So glad we could help a couple of years ago. 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? Were talking about yachts that are large enough that staff needs to be employed to take care of them. Is there somewhere you would suggest. 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. I am thinking, is it possible to arrange a multi-day round trip in Province, to avoid renting a car? We have reimagined our brand and blog for a better future. Though, I have to say, our favorite part of the experience was the cheese cart (that is rolled out right before dessert), which had just about every kind of cheese (over 30 varieties!) . We have about 2 weeks. 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? Stroll around the city and take in the old Baroque buildings and little cafes. Scratch last year, ugh, Question.. How do you think things are looking for an August 2021 visit to the south of France and Barcelona? For small towns Id recommend the Luberon Valleytruly gorgeous and very typically Provencal. One early evening we decided to have a. . 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. Planned to then drive to southern France & fly out of Nice to Sicily. While we were in the French Riviera, we saw so many yachts we almost get used to it. 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. 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. We have rented a car from Denise airport and our hotel is in Monte Carlo. These studio apartments are within walking distance of central Aix-en-Provence and all its best markets, have access to affordable parking across the street, and are very clean and comfortable. What would a 3 day tour of Provence look like? 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. Here is our Provence and French Riviera Itinerary from a couple of summers ago when we went on a road trip in Southern France. On a personal note, were planning to visit Europe this summer but stick to one country for ease/to limit the risks of things going wrong at least thats the plan as of today! Spring is also an excellent time of year to be exploring Provencal markets, something that we have taken full advantage of when visiting during this time of year. 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. Sjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau This is where we stayed when visiting Aix-en-Provence, and we loved it! were so happy to have a home base during our time in Provence. Do you think things are opening up? Getting Around During Your Trip to Southern France. In theory, theres supposed to be more news from the EU on this front June 7, but well see! Make sure your outfit is suitable for walking around towns for hours this means comfortable shoes, such as. We had never witnessed such incredible hydrangeas and bougainvillea. Please see our, 21 Epic Places to Visit in the South of France, 15 Best France Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Driving Tips! For that reason alone, I cant resist adding a day here to this suggested itinerary for the south of France! 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! Be sure to seek out the Christmas marketsa fun bonus of a winter trip. Take a minivan tour of the wine road, bike to Sguret and Gigondas, or hike to Le Crestet for lunch (taxi back) (sleep in Vaison-la-Romaine), Day 10: Orange and Arles. Read about how to see and do it all in our French Riviera and Provence itinerary. Visiting hilltop towns in the Luberon area is something not to be missed. 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. I am interested in going to the South of France but would like to stay in a house or villa that we would use as home base, but do day trips to various areas. Your journey through France begins in Paris, the City of Light and arguably the most popular city on the planet. if so what area would be the best to stay? My husband & I just relocated to Amsterdam and we are planning a trip here for early July. Pick up your rental car as early as possible in Nice. We use and recommend Safety Wing for trips to the south of France. very similar to the one of Nimes. Steve Smith is the co-author of the Rick Steves Provence & the French Riviera guidebook. In other words, when you pull into town at 7:00 PM, that doesnt count as a day in the destination on this suggested route. Hi, We are American citizens visiting Portugal and plan on flying to Nice (early July) to see French Rivera from there. Explore Vaison-la-Romaine's upper medieval village and lower Roman city, then set sail along the Ctes du Rhne wine road and visit a winery or wine cooperative. Several questions. Youll want one base there, and the one base on the coast. Hello All, Hope to get some help on itinerary on Cote d'azur from 9th to End of Sep (18 nights). Your first stop is Aix-en-Provence, the gateway into Provence, just a half an hour away by car. 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. has incredible shopping. Its definitely one of my favorite and probably one of the most scenic spots in all of Provence. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. This is what we did and had a terrible time. In the French Riviera, all of the towns and roads are built on cliffs and peninsulas, so if you are driving somewhere its rarely a quick trip. From Eze, take highway A8 west. Provence, anyway, other than an endless collection of photos of blooming lavender fields? 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. Yes, that would absolutely be possible, and in fact is a great way to see the area. 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! 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. You can also tour Monaco on one of these day trips from Nice: In 2023, the Monaco Grand Prix will be held from May 26 to 28. (For travelers who happen to be visiting in the offseason, look up Mentons February lemon festival!). Were driving from Paris south, areas I want to specifically hit; Bordeaux, Nice/Cannes & Montpellier and then driving back to Paris. Youll be so glad you brought a Swiss Army Knife along for your south of France vacation! 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. The destinations mentioned toward the end of the trip like Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence are located along the Cte dAzuraka the French Rivierain the eastern part of the region. You are covering a lot of ground in two weeks, especially with Paris too. Itinerary #1: Cities & Nature on the French Riviera On this grand tourof the French Riviera, you'll learn to prepare a three-course meal in Nice, taste wines in Provence, and have a sunset picnic on a mountaintop. 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. From Saint-Remy, drive a half an hour north back to Avignon. You will be visiting a variety of wineries, each with their individual wine-making style. Were full-time travel bloggers who have been exploring the world since 2016, visiting 50+ countries across 5 continents along the way. 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. What are some activities or locations we should go to? If you havent read it, we highly recommend checking out our 3 days in Paris itinerary as well: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/3-days-in-paris-itinerary/. , a small bed and breakfast in the Alpes-Maritimes. 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! We made great use of the pool and all of the lounging areas, eating breakfast on the patio and sipping wine in the evening. The easiest way to get here is by uber or taxi. And on your final day spend time in Monaco. If you fly into Nice, consider completing this south of France itinerary in the opposite order that Ive written it. South of France Itinerary: 7-Day Road Trip Through Provence & the French Riviera Whether you're cruising with the top down through the stunning wine country of Provence, or driving through the French Riviera along the sparkling coast (aka "The Cte d'Azur"), southern France is a region you'll want to absorb every last inch of. The French Riviera is another beautiful and special place to experience as well. Rick Steves, for example, has a tour that touches on Provence but it doesnt really focus on it. My husband and I are looking at going to southern France for six days in June 2023. I wish we knew! 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. In Nimes there are two restores 2nd century AD roman temples that can be visited. Its the most picturesque spot! All I can say is truffle risotto! Amazing! They serve aperitifs and appetizers on the back patio, whiles candles and bistro lights flicker all around. Theyll search both local and international brands that have available cars, and allow you to compare prices, reviews, and inclusions side-by-side. If you are here on a Wednesday or Saturday, you can go shopping at the market, which is amazing. This is an upscale hotel in the heart of Avignon, within walking distance of the best of Avignon. . Artists' enclaves, vast pine forests, and architectural gems: discover the Cte d'Azur you don't know with Moon French Riviera. Explore, shop and save your most loved outfits, daily looks and inspiration from the blog. We will be coming from the U.S. in Sept. & only have 18 days, including travel, for France & Sicily. Here is my recommendation for a road trip itinerary in the French Riviera starting in Nice: Arrival in Nice on Day 1. 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