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. Pick up your rental car as early as possible in Nice. 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. Overview Itinerary Hotels Tours Map Where would you suggest for us to base and in how many locations? Splitting 2 weeks up between Provence and Barcelona (a little of each) thx. Thats not to say you couldnt stay longeryou absolutely could! Visit Nmes (Roman amphitheater) in the morning and the Pont du Gard in the afternoon. Your email address will not be published. Once your table is ready, they bring you inside, where the all-glass dining room looks out at the vineyard with the sun setting right behind. 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. Europe - French Riviera & Provence itinerary - Hi, My husband and I in our early 30s will be visiting French Riviera & Provence next week! 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. If youd like to get out of town for a bit in the afternoon, the 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard aqueduct is incredibly impressive and only a 30-minute drive from Avignon. Take a minivan tour or a taxi (or, in summer, a bus) to Les Baux and have breakfast with a view. Unlike in the past when we just flew to Paris, flying from Charleston to Marseille was an all day affair. 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. 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 . The following content may contain affiliate links. This is an upscale hotel in the heart of Avignon, within walking distance of the best of Avignon. 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. For those who join me in striving for a thoughtful, beautiful life. I am happy that I stumbled across your site. We stayed at Hotel dEurope, one of the best hotels in Avignon. This is such a great guide! Shop train tickets from Paris to the south of France today! Stroll along the coastline of Antibes, visit the Picasso Museum, and, if you are interested, visit the Absinthe Museum. We personally explored the Luberon from a base of Aix-en-Provence. Once in Marseille, check into your hotel and then explore the Old Port. Youll want one base there, and the one base on the coast. What are some activities or locations we should go to? Youll be so glad you brought a Swiss Army Knife along for your south of France vacation! It was built 2000 years ago. If you want to stay in only a handful of locations and have a more leisurely trip, though, you probably dont need a car. Take a gourmet tour, a historical walking tour, or see Nice through the eyes of a local. 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! Provence-Alpes-Cte dAzur is then divided into six subregions, whose names youll probably notice around you as you work through this south of France itineraryVaucluse is one example. Check rates & book your stay at Le Dortoir! see our FAQ. So helpful! For that reason alone, I cant resist adding a day here to this suggested itinerary for the south of France! Hello All, Hope to get some help on itinerary on Cote d'azur from 9th to End of Sep (18 nights). Come here for a delightful combination of all the things that makes the south of France so charming, from the delicious food to the winding stone streets to the sublime views. Julie Last updated: February 5, 2023 France, Itinerary 30 Comments. Hello Kate, Thank you for such a helpful article! . 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 You know those hotels that look nice online but really blow you away in person? While we enjoyed our room, hotel and town, access to the hotel was difficult as only very compact cars can drive all the way to the hotel. This is exactly the itinerary I plan to follow next month, and I just have one question. Would really only care to see Eiffel Tower at night, if that, on this trip. I will be part of a group of 8 women, arriving in Paris in October for one week. 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. We can get another Airbnb or a hotel. If you want to spend time both on the coast and inland, Id recommend choosing a second base as well. If you get your timing right, you may be able to see the Monaco Grand Prix, Tour de France, or Cannes Film Festival. 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! Larger yachts will be anchored farther out in the deeper waters.For a scenic stroll, walk along the Promenade Maurice Rouvier to Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Also. On Day 3, explore Villefranche-sur-Mer. Below you will find highlights from our trip (aka what we found to be the cant-miss moments), including essential travel tips and links to all the wonderful places we stayed to assist you with turning our special trip into your own. The seemingly endless sea of blue and white umbrellas was quite a sight to see. Weve stayed in Saint-Rmy-de-Provence and Lourmarin and absolutely loved our experiences in both. 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. The most important thing to keep in mind when deciding where to stay in the south of France? Is this possible to do? Day 2: Bellagio and Varenna A short drive or ferry ride from Como will take you to Bellagio. Be sure to at least make time for a quick stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, admiring the view from Castle Hill, and lunch spent diving into a plate of Nicoise salad. This was a smaller boutique hotel that sat in the middle of a beautiful town with views of Nice and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. We had heard many people rave about it, and the restaurant lived up to all the incredible reviews. Before we left the States, we did a lot of research to find small towns to visit during our stay, which we added to our Google Maps. Merci! There, the beach is long but narrow, so we tried to get there before 10am. It sits on 23 acres of vineyards, with everything from olive trees to lavender to rose gardens. 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. Someone suggested Avignon, but wondered if outside the city would be better. is a wonderful stop for a few hours. 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. This is where the rich and famous come to relax and party. I am meeting my daughter in Paris and plan to travel via train to Nice and hit some of your highlighted spots in reverse. PARIS: For the top experiences in the city, read our article Best Things to Do in Paris. Wearing a lemon print dress, while sipping a fresh frozen lemonade in Menton, a city famous for its lemons. From Rousillon it is a three hour drive back to Nice. 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! Thanks , That sounds lovely, and congratulations on your marriage! While youre in and around Cassis, be sure to also check out to picture-perfect Port de Cassis, visit the (extremely accessible) Calanque de Port Miou, and admire the views from the Cap Canaille. I also wouldnt miss the Valensole Plateau as youre heading toward Aix-en-Provence if youre visiting during summer/lavender season. Create an account to heart and save your favorite products and looks from the story. 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. Vence and Eze are both easy day trips from Nice, but if small towns are what youre after, you may consider staying in one of them instead of Nice! 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! A bit long-winded, I know, and will likely be dated advice within a week, but thats the best I can offer now! During this memorable tour, you will explore the culture and heritage of France in addition to discovering the centuries-old influences that . How Long Does This South of France Itinerary Take? In the days leading up to this event, you can drive the race course. We learned this on our way to Villa Ephrussi during our time in. France sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate both. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Celebration of my 70th birthday and my wedding anniversary in 45 years. 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. Its a beautiful, conveniently located place that makes an excellent addition to any France trip. My husband and I are looking at going to southern France for six days in June 2023. Low Unpublished Prices on Tauck - French Escapade: Paris to the Riviera - Northbound by Tauck Tours with 874 Reviews - Tour Id: 185095 The first two towns on your list in the Alpilles? I will be in Paris then want to go to the South. We absolutely love exploring southern France and have enjoyed a handful of road trips, train trips, and more throughout the region. . French Riviera & Provence Itinerary. Check into your hotel and have dinner at one of Avignons many fantastic restaurants. 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. time to visit the south of France if youre hoping for a classic trip. 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. Theyll search both local and international brands that have available cars, and allow you to compare prices, reviews, and inclusions side-by-side. 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. Id consider skipping the Riviera and sticking to the areas surrounding the Luberon Valley since youre short on time and visiting in winter. at the best online prices at eBay! After lunch, take another uber or taxi to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild located on Cap Ferrat. Both are gorgeous small towns with excellent views. Planned to then drive to southern France & fly out of Nice to Sicily. ), Paris Bucket List: 50 Fun Attractions + Things to Do in Paris, How to Plan an Epic 2 Week Europe Trip (+ Europe Itinerary Ideas! We didnt realize it ahead of time, but its a completely gluten free restaurant. Cheers, Julie. Ventoux is a giant mountain that towers over this part of Provence. 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. You can use one base in a pinch, but thatll mean a lot of driving each day. Hello, What a great source of information-so very helpful in planning our trip which begins in Avignon on July 31. The Cannes Film Festival is held for 10 days in mid-May every year. Its the most picturesque spot! That being said, we have visited the Valensole Plateau outside of lavender season as well, and while its certainly not as magical as it is when the lavender is at its peak, its still a striking and beautiful part of Provence. Where would we stay as a base for the trip? (For travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look up Mentons February lemon festival!). 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. Les Baux is a medieval town on a hillside overlooking Provence. Sure, the Luberon Valley also has stunning fields, and theyre definitely worth seeingbut in Valensole, be ready to pull your car over nearly constantly, because every field seems to be more gorgeous than the last. Tuesday and Saturday are great backup options. 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. After touring Arles, drive a half an hour to Les-Baux-de-Provence. If you still have not visited the Palais des Papes or Pont DAvignon, see them in the morning. Top 10 things to do in the French Riviera. Cheers, Julie. If youre not interested in seeing Paris on this trip, Id definitely recommend checking flights to Nice as well, as that will save you time. Right now I am thinking around 10 days but could extend a little if necessary. 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. For small towns Id recommend the Luberon Valleytruly gorgeous and very typically Provencal. Id also only recommend booking one country right nowwhichever is your priorityand then giving it another couple of months to see how easy it will be to travel between the two (will you need to test or isolate, etc).

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