Free shipping for many products! (For travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look up. You will be visiting a variety of wineries, each with their individual wine-making style. Lots of missed celebrationsso our first planned trip is to France in September, I grew up there and cant wait to share it with him. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for PROVENCE & THE FRENCH RIVIERA FOR TRAVELERS. Les Baux is a medieval town on a hillside overlooking Provence. Each season brings with it a reason to visit the south of France! 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). The bridge received worldwide fame when it was commemorated in the song Sur le Pont DAvignon.. Both are gorgeous small towns with excellent views. Eze is beautiful and we had a lot of fun wandering through this small town. , 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/. 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 From A8, take route 336 to route 36 to Vence. Dijon is another great option, though I havent had a chance to visit yet. https://www.palais-des-papes.com/en/Drive to Nice through the Luberon Valley. Shop rental cars for your trip to the south of France today! All I can say is truffle risotto! Amazing! On a personal note, were planning to visit Europe this summer but stick to one country for ease/to limit the risks of things going wrong at least thats the plan as of today! This summer we went on an incredible three-week-long trip to Provence and the French Riviera. We have loaded up our backpack more than once on shopping extravaganzas here! Day 2: Les Baux-de-Provence & St-Rmy-de-Provence. After our week along the French Riviera, we ended our France trip with a peaceful two days at. First, small aperitifs were served outside in the garden with a view over the town. Today is more of a leisurely day. Drive north to Vence or Grasse (you choose), then continue on to the Gorges du Verdon (sleep in tiny Aiguines or Moustiers-Ste-Marie), Day 5: Drive to Provence. Id 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.) Day 1 to 4: 3 days and 3 nights in Nice. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, Im working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA. Travel Adaptors for France If youre coming from outside of Europe, youll definitely need adaptors for your electronics. Youll have a much better end to the day by arriving early in Nice and going out for a nice dinner and night on the town rather than visiting the headache that is St. Tropez. Here is our Provence and French Riviera Itinerary from a couple of summers ago when we went on a road trip in Southern France. If you fly into Nice, consider completing this south of France itinerary in the opposite order that Ive written it. Day 2: Bellagio and Varenna A short drive or ferry ride from Como will take you to Bellagio. Its definitely one of my favorite and probably one of the most scenic spots in all of Provence. From Avignon, drive one hour east to the beautiful town of Roussillon in the Luberon Valley. We can get another Airbnb or a hotel. I know you suggested 14 days in Provence and the French Riviera but weve never been to Paris! 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Id give Sicily a week minimumwith that timeline, you can cover the east coast (Taormina, Siracusa, etc.) Tim and I are hoping to revisit this area a year from now to give our content a massive update. Stay in the know. End the day with dinner and drinks in Marseille. Youll be so glad you brought a Swiss Army Knife along for your south of France vacation! 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. Once in Marseille, check into your hotel and then explore the Old Port. The coffee is merely average (by impeccable French standards, anyway), and I wouldnt take chances on the touristy food, but its worth sitting down just to see if the adorable corgi who passes through regularly happens to come by! This is what we did and had a terrible time. Now it is time to leave the French Riviera and enter Provence. They serve aperitifs and appetizers on the back patio, whiles candles and bistro lights flicker all around. My husband and I are fully vaxed and cant wait to start travelling overseas again! Paris in Winter: 31 Reasons to Visit (+ Tips! Driving the Monaco Grand Prix Race Course. Books About the South of France Whats better to add to your packing list than a book about the region youre visiting? I do have a question for you. 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. Depending on where you are traveling from, most flights arrive into Nice in the late morning or early afternoon. There are an abundance of poppy fields in Provence. We were thinking of flying in to Paris (assuming cheapest, easiest), only staying1-2 night there. In the afternoon, take my self-guided Avignon walks and enjoy dinner on one of the town's many atmospheric squares (sleep in Avignon), Day 9: Nmes and the Pont du Gard. We kept driving by these beautiful fields, and we eventually decided we couldnt pass up the. We designed this south of France itinerary for first-time visitors to the region who want a little taste of everything that Provence-Alpes-Cte dAzur has to offer, from the cobblestone streets of the Luberon Valley to the glamour of Nices promenade. Enjoy views of the Mediterranean Sea from the cliffs of the French Riviera. 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. What are some activities or locations we should go to? If you are hungry, have lunch here before resuming your drive. (Family of 4 with two college-age boys) Thank you. For those who join me in striving for a thoughtful, beautiful life. Most of the major beach towns/cities will have what youre looking for, including Nice. Drive the Middle Corniche (Moyen Corniche) towards Monaco, stopping along the way at the very pretty town of Eze. Stroll around the city and take in the old Baroque buildings and little cafes. Using Aix as a home base while in France. stretch as far as the eyes can see, hillside towns and villages boast an uninterrupted charm, rocky beaches bring feelings of tranquility, and quaint farmhouses offer simple, yet stunning beauty. 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. Hand Sanitizer Weve never been sorry to have this floating around in our day bag. Planning a trip to France? Take a train to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue via Marseille or Nice (best to arrive on a Saturday or Wednesday, and awaken the next morning for market day); wander and explore the town, and consider a canoe ride down the crystal-clear Sorgue River (sleep in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue), Day 6: Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Avignon. 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. In Monaco, stroll along the harbor, as this is the place to go yacht spotting. Happy Birthday and Anniversary! I went to Cannes as a child with my family but obviously this trip will be different. Spend all day in Cassis enjoying la vie douce. 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! Small Pack of Tissues Most bathrooms in France will have toilet paper, but not all of them (especially in rural areas). We also considered staying in Provence for a few days too. We spent the morning at the beach, explored the colorful town and then had a wonderful lunch on the shores of the water. While youll experience a bit more rain than in the summer, fall can be a lovely time to visit the south of France if youre looking for reduced crowds and prices while still experiencing quite a bit of sunshine and some lovely markets. Another tip we wish we were aware of before traveling, is to bring along swimsuits, cover ups, and towels in your travel bag. France sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate both. If you are here on a Wednesday or Saturday, you can go shopping at the market, which is amazing. Weve been thinking of perhaps hiring a van and driver. The day starts with a half an hour drive west from Avignon to the Pont du Gard. I also dont want to do too much traveling and instead chill in a few cities and talk it all in! All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Once in the city, it was almost impossible to get around by car. Both of us ordered the fish for our main dish and loved every bite. Thank you so much Kate for getting back to me. From Les Baux it is a very short and very scenic drive north to Saint-Remy-de-Provence. We have reimagined our brand and blog for a better future. Spend all day in Cassis enjoying la vie douce. 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! 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. Mont Ventoux is legendary for cyclists, making it into the Tour de France every few years. We love the south of France in the spring, and would happily visit in the spring again. Photo: Claudio Vincenti. If you want to spend time both on the coast and inland, Id recommend choosing a second base as well. Travel Insurance We dont ever suggest traveling without insuranceanything can happen anywhere, and this is definitely a case of better safe than sorry. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Once your table is ready, they bring you inside, where the all-glass dining room looks out at the vineyard with the sun setting right behind. It also happens to be one of our favorite corners of France and one that we love to visit repeatedly! Hi! 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. The best months to travel here are April and May and September and October. Ventoux is a giant mountain that towers over this part of Provence. The first two towns on your list in the Alpilles? With more time in southern France, you cant go wrong with spending a lot more time along the French Riviera, especially if youre visiting during the high season. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. 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. The first few days in the French Riviera, we stayed at a friends house near Grimaud. This is one of the most famous luxury hotels in France and has built up quite the storied history (and held a number of famous guests) since it opened in 1913and its also a whimsical and wonderful place to stay today. Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. 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. We learned this on our way to Villa Ephrussi during our time in. Leave Nice on Day 4 in the morning to go to Monaco. Take the train from Nice to Antibes, a journey that takes about 20 minutes (visit the Trainline Europe website). Check rates & book your stay at Le Dortoir! Europe - French Riviera & Provence itinerary - Hi, My husband and I in our early 30s will be visiting French Riviera & Provence next week! You can also tour Monaco on one of these day trips from Nice: In 2023, the Monaco Grand Prix will be held from May 26 to 28. thank you for the wonderful blog! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map. Catch a flight back to your home town or continue you travels. We were in the French Riviera and Provence in May, had great weather, and were able to visit the Cannes Film Festival and drive the Monaco Grand Prix race course. 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. It wasnt hard *in the beginning* because we were so excited to be there! Take This Map With You! Read about how to see and do it all in our French Riviera and Provence itinerary. Outdoor dining and activities will definitely be your best bets, but luckily, thats generally where youll find the best of southern France anyway! Ive 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. Sounds like a magical tripwe actually flew from Nice to Sicily ourselves the first time we visit, and it worked out great. If you'll be in Provence when the lavender is blooming, then I would add an extra day to the itinerary just to see this. , was near Nice (about a 30 min. One place not to be missed, in our opinion, is Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence. 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. 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. Drive to Cassis, stopping for lunch and a midday visit to Aix-en-Provence or Marseille, then set up in Cassis and watch the sun set from the old port while you savor a bouillabaisse dinner (sleep in Cassis), Day 13: All Day in Cassis. Right now I am thinking around 10 days but could extend a little if necessary. 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. Its been awhile since weve been to this part of Europe (this was our second trip to Europe over 10 years ago). 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. 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, and Goult for its understated and quiet beauty. Check rates & book your stay at Boutique Htel Neptune Nice! Day 2: Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Day 6: Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Day 9: Drive to Nice via the Luberon Valley, Day 10: Fly home (or extend your travels). The easiest way to get here is by uber or taxi. ), etc, we cant recommend the Luberon Valley more highly. Some will be about food, and others will be, 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, and. The old town and marina of Saint-Tropez If you still have not visited the Palais des Papes or Pont DAvignon, see them in the morning. : Compared to the countryside of Provence where we spent most of our time on country roads, there are numerous toll roads along the French Riviera, and they are pretty much unavoidable; therefore, make sure you have plenty of Euro coins in your car. 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. We made great use of the pool and all of the lounging areas, eating breakfast on the patio and sipping wine in the evening. Consider having a home base rental home on your trip instead of, spending time checking in and out of hotels. Thanks and much Appreciated for your help! We ended our France trip with a peaceful two days at and this is what we did had. 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