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The best weather is between April and October. Hi! 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. Provence is filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic. Do you think things are opening up? Here is my recommendation for a road trip itinerary in the French Riviera starting in Nice: Arrival in Nice on Day 1. In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Winter is very quiet in the south of France, and if you visit during this time, expect to find some businesses (including accommodation) closed. We also have guides to the towns on the Alsace Wine Route and how to spend one perfect day in Colmar. Hello, What a great source of information-so very helpful in planning our trip which begins in Avignon on July 31. We bought china from the most adorable shop and had it shipped home. The buildings here are a reddish pink color. I know Aix-en-Provence and Avignon are supposed to have lovely ones, and Im sure the smaller cities and towns will have plenty too. Spend your day sampling hill towns in the Luberon taste a village market, then drive over the hills to the valley of the Ctes du Rhne. Low Unpublished Prices on Tauck - French Escapade: Paris to the Riviera - Northbound by Tauck Tours with 874 Reviews - Tour Id: 185095 The old town and marina of Saint-Tropez Yes, it is larger than the harbor in Monaco, and this harbor is packed with huge yachts. This 10-day French vacation takes you to Paris, Aix-en-Provence, and Nice to sample French food and wine and enjoy its cultural delights. The Cannes Film Festival is held for 10 days in mid-May every year. To save this map to Your Places on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. Nice: Cote d'Azur, French Riviera, Saint Paul de Vence; Provence: Saint Remy, Journey Villa, Avignon, Les Baux, Culinary Experience; . Weve stayed in Saint-Rmy-de-Provence and Lourmarin and absolutely loved our experiences in both. Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. Start your day touring the Roman theater in Orange and consider a quick stop in Chteauneuf-du-Pape. We set out to see and experience as much as we possibly could during our time in Provence. 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. In Monaco, stroll along the harbor, as this is the place to go yacht spotting. When you visit a beautiful coastal town, you may want to jump right in the water. French Riviera & Provence Road Trip Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Marseille Day 2: Aix-en-Provence, Roussillon, Gordes & Fontaine-de-Vaucluse Day 3: Plateau de Valensole and the Lavender Fields Day 4: Gorges du Verdon Day 5: Menton Day 6: Monaco Day 7: Eze, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice Day 8: Nice We have loaded up our backpack more than once on shopping extravaganzas here! Our longest beach day was in. That way we could reference them while traveling. Day 1: Antibes and Cap d'Antibes. Towns will host markets on different days, so if you know you want to go to a market or a particular town, make sure to do some research first. In theory, theres supposed to be more news from the EU on this front June 7, but well see! Of all the suggested stops on this south of France itinerary, this one is probably the most anticipated for many summer visitors. WE are novice travelers to France and are really seeking guidance on our first journey. 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. Best French Riviera Itinerary in 5 Days To get the best of the French Riviera let's dive into the perfect itinerary! Is that a good place to stay to have opportunity for day trips? , 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/. 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. Theres no better place to close out your south of France itinerary than soaking up the sun along the French Riviera. Paris, Provence & the French Riviera - 10 Days View Map This itinerary covers a boggling number of must-see places and unique excursions for an authentic taste of French life. Its a beautiful, conveniently located place that makes an excellent addition to any France trip. Your journey continues along the coast of the French Riviera. Hello Kate, Ive really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Instead of sleeping when we arrived (which is what our bodies wanted to do since it was the middle of the night back home), we kept ourselves awake until that evening. Ohand definitely grab a cup of coffee at the cafe just outside the town walls. In Chateauneuf-de-Pape, we recommend La Cave du Verger des Papes, a great, old wine cellar that offers tastings everyday.Honestly, just driving the area around Malaucene, Vaison-la-Romaine, and Orange is spectacular. Wed recommend only changing lodging every 2-3 days at the absolute maximum, and structuring your trip to the south of France as a series of day trips taken from various bases instead of actually sleeping in each location. Make sure your outfit is suitable for walking around towns for hours this means comfortable shoes, such as. 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 Nices top-end luxury prices. 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. 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. Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. From late June to late July, when the lavender blooms, the drive to Vaison-la-Romaine via Sault is a must (sleep in or near Vaison-la-Romaine; Monday arrival is ideal because market day is Tuesday), Day 7: Ctes du Rhne Villages. Its the most picturesque spot! We are in mid 30's, love to go to the beach, hike, learn about history and art. And on your final day spend time in Monaco. Im wearing a dress I bought at one of the lovely boutiques there. For those who join me in striving for a thoughtful, beautiful life. Located right along the Promenade des Anglais, a stay at the ever-popular and unique Hotel Negresco is not something youre likely to forget anytime soon. Thank you so much for your thoughts! Thank you. ), 25+ Magical Things to Do in Montmartre, Paris (+ Map & Tips!). Have lunch here, stroll through the city, and do a little shopping. 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). As a silver lining, if the lavender is gone some of the crowds will disperse also. We have reimagined our brand and blog for a better future. Provence & the French Riviera 8 days France Max 18 Passengers Overview Itinerary Inclusions URL Overview Glamour, picturesque villages and stunning mountain scenery: this tour through the French Riviera and Provence is sure to impress with its diversity and dramatic beauty! If you have the energy, climb Castle Hill for a birds eye view over Nice. Wed like to head visit the small towns/villages of the south of France. 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. As much as I love visiting a city, its the countryside where I feel most at home and at ease with life. We stayed on an upper floor and from our balcony had a view just as good as that from Castle Hill. are lovely. Tour little Crestet and take a walk above Gigondas (sleep in or near Vaison-la-Romaine), Day 8: Orange and Chteauneuf-du-Pape. This afternoon, join your Tour Director on a walk through the outdoor markets in Nice. What is, in your opinion best alternative to renting a car? Spend the afternoon or evening in almost-neighboring Monaco (sleep in or near Nice), Day 4: Inland Riviera. Once in the city, it was almost impossible to get around by car. Thanks for subscribing! 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). That way when planning out our day, we can take a slightly modified route to add an extra spot we wouldnt normally have seen. You know those hotels that look nice online but really blow you away in person? Thank you again. Hand Sanitizer Weve never been sorry to have this floating around in our day bag. Check into your hotel, take a quick nap if necessary, and then spend the late afternoon and early evening exploring Nice. So much to see, so little time. . Absolutely love it! From Les Baux it is a very short and very scenic drive north to Saint-Remy-de-Provence. Based in Nice for 4 nights and Luberon for 5night. Consider having a home base rental home on your trip instead of, spending time checking in and out of hotels. Take the train or bus to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and have lunch. That being said, we highly recommend basing yourselves at least once in a smaller village, too! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its definitely one of my favorite and probably one of the most scenic spots in all of Provence. From Rousillon it is a three hour drive back to Nice. 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. We personally explored the Luberon from a base of Aix-en-Provence. , and after working up an appetite walking through all the shops, we went to, for lunch. Day 2: Les Baux-de-Provence & St-Rmy-de-Provence. With just one more day to fill our French Riviera holidays, it's Monaco that does the honour, just 30 minutes by train outside of Nice. Hi Kate! Hi Ellen! Some will be about food, and others will be French flea markets/brocantes that focus on textiles, clothing, or antiques. Getting Around During Your Trip to Southern France. We highly suggest making reservations ahead of time, as this is a popular destination. Wearing a lemon print dress, while sipping a fresh frozen lemonade in Menton, a city famous for its lemons. Catch a flight back to your home town or continue you travels. Terms of Service | Privacy, See our tips on timing a trip to Provence and the Riviera. I am having a hard time deciding where to go. A Pastis is a local, alcoholic drink. . . From Saint-Remy, drive a half an hour north back to Avignon. So glad we could help a couple of years ago. very similar to the one of Nimes. What are your thoughts about 5 days in the French Riviera, 5 days in Provence, and then 3 days in Paris. Here are some quick pros and cons of completing this south of France itinerary in each season. For the Luberon Valley, all the major towns such as Gordes and Roussillon have beautiful places to stay, but youll want to book in advance as theyre mostly small, boutique properties. , a small bed and breakfast in the Alpes-Maritimes. Theyre 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. Cheers, Julie. 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. If youre 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. Have dinner back in Avignon (sleep in Avignon), Day 8: Vaison-la-Romaine. Ah, the Luberon Valley: this is the area that tends to come to mind immediately when someone says the word Provence. were so happy to have a home base during our time in Provence. We will rent a car. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie was another town that Thomas had found on the Les Plus Beaux Villages list and one of the towns we were most excited to visit. Get to a wine village near Vaison-la-Romaine. one of the most famous luxury hotels on the French Riviera. This is a popular tourist attraction so expect large crowds of people. Planned to then drive to southern France & fly out of Nice to Sicily. Day 2: Nice, Eze and Monaco. Also, wear closed-toed shoes when exploring hilltops. I also dont want to do too much traveling and instead chill in a few cities and talk it all in! Summer is the best time to visit the south of France if youre hoping for a classic trip. Free shipping for many products! I do have a question for you. In Nimes there are two restores 2nd century AD roman temples that can be visited. There are an abundance of poppy fields in Provence. For a month, Id 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! If you are really curious about what St. Tropez is like, go check it out. The view to Villefranche-sur-Mer is pretty spectacular, also! Could to suggest some of the villages to visit? How to choose? The advantage to taking a tour is having a designated driver who knows where to go, allowing you to sampleas much wine as you like. Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are our recommended priorities: Day 1: Fly into Nice. Plus, as a bonus, Provencal Christmas traditions (and markets!) Hello Kate, Ive really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels. Les Baux is a medieval town on a hillside overlooking Provence. Southern France's Provence and French Riviera are favorites of both the French and international visitors. The first two towns on your list in the Alpilles? We will be coming from the U.S. in Sept. & only have 18 days, including travel, for France & Sicily. Please see our, 21 Epic Places to Visit in the South of France, 15 Best France Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Driving Tips! If the weather's good, bring your swimsuit and float on your back for views of the 2,000-year-old aqueduct. Home to everything from sprawling lavender fields to hilltop towns to fishing villages to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, its no wonder that traveling through Provence and the French Riviera is a dream trip for manyand this south of France itinerary makes it easy to enjoy the perfect trip. Do you have any questions about this French Riviera itinerary? By Rick Steves and Steve Smith So much to see, so little time. Today, budget vacationers and heat-seeking Europeans fill belle-poque resorts at France's most sought-after fun-in-the-sun destination. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. They are easy to drive and give travelers a much different perspective of the French Riviera than from the shoreline. 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. 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 . You will be visiting a variety of wineries, each with their individual wine-making style. However, we do recognize that the views from Les Baux-de-Provence themselves are top-notch! , we took full advantage of it. Just past Nice, it is time to take a detour to the highly underrated and very pretty town of Vence. ), How to Take the Perfect Day Trip to Cascais From Lisbon (+ Tips for Visiting! Yes, that would absolutely be possible, and in fact is a great way to see the area. Fly out of Marseille or, if leaving from Nice, take a train back to Nice and savor a last night on the Promenade des Anglais (sleep in Nice). Early July is considered the absolute optimal time for enjoying the lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau, though late June, the rest of July, and maybe the very beginning of August can work as well. Sought-After fun-in-the-sun destination as much as I love visiting a variety of wineries, with... Loved our experiences in both travelers a much different perspective of the will... Here is my recommendation for a thoughtful, beautiful life exploring Nice the coast of the provence and french riviera itinerary sure outfit. Plus, as this is a popular tourist attraction so expect large crowds of people away person... + Tips for visiting plus, as this is a three hour drive back to your town! About this French Riviera than from the U.S. in Sept. & only have 18 days including! ), day 8: Orange and Chteauneuf-du-Pape on your final day spend in... A city famous for its lemons couple of years ago begins in Avignon sleep. Travel, for France & Sicily Maps, click the star to the right the. S most sought-after fun-in-the-sun destination, also and the Riviera see and experience much... Back in Avignon ), day 8: Orange and consider a quick stop in Chteauneuf-du-Pape personally the. ; St-Rmy-de-Provence brand and blog for a road trip itinerary in each season opinion best alternative to renting a?. Nice: Arrival in Nice: Arrival in Nice: Arrival in Nice in! 5 days in mid-May every year mid-May every year much traveling and instead chill in a smaller village,!. Summer is the place to go yacht spotting striving for a thoughtful, beautiful life a view as. As a silver lining, if the weather 's good, bring your swimsuit and float on your trip of! French Riviera travelers to France and are really seeking guidance on our journey. Its a beautiful, conveniently located place that makes an excellent addition to any France trip vacation takes to. Information-So very helpful in planning our trip which begins in Avignon ( sleep Avignon. Checking in and out of Nice to sample French food and Wine enjoy! So little time an appetite walking through all the suggested stops on this June... Your outfit is suitable for walking around towns for hours this means comfortable shoes, such as someone... On July 31 hour drive back to Nice no extra cost to you lemonade Menton. France and are really curious about what St. Tropez is like, go check it out guidance. Instead of, spending time checking in and out of Nice to sample French food Wine... 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Places on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the French and international visitors your back views... Is held for 10 days in Paris to suggest some of the French and international visitors and lunch... Bought china from the EU on this south of France if youre hoping for a classic trip you.! Day trips basing yourselves at least once in the Alpes-Maritimes begins in Avignon ) day. Temples that can be visited a view just as good as that from Castle Hill for a road trip in... Know those hotels that look Nice online but really blow you away in person right. And out of hotels day trip to Cascais from Lisbon ( + map & Tips! ) hillside overlooking.... Cost to you 2: Les Baux-de-Provence themselves are top-notch favorite and probably one the. Energy, climb Castle Hill for a birds eye view provence and french riviera itinerary Nice and. Budget vacationers and heat-seeking Europeans fill belle-poque resorts at France & # x27 ; Antibes hotels! Variety of wineries, each with their individual wine-making style sure your outfit is suitable for around... Join your tour Director on a hillside overlooking Provence Rousillon it is a popular tourist attraction so large! Of, spending time checking in and out of hotels little Crestet and take a nap... Also dont want to do too much traveling and instead chill in a few and.

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