The Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct that was built to supply water from Uzes to Nimes. ), Paris Bucket List: 50 Fun Attractions + Things to Do in Paris, How to Plan an Epic 2 Week Europe Trip (+ Europe Itinerary Ideas! Just food for thought! After you get your fill of snapping photos, head to the Verdon Gorge, home to cascading cliffs, turquoise water, the nearby Lake of Sainte-Croix, some incredible hiking, andagain for summer visitors specificallyexcellent kayaking and rafting. Photo: Claudio Vincenti. We typically focus on travel in the USA and Europe (especially in our beloved Italy), but feature destinations across the world! 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? Swiss Army Knife Want to open wine bottles in your hotel room, slice cheese from the market, or cut up that baguette from the bakery? Id also recommend looking into a boat trip around the Calanques! If youre looking for a small group tour, Id look for day trips to the Luberon Valley area, probably leaving from Aix-en-Provence or perhaps Avignon. 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. Hello, My friends and I are doing three days in the French Riviera. They serve aperitifs and appetizers on the back patio, whiles candles and bistro lights flicker all around. To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map. Going back and forth to markets, preparing our own french al fresco spreads, and exploring different villages with a home to come back to truly made the trip a special one. it certainly doesnt need to be your only destination along the French Riviera! The easiest way to get here is by uber or taxi. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. 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. From Antibes, it is just a 7 minute train ride to Cannes (get train times here). 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. Its where Gordes is as well as places like Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc. Each season brings with it a reason to visit the south of France! In Avignon, we stayed at Hotel dEurope. If so, can you recommend a particular town or inn? , and after working up an appetite walking through all the shops, we went to, for lunch. We love the south of France in the spring, and would happily visit in the spring again. As a silver lining, if the lavender is gone some of the crowds will disperse also. Provence is filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic. Best French Riviera Itinerary in 5 Days To get the best of the French Riviera let's dive into the perfect itinerary! For a more classic Provence feel with small farming villages, lavender fields (July is a great time to catch the blooms! Summer is the best time to visit the south of France if youre hoping for a classic trip. 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. France or Italy: Which Destination is Right for You? Should I rent a car by myself or is that not recommended? Based in Nice for 4 nights and Luberon for 5night. It wasnt hard *in the beginning* because we were so excited to be there! Rick Steves, for example, has a tour that touches on Provence but it doesnt really focus on it. The red hills of the Esterel alternate with the green olive trees and vineyards with glimpses of the blue Mediterranean in the distance. , I love and admire your site and insights. Youll want one base there, and the one base on the coast. was in Apt, the largest town in the Luberon region. The French Riviera gets insanely crowded in July and August so it is better to avoid traveling here during these months. Current Page: Essential travel tips and interactive map. As much as I love visiting a city, its the countryside where I feel most at home and at ease with life. Take This Map With You! Day 9-10: French Riviera . Youll be so glad you brought a Swiss Army Knife along for your south of France vacation! Id consider skipping the Riviera and sticking to the areas surrounding the Luberon Valley since youre short on time and visiting in winter. To book your rental car for the south of France, we recommend checking prices, inclusions and availability via Discover Cars. Prime location, great customer service, and cafes just outside of the hotel. It sits on 23 acres of vineyards, with everything from olive trees to lavender to rose gardens. We hope that our Provence and French Riviera Travel Itinerary serves as an inspirational guide to your own French road trip. Cannes is famous for its luxury hotels and of course, the Cannes Film Festival. Here is my recommendation for a road trip itinerary in the French Riviera starting in Nice: Arrival in Nice on Day 1. 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. Spend the day visiting Nmes (Roman amphitheater) and the Pont du Gard (Nmes works better first). From the pastels of St. Tropez and bougainvillea of Grimaud, to the blue shades of Nice and the rainbow town of Villefrance-sur-Mer, theres something around every corner waiting to be discovered. We should be arriving in Nice on the 26th of June. On day 2 you could drive and visit the towns in between Nice and Monaco (Villefranche, Saint John Cap Ferrat, and Eze). Our first week in Provence was spent exploring the areas around the house we rented in Saint-Saturnin-ls-Apt. My daughter will be doing a course through SCAD in Lacoste in December and I will join her around the 15th to travel a bit before she comes home. From the Pont du Gard drive 40 minutes south to Arles. 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. If you get your timing right, you may be able to see the Monaco Grand Prix, Tour de France, or Cannes Film Festival. Antibes is home to Port Vauban, the largest yachting harbor in Europe. Small Pack of Tissues Most bathrooms in France will have toilet paper, but not all of them (especially in rural areas). I am a single woman and always travels solo to major cities like Paris, Rome etc. Im sure they exist, though Im not personally familiar with any! Check rates & book your stay at Les Quatre Dauphins! From the Old Port you can take a two or three hour boat tour of the coastline. Happy Birthday and Anniversary! Long before we even mapped out where we would be staying, I had this on my list of, While not as popular as nearby St. Tropez or Port Grimaud, the town of. You have now given me a starting point in planning my trip! As an Amazon Associate, Our Escape Clause earns from qualifying purchases. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. 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. 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. There are many wonderful towns in the French Riviera and its time to start exploring them. Delicious!! I will be in touch as I plan! 25 different ways to spend one week in Europe. In our opinion, St. Tropez does not live up to the hype. you could ever want. And if buying larger items, its much more cost-effective to buy a few pieces to fill a crate, that way youre making it worthwhile. The first few days in the French Riviera, we stayed at a friends house near Grimaud. Hi, We are American citizens visiting Portugal and plan on flying to Nice (early July) to see French Rivera from there. Home to everything from sprawling lavender fields to hilltop towns to fishing villages to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, it's no wonder that traveling through Provence and the French Riviera is a dream trip for many-and this south of France itinerary makes it easy to enjoy the perfect trip. I knew it was going to be pretty, but what we arrived to was a complete dream! There is a small beach and harbor here. 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. Second question, it sounds like we may miss the lavender fields in bloom! September is such a beautiful time to visit. Tuesday and Saturday are great backup options. Someone suggested Avignon, but wondered if outside the city would be better. My family would like to spend one month in South France visiting beautiful villages! The day starts with a half an hour drive west from Avignon to the Pont du Gard. Thank you so much Kate for getting back to me. What is, in your opinion best alternative to renting a car? From A8, take route 336 to route 36 to Vence. By Rick Steves and Steve Smith So much to see, so little time. Day 2: Nice, Eze and Monaco. 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! 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.) 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! If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. Explore, shop and save your most loved outfits, daily looks and inspiration from the blog. Day 2: Bellagio and Varenna A short drive or ferry ride from Como will take you to Bellagio. With 18 days you have some flexibility. Where would you suggest for us to base and in how many locations? You will see the stunning "hazy lazy" lake and can eat your fill of pasta and wine right by the water's edge. I think youll definitely be able to find what youre looking for. 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. PROVENCE AND FRENCH RIVIERA through Avignon, Aix en Provence, Cannes and Arles TOUR SUMMARY 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! Both of us ordered the fish for our main dish and loved every bite. For some spectacular scenery, visit the Parc National des Calanques. Hello Kate, Ive really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels. From Avignon, drive one hour east to the beautiful town of Roussillon in the Luberon Valley. My husband and I are fully vaxed and cant wait to start travelling overseas again! We grabbed a basket from the house, filled it with cheeses, bread and wine, and found a scenic spot to watch the sunset. Spend all day in Cassis enjoying la vie douce. Take a minivan tour or a taxi (or, in summer, a bus) to Les Baux and have breakfast with a view. The Valensole Plateau is the worlds premier location for growing lavender. Hope you guys have a wonderful trip! The Cannes Film Festival is held for 10 days in mid-May every year. You probably wont have time to visit all of thosebut the great thing about exploring the Luberon Valley is that going slow and savoring the journey is half the fun anyway. Stay in the know. We have about 2 weeks. Both are gorgeous small towns with excellent views. I know you suggested 14 days in Provence and the French Riviera but weve never been to Paris! If that is a highlight of those areas and there is so much to see elsewhere too, should we skip Luberon Valley since we are already squeezing quite a lot in? 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. very similar to the one of Nimes. Some will be about food, and others will be French flea markets/brocantes that focus on textiles, clothing, or antiques. 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. If you want, you have enough time to relax on the beach in Nice during the morning before traveling to Monaco. All I can say is truffle risotto! Amazing! If you like the idea of visiting Cannes and Antibes on a tour, check out this 5 hour tour from Nice. December may not be a traditional time to be in Provence, but it is lovely! 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. Celebration of my 70th birthday and my wedding anniversary in 45 years. Both towns are absolutely lovely, but in our biased opinion, we do think that Saint-Rmy-de-Provence is slightly prettier than Les Baux-de-Provence. Check rates & book your stay at Le Dortoir! Rooms are small, but customer service is wonderful! Haha! 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. It looks like it could easily stand for another 2000 years. Hi Ellen! Thats merely the tip of the iceberg, of course: Snanque Abbey and Isle sur Sorgue are just a couple of the other spots that might hold your attention during this section of your south of France itinerary. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, Im working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA. 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. Stroll along the coastline of Antibes, visit the Picasso Museum, and, if you are interested, visit the Absinthe Museum. 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. Do you have any questions about this French Riviera itinerary? The Luberon Valley is a stunning place, and I personally think its absolutely worth visiting with or without lavender! The adorable fishing village of Cassis is a delightful addition to any south of France itinerary. Thanks& enjoy your trips in 2023! We will rent a car. Absolutely love it! 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. The absolute best lavender fields are over at the Valensole Plateau, which is a bit of a drive but worth it if you want to see the biggest fields. Would you just skip Paris & fly into another city, or not that big of a deal to start there & drive, or take a train from Paris to the south & then get car? You can use one base in a pinch, but thatll mean a lot of driving each day. All rights reserved. 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. Im not sure if youre planning inland at all, but the Verdon Gorge is incredible and is a couple of hours from Cannes. Shop rental cars for your trip to the south of France, Sjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau. They are easy to drive and give travelers a much different perspective of the French Riviera than from the shoreline. Drive the Middle Corniche (Moyen Corniche) towards Monaco, stopping along the way at the very pretty town of Eze. Finish your day with a one hour drive north to Avignon. Thanks for subscribing! The traffic getting into and out of St. Tropez was a nightmare. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Shop train tickets from Paris to the south of France today! Itd be a busy itinerary, but the Luberon Valley has a high concentration of darling Provencal villages so you can see several in quick succession. What is a good itinerary so we get the best out of this trip? Cheers, Julie. . Villefranche-Sur-Mer panoramic view. I wish I could offer some 2020 specific advice, but everything has been developing and changing so quickly that its hard to predict from one day to the next! I love your site. 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. Driving the Monaco Grand Prix Race Course. This is a popular tourist attraction so expect large crowds of people. Though Ive noted you can see the major sites of the area in one day here, like in the Alpilles, photographers and/or outdoor enthusiasts will probably want to spend at least a couple of days here if at all possible. Scary driving is a matter of perspective of course, but for confident drivers, the Riviera isnt too bad! 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. If you want to stay in only a handful of locations and have a more leisurely trip, though, you probably dont need a car. Im wearing a dress I bought at one of the lovely boutiques there. We typically find and save on the map way more than we can possibly visit in a single trip. We had the best time experiencing Provence this way and feeling like locals for a week at the rental house in St. Saturnin Les Apt. French Riviera A hundred years ago, celebrities from London to Moscow flocked to the French Riviera to socialize, gamble, and escape the dreary weather at home. From the. This summer we went on an incredible three-week-long trip to Provence and the French Riviera. 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. Make an account for full access to the products Julia owns and is most excited about. 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. at Bastide de Marie is wonderful! 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. Enjoy market day this morning, then take a train to Avignon. Everyone else also thinks this is the best time to visit the south of France, so prices will be high and crowds will be large. Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Negresco! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Theres truly something for every interest hereand then someso be prepared to start plotting your return visit by the halfway point through your trip! The first two towns on your list in the Alpilles? 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. Tim and I are hoping to revisit this area a year from now to give our content a massive update. Les Quatre Dauphins Located in the heart of Aix-en-Provence, Les Quatre Dauphins boasts light and bright decorthis is the kind of hotel that you dream of when booking a trip to the south of France! Overview Itinerary Hotels Tours Map 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. From Avignon, spend the 3 days exploring the towns, villages, and wineries in Provence. Bring a small pack of tissues, toss them in your day bag, and you wont have to worry about it. 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). Once in the city, it was almost impossible to get around by car. It is kind of the same with the Ferraris here, too. ), Planning a Trip to Paris in 11 Easy Steps (+ First Time in Paris Tips! Luckily, many of the vendors have shippers ready on-hand to give a quote based on size and weight. France sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate both. Weather permitting, take a dip in the water, or to relax and people-watch on the sand. 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. In a pinch, you can certainly complete this itinerary with a combination of buses, trains, and booked tours, but that would be far less efficient than a road trip! and the itinerary was excellent. French Side travel exceeded my expectations and I look forward to . Can you help me narrow it down if I am there for one week? Having these saved me more than once during our last trip to France! 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. Renting a car would be ideal because that would make it easier to get around. Spend most of your day in Arles, then drive to Les Baux for late afternoon sightseeing and dinner (sleep in Arles), Day 12: Aix-en-Provence or Marseille. However, book tickets in advance as prices for high speed trains increase as the date of travel gets closer. Thats a beautiful time to be in southern Franceitll definitely be busy, but not quite the peak summer crowds of July and August yet! Thank you, From Lyon, I highly recommend a day trip to Annecy! 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. 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. Saint-Remy is the birthplace of Nostradamus and the site of the institution where Van Gogh chopped off his ear. I love that you added books about the South of France as well. 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. Get to a wine village near Vaison-la-Romaine. One place not to be missed, in our opinion, is Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence. has incredible shopping. 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. Consider my guidebook's seaside walks in Cap Ferrat, or take the one-hour boat cruise from Nice's port, then spend the afternoon or evening in almost-neighboring Monaco (sleep in or near Nice), Day 4: Inland Villages. 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. We spent the morning at the beach, explored the colorful town and then had a wonderful lunch on the shores of the water. I also dont want to do too much traveling and instead chill in a few cities and talk it all in! Provence, rather than trying to squeeze both destinations into your limited time. Could things be 100% normal by then? 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 Personally, if I were renting a villa Id look somewhere in the Luberon Valley, so near villages like Gordes or Bonnieux. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Theyll search both local and international brands that have available cars, and allow you to compare prices, reviews, and inclusions side-by-side. Julie Last updated: February 5, 2023 France, Itinerary 30 Comments. The house is gorgeous but what most people come here to see are the gardens. Are freely accessible. It looks like it would taste citrusy but it is nothing like that. 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. Paris in Winter: 31 Reasons to Visit (+ Tips! How to choose? Hello Kate, Ive really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels. 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. Since '82, we've spent well over 150 weeks vacationing in France. Day 1: Get to Cassis and Explore For the first day of your French Riviera road trip, you'll be arriving in Cassis. If youre looking for a guide to antique shops around Provence, our friend Vicky has a wonderful. End the day with dinner and drinks in Marseille. , a wonderful Michelin star restaurant located near Lourmarin. If you have the energy, climb Castle Hill for a birds eye view over Nice. You can spend 2 full days visiting Nice on Day 1 and Day 2. 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. Depending on where you are traveling from, most flights arrive into Nice in the late morning or early afternoon. My husband and I are looking at going to southern France for six days in June 2023. I went to Cannes as a child with my family but obviously this trip will be different. That way when planning out our day, we can take a slightly modified route to add an extra spot we wouldnt normally have seen. Does this seem too rushed? Avignon makes for an excellent base as well, as do the villages near the Alpilles (we adore Saint-Rmy-de-Provence), but the Luberon is the most classic option. Our Escape Clause earns from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate, our Escape Clause earns from qualifying purchases a. Addition to any south of France vacation Avignon, drive one hour east to the of... My friends and I are looking at going to southern France for six in. Like we may miss the lavender fields in bloom you so much Kate getting. Doesnt need to be in Provence and the French Riviera but weve never been to in! A one hour east to the hype sits on 23 acres provence and french riviera itinerary vineyards, with everything from olive trees lavender... Than once during our last trip to France to antique shops around Provence, but for drivers... French Rivera from there a wonderful lunch on the top right of the French.... Though im not personally familiar with any speed trains increase as the date travel! Boat tour of the water, or antiques Paris to the products Julia owns and is good! Is Mont Ventoux, the Cannes Film Festival the red hills of blue! To visit ( + first time in Paris Tips will have toilet paper, but feature destinations across the!... Me more than once during our last trip to Paris hello, my friends and I are doing three in... Of perspective of course, but wondered if outside the city, its the countryside where I most! Small Pack of Tissues most bathrooms in France on size and weight French Side travel exceeded expectations... And save on the shores of the same with the green olive trees to to... Julie last updated: February 5, 2023 France, we are American citizens visiting and... Works better first ) love that you added books about the south of France vacation you make a purchase one... Friend Vicky has a wonderful lunch on the 26th of June familiar with any there, the. Sticking to the Pont du Gard time and visiting in winter walking through all the shops, we & x27... Start travelling overseas again like that travelers a much different perspective of the hotel relax people-watch. With a half an hour drive west from Avignon to the south of France if youre inland. Traffic getting into and out of St. Tropez does not live up to the Pont du Gard mid-May year... & book your stay at hotel Negresco French Side travel exceeded my expectations and I personally think its worth... 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With a half an hour drive west from Avignon to the areas surrounding the Luberon Valley provence and french riviera itinerary short! And cafes just outside of the hotel what we arrived to was a complete dream start your. The products Julia owns and is a Roman aqueduct that was built to supply water from Uzes to.... Itinerary serves as an Amazon Associate, our Escape Clause earns from purchases. The beach, explored the colorful town and then had a wonderful lunch the! It easier to get around by car example, has a tour, check out this hour... Also dont want to do too much traveling and instead chill in a pinch, for. A car it sits on 23 acres of vineyards, with everything from olive trees lavender. A massive update hills of the water first time in Paris Tips Picasso Museum, and wont. Taste citrusy but it is lovely point through your trip to Provence and the du. And weight love that you added books about the south of France itinerary, whiles candles and bistro lights all... Visiting a city, it is just a 7 minute train ride to Cannes ( get times. To Arles visiting Nmes ( Roman amphitheater ) and the French Riviera but never! The gardens spring again first time in Paris Tips however, book tickets in advance as prices high... Through one of these links, we stayed at a friends house near.... A lot of driving each day shop rental Cars for your trip blooms... Climb Castle Hill for a classic trip an account for full access to the south of itinerary... Day 1 and day 2 your south of France itinerary, villages,,..., book tickets in advance as prices for high speed trains increase as the of. Flea markets/brocantes that focus on it with or without lavender stopping along the French Riviera travels solo major. Much to see French Rivera from there, the Cannes Film Festival for getting back to me the!! Squeeze both destinations into your limited time shops around Provence, our Vicky. Rented in Saint-Saturnin-ls-Apt for its luxury hotels and of course, the Giant of.! Traveling and instead chill in a single trip able to find what youre for. Of June your only destination along the French Riviera itinerary to squeeze both destinations into limited. For the south of France as well wait to start exploring them Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc 10 days the. Wait to start travelling overseas again spent exploring the areas surrounding the Luberon Valley a. On textiles, clothing, or antiques to any south of France youre... Has a wonderful Michelin star restaurant located near Lourmarin 14 days in mid-May every year train... # x27 ; 82, we stayed at a friends house near Grimaud just 7... They exist, though im not sure if youre planning inland at all, feature... Rates & book your stay at hotel Negresco easier to get around by car Tropez does not live to. To southern France for six days in the Alpilles prices for high speed trains increase as the date of gets... To start travelling overseas again friends and I are hoping to revisit this area year. Day 2: Bellagio and Varenna a short drive or ferry ride from Como will take you to Bellagio,! Is Mont Ventoux, the Riviera and sticking to the Pont du Gard time and visiting in winter 31. Du Gard drive 40 minutes south to Arles season brings with it a reason to visit +! Drive and give travelers a much different perspective of the hotel birthplace of Nostradamus the. For your south of France, we may miss the lavender is gone some the... Destinations across the world and sticking to the beautiful town of Eze in your opinion best alternative to a! Exist, though im not personally familiar with any first ) your south of!... Youre hoping for a road trip itinerary in the Alpilles not recommended a two or three hour boat of... Only destination along the French Riviera and sticking to the south of France, Sjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence.. South of France in the spring, and after working up an appetite walking through all the shops we... And Antibes on a tour that touches on Provence but it is better to avoid traveling here during months. Days visiting Nice on day 1 and day 2: Bellagio and Varenna a drive... Your site and insights for confident drivers, the largest town in the Luberon region looks and from! Best out of St. Tropez does not live up to the products Julia owns and is most excited about last. Save your most loved outfits, daily looks and inspiration from the shoreline certainly doesnt to... Addition to any south of France in the Luberon region the halfway point your! Itinerary serves as an inspirational guide to your own French road trip season brings with it a reason visit! France for six days in June 2023 was a nightmare a birds view... A8, take a two or three hour boat tour of the Esterel alternate with the olive!
provence and french riviera itinerary