Thats not to say you couldnt stay longeryou absolutely could! Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, Im working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA. Planning a trip to France? 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. Of course, if all you want to do with the final days of your south of France vacation is lay on Nices famous beach, we certainly cant blame you for that! Is there somewhere you would suggest. From Avignon, drive one hour east to the beautiful town of Roussillon in the Luberon Valley. The sun-drenched regions are blessed with charming towns, diverse natural beauty, vibrant markets, and endless Mediterranean coastline. From Les Baux, drive 10km (7 miles) north . ), How to Take the Perfect Day Trip to Cascais From Lisbon (+ Tips for Visiting! 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! Thank you so much for your thoughts! After wrapping up this itinerary, pick your favorite placemaybe a tiny village like Lourmarin, maybe a city with plenty of day trip options like Aix-en-Provence, your choiceand settle into Provencal life for a while, savoring your experiences and slowly soaking up everything that makes southern France special. All of the inland places I just listed are within day-tripping distance of each other, though, so you dont necessarily have to pick and choose. We are planning a trip to southern France (flying into Nice) in mid-July for our long-awaited honeymoon! at Bastide de Marie is wonderful! 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. 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. The best option is to fly into Nice or Marseille and pick up a rental car . The best weather is between April and October. This was the place of the papal residency in the 14th century. I know you suggested 14 days in Provence and the French Riviera but weve never been to Paris! Take This Map With You! Shop rental cars for your trip to the south of France today! Home to everything from sprawling lavender fields to hilltop towns to fishing villages to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, its no wonder that traveling through Provence and the French Riviera is a dream trip for manyand this south of France itinerary makes it easy to enjoy the perfect trip. Cycling Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence, Vence, Our Favorite Town in the French Riviera, Driving the Monaco Grand Prix Race Course. In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Winter is very quiet in the south of France, and if you visit during this time, expect to find some businesses (including accommodation) closed. Portable USB Charger Dont stress about your phone dying while youre spending long days driving from village to village: add a portable charger to your south of France packing list. While you can whip through these highlights in a day if needed, outdoor enthusiastsespecially hikers and bikersmight prefer to set up shop in the Alpilles a bit longer. We are doing the River Rhine cruise and decided to visit southern France after the cruise. The Luberon Valley is a stunning place, and I personally think its absolutely worth visiting with or without lavender! Your itinerary will leave you tired at the end, but its definitely realistic. estinations mentioned toward the end of the trip like Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence are located along the Cte dAzuraka the French Rivierain the eastern part of the region. 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. Consider my guidebook's seaside walks in Cap Ferrat, or take the one-hour boat cruise from Nice's port. If you have significantly more time than the south of France itinerary outlined here suggests, we would recommend doing one of two things. My favorite was a thin crusted truffle pizza. Weve stayed in Saint-Rmy-de-Provence and Lourmarin and absolutely loved our experiences in both. 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! Luckily, many of the vendors have shippers ready on-hand to give a quote based on size and weight. Boutique Htel Neptune Nice This small hotel in central Nice is perfect for travelers hoping to stay (somewhatNice is pricey!) in Bonnieux. , it took so much longer in fact, that we arrived after they allowed the last visitors to enter. The dates for the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 are May 16 to May 27. We would like to end in aix-en-Provence and possibly Avignon. But for details on what to do in each place, either get Rick Steves guide (thats what we used and it was awesome) or do more online searching. 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. . Hi We are thinking of spending 1 week in Lyon and 1 week in Porto to relax and at the same time visit the sights in and around in Sept/Oct 22. 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? We have loaded up our backpack more than once on shopping extravaganzas here! Note: This post contains affiliate links. Scary driving is a matter of perspective of course, but for confident drivers, the Riviera isnt too bad! 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. 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. Most markets are open 1-3 days/week and different markets focus on different things. Located at the end of the Promenade des Anglais, this hotel has one of the best views of Nice. is a wonderful stop for a few hours. . Hello, this is simply superb, thank you very much for sharing this. Oh, Im thinking early/mid September. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for PROVENCE & THE FRENCH RIVIERA FOR TRAVELERS. We set out to see and experience as much as we possibly could during our time in Provence. If the weather's good, bring your swimsuit and float on your back for views of the 2,000-year-old aqueduct (sleep in Avignon), Day 10: The Camargue. It wasnt hard *in the beginning* because we were so excited to be there! Stay in the know. Finish your day with a one hour drive north to Avignon. France: Marseille to Nice Itinerary - 8 Days Day 1: Start Your Provence Itinerary: Fly into Marseille. Thank you. September is such a beautiful time to visit. I think youll definitely be able to find what youre looking for. From the sparkling skyline of Paris to the fabulous landscapes of the French Riviera, your 11-day tour through France will allow you to create unforgettable memories within breathtaking sceneries. For small towns Id recommend the Luberon Valleytruly gorgeous and very typically Provencal. Its much faster! ALSACE WINE REGION: Learn how to plan your visit in our 3 Day Alsace Wine Region itinerary. Hi Dominique! End the day with dinner and drinks in Marseille. It is time to rent a car and drive some of the most scenic roads in France. Unlike in the past when we just flew to Paris, flying from Charleston to Marseille was an all day affair. 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 In. Take a bus north to Vence and St-Paul-de-Vence; stop for a stroll and visit the Fondation Maeght and/or Matisse's Chapel of the Rosary or link Vence with Grasse by bus, skipping St-Paul-de-Vence to save time (sleep in Vence, or back in Nice), Day 5: Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. What would a 3 day tour of Provence look like? 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! Its the most picturesque spot! , a small bed and breakfast in the Alpes-Maritimes. So much to see, so little time. The sun doesnt set until well after 9pm, so we didnt feel rushed on how much we could fit in before sunset. Day 9-10: French Riviera . Heres our post on it: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-annecy-france/. Why go to Arles? ), you will likely need a car to get between them. We didnt realize it ahead of time, but its a completely gluten free restaurant. While we were in the French Riviera, we saw so many yachts we almost get used to it. Wearing a lemon print dress, while sipping a fresh frozen lemonade in Menton, a city famous for its lemons. This is a popular tourist attraction so expect large crowds of people. ), Planning a Trip to Paris in 11 Easy Steps (+ First Time in Paris Tips! Check into your hotel and have dinner at one of Avignons many fantastic restaurants. Hi Ellen! If you manage to time it right, on Thursdays Aix-en-Provence has three markets in town at once, so you can get the perfect experience all in one spot. As much as I love visiting a city, its the countryside where I feel most at home and at ease with life. Spend most of your day in Arles, then drive to Les Baux for late afternoon sightseeing and dinner (sleep in Arles), Day 12: Aix-en-Provence or Marseille. Paris in Winter: 31 Reasons to Visit (+ Tips! The traffic getting into and out of St. Tropez was a nightmare. Leave Arles on day 2, driving 19km (12 miles) northeast to the tiny village of Les Baux-de-Provence in the southern Alpilles. PARIS: For the top experiences in the city, read our article Best Things to Do in Paris. 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. Cheers, Julie. 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. Check into your hotel, take a quick nap if necessary, and then spend the late afternoon and early evening exploring Nice. La Maison dAix This converted townhome makes the perfect luxury boutique hotel in Aix-en-Provence! in Valensole. One of the joys of travelling here is touring the back roads and soaking up the stunning variety of landscapes: fields of lavender, ancient olive groves, clifftop roads, maquis-cloaked hills and even snow-tipped mountains. Both of us ordered the fish for our main dish and loved every bite. Just past Nice, it is time to take a detour to the highly underrated and very pretty town of Vence. see our FAQ. Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Stroll down picturesque, tree-lined boulevards in Aix before heading to the coast, where the Mediterranean traces your route from Cassis to Cinque Terre. Artists' enclaves, vast pine forests, and architectural gems: discover the Cte d'Azur you don't know with Moon French Riviera. All I can say is truffle risotto! Amazing! Enjoy the views out to Cap Ferrat, your destination for later today. Luxury Provence & the French Riviera 13 days from $16,225pp Jump to: Day-to-day Itinerary Reviews When to go France trip ideas Tour highlights Hunt for truffles with a local expert and trained dog before enjoying a four-course gourmet meal in Mnerbes. Books About the South of France Whats better to add to your packing list than a book about the region youre visiting? , I love and admire your site and insights. If youre looking for a guide to antique shops around Provence, our friend Vicky has a wonderful. If it is not market day, it is worth visiting the Roman Arena in Arles. We can get another Airbnb or a hotel. Stroll around the city and take in the old Baroque buildings and little cafes. https://www.palais-des-papes.com/en/Drive to Nice through the Luberon Valley. We personally explored the Luberon from a base of Aix-en-Provence. As much as I love visiting a city, its the countryside where I feel most at home and at ease with life. Take a minivan tour or a taxi (or, in summer, a bus) to Les Baux and have breakfast with a view. 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). If you like the idea of visiting Cannes and Antibes on a tour, check out this 5 hour tour from Nice. (Family of 4 with two college-age boys) Thank you. 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. ), etc, we cant recommend the Luberon Valley more highly. 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!) Stand on the medieval walls of the town, and youll be smitten with the views of the countryside and sea. Now, there are a few ways to get here. Since '82, we've spent well over 150 weeks vacationing in France. 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). time of year to be exploring Provencal markets, something that we. 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. We had the best time experiencing Provence this way and feeling like locals for a week at the rental house in St. Saturnin Les Apt. We didnt have a whole lot of money at the time and basically just walked around Monaco and drove the Grand Prix course in our rental car (we just lucked out with our timing that we were here when they were setting up the racecourse). 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