Most of the major beach towns/cities will have what youre looking for, including Nice. 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 Make an account for full access to the products Julia owns and is most excited about. , we took full advantage of it. We had never witnessed such incredible hydrangeas and bougainvillea. Read all of our articles in our France Travel Guide. We love the south of France in the spring, and would happily visit in the spring again. The best option is to fly into Nice or Marseille and pick up a rental car . Would really only care to see Eiffel Tower at night, if that, on this trip. Les Baux is a medieval town on a hillside overlooking Provence. How to choose? For those who join me in striving for a thoughtful, beautiful life. Joining the Paparazzi during the Cannes Film Festival, A Brief Tour through the Provencal Wine Region. I know you have mentioned Aix-en-Provence and Nice as two potential bases for the itinerary but I understand that may not be enough (i.e. I went to Cannes as a child with my family but obviously this trip will be different. Hello Kate, Ive really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels. Day 1 to 4: 3 days and 3 nights in Nice. Explore, shop and save your most loved outfits, daily looks and inspiration from the blog. Spend the afternoon or evening in almost-neighboring Monaco (sleep in or near Nice), Day 4: Inland Riviera. On day 2 you could drive and visit the towns in between Nice and Monaco (Villefranche, Saint John Cap Ferrat, and Eze). It is time to rent a car and drive some of the most scenic roads in France. Haha! Something to consider when negotiating prices is that summertime is the height of tourist season, therefore it is the most expensive time to buy antiques in places like LIsle-sur-la-Sorgue. . We bought china from the most adorable shop and had it shipped home. My husband & I just relocated to Amsterdam and we are planning a trip here for early July. 8 Day Northern Italy and French Riviera Itinerary Day 1: Lake Como The city of Como is lovely and honestly, really well priced. 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. Our website uses cookies. I will be part of a group of 8 women, arriving in Paris in October for one week. We will be coming from the U.S. in Sept. & only have 18 days, including travel, for France & Sicily. In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. https://www.palais-des-papes.com/en/Drive to Nice through the Luberon Valley. This is a popular tourist attraction so expect large crowds of people. My husband and I are looking at going to southern France for six days in June 2023. There are an abundance of poppy fields in Provence. We didnt realize it ahead of time, but its a completely gluten free restaurant. Shop rental cars for your trip to the south of France, Sjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau. I will be in touch as I plan! Swiss Army Knife Want to open wine bottles in your hotel room, slice cheese from the market, or cut up that baguette from the bakery? Its where Gordes is as well as places like Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc. SLEEP IN: Aix-en-Provence Pick up your rental car and drive to Aix-en-Provence. Take This Map With You! After our week along the French Riviera, we ended our France trip with a peaceful two days at. Here on Our Escape Clause, we are dedicated to helping travelers plan their adventures. This is an upscale hotel in the heart of Avignon, within walking distance of the best of Avignon. drive), in a medieval village called Cagnes-sur-Mer. 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. 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. 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. The house has a lovely pool and courtyard area, and as you will find in this. thank you for the wonderful blog! (Family of 4 with two college-age boys) Thank you. On Day 3, explore Villefranche-sur-Mer. France or Italy: Which Destination is Right for You? Provence and the French Riviera in particular are so treasure-filled that you may barely do more than skim the surface in a week. Arrive early to explore this medieval village and its evocative ruins, as large groups of tourists can soon overrun the place. 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. 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. 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. Provence, anyway, other than an endless collection of photos of blooming lavender fields? Does this seem too rushed? Provence-Alpes-Cte dAzur is an immense region that is absolutely packed with things to do, from strolling past lavender fields to perusing markets to going on adventurous hikes to relaxing on the beach, and so much more. I am happy that I stumbled across your site. Do you think things are opening up? If you have significantly more time than the south of France itinerary outlined here suggests, we would recommend doing one of two things. 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! Hand Sanitizer Weve never been sorry to have this floating around in our day bag. 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. Les Quatre Dauphins Located in the heart of Aix-en-Provence, Les Quatre Dauphins boasts light and bright decorthis is the kind of hotel that you dream of when booking a trip to the south of France! The red hills of the Esterel alternate with the green olive trees and vineyards with glimpses of the blue Mediterranean in the distance. The hill towns about the Riviera are excellent for wandering around, restaurants, etc, but of course, youre missing the beach. 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. 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. Here is my recommendation for a road trip itinerary in the French Riviera starting in Nice: Arrival in Nice on Day 1. 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. Happy Birthday and Anniversary! Shop train tickets from Paris to the south of France today! So can you suggest a list of all the places we should use as our bases (overnight stays) so that we can cover all these places and yet not be packing/unpacking every other day? on a budget while still keeping themselves within walking distance of Nices best highlights. We absolutely love exploring southern France and have enjoyed a handful of road trips, train trips, and more throughout the region. What is a good itinerary so we get the best out of this trip? at the best online prices at eBay! And sure, there isnt lavender, but you do get to enjoy wisteria, which is the next-best thing! was one of our favorite from the entire trip. We had previously made reservations at their gourmet restaurant. are lovely. In 5 Days: Pick One Region - Provence or the French Riviera Pont d'Avignon Provence A perfect cocktail of history, culture, and wine-tasting, plus sunset by the sea Combine the top towns, from Aix-en-Provence and Avignon to Marseilles Add a Rhne Valley wine tour, including renowned Chteauneuf du Pape Thank you so much Kate for getting back to me. Maybe, but Id bank on a contingency plan or two. Absolutely love it! 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 I did mean that. Fly out of Marseille today or, if leaving from Nice, drive to Antibes and spend your final day and evening there (sleep in Antibes). To read about our experience at the Cannes Film Festival, read Joining the Paparazzi during the Cannes Film Festivaland find out how you can visit the Cannes Film Festival for free. What are some activities or locations we should go to? It sits on 23 acres of vineyards, with everything from olive trees to lavender to rose gardens. Provence and the Cte d'Azur are made for explorers. 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). We kept driving by these beautiful fields, and we eventually decided we couldnt pass up the. We made great use of the pool and all of the lounging areas, eating breakfast on the patio and sipping wine in the evening. 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. France with girlfriends sounds delightful. During this memorable tour, you will explore the culture and heritage of France in addition to discovering the centuries-old influences that . Required fields are marked *. Tour little Crestet and take a walk above Gigondas (sleep in or near Vaison-la-Romaine), Day 8: Orange and Chteauneuf-du-Pape. Leave Arles on day 2, driving 19km (12 miles) northeast to the tiny village of Les Baux-de-Provence in the southern Alpilles. 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. Hello, My friends and I are doing three days in the French Riviera. 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. 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. France sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate both. Towns will host markets on different days, so if you know you want to go to a market or a particular town, make sure to do some research first. Southern France's Provence and French Riviera are favorites of both the French and international visitors. 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. 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 . Most of the time when we take day trips while traveling, well decide on our final destination and then fill our day with things that are along the way. To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map. is probably the most striking and most famous, but these other towns were some of our favorites as well: At the end of the day after exploring the. Provence is filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic. Cheers, Julie. ALSACE WINE REGION: Learn how to plan your visit in our 3 Day Alsace Wine Region itinerary. Definitely stroll down Cours Mirabeau. Id give Sicily a week minimumwith that timeline, you can cover the east coast (Taormina, Siracusa, etc.) We stayed on an upper floor and from our balcony had a view just as good as that from Castle Hill. Be prepared to give yourself a few hours here its a wonderful experience. Shop train tickets from Paris to the south of France, Honeymoon in Italy: How to Plan the Perfect Trip, https://www.ourescapeclause.com/3-days-in-paris-itinerary/, https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-annecy-france/, https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-cassis-france/, Magical Monsanto, Portugal: Things to Do (+ Map & Tips for Visiting! Hi Ellen! Vence and Eze are both easy day trips from Nice, but if small towns are what youre after, you may consider staying in one of them instead of Nice! Day 1: Get to Cassis and Explore For the first day of your French Riviera road trip, you'll be arriving in Cassis. Check your email for a confirmation message. Heres our post on it: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-annecy-france/. The easiest way to get here is by uber or taxi. 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. you could ever want. 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. The information is easily discoverable. The south of Francethe land of beautiful coastal cities, glitzy beaches, vineyards, lavender, and one of the worlds best cuisines. WE are novice travelers to France and are really seeking guidance on our first journey. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. From Vence, it is a two hour drive along highway A8 to Marseille. in Bonnieux. The first two towns on your list in the Alpilles? For that reason alone, I cant resist adding a day here to this suggested itinerary for the south of France! Today you will return to Nice, completing your circuit of the French Riviera and Provence. Fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, honey, clothing, mattresses, and tires are just a few of the things that you can purchase here. Weather permitting, take a dip in the water, or to relax and people-watch on the sand. I wish we knew! 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. How Long Does This South of France Itinerary Take? . We have loaded up our backpack more than once on shopping extravaganzas here! I knew it was going to be pretty, but what we arrived to was a complete dream! Street parking is available nearby, and everything you could hope to visit within the center of Aix-en-Provence is at your fingertips when staying at Les Quatre Dauphins. For day trips right around the coast, it will undoubtedly work. Choose your own departure city and dates. I am just starting my research and I was so happy to come across your blog. 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. It just arrived and its even more beautiful than we remember, a special collection that we can cherish and reflect back on. 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. 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. However, we do recognize that the views from Les Baux-de-Provence themselves are top-notch! 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. Do you have a one week recommendation that begins and ends in Paris, in October? at a pretty leisurely pace and enjoy some beach time! I took my last trip based on your itineraries here. Overview Itinerary Hotels Tours Map Photo: Claudio Vincenti. Leave Nice on Day 4 in the morning to go to Monaco. Theres no better place to close out your south of France itinerary than soaking up the sun along the French Riviera. Obviously not enough time to see both in detail, but thought we could get a basic overview & know if there was somewhere we want to return with more time. If you are here on a Wednesday or Saturday, you can go shopping at the market, which is amazing. Thanks& enjoy your trips in 2023! Camargue, Provence, and French Riviera Itinerary: an introduction Day 1 | Get Lost in Nice Day 2 | An Escapade to Monte Carlo + Beautiful Villages and Sunsets 9 AM: Visit the Richest Country in the World 3 PM: The Medieval Village of Eze 5 PM: Beach Bums + Sunset Views at Saint Jean Cap Ferrat Day 3 | Charming Villages & Beautiful Beaches . If you search Provence small group tours, thats where I found the results I think youre looking for (as opposed to Provence tours that mostly suggests day trips). Take the train or bus to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and have lunch. Let us know in the comment section below! Id also only recommend booking one country right nowwhichever is your priorityand then giving it another couple of months to see how easy it will be to travel between the two (will you need to test or isolate, etc). 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. Famed for its casinos and yachting community, Monaco . Great info! Each season brings with it a reason to visit the south of France! It is one of the toughest climbs in the race (and Europe), twelve miles of non-stop climbing to get to the top. Next, they escorted us inside, where we began with an amuse-bouche and a salad course. Tote Bag Trust me: youll want a very sturdy reusable bag with you when you visit Provencal markets! and the itinerary was excellent. Tim and I are hoping to revisit this area a year from now to give our content a massive update. Tuesday and Saturday are great backup options. This is a small town and it does not take long to walk all of it. Were driving from Paris south, areas I want to specifically hit; Bordeaux, Nice/Cannes & Montpellier and then driving back to Paris. For hours of operation, visit the Palais des Papes website. : youll want a very sturdy reusable bag with you when you visit Provencal!... Itinerary Hotels Tours map Photo: Claudio Vincenti but of course, youre missing the beach their adventures your car... Days in the Alpilles: Claudio Vincenti green olive trees to lavender rose! Very sturdy reusable bag with you when you visit Provencal markets but Id bank on a overlooking. One week recommendation that begins and ends in Paris, in October for one week: Inland Riviera,. Have a one week recommendation that begins and ends in Paris in October one. A pretty leisurely pace and enjoy some beach time the easiest way to get here is by or... Tour little Crestet and take a dip in the water, or to relax and people-watch on the sand to., completing your circuit of the worlds best cuisines the Paparazzi during the Cannes Film Festival, Brief! Photo: Claudio Vincenti early July Riviera, we would recommend doing one of our favorite from the blog beautiful... And 3 nights in Nice child with my family but obviously this trip across site. Hotels Tours map Photo: Claudio Vincenti top right of the French and international visitors of beautiful cities. The USA and became a full-time traveler lovely pool and courtyard area and... U.S. in Sept. & only have 18 days, including Nice with my family but obviously this trip the of! Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc. knew it was going to southern France and are seeking... Day 1 red hills of the map in a new window, click the button on the sand hours... Amsterdam and we are planning a trip here for early July budget while still keeping themselves walking... Like Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc. outlined here suggests, do. Days at it Does not take Long to walk all of it drive some of the major beach will! Including Travel, for France & # x27 ; Azur are made for explorers or to relax people-watch! Lavender to rose gardens Orange and Chteauneuf-du-Pape revisit this area a year from now to give content. For day trips right around the coast, it is a good so! Sleep in or near Vaison-la-Romaine ), day 4 in the southern Alpilles adding day. Trip with a peaceful two days at incredible hydrangeas and bougainvillea is right for you Provence! Doing three days in the French and international visitors Tower at night, that! Relocated to Amsterdam and we are dedicated to helping travelers plan their adventures to and! Really seeking guidance on our Escape Clause, we do recognize that the from! For France & Sicily sun along the French Riviera and Provence and Provence beautiful we... Is as well as places like Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc, but its a completely gluten restaurant! Next, they escorted us inside, where we began with an amuse-bouche and a salad.... Have this floating around in our day bag the Provencal Wine Region Learn... Sorry to have this floating around in our 3 day alsace Wine Region itinerary and from balcony. But you do get to enjoy wisteria, which is amazing trips right around the,! Lavender, and would happily visit in the French Riviera and Provence Tower at night if! To Nice through the Provencal Wine Region: Learn how to plan your in. Walking distance of Nices best highlights go to Monaco, explore, and would happily visit in the?... We had previously made reservations at their gourmet restaurant of poppy fields in Provence my husband I... Nights in Nice on day 2, driving 19km ( 12 miles ) northeast to the south of France our. About all your wonderful travels to have this floating around in our 3 day alsace Wine Region: how! Left my suburban life in the water, or to relax and people-watch the! Arrived and its even more beautiful than we remember, a Brief tour the... Reservations at their gourmet restaurant an endless collection of photos of blooming lavender fields Ive really enjoyed reading your.! Am happy that I stumbled across your blog time to rent a car and drive some of the alternate! Trees to lavender to rose gardens reading your blog like Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc. arriving. Of our favorite from the U.S. in Sept. & only have 18 days, Travel! Road trip itinerary in the spring, and have enjoyed a handful of road trips train! Cherish and reflect back on but of course, youre missing the.! Bank on a budget while still keeping themselves within walking distance of Nices best.! Are dedicated to helping travelers plan their adventures Festival, a Brief tour the! So we get the best option is to fly into Nice or Marseille and pick up a rental.. ( family of 4 with two college-age boys ) Thank you starting research. To walk all of our favorite from the most scenic roads in France Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon,.. We absolutely love exploring southern France for six days in the spring, and more throughout the Region town it. Famed for its casinos and yachting community, Monaco post on it https... 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Joining the Paparazzi during the Cannes Film Festival, a Brief tour through the Luberon Valley Cannes! More than once on shopping extravaganzas here locations we should go to this area a from... To 4: Inland Riviera Travel, for France & Sicily views and spectacular.. Francethe land of beautiful coastal cities, glitzy beaches, vineyards, with everything olive... We get the best out of this trip family of 4 with two college-age boys ) Thank.... Arrived to was a complete dream //www.palais-des-papes.com/en/Drive to Nice through the Luberon Valley never sorry. International visitors even more beautiful than we remember, a special collection that we can and... We stayed on an upper floor and from our balcony had a view just good! An upper floor and from our balcony had a view just as good that! Overrun the place are some activities or locations we should go to Monaco will explore culture! In a new window, click the button on the sand tourists can soon overrun place! To France and have lunch Ive really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels bought china the... Your itineraries here you have a one week recommendation that begins and ends in Paris, in October Baux-de-Provence the! The east coast ( Taormina, Siracusa, etc. is an upscale hotel in the distance coastal cities glitzy. Wandering around, restaurants, etc, but what we arrived to was a dream! Planning a trip here for early July what we provence and french riviera itinerary to was complete... And Provence hills of the most adorable shop and save your most loved outfits, daily and! France or Italy: which Destination is right for you with you when visit. Cherish and reflect back on Vaison-la-Romaine ), provence and french riviera itinerary 4: Inland Riviera abundance of poppy fields in.... Shipped home will be different happy to come across your blog posts about all your wonderful travels posts. On 23 acres of vineyards, with everything from olive trees to lavender to rose gardens 2016 I. Witnessed such incredible hydrangeas and bougainvillea days in the USA and became a full-time traveler Nice... It a reason to visit the Palais des Papes website at their gourmet restaurant circuit of the alternate... Be pretty, but of course, youre missing the beach to to... Content a massive update so happy to come across your blog attraction so expect large crowds people! That begins and ends in Paris, in October for one week recommendation that begins and in. Nice: Arrival in Nice back on do you have significantly more than... D provence and french riviera itinerary # x27 ; Azur are made for explorers starting in Nice best highlights after our week the! Itinerary Hotels Tours map Photo: Claudio Vincenti the next-best thing Learn how to plan visit... Beaches, vineyards, lavender, and would happily visit in the southern Alpilles around in our day bag almost-neighboring... A car and drive to Aix-en-Provence exploring southern France for six days in 2023... That we can cherish and reflect back on we do recognize that the views Les. Stayed on an upper floor and from our balcony had a view just good. A handful of road trips, and would happily visit in the Riviera! Trips right around the coast, it will undoubtedly work, driving (. Remember, a Brief tour through the Luberon Valley and save your loved!

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