(For travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look up. 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. Its quintessential Provence, made from stone, with French blue shutters and roses climbing. I am happy that I stumbled across your site. 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. Here is our Provence and French Riviera Itinerary from a couple of summers ago when we went on a road trip in Southern France. 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? We just dont want to do a river cruise or a tour group really. Leave Arles on day 2, driving 19km (12 miles) northeast to the tiny village of Les Baux-de-Provence in the southern Alpilles. The best option is to fly into Nice or Marseille and pick up a rental car . Note that on Sundays, fewer trains run, and buses often disappear. What is, in your opinion best alternative to renting a car? Today is more of a leisurely day. Visit Nmes (Roman amphitheater) in the morning and the Pont du Gard in the afternoon. 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. It is one of the toughest climbs in the race (and Europe), twelve miles of non-stop climbing to get to the top. 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. That being said, we highly recommend basing yourselves at least once in a smaller village, too! Here is my recommendation for a road trip itinerary in the French Riviera starting in Nice: Arrival in Nice on Day 1. Villefranche-Sur-Mer panoramic view. Once in the city, it was almost impossible to get around by car. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Spend all day in Cassis enjoying la vie douce. Planned to then drive to southern France & fly out of Nice to Sicily. If you have time, also consider ducking into one of the other beautiful art museums in the city. Of all the suggested stops on this south of France itinerary, this one is probably the most anticipated for many summer visitors. If you like the idea of visiting Cannes and Antibes on a tour, check out this 5 hour tour from Nice. , theres something around every corner waiting to be discovered. We stayed at Hotel dEurope, one of the best hotels in Avignon. To help you get started, we've listed our top picks for where to go in Provence and the French Riviera, and our plan for your best two-week trip. The dates for the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 are May 16 to May 27. 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 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. 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. Learn how to visit Pere LeChaise Cemetery, plan your time with our 3 Day Paris Itinerary, learn where to get the best views of Paris, and read our Paris Food Guide for information on what to eat in Paris. This is a small town and it does not take long to walk all of it. Since '82, we've spent well over 150 weeks vacationing in France. The first few days in the French Riviera, we stayed at a friends house near Grimaud. Your adventure begins with a walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais, a 2.5-mile waterside boardwalk that offers stunning views over the Mediterranean, beaches, and the ornate facades of iconic buildings such as the Hotel Negresco. We enjoyed Saint-Rmy-de-Provence so much the first time around that when we later returned to southeast France, we based ourselves there for almost a week! Pick up your rental car as early as possible in Nice. 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!) A Week in France: The Riviera, Provence & Paris 9 days | 12 days with Normandy & Paris extension Group size 15-38 travelers Reviews 113 See dates & prices Overview Itinerary Reviews Traveler photos Hotels, flights & FAQ Fully Refundable Booking Period Feel good about booking your tour today. However, we do recognize that the views from Les Baux-de-Provence themselves are top-notch! To the north of Avignon are the towns of Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, great places to go wine tasting. Just past Nice, it is time to take a detour to the highly underrated and very pretty town of Vence. If you get a chance and are in the area (even if youre not staying at the hotel), head there for dinner or have lunch and set-up a wine tasting at their winery next door. 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. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | https://www.palais-des-papes.com/en/Drive to Nice through the Luberon Valley. were so happy to have a home base during our time in Provence. 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. If you want to spend time both on the coast and inland, Id recommend choosing a second base as well. The most important thing to keep in mind when deciding where to stay in the south of France? Take the train or bus to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and have lunch. The food was fantastic, but the sunset we witnessed was one of the most incredible sunsets weve ever seen, with the sky and calm blue waters turning a cotton candy pink hue. That being said, we highly recommend basing yourselves at least once in a smaller village, Alternatively, check the prices of flights to Geneva (on one of our trips to France, we flew into Geneva, spent a few days in the delightful city of. Rick Steves, for example, has a tour that touches on Provence but it doesnt really focus on it. From Antibes, it is just a 7 minute train ride to Cannes (get train times here). . In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Perched high above the Mediterranean Sea along the Cote dAzur, 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. Take This Map With You! Make your way from the seaside in Provence to the rolling hills of Tuscany, taking in some of France and Italy's most striking vistas as you go. Right now I am thinking around 10 days but could extend a little if necessary. How Long Does This South of France Itinerary Take? Best Time to Go to Provence and the French Riviera by Rick Steves Explore Europe France When to Go to Provence and the French Riviera In late June through much of July, the five hectares of lavender fields that surround the Abbey Notre-Dame de Snanque, near Gordes, make for breathtaking pictures. Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Splitting 2 weeks up between Provence and Barcelona (a little of each) thx. Our first week in Provence was spent exploring the areas around the house we rented in Saint-Saturnin-ls-Apt. We were thinking of flying in to Paris (assuming cheapest, easiest), only staying1-2 night there. From Rousillon it is a three hour drive back to Nice. Enjoy the views out to Cap Ferrat, your destination for later today. Were full-time travel bloggers who have been exploring the world since 2016, visiting 50+ countries across 5 continents along the way. Wind up in Arles (sleep in Arles; big Saturday-morning market), Day 11: All Day in and near Arles. Lavender fields 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. Paris in Winter: 31 Reasons to Visit (+ Tips! Once the home of popes, Avignon is the perfect place to kick off your south of France itinerary. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. By Rick Steves and Steve Smith So much to see, so little time. From Le Dortoir, youll be able to reach all of Nices highlights on foot, and its fabulous customer service ratings mean that youll be able to ask for advice on just about anywhere you want to go! The buildings here are a reddish pink color. ), 55 Epic Road Trips in Europe (Itinerary Ideas + Tips! It is a wonderful part of Europe to explore! thank you for the wonderful blog! The following content may contain affiliate links. Day 4: Scenic drive from Cannes to St.-Tropez. Rooms are small, but customer service is wonderful! We hope that our Provence and French Riviera Travel Itinerary serves as an inspirational guide to your own French road trip. 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. Catch a flight back to your home town or continue you travels. The second site not to be missed is the Palais des Papes. Hi Kate, I really enjoyed reading your post. Someone suggested Avignon, but wondered if outside the city would be better. You can spend 2 full days visiting Nice on Day 1 and Day 2. Here on Our Escape Clause, we are dedicated to helping travelers plan their adventures. 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. Read all of our articles in our. Were driving from Paris south, areas I want to specifically hit; Bordeaux, Nice/Cannes & Montpellier and then driving back to Paris. ), 21 Epic Hidden Gems in Europe: Secret Spots + Offbeat Highlights, A Splendid One Day in Strasbourg Itinerary, 11 Things to Do in Annecy, Frances Lakeside Gem. Tote Bag Trust me: youll want a very sturdy reusable bag with you when you visit Provencal markets! When planning a trip to the south of France, Provence is often the first region that comes to mindbut what exactly is Provence, anyway, other than an endless collection of photos of blooming lavender fields? You can use one base in a pinch, but thatll mean a lot of driving each day. I knew it was going to be pretty, but what we arrived to was a complete dream! The wealth that sits in this harbor is unbelievable. Youll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! See as much of the French Riveria as we can then head towards Avignon. After lunch, take another uber or taxi to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild located on Cap Ferrat. One place not to be missed, in our opinion, is Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence. Have dinner back in Avignon (sleep in Avignon), Day 8: Vaison-la-Romaine. Thats not to say you couldnt stay longeryou absolutely could! 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. Hello All, Hope to get some help on itinerary on Cote d'azur from 9th to End of Sep (18 nights). Thats a beautiful time to be in southern Franceitll definitely be busy, but not quite the peak summer crowds of July and August yet! This is an upscale hotel in the heart of Avignon, within walking distance of the best of Avignon. Return to Arles by taxi or bus (minivan tours will probably include other destinations), and spend your afternoon there; or take a taxi from Les Baux to St-Rmy, explore there, then catch a bus back to Arles (sleep in Arles), Day 12: Marseille, then Cassis. South of France Itinerary: 10 Days in the French Riviera & Provence South of France Itinerary: 10 Days in the French Riviera & Provence By: Woodrow Matthews Last updated: February 15, 2023 France As much as I love to travel around France and see the rest of Europe, there is nothing quite like coming back to my home on the French Riviera. Hello, this is simply superb, thank you very much for sharing this. A good thing to do on your first day is to stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, a paved walkway along the coastline of Nice. Dijon is another great option, though I havent had a chance to visit yet. 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. Can you help me narrow it down if I am there for one week? It features first-class accommodations and small-group tours. ), and Lourmarin for its idyllic beauty. ), Planning a Trip to Paris in 11 Easy Steps (+ First Time in Paris Tips! SLEEP IN: Aix-en-Provence Pick up your rental car and drive to Aix-en-Provence. Cannes is famous for its luxury hotels and of course, the Cannes Film Festival. After dinner in Monte Carlo, take the train back to Nice. The two biggest airports in the Provence-Alpes-Cte dAzur region are Marseille and Nice, and you can easily fly into either to start your trip to southern France. Sadly we havent been to Bordeaux or Montpellier yet (hopefully soon!). The house has a lovely pool and courtyard area, and as you will find in this. Today you will return to Nice, completing your circuit of the French Riviera and Provence. at Bastide de Marie is wonderful! If the weather's good, bring your swimsuit and float on your back for views of the 2,000-year-old aqueduct. Between Nice and Monaco are the three corniches, winding roads along the mountainous coastline. Today, budget vacationers and heat-seeking Europeans fill belle-poque resorts at France's most sought-after fun-in-the-sun destination. Driving in Provence is fairly simpleGPS directions work well, and you park outside the historic centers so you dont have to worry about driving on tiny roads. see our FAQ. December may not be a traditional time to be in Provence, but it is lovely! On day 2 you could drive and visit the towns in between Nice and Monaco (Villefranche, Saint John Cap Ferrat, and Eze). Both of us ordered the fish for our main dish and loved every bite. There, the beach is long but narrow, so we tried to get there before 10am. , and we enjoyed an incredible lunch there. The sun doesnt set until well after 9pm, so we didnt feel rushed on how much we could fit in before sunset. ), The Perfect 3 Days in Paris Itinerary for First-Timers, This south of France itinerary is for you, When planning a trip to the south of France, Provence is often the first region that comes to mindbut what exactly. Sit down for a fantastic French meal on a stunning terrace, and youll immediately feel all the glitz and glamour of the Cote dAzur. While we were in the French Riviera, we saw so many yachts we almost get used to it. If youre looking for a guide to antique shops around Provence, our friend Vicky has a wonderful. ALSACE WINE REGION: Learn how to plan your visit in our 3 Day Alsace Wine Region itinerary. It is kind of the same with the Ferraris here, too. Our website uses cookies. Was spent exploring the world does not take long to walk all of.... 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( assuming cheapest, easiest ), Day 8: Vaison-la-Romaine out of Nice to Sicily trains,. See, so little time very pretty town of Vence, this is... Also consider ducking into one of the best hotels in Avignon ( in. By Rick Steves, for example, has a tour, check this! The heart of Avignon are the towns of Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, great places to go tasting... To Cannes ( get train times here ) has a wonderful Nmes ( Roman amphitheater ) in heart! Vacationers and heat-seeking Europeans fill belle-poque resorts at France & fly out of Nice Sicily. Hotel in the afternoon, our friend Vicky has a tour group really up a rental car early... To do a river cruise or a tour, check out this 5 hour from... And roses climbing impossible to get there before 10am drive from Cannes to.... Provencal markets that I stumbled across your site Itinerary Ideas + Tips art! Dedicated to helping travelers plan their adventures Google Maps account of Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, places!
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