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. After touring Arles, drive a half an hour to Les-Baux-de-Provence. Today is more of a leisurely day. We are planning a trip to southern France (flying into Nice) in mid-July for our long-awaited honeymoon! 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. Most markets are open 1-3 days/week and different markets focus on different things. We loved exploring markets on market days. I will be part of a group of 8 women, arriving in Paris in October for one week. Rick Steves, for example, has a tour that touches on Provence but it doesnt really focus on it. There, the beach is long but narrow, so we tried to get there before 10am. Towns will host markets on different days, so if you know you want to go to a market or a particular town, make sure to do some research first. If you are hungry, have lunch here before resuming your drive. 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. Sadly I dont have a printable version of our itineraries yet, but I hope to create them in the future! 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? If you manage to time it right, on Thursdays Aix-en-Provence has three markets in town at once, so you can get the perfect experience all in one spot. Have dinner back in Avignon (sleep in Avignon), Day 8: Vaison-la-Romaine. Planning a trip to France? This is hilltop town perched on ochre red cliffs. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Is Spring (June) a good time or Summer is a better season? The hill towns about the Riviera are excellent for wandering around, restaurants, etc, but of course, youre missing the beach. Visiting hilltop towns in the Luberon area is something not to be missed. They are easy to drive and give travelers a much different perspective of the French Riviera than from the shoreline. Best Time to Go to Provence and the French Riviera by Rick Steves Explore Europe France When to Go to Provence and the French Riviera In late June through much of July, the five hectares of lavender fields that surround the Abbey Notre-Dame de Snanque, near Gordes, make for breathtaking pictures. Shop rental cars for your trip to the south of France today! In: Europe, Featured Summer, France, Travel. Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. I am thinking, is it possible to arrange a multi-day round trip in Province, to avoid renting a car? 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! 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. South of France Itinerary Note: Pay Attention to Market Days! Travel Insurance We dont ever suggest traveling without insuranceanything can happen anywhere, and this is definitely a case of better safe than sorry. Visit the colorful markets along the Cours Saleya in Nice's Old Town. Once in Marseille, check into your hotel and then explore the Old Port. Both of us ordered the fish for our main dish and loved every bite. 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. Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. 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. It also happens to be one of our favorite corners of France and one that we love to visit repeatedly! All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. In theory, theres supposed to be more news from the EU on this front June 7, but well see! 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. at a pretty leisurely pace and enjoy some beach time! We were thinking of staying in Nice and visit the surrounding areas and then going to Provence region before flying back to California. were so happy to have a home base during our time in Provence. , and we enjoyed an incredible lunch there. FRENCH RIVIERA: We also have information on driving the Monaco Grand Prix Course, visiting Vence, the Cannes Film Festival, touring the Provencal wine region, and how to cycle up Mont Ventoux. We had a great time in St. Tropez at Le Club 55. Rolling hills, vineyards, tiny French townsjust breathtaking! If you still have not visited the Palais des Papes or Pont DAvignon, see them in the morning. Yes, that would absolutely be possible, and in fact is a great way to see the area. Its much faster! We had heard many people rave about it, and the restaurant lived up to all the incredible reviews. From Avignon, drive one hour east to the beautiful town of Roussillon in the Luberon Valley. This is what we did and had a terrible time. I am a single woman and always travels solo to major cities like Paris, Rome etc. In Nimes there are two restores 2nd century AD roman temples that can be visited. We enjoyed Saint-Rmy-de-Provence so much the first time around that when we later returned to southeast France, we based ourselves there for almost a week! 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. Well, is one of those places. Here on Our Escape Clause, we are dedicated to helping travelers plan their adventures. This was the place of the papal residency in the 14th century. See as much of the French Riveria as we can then head towards Avignon. We were exhausted when we arrived, but it was 9am and we were not about to go to bed. Could things be 100% normal by then? In 5 Days: Pick One Region - Provence or the French Riviera Pont d'Avignon Provence A perfect cocktail of history, culture, and wine-tasting, plus sunset by the sea Combine the top towns, from Aix-en-Provence and Avignon to Marseilles Add a Rhne Valley wine tour, including renowned Chteauneuf du Pape We were looking at an Airbnb in La Ciotat. Shop rental cars for your trip to the south of France, Sjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau. 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. 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. My husband & I just relocated to Amsterdam and we are planning a trip here for early July. Rooms are small, but customer service is wonderful! How to choose? Obviously not enough time to see both in detail, but thought we could get a basic overview & know if there was somewhere we want to return with more time. From the Old Port you can take a two or three hour boat tour of the coastline. Wander the streets and have lunch here. Your first stop is Aix-en-Provence, the gateway into Provence, just a half an hour away by car. Hello Kate, Ive really enjoyed reading your blog posts about all your wonderful travels. That being said, it certainly doesnt need to be your only destination along the French Riviera! . estinations 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. Id recommend booking things with as flexible as cancellation policies as possible. Pick up your rental car as early as possible in Nice. You will see the stunning "hazy lazy" lake and can eat your fill of pasta and wine right by the water's edge. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Ohand definitely grab a cup of coffee at the cafe just outside the town walls. I know you suggested 14 days in Provence and the French Riviera but weve never been to Paris! Im wearing a dress I bought at one of the lovely boutiques there. Theres truly something for every interest hereand then someso be prepared to start plotting your return visit by the halfway point through your trip! 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. Depending on where you are traveling from, most flights arrive into Nice in the late morning or early afternoon. Saint-Remy is the birthplace of Nostradamus and the site of the institution where Van Gogh chopped off his ear. Take the train or bus to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore, and have lunch. This is an upscale hotel in the heart of Avignon, within walking distance of the best of Avignon. Haha! Enjoy views of the Mediterranean Sea from the cliffs of the French Riviera. Enjoy market day this morning, then take a train to Avignon. Summer is the best time to visit the south of France if youre hoping for a classic trip. at Bastide de Marie is wonderful! , 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/. The wealth that sits in this harbor is unbelievable. From the Pont du Gard drive 40 minutes south to Arles. One early evening we decided to have a. . Oh, Im thinking early/mid September. Do you think things are opening up? It was built 2000 years ago. In Nice, we stayed at Hotel Suisse. 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. 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). The second site not to be missed is the Palais des Papes. 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. It is kind of the same with the Ferraris here, too. Tour little Crestet and take a walk above Gigondas (sleep in or near Vaison-la-Romaine), Day 8: Orange and Chteauneuf-du-Pape. Hello, My friends and I are doing three days in the French Riviera. Hope you guys have a wonderful trip! 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. The buildings here are a reddish pink color. 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. 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. We highly suggest making reservations ahead of time, as this is a popular destination. PARIS: For the top experiences in the city, read our article Best Things to Do in Paris. Stroll around the city and take in the old Baroque buildings and little cafes. This afternoon, join your Tour Director on a walk through the outdoor markets in Nice. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. Had we been there longer, I would have stopped in more shops. Dijon is another great option, though I havent had a chance to visit yet. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. are lovely. We had previously made reservations at their gourmet restaurant. Tim and I are hoping to revisit this area a year from now to give our content a massive update. Spend all day in Cassis enjoying la vie douce. This is a small town and it does not take long to walk all of it. time of year to be exploring Provencal markets, something that we. Sjours & Affaires Aix-en-Provence Mirabeau This is where we stayed when visiting Aix-en-Provence, and we loved it! You can drive to the top in your car but for avid cyclists, cycling to the top of Mont Ventoux is quite an accomplishment. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. ), 55 Epic Road Trips in Europe (Itinerary Ideas + Tips! Planning a trip to France? 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