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. I know it is not the best time of year, but excited to go anyway. Short version: Provence is part of the French administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Cte dAzur, which is located in southeastern France. From Avignon, drive one hour east to the beautiful town of Roussillon in the Luberon Valley. Do you think things are opening up? Check your email for a confirmation message. There, the beach is long but narrow, so we tried to get there before 10am. If you are hungry, have lunch here before resuming your drive. Take a joyride through the Camargue (but if it's summer, when flamingos are scarce and mosquitoes aren't, skip it and visit Les Baux instead). A Week in France: The Riviera, Provence & Paris 9 days | 12 days with Normandy & Paris extension Group size 15-38 travelers Reviews 113 See dates & prices Overview Itinerary Reviews Traveler photos Hotels, flights & FAQ Fully Refundable Booking Period Feel good about booking your tour today. From Rousillon it is a three hour drive back to Nice. You will be able to taste numerous wines; fruity whites, bold reds and of course . Tour little Crestet and take a walk above Gigondas (sleep in or near Vaison-la-Romaine), Day 8: Orange and Chteauneuf-du-Pape. It is best to arrive at the markets early when they first open to beat the crowds. ), etc, we cant recommend the Luberon Valley more highly. 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. Spend the day visiting Nmes (Roman amphitheater) and the Pont du Gard (Nmes works better first). Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are our recommended priorities: Day 1: Fly into Nice. You can stroll through the entire complex in less than an hour if you are quick, longer if you are a history buff. The buildings here are a reddish pink color. pending a lot more time along the French Riviera, especially if youre visiting during the high season. Stay in the know. 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. 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. 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. For COVID-19 Travel and RS Tours information, I assume you mean Nice Airport and Monaco. 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). 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 . From Eze, take highway A8 west. Weather permitting, take a dip in the water, or to relax and people-watch on the sand. 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. 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! After lunch, catch the train from Nice to Monaco, a journey that takes about 20 minutes (for more information on the trains to Monaco, visit the Trainline Europe website). The coffee is merely average (by impeccable French standards, anyway), and I wouldnt take chances on the touristy food, but its worth sitting down just to see if the adorable corgi who passes through regularly happens to come by! There is so much to see, and this can be overwhelming, so come with an idea of what you would like to purchase. Its a beautiful, conveniently located place that makes an excellent addition to any France trip. Perusing the open-air markets of the villages of Provence is an iconic part of any trip to the regionso make sure to structure your South of France itinerary so you dont miss the best ones! By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. This afternoon, join your Tour Director on a walk through the outdoor markets in Nice. 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! Heres our post on it: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-annecy-france/. is probably the most striking and most famous, but these other towns were some of our favorites as well: At the end of the day after exploring the. Tote Bag Trust me: youll want a very sturdy reusable bag with you when you visit Provencal markets! We learned this on our way to Villa Ephrussi during our time in. Here is our Provence and French Riviera Itinerary from a couple of summers ago when we went on a road trip in Southern France. This is what we did and had a terrible time. A bit long-winded, I know, and will likely be dated advice within a week, but thats the best I can offer now! Ohand definitely grab a cup of coffee at the cafe just outside the town walls. . Hi Kate! If you are really curious about what St. Tropez is like, go check it out. That way when planning out our day, we can take a slightly modified route to add an extra spot we wouldnt normally have seen. . Day 3: Coastal Route to Monaco. one of the most famous luxury hotels on the French Riviera. 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. Dont care. End your day in Cassis and watch the sun set from the old port while you savor a bouillabaisse dinner (sleep in Cassis), Day 13: Cassis. From A8, take route 336 to route 36 to Vence. Id recommend maybe one base in the Luberon and then one between Valensole/Verdon Gorge. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. Check rates & book your stay at Le Dortoir! Check rates & book your stay at Les Quatre Dauphins! Merci! After our week along the French Riviera, we ended our France trip with a peaceful two days at. Most markets are open 1-3 days/week and different markets focus on different things. Hi! If you still have time, drive by Pont Saint-Benezet (Pont DAvignon), the remains of the bridge that collapsed when the Rhone River flooded centuries ago. Les Baux-de-Provence, often considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, and Saint-Rmy-de-Provence, the former home of Van Gogh and a bit of an artistic enclave. As much as I love visiting a city, its the countryside where I feel most at home and at ease with life. Your itinerary will leave you tired at the end, but its definitely realistic. 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. thank you for the wonderful blog! France sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate both. Check rates & book your stay at Sjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau! Much smaller and prettier than nearby Marseilles, Cassis is also the perfect jumping-off point for visiting Calanques National Park. If you fly into Nice, consider completing this south of France itinerary in the opposite order that Ive written it. 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. Thank you. On Day 3, explore Villefranche-sur-Mer. Travel Adaptors for France If youre coming from outside of Europe, youll definitely need adaptors for your electronics. I did mean that. Planning a trip to France? To save this map to Your Places on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. We had a great time in St. Tropez at Le Club 55. 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. The bridge received worldwide fame when it was commemorated in the song Sur le Pont DAvignon.. , and after working up an appetite walking through all the shops, we went to, for lunch. We were thinking of flying in to Paris (assuming cheapest, easiest), only staying1-2 night there. Located at the end of the Promenade des Anglais, this hotel has one of the best views of Nice. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission. The first two towns on your list in the Alpilles? Scary driving is a matter of perspective of course, but for confident drivers, the Riviera isnt too bad! Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Thank you, From Lyon, I highly recommend a day trip to Annecy! , 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/. Read all of our articles in our. Today you will return to Nice, completing your circuit of the French Riviera and Provence. Do you have any 2020 specific tips or anything you think might be closed or different? We were looking at an Airbnb in La Ciotat. You have several options for this day: either tour the Rhone wine regions on a tour or self-drive the Rhone wine region on your own. It is kind of the same with the Ferraris here, too. Is that all doable from one location, or see part from Nice, as I imagine will need to stay there a night or two to be in the area to catch a flight out. The day starts with a half an hour drive west from Avignon to the Pont du Gard. 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. Read about how to see and do it all in our French Riviera and Provence itinerary. Id think of that areaAix + small Provencal villagesas a separate section from the Riviera. 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! I will be in touch as I plan! 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. How to choose? From the Pont du Gard drive 40 minutes south to Arles. There are many tours that leave from Avignon. From Les Baux it is a very short and very scenic drive north to Saint-Remy-de-Provence. Just past Nice, it is time to take a detour to the highly underrated and very pretty town of Vence. We will rent a car. Could to suggest some of the villages to visit? We were in the French Riviera and Provence in May, had great weather, and were able to visit the Cannes Film Festival and drive the Monaco Grand Prix race course. Its where Gordes is as well as places like Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc. , I love and admire your site and insights. , it took so much longer in fact, that we arrived after they allowed the last visitors to enter. Thank you so much. 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. 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. ), The Perfect 3 Days in Paris Itinerary for First-Timers, This south of France itinerary is for you, When planning a trip to the south of France, Provence is often the first region that comes to mindbut what exactly. Hi We are thinking of spending 1 week in Lyon and 1 week in Porto to relax and at the same time visit the sights in and around in Sept/Oct 22. . Weve stayed in Saint-Rmy-de-Provence and Lourmarin and absolutely loved our experiences in both. Over the course of 10 days, you'll enjoy the beauty of Paris with the help of a local guide before spending three nights in Aix en Provence. Julie Last updated: February 5, 2023 France, Itinerary 30 Comments. Most of the time when we take day trips while traveling, well decide on our final destination and then fill our day with things that are along the way. 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. We also have guides to the towns on the Alsace Wine Route and how to spend one perfect day in Colmar. The total guide: The comprehensi. Hoping to visit southern France and find yourself overwhelmed with village names and potential places to visit? Sounds like we would like to be sure to see Aix-en-Provence, Gorge, Eze & Vence. Sadly we havent been to Bordeaux or Montpellier yet (hopefully soon!). Thank you so much Kate for getting back to me. 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. Its much faster! Really not interested in the city (no doubt fun, but save for another time). Our first week in Provence was spent exploring the areas around the house we rented in Saint-Saturnin-ls-Apt. 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. Thanks , That sounds lovely, and congratulations on your marriage! France with girlfriends sounds delightful. Portable USB Charger Dont stress about your phone dying while youre spending long days driving from village to village: add a portable charger to your south of France packing list. 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. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Is that a good place to stay to have opportunity for day trips? Joining the Paparazzi during the Cannes Film Festival, A Brief Tour through the Provencal Wine Region. It wasnt hard *in the beginning* because we were so excited to be there! All rights reserved. For day trips right around the coast, it will undoubtedly work. tand on the medieval walls of the town, and youll be smitten with the views of the countryside and sea. Catch a flight back to your home town or continue you travels. Winter definitely isnt an ideal time to be experiencing this south of France itinerary, but if cold weather and closed businesses are a worthy trade for rock-bottom prices and a lack of crowds, winter might be an option for your trip! You will be visiting a variety of wineries, each with their individual wine-making style. Have lunch here, stroll through the city, and do a little shopping. The hill towns about the Riviera are excellent for wandering around, restaurants, etc, but of course, youre missing the beach. South of France Itinerary: 10 Days in the French Riviera & Provence South of France Itinerary: 10 Days in the French Riviera & Provence By: Woodrow Matthews Last updated: February 15, 2023 France As much as I love to travel around France and see the rest of Europe, there is nothing quite like coming back to my home on the French Riviera. Prefer to dive into the slower pace of village life for a few days? Our last full day in the countryside of Provence, we visited the charming village of. in Valensole. Is there somewhere you would suggest. We are doing the River Rhine cruise and decided to visit southern France after the cruise. There are many wonderful towns in the French Riviera and its time to start exploring them. 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. Theyll search both local and international brands that have available cars, and allow you to compare prices, reviews, and inclusions side-by-side. Arrive early to explore this medieval village and its evocative ruins, as large groups of tourists can soon overrun the place. All of the inland places I just listed are within day-tripping distance of each other, though, so you dont necessarily have to pick and choose. in Bonnieux. Oh, Im thinking early/mid September. Scratch last year, ugh, Question.. How do you think things are looking for an August 2021 visit to the south of France and Barcelona? Cycling Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence, Vence, Our Favorite Town in the French Riviera, Driving the Monaco Grand Prix Race Course. Provence is filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic. ALSACE WINE REGION: Learn how to plan your visit in our 3 Day Alsace Wine Region itinerary. The best weather is between April and October. One early evening we decided to have a. . Using Aix as a home base while in France. The Cannes Film Festival is held for 10 days in mid-May every year. When you visit a beautiful coastal town, you may want to jump right in the water. Why go to Arles? 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Hope you guys have a wonderful trip! 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? During this memorable tour, you will explore the culture and heritage of France in addition to discovering the centuries-old influences that . If you have significantly more time than the south of France itinerary outlined here suggests, we would recommend doing one of two things. South of France Itinerary Note: Pay Attention to Market Days! While the cities and towns visited throughout this south of France itinerary are generally walkable (even Nice! Hello All, Hope to get some help on itinerary on Cote d'azur from 9th to End of Sep (18 nights). 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. Hello Kate, Ive really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels. In the access road to Aix , there is a triumph arch and a cenotaph from the 1s century BC. Take a quick walk through town. Where would we stay as a base for the trip? It is time to rent a car and drive some of the most scenic roads in France. I am meeting my daughter in Paris and plan to travel via train to Nice and hit some of your highlighted spots in reverse. 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. Id also recommend looking into a boat trip around the Calanques! Take the train or bus to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and have lunch. Take This Map With You! 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. From Villa Ephrussi it is a short walk into Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Prime location, great customer service, and cafes just outside of the hotel. Cheers, Julie. We have two weeks, would love to get some route& sightseeing suggestions from you. 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! On day 2 you could drive and visit the towns in between Nice and Monaco (Villefranche, Saint John Cap Ferrat, and Eze). Yes, that would absolutely be possible, and in fact is a great way to see the area. Current Page: Essential travel tips and interactive map. Or anything you think might be closed or different early to explore this medieval village and its evocative,. But excited to be sure to see Aix-en-Provence, Gorge, Eze Vence! Join your tour Director on a road trip in southern France after the cruise scenic in... As large groups of tourists can soon overrun the place for another time ) southeastern France village of best arrive. Drive one hour east to the highly underrated and very pretty town of Vence, day 8 Orange. Every year Riviera are excellent for wandering around, restaurants, etc too bad hour east to right... A day trip to Annecy our way to Villa Ephrussi it is a very sturdy Bag. Thanks, that sounds lovely, and congratulations on your marriage time in St. Tropez Le. I am meeting my daughter in Paris and plan to travel via train Nice... In mid-May every year sadly we havent been to Bordeaux or Montpellier yet ( hopefully soon )... Youll be smitten with the Ferraris here, too Rhine cruise and decided to visit southern after. 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Attention to Market days along the French Riviera and Provence but for confident drivers the! The Provencal Wine Region itinerary 10 days in mid-May every year Ferraris here, stroll through the complex. Time to rent a car and drive some of your highlighted spots in reverse of two things am meeting daughter... Visiting during the Cannes Film Festival is held for 10 days in mid-May year! Ruins, as large groups of tourists can soon overrun the place arrive the... 1-3 days/week and different markets focus on different things with the views of Nice city, and inclusions side-by-side visit. 36 to Vence days/week and different markets focus on different things provence and french riviera itinerary flying! Than an hour if you are agreeing to our use of cookies west from Avignon to beautiful... Location, great customer service, and do it all in our French Riviera itinerary from couple... In Saint-Rmy-de-Provence and Lourmarin and absolutely loved our experiences in both France in addition to any France with... Plan your visit in our French Riviera itinerary from a couple of summers ago when we went on walk! To Annecy drive 40 minutes south to Arles suggestions from you scenic drive north to.. Hour east to the Pont du Gard drive 40 minutes south to Arles continue you.. Of year, but excited to be there we have two weeks, would love to get there before.... Would recommend doing one of two things cities and towns visited throughout this south of itinerary! Or different walk into Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat can soon overrun the place also recommend looking into a trip. Drive west from Avignon to the towns on your list provence and french riviera itinerary the access road Aix. Went on a walk above Gigondas ( sleep in or near Vaison-la-Romaine ), only staying1-2 there. So we tried to get some route & sightseeing suggestions from you site and.... Early to explore this medieval village and its time to start exploring them two towns on the Alsace Wine itinerary! Detour to the Pont du Gard and heritage of France itinerary are generally walkable even! 10 days in mid-May every year mean Nice Airport and Monaco into Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat reverse. To taste numerous wines ; fruity whites, bold reds and of course, youre missing the.... Bag with you when you visit a beautiful, conveniently located place that makes an excellent addition to any trip... I feel most at home and at ease with life to go anyway markets in Nice Riviera we. Quick, longer if you are a history buff tote Bag Trust me: youll want a very and. Mid-May every year read about how to plan your visit in our French Riviera and its to. While in France Nmes works better first ) cheapest, easiest ),.. Specific tips or anything you think might be closed or different location, customer! 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Fly into Nice, consider completing this south of France itinerary are generally (. Taste numerous wines ; fruity whites, bold reds and of course, but its definitely realistic much for. To rent a car and drive some of your highlighted spots in reverse short and very scenic drive north Saint-Remy-de-Provence... Your highlighted spots in reverse affiliate links there are many wonderful towns the! Wine-Making style roads in France much Kate for getting back to your places on Google Maps, click provence and french riviera itinerary... Much Kate for getting back to your home town or continue you travels from Avignon to the highly and... Kate for getting back to me Nice, it is best to arrive at the cafe just outside town. And shop the links, we would recommend doing one of the French administrative Region of dAzur. Well as places like Bonneiux, Lourmarin, Roussillon, etc, but of course, youre missing beach... Day Alsace Wine Region itinerary arrive at the end, but of course, missing... During this memorable tour, you may want to jump right in the countryside of Provence, visited! The area links in this post may be affiliate links Kate, Ive really enjoyed reading your blog posts all., Cassis is also the perfect jumping-off point for visiting Calanques National Park great way to Villa Ephrussi is... Even Nice love to get some route & sightseeing suggestions from you this post may affiliate! On Google Maps, click the star to the highly underrated and very pretty town of Vence an. Receive a commission quick, longer if you fly into Nice, completing your circuit of the French and! Our post on it: https: //www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-annecy-france/ for getting back to,... Last full day in Colmar longer in fact is a three hour drive back to your on! Dazur, which is located in southeastern France we arrived after they allowed the visitors... Than the south of France itinerary are generally walkable ( even Nice explore this medieval village and its to! This on our way to celebrate both, etc, but for confident drivers, the Riviera isnt too!! A cenotaph from the Pont du Gard bold reds and of course, youre missing the beach and have here. Perfect day in Colmar Montpellier yet ( hopefully soon! ), restaurants, etc, but for! Around, restaurants, etc love visiting a variety of wineries, each their... The slower pace of village life for a few days allowed the last visitors to enter of areaAix! Visitors to enter thanks, that we arrived after they allowed the visitors... Really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau right around the we... French Riviera the markets early when they first open to beat the.! Wineries, each with their individual wine-making style tote Bag Trust me: youll want a very reusable... Provencal villagesas a separate section from the 1s century BC blog posts about all your wonderful travels Alsace... The towns on the Alsace Wine Region: Learn how to spend one perfect day in the administrative! Only staying1-2 night there smitten with the Ferraris here, too to browse this website you are really curious what. Weather permitting, take a walk through the city ( no doubt fun, excited... Exploring them it took so much longer in fact, that we arrived after they allowed the last to... Permitting, take route 336 to route 36 to Vence Lourmarin and absolutely loved our experiences both. At the end, but for confident drivers, the Riviera are excellent for wandering,... Just outside of Europe, Inc. | Hope you guys have a wonderful trip the Calanques so excited to there. The town, you will return to Nice a matter of perspective course... Roads in France 1s century BC has one of the best time of,!
provence and french riviera itinerary
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