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.
We absolutely love exploring southern France and have enjoyed a handful of road trips, train trips, and more throughout the region.
We designed this south of France itinerary for first-time visitors to the region who want a little taste of everything that Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur has to offer, from the cobblestone streets of the Luberon Valley to the glamour of Nice’s promenade.
Hoping to visit southern France and find yourself overwhelmed with village names and potential places to visit?
This south of France itinerary is for you!
Table of Contents
- Where Exactly is Provence?
- Getting Around During Your Trip to Southern France
- How Long Does This South of France Itinerary Take?
- South of France Itinerary Note: Pay Attention to Market Days!
- The Complete South of France Itinerary
- More Time in Southern France?
- 呆在韩国哪里of France
- Getting to Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
- South of France Itinerary Map
- Best Time to Visit the South of France
- What to Pack for the South of France
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Where Exactly is Provence?
When planning a trip to the south of France, Provence is often the first region that comes to mind–but what exactlyisProvence, anyway, other than an endless collection of photos of blooming lavender fields?
Short version: Provence is part of the French administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, which is located in southeastern France.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is then divided into six subregions, whose names you’ll probably notice around you as you work through this south of France itinerary–Vaucluse is one example.
The bulk of this recommended south of France itinerary takes place in what is colloquially known as Provence (the southern and western part of the region).
The destinations mentioned toward the end of the trip like Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence are located along the Côte d’Azur–aka the French Riviera–in the eastern part of the region.
Getting Around During Your Trip to Southern France
While the cities and towns visited throughout this south of France itinerary are generally walkable (evenNice!), you will likely need a car to get between them.
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!
A few tips on driving in southern France: budget generously for gas and tolls, book your lodging each night with the parking situation in mind, and rent the smallest car you possibly can.
We cover our tips for driving in France a lot more thoroughly in our broaderFrance road trip guide, so be sure to check that out before taking off on your trip to southern France!
To book your rental car for the south of France, we recommend checking prices, inclusions and availability viaDiscover Cars.
They’ll search both local and international brands that have available cars, and allow you to compare prices, reviews, and inclusions side-by-side.
How Long Does This South of France Itinerary Take?
We’ve structured this South of France itinerary with the assumption that you’ll be spending roughly 2 weeks in the region, and the number of days noted by each city is theminimumnumber of full daysthat we recommend spending in each spot.
In other words, when you pull into town at 7:00 PM, that doesn’t count as a “day” in the destination on this suggested route.
That’s not to say you couldn’t stay longer–you absolutely could!
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur 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.
There’s truly something for every interest here–and then some–so be prepared to start plotting your return visit by the halfway point through your trip!
If you have less than 2 weeks in the South of France, we recommend narrowing your focus to either the Cote d’AzurorProvence, rather than trying to squeeze both destinations into your limited time.
South of France Itinerary Note: Pay Attention to Market Days!
Perusing the open-air markets of the villages of Provence is an iconic part of any trip to the region–so make sure to structure your South of France itinerary so you don’t miss the best ones!
Most markets are open 1-3 days/week and different markets focus on different things.
Some will be about food, and others will beFrench flea markets/brocantesthat focus on textiles, clothing, or antiques.
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.
The Complete South of France Itinerary
Avignon: 1 Day
Once the home of popes, Avignon is the perfect place to kick off your south of France itinerary.
Spend the day exploring the town, hitting up the impressive Papal Palace, the Pont d’Avignon, and the Les Halles Market in between wandering the streets and marveling that you’re finally in southern France!
If you have time, also consider ducking into one of the other beautiful art museums in the city.
If you’d 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.
鲁博隆Valley: 2 Days
Ah, the Luberon Valley: this is the area that tends to come to mind immediately when someone says the word “Provence”.
All hilltop villages and rolling countryside filled with lavender fields, the Luberon Valley is absolutely stunning and a must-visit on any Provence itinerary.
It also happens to be one of our favorite corners of France and one that we love to visit repeatedly!
Be sure to visit the town of Bonnieux for some of the best views over the valley, Gordes for its impressive location built into a hilltop, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse for its lovely spring and river, Roussillon for its majestic red cliff, andGoultfor its understated and quiet beauty.
Other favorites include Lacoste for its picturesque views, Menerbes for its delightful charm (if you ever readA Year in Provence, this is the town!), and Lourmarin for its idyllic beauty.
That’s merely the tip of the iceberg, of course: Sénanque Abbey and Isle sur Sorgue are just a couple of the other spots that might hold your attention during this section of your south of France itinerary.
You probably won’t have time to visit all of those–but the great thing about exploring the Luberon Valley is that going slow and savoring the journey is half the fun anyway.
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.
The Alpilles: 1 Day
The first two towns on your list in the Alpilles?
Les Baux-de-Provence, often considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, theformer home of Van Gogh and a bit of an artistic enclave.
Both towns are absolutely lovely, but in our biased opinion, we do think that Saint-Rémy-de-Provence isslightlyprettier than Les Baux-de-Provence.
However, we do recognize that the views from Les Baux-de-Provence themselves are top-notch!
虽然你可以通过这些亮点d鞭子ay if needed, outdoor enthusiasts–especially hikers and bikers–might prefer to set up shop in the Alpilles a bit longer.
We enjoyed Saint-Rémy-de-Provence so much the first time around that when we later returned to southeast France, we based ourselves there for almost a week!
It’s a beautiful, conveniently located place that makes an excellent addition to any France trip.
Aix-en-Provence: 1 Day
The gorgeous city of Aix-en-Provence is known for its beauty, its accessibility–this is a great place to base yourself for part of your southern France trip–and most importantly, its markets.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that the markets in Aix-en-Provence, which sell everything from flowers to fruits to fedoras, are some of the best that we’ve ever seen.
We have loaded up our backpack more than once on shopping extravaganzas here!
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!
Tuesday and Saturday are great backup options.
Cassis + Calanques National Park: 1 Day
The adorablefishing village of Cassisis a delightful addition to any south of France itinerary.
Much smaller and prettier than nearby Marseilles, Cassis is also the perfect jumping-off point for visiting Calanques National Park.
And, whether you want to go for a hike or simply take a boat tour past the beautiful calanques, visiting this stunning part of the French coastline is a must!
While you’re in and around Cassis, be sure to also check out to picture-perfect Port de Cassis, visit the (extremely accessible) Calanque de Port Miou, and admire the views from the Cap Canaille.
Valensole Plateau + Verdon Gorge: 1 Day
Of all the suggested stops on this south of France itinerary, this one is probably the most anticipated for many summer visitors.
The Valensole Plateau is the iconic home to those never-ending lavender fields pictured on tourism brochures around the world!
Sure, the Luberon Valley also has stunning fields, and they’re definitely worth seeing–but in Valensole, be ready to pull your car over nearly constantly, because every field seems to be more gorgeous than the last.
Early July is considered the absolute optimal time for enjoying the lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau, though late June, the rest of July, andmaybethe very beginning of August can work as well.
That being said, we have visited the Valensole Plateau outside of lavender season as well, and while it’s certainly not as magical as it is when the lavender is at its peak, it’s still a striking and beautiful part of Provence.
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, and–again for summer visitors specifically–excellent kayaking and rafting.
Though I’ve 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.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence: 1 Day
Perched high above the Mediterranean Sea along the Cote d’Azur, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of those destinations that we expected to enjoy but quickly move on from, but in actuality knocked us off our feet and charmed us completely.
For that reason alone,I can’t resist adding a day here to this suggesteditinerary for the south of France!
Come here for a delightful combination of all the things that makes the south of France so charming, from the delicious food to the winding stone streets to the sublime views.
Stand on the medieval walls of the town, and you’ll be smitten with the views of the countryside and sea.
Stroll through the tiny cobblestone streets of the village, and you’ll feel like you’re back in the Luberon Valley.
Sit down for a fantastic French meal on a stunning terrace, and you’ll immediately feel all the glitz and glamour of the Cote d’Azur.
Oh–and definitelygrab a cup of coffeeat the cafe just outside the town walls.
The coffee is merely average (by impeccable French standards, anyway), and I wouldn’t take chances on the touristy food, but it’s worth sitting down just to see if the adorable corgi who passes through regularly happens to come by!
Nice + The French Riviera: 3 Days
There’s no better place to close out your south of France itinerary than soaking up the sun along the French Riviera.
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.
That being said,it certainly doesn’t need to be your only destination along the French Riviera!
Antibes is another great option for a base in the area, and of course trips to places like Menton, Eze, and Monaco are all fabulous ways to spend a day.
(For travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look upMenton’s February lemon festival!).
Of course, if all you want to do with the final days of your south of France vacation is lay on Nice’s famous beach, we certainly can’t blame you for that!
Be sure to at least make time for a quick stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, admiring the view from Castle Hill, and lunch spent diving into a plate of Nicoise salad.
More Time in Southern France?
If you have significantly more time than the south of France itinerary outlined here suggests, we would recommend doing one of two things.
Option 1: Beaches
With more time in southern France, you can’t go wrong with spending a lot more time along the French Riviera, especially if you’re visiting during the high season.
Highlights like Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Antibes would be a great place to start, but there are endless gorgeous small towns and rural beaches to choose from in the region.
Option 2: Small Town Vibes
Prefer to dive into the slower pace of village life for a few days?
After wrapping up this itinerary, pick your favorite place–maybe a tiny village like Lourmarin, maybe a city with plenty of day trip options like Aix-en-Provence, your choice–and settle into Provencal life for a while, savoring your experiences and slowly soaking up everything that makes southern France special.
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The most important thing to keep in mind when deciding where to stay in the south of France?
Limit your changes in lodging.
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.
Even as European road trip veterans of sorts, we still got too excited when planning our most recent trip to France and booked ourselves into an itinerary that moved around too much–and we paid for it in exhaustion.
We’d 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.
I’ve outlined some popular, well-reviewed, and well-located options in two of the most popular bases visited during this south of France itinerary: Aix-en-Provence and Nice.
That being said, we highly recommend basing yourselves at least once in a smaller village, too!
We’ve stayed inSaint-Rémy-de-Provenceand Lourmarin and absolutely loved our experiences in both.
Aix-en-Provence
Budget
Séjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau— This is where we stayed when visiting Aix-en-Provence, and we loved it!
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.
They’re not particularly charming, and the vibe is very “could be a modern hotel anywhere in the world”, but they absolutely get the job done for a budget or even mid-range traveler visiting Aix-en-Provence.
Having the kitchen was a huge benefit for us (especially after visiting the markets in Aix-en-Provence), and we’d be happy to stay again.
Check rates & book your stay at Séjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau!
Mid-range
Les Quatre Dauphins— Located in the heart of Aix-en-Provence, Les Quatre Dauphins boasts light and bright decor–this is the kind of hotel that you dream of when booking a trip to the south of France!
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.
Check rates & book your stay at Les Quatre Dauphins!
Luxury
La Maison d’Aix— This converted townhome makes the perfect luxury boutique hotel in Aix-en-Provence!
拥有完美的reviews-especially信徒akfast, cleanliness, and customer service at the hotel–luxury travelers will love both the creature comforts and central location of La Maison d’Aix.
Check rates & book your stay at La Maison d’Aix!
Nice
Budget
Boutique Hôtel Neptune Nice— This small hotel in central Nice is perfect for travelers hoping to stay (somewhat–Nice is pricey!) on a budget while still keeping themselves within walking distance of Nice’s best highlights.
Rooms are small, but customer service is wonderful! The hotel is known for its impeccable location, and you can’t go wrong staying here on your south of France trip!
Check rates & book your stay at Boutique Hôtel Neptune Nice!
Mid-range
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 Nice’s top-end luxury prices.
From Le Dortoir, you’ll be able to reach all of Nice’s highlights on foot, and its fabulous customer service ratings mean that you’ll be able to ask for advice on just about anywhere you want to go!
Check rates & book your stay at Le Dortoir!
Luxury
Hotel Negresco— If you’ve seen photos of the French Riviera, there’s a good chance you’ve seen photos of the iconic Hotel Negresco, with its tiled dome and bright white facade.
This is one of the most famous luxury hotels in France and has built upquite the storied history(and held a number of famous guests) since it opened in 1913–and it’s also a whimsical and wonderful place to stay today.
Located right along the Promenade des Anglais, a stay at the ever-popular and unique Hotel Negresco is not something you’re likely to forget anytime soon.
Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Negresco!
Getting to Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
The two biggest airports in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region are Marseille and Nice, and you can easily fly into either to start your trip to southern France.
If you fly into Nice, consider completing this south of France itinerary in the opposite order that I’ve written it.
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 ofAnnecy, and then drove to Avignon to start exploring Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur).
And, of course, there’s always Paris!
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!
South of France Itinerary Map
带上这张地图!Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.
Best Time to Visit the South of France
Each season brings with it a reason to visit the south of France!
Unlike many other places, though, traveling during the high (read: summer) season here comes with enough advantages that unless you’re entirely allergic to crowds and high prices, I’d recommend planning your trip then.
Here are some quick pros and cons of completing this south of France itinerary in each season.
Summer
Summer isthe besttime to visit the south of France if you’re hoping for a classic trip.
The lavender fields will be blooming (July is the best time to aim for, though you might be lucky and still find some fields in early August), the beaches will be warm and lovely, and the sun will (most likely) be shining.
The downsides?
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.
Fall
While you’ll experience a bit more rain than in the summer, fall can be a lovely time to visit the south of France if you’re looking for reduced crowds and prices while still experiencing quite a bit of sunshine and some lovely markets.
Except for perhaps in the very early fall during a hot year, though, you likely won’t want to swim during this time of year, and of course, there won’t be any lavender around.
Winter
Winter is very quiet in the south of France, and if you visit during this time, expect to find some businesses (including accommodation) closed.
Winter definitely isn’t 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!
Plus, as a bonus, Provencal Christmas traditions (and markets!) are lovely.
Spring
We love the south of France in the spring, and would happily visit in the spring again.
Spring brings increased sunshine and temperatures, and businesses start to wake back up after the long winter.
Spring is also anexcellenttime of year to be exploring Provencal markets, something that wehave taken full advantage of when visiting during this time of year.
And sure, there isn’t lavender, but you do get to enjoy wisteria, which is the next-best thing!
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.
What to Pack for the South of France
Books About the South of France— What’s better to add to your packing list than a book about the region you’re visiting?
Provence in particular has spawned countless novels and memoirs–if you’re looking for an excellent starting point, Peter Mayle’sA Year in Provenceis a classic.
Travel Insurance— We don’t ever suggest traveling without insurance–anything can happen anywhere, and this is definitely a case of better safe than sorry.
We use and recommendSafety Wingfor trips to the south of France.
Travel Adaptors for France— If you’re coming from outside of Europe, you’ll definitely need adaptors for your electronics.
Pacsafe— We can’t recommendour Pacsafeenough: this travel safe is affordable, sturdy, easy to pack, and will help keep your valuables safe in your hotel room (not that you should need to worry much about theft in France, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!).
Bring a small pack of tissues, toss them in your day bag, and you won’t have to worry about it.
Having these saved me more than once during our last trip to France!
Tote Bag— Trust me: you’ll want a very sturdy reusable bag with you when you visit Provencal markets!
Hand Sanitizer— We’ve never been sorry to have this floating around in our day bag.
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?
You’ll be so glad you brought a Swiss Army Knife along for your south of France vacation!
This is such a great guide! I love that you added books about the South of France as well. My husband & I just relocated to Amsterdam and we are planning a trip here for early July. Do you have any 2020 specific tips or anything you think might be closed or different?
谢谢你这么多,奔驰!我希望我可以提供some 2020 specific advice, but everything has been developing and changing so quickly that it’s hard to predict from one day to the next! Outdoor dining and activities will definitely be your best bets, but luckily, that’s generally where you’ll find the best of southern France anyway!
I loved reading this! I do have a question for you. 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. Is this possible to do? if so what area would be the best to stay? I am just starting my research and I was so happy to come across your blog. Any input or advice would be so appreciated. Right now I am thinking around 10 days but could extend a little if necessary.
Hi Nancy!
Yes, that would absolutely be possible, and in fact is a great way to see the area. You can’t day trip everywhere from one base, but you can sure see a lot!
Personally, if I were renting a villa I’d look somewhere in the Luberon Valley, so near villages like Gordes or Bonnieux. 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.
If you also want to see Nice and the immediate surrounding area, you’d want to move into different lodging for that.
Thank you so much Kate for getting back to me. You have now given me a starting point in planning my trip! I will be in touch as I plan! I am happy that I stumbled across your site.
Nancy
Love your travels. We follow your travels and learned much from you when we did the 3-week family trip to the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and Italy in summer of 2019. (Family of 4 with two college-age boys) Thank you. Scratch last year, ugh…
Question.. How do you think things are looking for an August 2021 visit to the south of France and Barcelona? Using Aix as a home base while in France. Splitting 2 weeks up between Provence and Barcelona… (a little of each) thx
Thank you so much, Kevin! So glad we could help a couple of years ago.
I wish I knew exactly what the situation was going to look like in August–it 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.
I’d recommend booking things with as flexible as cancellation policies as possible. I’d also only recommend booking one country right now–whichever is your priority–and 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).
Anecdotally, borders just officially opened between all Spanish regions for Spanish residents and citizens this week, and France is experiencing a notoriously long and expansive list of restrictions. Could things be 100% normal by then? Maybe, but I’d bank on a contingency plan or two.
A bit long-winded, I know, and will likely be dated advice within a week, but that’s the best I can offer now! On a personal note, we’re planning to visit Europe this summer but stick to one country for ease/to limit the risks of things going wrong… at least that’s the plan as of today!
Hi,
We are American citizens visiting Portugal and plan on flying to Nice (early July) to see French Rivera from there. Do you think things are opening up?
Thanks,
I wish we knew! Things are definitely more open than they were a couple of months ago, but I’d say it’s still a bit of a gamble to plan on a trip to two countries right now. In theory, there’s supposed to be more news from the EU on this front June 7, but we’ll see!
Hi Kate, I really enjoyed reading your post. We are planning a trip to southern France (flying into Nice) in mid-July for our long-awaited honeymoon! We have about 2 weeks. What are your thoughts about 5 days in the French Riviera, 5 days in Provence, and then 3 days in Paris. Does this seem too rushed? I know you suggested 14 days in Provence and the French Riviera but we’ve never been to Paris! Thanks
That sounds lovely, and congratulations on your marriage! Your itinerary will leave you tired at the end, but it’s definitely realistic.
I’d recommend basing yourselves in one place in each the French Riviera and Provence to cut down on travel days that will eat into your exploring, aiming to only stay in 3 hotels/rentals during your honeymoon.
If you haven’t read it, we highly recommend checking out our 3 days in Paris itinerary as well://www.afriqueevents.com/3-days-in-paris-itinerary/
Hi Kate!
I loved discovering your site! My husband and I are fully vaxed and can’t wait to start travelling overseas again! Lots of missed celebrations…so our first planned trip is to France in September, I grew up there and can’t wait to share it with him. We’re driving from Paris south, areas I want to specifically hit; Bordeaux, Nice/Cannes & Montpellier and then driving back to Paris. We have two weeks, would love to get some route& sightseeing suggestions from you. Merci!
Thank you so much, Crystina!
Sadly we haven’t been to Bordeaux or Montpellier yet (hopefully soon!). Nice is fantastic–we highly recommend visiting Eze and Vence when in the area as well. Both are gorgeous small towns with excellent views. I’m not sure if you’re planning inland at all, but the Verdon Gorge is incredible and is a couple of hours from Cannes.
You are covering a lot of ground in two weeks, especially with Paris too. If you’re 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. Just food for thought!
你好,这是极好的,非常感谢for sharing this. This is exactly the itinerary I plan to follow next month, and I just have one question. 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. not everything in your itinerary can be done has day trips from these 2 bases alone), and you also seem to have suggested 2 days in Luberon valley. 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? Many thanks in advance.
Hi Ricardo,
It really depends on your personal tastes–some people prefer to move around, and others prefer to stay in one base. For the Luberon Valley, all the major towns such as Gordes and Roussillon have beautiful places to stay, but you’ll want to book in advance as they’re mostly small, boutique properties. We personally explored the Luberon from a base of Aix-en-Provence.
Thank you Kate, much appreciated.
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.
Do you have any suggestions for some can’t miss day trips from Lyon?
Thank you
Sounds like a wonderful trip!
From Lyon, I highly recommend a day trip to Annecy! Here’s our post on it://www.afriqueevents.com/things-to-do-in-annecy-france/
Dijon is another great option, though I haven’t had a chance to visit yet.
So helpful! 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. I know it is not the best time of year, but excited to go anyway. I am wondering if you have a “1 week don’t miss” version and anyway to print your itineraries. Thank you!!
Hi Carey!
December may not be a traditional time to be in Provence, but it is lovely!
I’d consider skipping the Riviera and sticking to the areas surrounding the Luberon Valley since you’re short on time and visiting in winter.
Be sure to seek out the Christmas markets–a fun bonus of a winter trip. I know Aix-en-Provence and Avignon are supposed to have lovely ones, and I’m sure the smaller cities and towns will have plenty too.
Sadly I don’t have a printable version of our itineraries yet, but I hope to create them in the future!
Hi Kate,
My family would like to spend one month in South France visiting beautiful villages!
Where would you suggest for us to base and in how many locations?
Could to suggest some of the villages to visit?
Is Spring (June) a good time or Summer is a better season?
Thanks and much Appreciated for your help!
Hi Han! Sounds like a wonderful trip.
June is a wonderful time to visit Provence, but I’d aim for the end of the month and into July if you want to catch the lavender fields at their best.
For a month, I’d probably base yourselves for 2 weeks in one of the villages in the Luberon Valley (or Aix-in-Provence if you prefer more of a city feel), and half in one of the cities on the French Riviera!
Hello,
What a great source of information-so very helpful in planning our trip which begins in Avignon on July 31. 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? If so, can you recommend a particular town or inn? Second question, it sounds like we may miss the lavender fields in bloom! 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?
Thanks so much, Mimi!
You can use one base in a pinch, but that’ll mean a lot of driving each day. I’d recommend maybe one base in the Luberon and then one between Valensole/Verdon Gorge.
The Luberon Valley is a stunning place, and I personally think it’s absolutely worth visiting with or without lavender! As a silver lining, if the lavender is gone some of the crowds will disperse also.
Kate,
I love and admire your site and insights. I will be part of a group of 8 women, arriving in Paris in October for one week. We’d like to head visit the small towns/villages of the south of France. Do you have a one week recommendation that begins and ends in Paris, in October? We’ve been thinking of perhaps hiring a van and driver.
Thank you so much. Ellen
Hi Ellen! Unfortunately, I don’t, but off the top of my head, I’d consider maybe Paris – Luberon Valley – Paris.
It’d be a busy itinerary, but the Luberon Valley has a high concentration of darling Provencal villages so you can see several in quick succession.
If your group is comfortable with it, I’d look into potentially taking a train from Paris to Aix-en-Provence or Avignon and then hiring a driver for the Provence portion.
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.
Hope you guys have a wonderful trip! France with girlfriends sounds delightful.
Hello Kate
Thank you so much for the detailed itinerary. I am meeting my daughter in Paris and plan to travel via train to Nice and hit some of your highlighted spots in reverse. We would like to end in aix-en-Provence and possibly Avignon. See as much of the French Riveria as we can then head towards Avignon.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Dominique! Near the French Riviera, hilltop towns like Eze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence are well worth adding in to mix up beach towns if you’re looking for great views. I also wouldn’t miss the Valensole Plateau as you’re heading toward Aix-en-Provence if you’re visiting during summer/lavender season.
Hello Kate, Thank you for such a helpful article! Great info! We will be coming from the U.S. in Sept. & only have 18 days, including travel, for France & Sicily. We were thinking of flying in to Paris (assuming cheapest, easiest), only staying1-2 night there. Really not interested in the city (no doubt fun, but save for another time). Would really only care to see Eiffel Tower at night, if that, on this trip. Planned to then drive to southern France & fly out of Nice to Sicily. Mainly wanted to see cute small towns & pretty scenery, not into the big cities for this trip. Several questions. 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? Sounds like we would like to be sure to see Aix-en-Provence, Gorge, Eze & Vence. 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.
Last, how many days would you choose for France & how many for Sicily? Also, enjoyed your Sicily blog! 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. Thank you so much for your thoughts!
Hi Gina!
Sounds like a magical trip–we actually flew from Nice to Sicily ourselves the first time we visit, and it worked out great.
If you’re not interested in seeing Paris on this trip, I’d definitely recommend checking flights to Nice as well, as that will save you time. If you do end up flying into Paris, definitely don’t drive to Provence/the Riviera, but instead book the fast train from Paris (probably to Aix-en-Provence). It’s much faster! However, book tickets in advance as prices for high speed trains increase as the date of travel gets closer.
Aix and Nice are both pretty big–not Paris big, but definitely small towns. For small towns I’d recommend the Luberon Valley–truly gorgeous and very typically “Provencal”. It’s where Gordes is as well as places like Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc.
I’d think of that area–Aix + small Provencal villages–as a separate section from the Riviera. You’ll want one base there, and the one base on the coast.
Vence and Eze are both easy day trips from Nice, but if small towns are what you’re after, you may consider staying in one of them instead of Nice!
With 18 days you have some flexibility. I’d give Sicily a week minimum–with that timeline, you can cover the east coast (Taormina, Siracusa, etc.) at a pretty leisurely pace and enjoy some beach time!
Hope you guys have a fantastic trip! September is such a beautiful time to visit.
Hi!
I love your site. I am having a hard time deciding where to go. I am a single woman and always travels solo to major cities like Paris, Rome etc. 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. I will be in Paris then want to go to the South.
I went to Cannes as a child with my family but obviously this trip will be different. I’d like a few beach dates where I can swim in the ocean, sit under an umbrella (basically being catered too lol) and then go out to fun dinners, walk around, shop (love antique markets etc.)
Can you help me narrow it down if I am there for one week? Should I rent a car by myself or is that not recommended? Is it scary driving the roads? I also don’t want to do too much traveling and instead chill in a few cities and talk it all in!
Your help would be awesome. Oh, I’m thinking early/mid September…
Hi Julie!
I think you’ll definitely be able to find what you’re looking for.
Scary driving is a matter of perspective of course, but for confident drivers, the Riviera isn’t too bad! If you want to stay in only a handful of locations and have a more leisurely trip, though, you probably don’t need a car.
Most of the major beach towns/cities will have what you’re looking for, including Nice. You may want to look into Menton, too!
The hill towns about the Riviera are excellent for wandering around, restaurants, etc, but of course, you’re missing the beach.
Basing yourself in Nice and taking day trips (on non-beach days!) to places like Eze, St-Paul-de-Vence, Monaco, etc, might suit you perfectly.
Hello Kate, I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels. My husband and I are looking at going to southern France for a week or two in July 2023. … Celebration of my 70th birthday and my wedding anniversary in 45 years. We were looking at an Airbnb in La Ciotat. Is that a good place to stay to have opportunity for day trips? We also considered staying in Provence for a few days too. Is there somewhere you would suggest. We can get another Airbnb or a hotel. Someone suggested Avignon, but wondered if outside the city would be better. We will rent a car.
WE are novice travelers to France and are really seeking guidance on our first journey. We just dont want to do a river cruise or a tour group really.
Hi Kris,
Happy Birthday and Anniversary! France sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate both.
We haven’t 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://www.afriqueevents.com/things-to-do-in-cassis-france/
短途旅行在海边,它将撤销ubtedly work. I’d also recommend looking into a boat trip around the Calanques!
If you want to spend time both on the coast and inland, I’d recommend choosing a second base as well.
For a more classic Provence feel with small farming villages, lavender fields (July is a great time to catch the blooms!), etc, we can’t recommend the Luberon Valley more highly. 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.
Avignon makes for an excellent base as well, as do the villages near the Alpilles (we adore Saint-Rémy-de-Provence), but the Luberon is the most classic option.
All of the inland places I just listed are within day-tripping distance of each other, though, so you don’t necessarily have to pick and choose.
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.
Hello Kate, I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels. My husband and I are looking at going to southern France for six days in June 2023. …
We are doing the River Rhine cruise and decided to visit southern France after the cruise. We should be arriving in Nice on the 26th of June.
We were thinking of staying in Nice and visit the surrounding areas and then going to Provence region before flying back to California.
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.
Hi Baljit,
这是一个在法国南部美丽的时间t’ll definitely be busy, but not quite the peak summer crowds of July and August yet!
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! Hotel Negresco is the most iconic choice for its history and location alone.
如果你正在寻找一个小的团体旅游,我看for day trips to the Luberon Valley area, probably leaving from Aix-en-Provence or perhaps Avignon. If you’d like to see several of Provence’s most iconic villages without driving, it’s a fun way to do so! We’ve always driven ourselves, but if we were planning to book a day trip like that, we’d look on Get Your Guide, which we use regularly.
Hi, Kate,
thank you for the wonderful blog! I am definitely going to Provence this spring/summer and already imagining sounds, colours and vibes of the beautiful villages and small towns that you described.
I am thinking, is it possible to arrange a multi-day round trip in Province, to avoid renting a car? There are lots of half-day or full day trips, but some round one lasting for few days would be perfect, like we did in Scotland. What is, in your opinion best alternative to renting a car?
Thanks& enjoy your trips in 2023!
Hi Lily,
I’m sure they exist, though I’m not personally familiar with any! Rick Steves, for example, has a tour that touches on Provence but it doesn’t really focus on it.
If you search “Provence small group tours”, that’s where I found the results I think you’re looking for (as opposed to “Provence tours” that mostly suggests day trips). I can’t personally vouch for any of the companies that pop up in those results, though.
All of that being said, if there’s not a particular reason (not confident driving, etc) that you want to avoid a rental car, you will undoubtedly spend less and have more flexibility by driving yourself!
Driving in Provence is fairly simple–GPS directions work well, and you park outside the historic centers so you don’t have to worry about driving on tiny roads.
Hope you guys have a fantastic trip!
Hi Kate, We are going to Provence and the Riviera for a short 5 days. I would love to see best of both. I’ll be arriving in Avignon around noon on the 20th July and thinking of staying in either Saint Remy or Bonnieux or anywhere in those regions that make it easy to see the main villages and possibly fit in a hike. I would love to see a vineyard and maybe olive grove/mill and thinking of heading to either Aix en Provence or Cassis for the afternoon of 22nd. I see there is a vineyard/olive mill near aix so could go there is that makes more sense. Hoping to do the boat ride in calanques probably morning of 23rd and then head to Nice as a base until 25th…. Late flight at 10pm that day. It would be helpful if you can help me figure out the best route to take and where to base myself in Provence. Worried it’s too busy in Avignon and Aix with the festivals.My husband loves Rose wine so hoping to do a tasting wherever possible. Only have to do one vineyard. We have a 13 year old so have to really balance all the activities. Probably some watersport beach time in the riviera.
Hi Kinnari,
Honestly I think that’s a very long to-do list for 5 days, so I’d recommend cutting back where you can!
If you’re not too particular about which villages you see in Provence, I’d consider focusing your time there around the Luberon Valley, as you’ll be able to see several different villages fairly quickly.
From there, you can head down to Cassis, spend most of the 23rd there, and then drive to Nice for the night, which gives you the 24th and maybe part of the 25th on the Riviera.
I’d only prioritize Avignon and Aix if you want to see them in particular–they’re lovely places, but if you’re hoping for a smaller village feel with hiking options, I don’t think they’re worth prioritizing on this trip.