), and Lourmarin for its idyllic beauty. Shop train tickets from Paris to the south of France, Honeymoon in Italy: How to Plan the Perfect Trip, https://www.ourescapeclause.com/3-days-in-paris-itinerary/, https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-annecy-france/, https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-cassis-france/, Magical Monsanto, Portugal: Things to Do (+ Map & Tips for Visiting! If you like the idea of taking a walking tour of Nice, here are several ideas. In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. It is a wonderful part of Europe to explore! Wander the streets and have lunch here. 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. Do you have any questions about this French Riviera itinerary? One place not to be missed, in our opinion, is Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence. What is a good itinerary so we get the best out of this trip? From Avignon, spend the 3 days exploring the towns, villages, and wineries in Provence. Except for perhaps in the very early fall during a hot year, though, you likely wont want to swim during this time of year, and of course, there wont be any lavender around. Start the morning with my guidebook's self-guided walk through Vieux Nice (take time to smell the fougasse and sample un caf); spend your afternoon at one or more of Nice's fine museums, then have dinner on the beach (sleep in or near Nice), Day 3: Coastal Route to Monaco. You know those hotels that look nice online but really blow you away in person? . Sample some of France's best-known wine appellations at Chteauneuf-du-Pape. Ah, the Luberon Valley: this is the area that tends to come to mind immediately when someone says the word Provence. I know it is not the best time of year, but excited to go anyway. The hotel is known for its impeccable location, and you cant go wrong staying here on your south of France trip! This is where the rich and famous come to relax and party. You can drive to the top in your car but for avid cyclists, cycling to the top of Mont Ventoux is quite an accomplishment. I will be in touch as I plan! In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Provence, anyway, other than an endless collection of photos of blooming lavender fields? Be sure to seek out the Christmas marketsa fun bonus of a winter trip. 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. It also happens to be one of our favorite corners of France and one that we love to visit repeatedly! Camargue, Provence, and French Riviera Itinerary: an introduction Day 1 | Get Lost in Nice Day 2 | An Escapade to Monte Carlo + Beautiful Villages and Sunsets 9 AM: Visit the Richest Country in the World 3 PM: The Medieval Village of Eze 5 PM: Beach Bums + Sunset Views at Saint Jean Cap Ferrat Day 3 | Charming Villages & Beautiful Beaches 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. Could to suggest some of the villages to visit? We had heard many people rave about it, and the restaurant lived up to all the incredible reviews. Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are our recommended priorities: Day 1: Fly into Nice. Visiting hilltop towns in the Luberon area is something not to be missed. First, small aperitifs were served outside in the garden with a view over the town. ), 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. 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. https://www.palais-des-papes.com/en/Drive to Nice through the Luberon Valley. Famed for its casinos and yachting community, Monaco . Aix and Nice are both pretty bignot Paris big, but definitely small towns. Ellen. 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. . Getting Around During Your Trip to Southern France. Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Negresco! Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. , was near Nice (about a 30 min. former home of Van Gogh and a bit of an artistic enclave. Each season brings with it a reason to visit the south of France! 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. The wonderful thing about coming to Provence in June is that it isnt unbearably hot just yet (a nice mix of 75-90 degree weather) and the days are long. Id 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. 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? Check rates & book your stay at Sjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau! 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 Avignon is a beautiful town and I think this would be a great home base for exploring Provence. For some spectacular scenery, visit the Parc National des Calanques. This is a popular tourist attraction so expect large crowds of people. 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. From A8, take route 336 to route 36 to Vence. What is, in your opinion best alternative to renting a car? You can use one base in a pinch, but thatll mean a lot of driving each day. Luxury Provence & the French Riviera 13 days from $16,225pp Jump to: Day-to-day Itinerary Reviews When to go France trip ideas Tour highlights Hunt for truffles with a local expert and trained dog before enjoying a four-course gourmet meal in Mnerbes. and the itinerary was excellent. I loved discovering your site! Provence in particular has spawned countless novels and memoirsif youre looking for an excellent starting point, Peter Mayles A Year in Provence is a classic. It is time to rent a car and drive some of the most scenic roads in France. Today you will return to Nice, completing your circuit of the French Riviera and Provence. 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. Read about how to see and do it all in our French Riviera and Provence itinerary. Haha! For that reason alone, I cant resist adding a day here to this suggested itinerary for the south of France! That way we could reference them while traveling. Well, is one of those places. I am a single woman and always travels solo to major cities like Paris, Rome etc. Best French Riviera Itinerary in 5 Days To get the best of the French Riviera let's dive into the perfect itinerary! Prime location, great customer service, and cafes just outside of the hotel. I also wouldnt miss the Valensole Plateau as youre heading toward Aix-en-Provence if youre visiting during summer/lavender season. 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. The view to Villefranche-sur-Mer is pretty spectacular, also! Bring a small pack of tissues, toss them in your day bag, and you wont have to worry about it. Wind up in Arles (sleep in Arles; big Saturday-morning market), Day 11: All Day in and near Arles. 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). Take a quick walk through town. Day 9-10: French Riviera . Top 10 things to do in the French Riviera. 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. Current Page: Essential travel tips and interactive map. Day 4: Scenic drive from Cannes to St.-Tropez. After wrapping up this itinerary, pick your favorite placemaybe a tiny village like Lourmarin, maybe a city with plenty of day trip options like Aix-en-Provence, your choiceand settle into Provencal life for a while, savoring your experiences and slowly soaking up everything that makes southern France special. 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. Were talking about yachts that are large enough that staff needs to be employed to take care of them. . 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