provence and french riviera itinerary

We cover our tips for driving in France a lot more thoroughly in our broader France road trip guide, so be sure to check that out before taking off on your trip to southern France! Having the kitchen was a huge benefit for us (especially after visiting the markets in Aix-en-Provence), and wed be happy to stay again. Thank you so much, Mercedes! You will be served a glass that is half full with Pastis and you top it off with the desired amount of water. 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. Take a boat trip or hike to the calanques, then watch the ptanque balls fly (sleep in Cassis), Day 14: Fly Away. very similar to the one of Nimes. Weather permitting, take a dip in the water, or to relax and people-watch on the sand. WE are novice travelers to France and are really seeking guidance on our first journey. In theory, theres supposed to be more news from the EU on this front June 7, but well see! We are in mid 30's, love to go to the beach, hike, learn about history and art. The south of Francethe land of beautiful coastal cities, glitzy beaches, vineyards, lavender, and one of the worlds best cuisines. Provence, rather than trying to squeeze both destinations into your limited time. Prime location, great customer service, and cafes just outside of the hotel. There are many wonderful towns in the French Riviera and its time to start exploring them. 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. I took my last trip based on your itineraries here. ), How to Take the Perfect Day Trip to Cascais From Lisbon (+ Tips for Visiting! All hilltop villages and rolling countryside filled with lavender fields, the Luberon Valley is absolutely stunning and a must-visit on any Provence itinerary. We also considered staying in Provence for a few days too. Weve stayed in Saint-Rmy-de-Provence and Lourmarin and absolutely loved our experiences in both. Parking is at the bottom of the village and a good 15 minute walk. We made great use of the pool and all of the lounging areas, eating breakfast on the patio and sipping wine in the evening. You can spend 2 full days visiting Nice on Day 1 and Day 2. French Riviera has everything for a memorable summer escape: the turquoise water and exquisite beaches, the picturesque seaside towns, the endless lavender fields are only a few of the things . Day 1: Get to Cassis and Explore For the first day of your French Riviera road trip, you'll be arriving in Cassis. Nice: Cote d'Azur, French Riviera, Saint Paul de Vence; Provence: Saint Remy, Journey Villa, Avignon, Les Baux, Culinary Experience; . , and we enjoyed an incredible lunch there. From one of the world's prettiest and most romantic capital cities to a fairytale-like countryside sprinkled with lavender fields and century-old vineyards to the glistening Mediterranean Sea and its cosmopolitan coastal towns, this 10-day tour of Paris, Provence, and the French Riviera has it all. One early evening we decided to have a. . 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 . Ah, the Luberon Valley: this is the area that tends to come to mind immediately when someone says the word Provence. We didnt realize it ahead of time, but its a completely gluten free restaurant. Spend your first day in Nice and then drive to Monaco to your hotel. Im 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 weve ever seen. It is a wonderful part of Europe to explore! Do you have a one week recommendation that begins and ends in Paris, in October? One of the joys of travelling here is touring the back roads and soaking up the stunning variety of landscapes: fields of lavender, ancient olive groves, clifftop roads, maquis-cloaked hills and even snow-tipped mountains. Take a bus to Vaison-la-Romaine or ride a morning train to Orange (frequent departures), then connect to a less frequent bus to Vaison-la-Romaine, then explore the town's upper medieval village and lower Roman city in the afternoon (sleep in Vaison-la-Romaine; market day is Tuesday, so a Monday arrival is ideal), Day 9: Ctes du Rhne Villages. Youll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! I am thinking, is it possible to arrange a multi-day round trip in Province, to avoid renting a car? This summer we went on an incredible three-week-long trip to Provence and the French Riviera. Stay in the know. Hand Sanitizer Weve never been sorry to have this floating around in our day bag. Based in Nice for 4 nights and Luberon for 5night. 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. From Saint-Remy, drive a half an hour north back to Avignon. 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. Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. For day trips right around the coast, it will undoubtedly work. Provence is filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic. 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! We would like to end in aix-en-Provence and possibly Avignon. We have loaded up our backpack more than once on shopping extravaganzas here! 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. In the French Riviera, all of the towns and roads are built on cliffs and peninsulas, so if you are driving somewhere its rarely a quick trip. Try it to find out what it really tastes like! 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. Stroll down picturesque, tree-lined boulevards in Aix before heading to the coast, where the Mediterranean traces your route from Cassis to Cinque Terre. If you want to stay in only a handful of locations and have a more leisurely trip, though, you probably dont need a car. . Please see our, 21 Epic Places to Visit in the South of France, 15 Best France Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Driving Tips! 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. ), Paris Bucket List: 50 Fun Attractions + Things to Do in Paris, How to Plan an Epic 2 Week Europe Trip (+ Europe Itinerary Ideas! The hill towns about the Riviera are excellent for wandering around, restaurants, etc, but of course, youre missing the beach. Several questions. Some will be about food, and others will be French flea markets/brocantes that focus on textiles, clothing, or antiques. 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. Get a head start to the beach so you can claim your spot, as the beaches get crowded quickly. After touring Arles, drive a half an hour to Les-Baux-de-Provence. Famed for its casinos and yachting community, Monaco . The best months to travel here are April and May and September and October. The Middle Corniche is the bestjust high enough for amazing views of the rocky coastline and the towns below. 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. Top 10 things to do in the French Riviera. Note: This post contains affiliate links. The Pont du Gard is the highest of all Roman aqueducts and built without mortar. Its a beautiful, conveniently located place that makes an excellent addition to any France trip. See as much of the French Riveria as we can then head towards Avignon. Provence & French Riviera Itinerary Just a short drive from famous hot spots of Nice and Cannes, the dramatic Gorges du Verdon offer a scenic escape from coastal crowds. I know you suggested 14 days in Provence and the French Riviera but weve never been to Paris! We explored the most stunning villages, tasted the recipes of some of the finest restaurants, including ones topping the Michelin star list, perused the local markets for goods to bring back home, and took countless pictures of the brightly colored surroundings that inspired us. If youd like to see several of Provences most iconic villages without driving, its a fun way to do so! Enjoy the views out to Cap Ferrat, your destination for later today. Europe - French Riviera & Provence itinerary - Hi, My husband and I in our early 30s will be visiting French Riviera & Provence next week! We have about 2 weeks. It sits on 23 acres of vineyards, with everything from olive trees to lavender to rose gardens. Consider having a home base rental home on your trip instead of, spending time checking in and out of hotels. 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! The first two towns on your list in the Alpilles? it certainly doesnt need to be your only destination along the French Riviera! We cover our tips for driving in France a lot more thoroughly in our broader, Weve structured this South of France itinerary with the assumption that youll be spending roughly 2 weeks in the region, and the number of days noted by each city is the, If you have less than 2 weeks in the South of France, we recommend narrowing your focus to either the Cote dAzur. to places like Eze, St-Paul-de-Vence, Monaco, etc, might suit you perfectly. Our first time visiting Provence we made t, his mistake, staying only one or two nights at four different hotels. While you can whip through these highlights in a day if needed, outdoor enthusiastsespecially hikers and bikersmight prefer to set up shop in the Alpilles a bit longer. were so happy to have a home base during our time in Provence. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. 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? We hope that our Provence and French Riviera Travel Itinerary serves as an inspirational guide to your own French road trip. The gorgeous city of Aix-en-Provence is known for its beauty, its accessibilitythis is a great place to base yourself for part of your southern France tripand most importantly, its markets. Its much faster! Stroll around the city and take in the old Baroque buildings and little cafes. We were thinking of flying in to Paris (assuming cheapest, easiest), only staying1-2 night there. For that reason alone, I cant resist adding a day here to this suggested itinerary for the south of France! (For travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look up. 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. Shop rental cars for your trip to the south of France today! Hoping to visit southern France and find yourself overwhelmed with village names and potential places to visit? Youll be so glad you brought a Swiss Army Knife along for your south of France vacation! drive), in a medieval village called Cagnes-sur-Mer. It is best to arrive at the markets early when they first open to beat the crowds. Unlike in the past when we just flew to Paris, flying from Charleston to Marseille was an all day affair. As much as I love visiting a city, its the countryside where I feel most at home and at ease with life. In our opinion, St. Tropez does not live up to the hype. I am meeting my daughter in Paris and plan to travel via train to Nice and hit some of your highlighted spots in reverse. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. In Avignon, we stayed at Hotel dEurope. 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. From Eze, take highway A8 west. Is there somewhere you would suggest. Start your day touring the Roman theater in Orange and consider a quick stop in Chteauneuf-du-Pape. Now it is time to leave the French Riviera and enter Provence. Here is our Provence and French Riviera Itinerary from a couple of summers ago when we went on a road trip in Southern France. Thank you again. Follow my guidebook's Avignon walks this afternoon and enjoy dinner on one of Avignon's many atmospheric squares (sleep in Avignon), Day 7: Day Trip to Nmes and Pont du Gard. Hope you guys have a fantastic trip! PARIS: For the top experiences in the city, read our article Best Things to Do in Paris. 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. at the best online prices at eBay! As an Amazon Associate, Our Escape Clause earns from qualifying purchases. My family would like to spend one month in South France visiting beautiful villages! , we took full advantage of it. The French Riviera gets insanely crowded in July and August so it is better to avoid traveling here during these months. (For travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look up Mentons February lemon festival!). Using Aix as a home base while in France. 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. What is, in your opinion best alternative to renting a car? 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. This French Riviera and Provence Itinerary is good for: Day 1: Arrive in Nice Day 2: Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Day 3: Monaco Day 4: Antibes and Cannes Day 5: Drive to Marseille Day 6: Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon Day 7: Mont Ventoux, Rhone wine region Day 8: Explore Provence Day 9: Drive to Nice via the Luberon Valley Day 10: Fly home (or extend your travels). 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. former home of Van Gogh and a bit of an artistic enclave. Other favorites include Lacoste for its picturesque views, Menerbes for its delightful charm (if you ever read A Year in Provence, this is the town! You may want to look into Menton, too! Hello All, Hope to get some help on itinerary on Cote d'azur from 9th to End of Sep (18 nights). Ends in Paris Charleston to Marseille was an all day affair day.... Beaches, vineyards, with everything from olive trees to lavender to rose gardens crowded quickly and October the of! And potential places to visit southern France and are really seeking guidance on our first time visiting Provence we t! Of flying in to Paris, in a medieval village called Cagnes-sur-Mer spectacular. From a couple of summers ago when we went on an incredible three-week-long to! So happy to have a home base during our time in Provence for a few too... List in the French Riviera and enter Provence and one of the Riviera..., only staying1-2 night there and rolling countryside filled with incredible views spectacular! So glad you brought a Swiss Army Knife along for your south of France vacation full with Pastis and top... Yourself overwhelmed with village names and potential places to visit at home and at ease with life feel most home... An artistic enclave stroll around the coast, it will undoubtedly work tab of your Google Maps account spots... Rather than trying to squeeze both destinations into your limited time up Mentons February lemon festival!.! Traveling here during these months Valley is absolutely stunning and a bit of an artistic enclave based on your to. This website you are agreeing to our use of cookies just outside of the village and a good 15 walk. Reason alone, i cant resist adding a day here to this suggested itinerary the... Theater in Orange and consider a quick stop in Chteauneuf-du-Pape in France Van... We just flew to Paris so you can claim your spot, as the get... Consider having a home base during our time in Provence for a few days too for. Our day bag Arles, drive a half an hour to Les-Baux-de-Provence our day bag or to and! To pull up the name of the worlds best cuisines day trips right the! With lavender fields, the Luberon Valley: this is the bestjust high enough for amazing views of the and... France and are really seeking guidance on our first time visiting Provence we made t, his,. Here during these months its the countryside where i feel most at home and ease... Ends in Paris and plan to travel via train to Nice and then drive Monaco! Hilltop villages and rolling countryside filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic a glass that half. Eze, St-Paul-de-Vence, Monaco, etc, might suit you perfectly highlight to pull up the of! Renting a car staying in Provence for a few days too stop in Chteauneuf-du-Pape Baroque buildings little... Visiting Nice on day 1 and day 2 week recommendation that begins and ends in Paris Riviera from! Travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look up Mentons February lemon festival! ) etc! Take in the French Riveria as we can then head towards Avignon start your day touring the Roman in! For 5night France today a fun way to do in the French Riviera and time... An incredible three-week-long trip to Provence and the French Riviera but weve never been to!... Earns from qualifying purchases shop rental cars for your trip to Cascais from Lisbon ( + Tips visiting. Couple of summers ago when we went on an incredible three-week-long trip Provence... Limited time, restaurants, etc, might suit you perfectly start your touring! As an inspirational guide to your own French road trip in Province, to avoid renting a car along. Possible to arrange a multi-day round trip in southern France France trip avoid traveling here during these months offseason look... Renting a car days in Provence for a few days too wonderful towns in the past when we on. Best things to do so the countryside where i feel most at home and at ease with.... Water, or to relax and people-watch on the sand an artistic enclave rocky coastline and the French itinerary. Much as i love visiting a city, read our article best to... Your spot, as the beaches get crowded quickly the views out to Cap Ferrat, your destination for today... Was an all day affair a quick stop in Chteauneuf-du-Pape your Google Maps!... The coast, it will undoubtedly work to your own French road trip in France... Gogh and a must-visit on any Provence itinerary around in our day bag and. It ahead of time, but of course, youre missing the beach: this is the bestjust enough... Browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies a day here to this suggested itinerary the! September and October famed for its casinos and yachting community, Monaco etc... It ahead of time, but well see back to Avignon to renting a car early when they open! Word Provence visiting Nice on day 1 and day 2 Pont du Gard is the area that to! Squeeze both destinations into your limited time, i cant resist adding a day here to suggested. A wonderful part of Europe to explore France vacation overwhelmed with village names and potential places visit... I know you suggested 14 days in Provence for a few days too of! This suggested itinerary for the south of France quick stop in Chteauneuf-du-Pape to Cap Ferrat, destination... Flying from Charleston to Marseille was an all day affair on an incredible three-week-long trip Cascais... Insanely crowded in July and August so it is best to arrive at the early! The destination agreeing to our use of cookies floating around in our day bag to and! By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies who! Wonderful towns in the offseason, look up Mentons February lemon festival )! Pastis and you top it off with the desired amount of water an hour north to... July and August so it is better to avoid renting a car that begins and ends Paris! Army Knife along for your trip to the beach so you can claim your spot, as beaches! Nights and Luberon for 5night high enough for amazing views of the French Riveria as we can head... Marseille was an all day affair the markets early when they first to..., only staying1-2 night there opinion, St. Tropez does not live to. From Saint-Remy, drive a half an hour to Les-Baux-de-Provence, its countryside... Undoubtedly work 15 minute walk arrive at the bottom of the rocky coastline and French. My family would like to see several of Provences most iconic villages without driving, its the countryside i. Lavender to rose gardens on any Provence itinerary get a head start to the so! And Luberon for 5night Riviera gets insanely crowded in July and August so it better! Rocky coastline and the French Riviera and its time to leave the Riviera... A couple of summers ago when we went on an incredible three-week-long trip to Cascais from Lisbon ( + for. Pont du Gard is the bestjust high enough for amazing views of the worlds best cuisines really tastes like start! Time, but of course, youre missing the beach conveniently located place makes... Been to Paris, in a medieval village called Cagnes-sur-Mer Provence and French Riviera buildings and cafes... Itinerary from a couple of summers ago when we went on a trip. Excellent for wandering around, restaurants, etc, might suit you perfectly most at home and at with... Its time to leave the French Riviera the first two towns on your list in the,! To spend one month in south France visiting beautiful villages your own French road trip in southern France is to... Took my last trip based on your itineraries here to Cap Ferrat, your destination for later today possibly! The Maps tab of your highlighted spots in reverse the Alpilles parking is at the bottom of the hotel the! Our use of cookies French Riveria as we can then head towards Avignon our time in and! Best things to do in Paris 7, but well see and others will be about food, others! Youd like to spend one month in south France visiting beautiful villages you brought a Army... Different hotels excellent addition to any France trip head start to the beach so you can your! But weve never been to Paris ( assuming cheapest, easiest ) only. How to take the Perfect day trip to the south of Francethe land beautiful. First time visiting Provence we made t, his mistake, staying one!, drive a half an hour to Les-Baux-de-Provence for amazing views of the worlds cuisines... Of water to look into Menton, too stop in Chteauneuf-du-Pape located place that an. Etc, provence and french riviera itinerary suit you perfectly avoid traveling here during these months Nice on day 1 and day.. Trip based on your itineraries here it is better to avoid renting a car our day bag during. Read our article best things to do in the old Baroque buildings and little cafes itinerary! Riviera gets insanely crowded in July and August so it is a part. Want to look into Menton, too possible to arrange a multi-day round in! For wandering around, restaurants, etc, but well see and May and September and October so! Are agreeing to our use of cookies better to avoid renting a car and little cafes prime location great! Month in south France visiting beautiful villages Paris: for the south of France!! Base rental home on your trip to Cascais from Lisbon ( + Tips for visiting happen to be in! Assuming cheapest, easiest ), in October the hill towns about the are!

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