France! One of my favorite countries.
France has always felt like home to me specially that my dad studied there and always made sure we visited the country growing up. Currently, we have a place in the south and try to make a trip to the French Riviera or cote d’azure every other year. The south is magical in its own way, with its beautiful beaches, historic cities, fishing towns and delicious sea food, fromage and wine… The south of France is simply perfection.
If you’ve decided to make a trip to the south of France, you probably realized that this place has SO much to offer! But the good news is that the short distances between places mean that you can explore the region in a short period without spending too much time traveling. Below you will find some of the must-sees of that region. I am already jealous you are going there. Have fun!
Beach time in the south of France
WHEN TO GO
It is always a good time to go to the south of France, but if you are looking for a nice summer vacation, you should go between June and September. That’s when the sun is out, so are the lavenders and sunflowers, the water has the perfect temperature to swim, and there is definitely a lot going on like concerts and festivals. However, July and August are usually packed with tourists and are so expensive. Ideally, you would want to go at the beginning of June or at the end of August.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are several ways you can get to the south of France, the two most common ones are flights or trains.
You can choose to fly in directly to the Marseille or Nice airports but depending on where you are coming from you might have a layover in Paris or somewhere in Europe.
However, the most popular way to get to the south is by train. Flying into Paris, you can take the train to Avignon, Marseille, Aix, Cannes, or Monaco. Such a trip might take from 3 to up to 7h depending on where you decide to stop, but it is very smooth and easy!
HOW TO MOVE AROUND
Cities in the south of France are relatively at short distances from each other. I would highly recommend renting a car and driving around. This will give you flexibility in moving while enjoying the sceneries. Every time I travel with my family to the French riviera we opt for this option and it’s the best!
Alternatively you can choose to take the train which is also very easy but you would need to follow a strict plan to make it on time. Some people decide to hire a taxi every time they go from a city to the other. This could also work, but would potentially be the most pricey option of all.
Me enjoying the views of SoF
A WEEK IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE
So where to start when you want to explore all the south of France, in only 5 days?!
Keep reading for the perfect 5 days itinerary.
DAY 1: EXPLORE MARSEILLE
Marseille has so much to offer and you can definitely spend more than one day there. However, if you are trying to see several cities in the south, opt for 1-2 days only.
Marseille is the second largest city in France and also the oldest. It is known to be the port city of France, characterized by a huge port on the Mediterranean sea, along with a mix of the ancient history and the modern; a lot of culture spanning from cathedrals, to street art and a large restaurant scene.There is definitely so much to see.
You really can’t go to Marseille without seeing the old port, probably its most iconic landmark and beating heart. The port is on a long strip nearing colorful streets and beautifully architected buildings. It has a special landscape showcasing the city’s ancient Greek roots and highlighting the trade history that occurred during the French colonies. The myriad of colorful boats makes the port a beautiful space, great for gathering. Walk alongside the strip, get coffee or lunch in one of the restaurants by the water, and enjoy the view.
The Old Port of Marseille
As you explore the port area, you should also pass by le panier, one of the oldest parts of the city, that remained untouched even after all the renovations. This neighborhood offers plenty of narrow streets with extensive street art, nice galleries and cute cafes. You will find plenty of local shops and be able to truly immerse yourself in the Marseilleise atmosphere. If you are looking for more shopping, head to rue saint-ferreol or rue de rome for international as well as local brands.
Streets of Marseille
After that, walk towards Fort Saint-Jean, an incredible fortress that used to protect the old port. Today, the fort is part of the MuCem (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations) and is one of the most visited spots in Marseille. The views from the top are breathless, easily accessible with elevators. If you are interested in museums, take some time to explore the MuCem that provides a blend of histories and cultures, specifically focused on agriculture and trade.
If you like to check out more monuments in the area, you could continue your walk to the Palais du Pharo, an imperial residence that was offered by the city to Napoleon III. Although the palais can’t be visited, it has an incredible park from which you get to see sensational views of the port. The walk is filled with greeneries and is very popular particularly for families and big groups of people.
Towards sunset time, I highly recommend going to the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, one of the main symbols of the city of marseille, besides its port. The Basilica offers a 360 degrees view of the city, the islands and the sea. You can reach it by walk or take the train up the hill.The Basilique itself is stunning, filled with marble, murals and mosaics. However, the panoramic views are the best to see especially during sunset times. Get a few drinks and snacks and plan on spending an hour on top of the hill. This will be an unforgettable memory.
DAY 2: HEAD TO LES CALANQUES AND CASSIS
On your second day, plan to head to Les Calanques, beautiful cliffs nestled in between Marseille and Cassis. Les Calanques are considered a natural wonder looking across crystal clear waters. Today, these geological formation are protected as part of a large national park stretching over 20Km from Marseille to Cassis with 26 Calanques of various sizes.
I try to pass by les Calanques every time I am in the south of France. The location provides sandy beaches, surrounded by stunning rocks; you will feel like you are immersed in a postcard. It is the perfect place to sunbathe, take a boat ride or try some water activities such as kayaking. I specially recommend taking a boat cruise around the different rocks of the Calanques. These boats are easily accessible once there; you just need to buy a ticket and hop on the next cruise departing. If you are a hiker, you could even hike some of the cliffs that are easier to reach.
Les Calanques
Plan to spend half of your day, at least, in or out of the water in between the breathtaking landscapes of the Calanques. The area is also surrounded by small restaurants and cafe trottoires so you’ll have some lunch options. After that, head to Cassis.
Cassis is a small fishing village few kilometers away from Marseille with unmatched natural beauty and a cute little port filled with boats and fishermen. It is at the fringes of the Calanques and so a perfect destination for a nice dinner, after a day by the sea.
In Cassis, start by walking along the port, admire the views and check the old castle Chateau de Cassis (now a private hotel) situated above the rest of the town. After that, head to the old town. Filled with little streets stacked with local boutiques of locally produced clothes, accessories, soaps or even olive oils, Cassis’ port is the perfect place to shop small souvenirs.
Plan on having dinner by the water. In fact, due to its location by the Mediterranean sea, Cassis will offer amazing sea food, with every restaurant providing the catch of the day. You should also try the local wine as Cassis is known for its nearby vineyrads which make famous rosé. And before you end your day, don’t forget to grab the ice cream. Try the lavender flavor, one of the most famous tastes of Cassis!
Port of Cassis
DAY 3: EXPLORE THE CHARM OF NICE
On your third day, head to Nice one of the most popular cities in the French Riviera, and for a good reason! It has everything you would want for a relaxing day and laid-back time.
Start your day with a walk on the Promenade des Anglais, an iconic walk, lined with palm trees. Next, head to the Old Nice (old town of Nice), filled with many colorful houses, cafés and small stores. Don’t miss the bustling Cours Saleya, a famous lively market of fresh produce, flowers, and local delicacies.
If you prefer to have a very chill day, stick to the beach. Spend the day tanning and swimming in the refreshing French waters.
Alternatively, if you are looking for some exploration, head to Colline du Château (Castle Hill), a popular park on a hill that you could choose to climb up through the hundreds of steps (but don’t worry, you could also drive up or choose to take the lift!). At the top, enjoy the breathless views of the Mediterranean sea. In addition to the sweeping panorama of Nice, a park area welcomes visitors at the hill’s summit. There you will find an artificial waterfall, ruins of a cathedral and several viewpoints.
Next, plan on visiting Place Garibaldi (Garibaldi Square), one of the most beautiful squares in Nice. The square is located at the northern end of the Old Town. The architecture, yellow color of the buildings surrounding the square as well as the fountain are stunning. The next square you should add to your itinerary is Place Massena, walking distance from Place Garibaldi. It is the largest and most iconic square in Nice. The red-colored buildings with their elegant arches are something to see, not to mention the black and white tiles on the ground. Your breath will be taken away!
For dinner, head back to the old town. The vibe is completely different at night with the many cute streets bustling, and many live shows around the area. Grab a bite and opt for a bar crawl if you want to enjoy a fun night out in Nice!
DAY 3: SPEND THE DAY IN CANNES
On your fourth day, plan to explore Cannes, another stunning city of the french riviera, just 2h away from Marseille and 30mins from Nice. Cannes is one of the most popular cities of the south due to its long sandy beaches, classic restaurants, luxurious resorts and premium shopping stores. It is also known for several large festivals, the biggest in the world, notably the international Cannes film Festival, the Grape and Wine Festival and the Pyrotechnic (fireworks) Art Festival.
In Cannes, start by walking along the Boulevard de la Croisette, also known as Promenade de la Croisette. This walk streches along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea and is about 2Km long. It is the icon of Cannes, characterized by beautiful views of the water, luxurious yachts, rooftops, restaurants and celebrity fit hotels. As you stroll on the promenade, pass by the Palais des Festivals et Des Congrès, basically the place where the annual Cannes film festivals take place. Take pictures of the red carpet, see the handprints of movie stars outside the building and immerse yourself in the glamour this place provides.
Promenade de la Croisette
If you feel like shopping that day, there is no real shopping as much as in Cannes. Head to la Rue D’Aantibes. This street has more than 800 shops lining it with some of the most fashionable brands and chic shops. However, if you are looking for more local brands plan on going to the old town of Cannes, called Le Suquet. A historic district full of local markets nested within traditional building. There, you will find a lot of handmade crafts and souvenirs. The street is also home to many small cafés and restaurants. Atop the Suquet hill, there is the museum of World Explorations (musée des explorations du monde), showcasing a variety of paintings, artworks and archeological artifacts. A nice stop for prestigious exhibitions from around the world.
In the evening, there is no better thing to do in Cannes than have a fancy dinner in one of the restaurants across la Croisette. The promenade is lined with with some of the best restaurants in the world. Additionally, Cannes is known for its vibrant nightlife. After dinner, visit one of the many chic rooftops, bars or clubs along the Croisette. Ghotam, Baôli, L’ARC, Bisous Bisous and Chrystie are some of the best ones.
Alternatively, If you like casinos, Casino de la Pointe Croisette is one of the most popular in the world with people from across the globe visiting it. You can chose to enjoy a fabulous night, trying your luck playing on the numerous machines it provides.
Fireworks festival
DAY 4: END YOUR TRIP IN GLAMOROUS MONACO
Okay, I did mention that I loved all the cities across the French Riviera but Monaco has got to be my favorite. A tiny principality across the coast, Monaco feels like a glittering place defined by its rocky nature and small size. It is known to be the home of the wealthy with 30% of its population being millionaires. You will definitely feel the richness and glamour around you.
Monaco is a country on its own, ruled by a prince (Prince Albert II). Its locals are known as Monégasques having their own dialect that of the Monégasque as well. It is one of the smallest countries in Europe with a territory of around 1 square mile in size. As such, you can easily walk across the whole country in a matter of hours.
As you step into Monaco, start by exploring Monte Carlo, the largest quarter of Monaco and its emblematic district. it is also known to be the “playground of the rich and the famous” because only the wealthy can afford staying there.
In Monte Carlo, start by walking around the Casino, one of the most iconic landmarks of the city. The casino is surrounded by luxurious cars, probably some of the most expensive you’ve seen in your life. You can choose to enter and play a few games. The casino has an entrance fee (around 17euros) and strict entry for appropriate dress codes.
Next to the Casino, you will also find the Hotel de Paris, known to be one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, with outstanding design and service. Right in front of the hotel across the square you will find Cafés de Paris, a chic café trottoire. Take a quick coffee and enjoy watching the luxury around.
Casino de Monte Carlo and Café de Paris
As you continue walking around, head to La Condamine, the business district of Monaco, home to the Port Hercules. The port has so many different boats and yachts just located against pricey residences. It is also the starting and ending point of the famous Monaco Grand Prix.
I usually like to see the port from afar, so I head to the Prince’s Palace, the residence of the prince of Monaco to view it from there. The palais is on a rock, facing the Mediterranean Sea. Naturally, you will get amazing views of the city and the port once there. Not only that, but the exterior of the palace is also stunning, baroque style, with a huge square in the middle. You can walk around and potentially see the changing of the guards if you are around by 11:55am. The palace is also open for visitors until 6:30PM, and has many rooms and galleries such as the Mirror Gallery (inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles) and the Throne Room, if you are interested.
Around the palace, you will find the old town of Monaco, famous for its narrow streets and specially its St.Nicholas Cathedral, the place where Grace Kelly got married. With its beautiful white stone, it is the perfect place to rest your feet and contemplate fairytale romances.
If you like museums and specially sea life, you should check the Museum of Oceanography which holds around 6,000 species of fish, including baby sharks! I haven’t been to the museum itself, but I heard it is one of the best ones in the world and just around that area.
Finally, if you have more time and energy, you could check the district of Fontvieille, a newer area of Monaco, including a port, parks and museums. There you should check the Princess Grace Rose Garden, filled with thousands of roses. And then head to the Fontvieille Terraces; a set of commercial establishments including shopping stores, restaurants but also some interesting museums such as the Naval Museum (Musée Naval) and the Museum of Stamps and Coins (Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies). If you are a fan of football, the Monaco Stadium is also here.
End your day in Monaco and your trip in the south of France with a nice dinner. The city provides so many options such as Buddah Bar, Marche de la Condamine, Elsa, OMER, L’Hirondelle, Coya, Izakaya Cozza and Le Grill. If you would like to proceed with a glamorous night, Jimmy’z is one of the best nightclubs in Monaco and in the world. It usually hosts some of the most renown DJs in the world. Hopefully you get lucky that night!
I hope you enjoyed my guide, let me know in the comments what were your highlights from the south of France!
