refundable Booking Period Feel good about booking your tour today. Despite our early arrival (we were probably 3 weeks early from peak bloom and vibrancy), some of the fields we found were already impressive spectacles and the scents of lavender and buzzing of bees were just as impressive. And on your final day spend time in Monaco. Hi Ellen! Along the way, you have the option to make a detour to St. Tropez, if you so desire. . How to choose? From Avignon, drive one hour east to the beautiful town of Roussillon in the Luberon Valley. Provence and the Cte d'Azur are made for explorers. We have loaded up our backpack more than once on shopping extravaganzas here! I am thinking, is it possible to arrange a multi-day round trip in Province, to avoid renting a car? were so happy to have a home base during our time in Provence. Day 3: Village-hopping road trip. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Both of us ordered the fish for our main dish and loved every bite. This is such a great guide! Thanks , That sounds lovely, and congratulations on your marriage! I went to Cannes as a child with my family but obviously this trip will be different. Id give Sicily a week minimumwith that timeline, you can cover the east coast (Taormina, Siracusa, etc.) , I love and admire your site and insights. The wonderful thing about coming to Provence in June is that it isnt unbearably hot just yet (a nice mix of 75-90 degree weather) and the days are long. I knew it was going to be pretty, but what we arrived to was a complete dream! Les Baux is a medieval town on a hillside overlooking Provence. French Side travel exceeded my expectations and I look forward to . Your journey through France begins in Paris, the City of Light and arguably the most popular city on the planet. ), etc, we cant recommend the Luberon Valley more highly. Just past Nice, it is time to take a detour to the highly underrated and very pretty town of Vence. Though Aix-en-Provence does have daily markets, to see the markets at their biggest and best, plan to spend a day here on either a Thursday! Start the morning with my guidebook's self-guided walk through Vieux Nice (take time to smell the fougasse and sample un caf); spend your afternoon at one or more of Nice's fine museums, then have dinner on the beach (sleep in or near Nice), Day 3: Coastal Route to Monaco. The total guide: The comprehensi. I loved reading this! Is that a good place to stay to have opportunity for day trips? The Pont du Gard is the highest of all Roman aqueducts and built without mortar. If you are really curious about what St. Tropez is like, go check it out. Alternatively, if you drive down, you could add a day in the Loire Valley (a bit out of the way but beautiful) or even a lesser-visited city like Dijon. Were driving from Paris south, areas I want to specifically hit; Bordeaux, Nice/Cannes & Montpellier and then driving back to Paris. I know you suggested 14 days in Provence and the French Riviera but weve never been to Paris! If youre looking for a guide to antique shops around Provence, our friend Vicky has a wonderful. Located right along the Promenade des Anglais, a stay at the ever-popular and unique Hotel Negresco is not something youre likely to forget anytime soon. We highly suggest making reservations ahead of time, as this is a popular destination. Youll be so glad you brought a Swiss Army Knife along for your south of France vacation! End your day with gelato from Fenocchio Glacier in Old Nice. 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. SLEEP IN: Aix-en-Provence Pick up your rental car and drive to Aix-en-Provence. Its where Gordes is as well as places like Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc. on a budget while still keeping themselves within walking distance of Nices best highlights. https://www.palais-des-papes.com/en/Drive to Nice through the Luberon Valley. 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. Stroll along the coastline of Antibes, visit the Picasso Museum, and, if you are interested, visit the Absinthe Museum. Weather permitting, take a dip in the water, or to relax and people-watch on the sand. We enjoyed Saint-Rmy-de-Provence so much the first time around that when we later returned to southeast France, we based ourselves there for almost a week! From Eze, take highway A8 west. Merci! 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. EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Get more travel ideas in our article 10 Days in Europe itinerary, which has 10 itineraries for your next trip to Europe. We loved exploring markets on market days. Last, how many days would you choose for France & how many for Sicily? Your first stop is Aix-en-Provence, the gateway into Provence, just a half an hour away by car. 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. I am a single woman and always travels solo to major cities like Paris, Rome etc. Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Travel Adaptors for France If youre coming from outside of Europe, youll definitely need adaptors for your electronics. Itd be a busy itinerary, but the Luberon Valley has a high concentration of darling Provencal villages so you can see several in quick succession. Nice: Cote d'Azur, French Riviera, Saint Paul de Vence; Provence: Saint Remy, Journey Villa, Avignon, Les Baux, Culinary Experience; . 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. It wasnt hard *in the beginning* because we were so excited to be there! see our FAQ. 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! French Riviera & Provence Road Trip Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Marseille Day 2: Aix-en-Provence, Roussillon, Gordes & Fontaine-de-Vaucluse Day 3: Plateau de Valensole and the Lavender Fields Day 4: Gorges du Verdon Day 5: Menton Day 6: Monaco Day 7: Eze, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice Day 8: Nice It features first-class accommodations and small-group tours. We use and recommend Safety Wing for trips to the south of France. This is a small town and it does not take long to walk all of it. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. 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 Take the train or bus to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and have lunch. We also have guides to the towns on the Alsace Wine Route and how to spend one perfect day in Colmar. Cheers, Julie. 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.

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