Best French Riviera Itinerary in 5 Days To get the best of the French Riviera let's dive into the perfect 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 We bought china from the most adorable shop and had it shipped home. Despite our early arrival (we were probably 3 weeks early from peak bloom and vibrancy), some of the fields we found were already impressive spectacles and the scents of lavender and buzzing of bees were just as impressive. 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. I will be part of a group of 8 women, arriving in Paris in October for one week. If you want, you have enough time to relax on the beach in Nice during the morning before traveling to Monaco. Check into your hotel, take a quick nap if necessary, and then spend the late afternoon and early evening exploring Nice. It also happens to be one of our favorite corners of France and one that we love to visit repeatedly! , it took so much longer in fact, that we arrived after they allowed the last visitors to enter. Take the train or bus to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and have lunch. 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. Hi, We are American citizens visiting Portugal and plan on flying to Nice (early July) to see French Rivera from there. You can tour the arena and if you are really lucky you may even get to see a bull fight. , we took full advantage of it. If the weather's good, bring your swimsuit and float on your back for views of the 2,000-year-old aqueduct (sleep in Avignon), Day 10: The Camargue. My favorite was a thin crusted truffle pizza. Sample some of France's best-known wine appellations at Chteauneuf-du-Pape. 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. Short version: Provence is part of the French administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Cte dAzur, which is located in southeastern France. What is a good itinerary so we get the best out of this trip? 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!) 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. Its much faster! June is a wonderful time to visit Provence, but Id aim for the end of the month and into July if you want to catch the lavender fields at their best. Provence, rather than trying to squeeze both destinations into your limited time. Read about how to see and do it all in our French Riviera and Provence itinerary. Day 1 to 4: 3 days and 3 nights in Nice. Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries including 1-2 days in Nice, 2 days in Monaco, and 2 days in Cannes; Strategic advice for art lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, film fans, sports car aficionados, and more What would a 3 day tour of Provence look like? Cheers, Julie. 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. End the day with dinner and drinks in Marseille. Thank you again. Sit down for a fantastic French meal on a stunning terrace, and youll immediately feel all the glitz and glamour of the Cote dAzur. 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. Ah, the Luberon Valley: this is the area that tends to come to mind immediately when someone says the word Provence. I will be in Paris then want to go to the South. Most markets are open 1-3 days/week and different markets focus on different things. Hello Kate, Thank you for such a helpful article! Stroll down picturesque, tree-lined boulevards in Aix before heading to the coast, where the Mediterranean traces your route from Cassis to Cinque Terre. Here on Our Escape Clause, we are dedicated to helping travelers plan their adventures. My husband and I are looking at going to southern France for six days in June 2023. If you are really curious about what St. Tropez is like, go check it out. 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. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. 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. There are several great restaurants that sit along the waters edge, a great place for lunch. Travel Adaptors for France If youre coming from outside of Europe, youll definitely need adaptors for your electronics. 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. What is, in your opinion best alternative to renting a car? 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 . After lunch, take another uber or taxi to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild located on Cap Ferrat. We have rented a car from Denise airport and our hotel is in Monte Carlo. 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. Mint in the town of Arles there is another amphitheater. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If you have significantly more time than the south of France itinerary outlined here suggests, we would recommend doing one of two things. Provence is filled with incredible views and spectacular aesthetic. From here you can uber back to Nice. Things are definitely more open than they were a couple of months ago, but Id say its still a bit of a gamble to plan on a trip to two countries right now. Id also recommend looking into a boat trip around the Calanques! 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. 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. For small towns Id recommend the Luberon Valleytruly gorgeous and very typically Provencal. From Saint-Remy, drive a half an hour north back to Avignon. We highly suggest making reservations ahead of time, as this is a popular destination. So can you suggest a list of all the places we should use as our bases (overnight stays) so that we can cover all these places and yet not be packing/unpacking every other day? I cant personally vouch for any of the companies that pop up in those results, though. They serve aperitifs and appetizers on the back patio, whiles candles and bistro lights flicker all around. First, small aperitifs were served outside in the garden with a view over the town. 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. If you do end up flying into Paris, definitely dont drive to Provence/the Riviera, but instead book the fast train from Paris (probably to Aix-en-Provence). A bit long-winded, I know, and will likely be dated advice within a week, but thats the best I can offer now! 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! It is a land of luxury, with yachts dotting the shorelines, fancy hotels in every city, and epic parties you read about in magazines. Thank you so much Kate for getting back to me. From A8, take route 336 to route 36 to Vence. In Monaco, stroll along the harbor, as this is the place to go yacht spotting. Really not interested in the city (no doubt fun, but save for another time). Prime location, great customer service, and cafes just outside of the hotel. 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. Merci! On our way back from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, we visited the. However, book tickets in advance as prices for high speed trains increase as the date of travel gets closer. What are your thoughts about 5 days in the French Riviera, 5 days in Provence, and then 3 days in Paris. Since '82, we've spent well over 150 weeks vacationing in France. Sounds like we would like to be sure to see Aix-en-Provence, Gorge, Eze & Vence. All hilltop villages and rolling countryside filled with lavender fields, the Luberon Valley is absolutely stunning and a must-visit on any Provence itinerary. We typically focus on travel in the USA and Europe (especially in our beloved Italy), but feature destinations across the world! , I love and admire your site and insights. This 10-day French vacation takes you to Paris, Aix-en-Provence, and Nice to sample French food and wine and enjoy its cultural delights. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, Im working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA. All rights reserved. You can stroll through the entire complex in less than an hour if you are quick, longer if you are a history buff. But for details on what to do in each place, either get Rick Steves guide (thats what we used and it was awesome) or do more online searching. If you have less time, we also have an article that lists 25 different ways to spend one week in Europe. Both towns are absolutely lovely, but in our biased opinion, we do think that Saint-Rmy-de-Provence is, e do recognize that the views from Les Baux-de-Provence themselves are top-notch, hether you want to go for a hike or simply take a boat tour past the beautiful calanques, visiting this stunning part of the French coastline is a must, he Valensole Plateau is the iconic home to those never-ending lavender fields pictured on tourism brochures around the world, 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, I cant resist adding a day here to this suggested, Come here for a delightful combination of all the things that makes the south of France so charming. Companies that pop up in those results, though helpful article a bull.... 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