There’s something truly magical about France. While Paris often steals the spotlight, France has so much more to offer beyond its wonderful and enduring capital city. One of the most breathtaking and diverse regions is the South of France—a destination that enchants visitors and locals alike with its stunning coastline, charming small villages and rich cultural heritage. It is one of my favorite places in the world to visit.
As the founder of En Route to Rêverie I have helped loads of people plan trips to the South of France and curate the perfect South of France itinerary. The South of France is a big region with lots to offer. It can be overwhelming to decide what parts to visit and work to prioritize what you want to see, how to get there and how long to stay in each place. This can be true for anyone but especially first timers visiting the South of France.
Whether you’re dreaming of soaking up the sun on the French Riviera, exploring picturesque medieval villages with a Provence road trip, or wandering through the famous lavender fields of Provence, this guide will help you start to understand what you need to know to plan a trip to the South of France.
How to Plan a Trip to the South of France
Planning is essential when visiting the South of France. The region is vast, with countless beautiful towns, scenic landscapes and historical sites. To make the most of your trip, you’ll want to organize your itinerary carefully, considering where to stay, how much time you have, how you’ll get around and what experiences you don’t want to miss.
In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about planning an unforgettable trip, from when to go and where to visit to how to make the journey seamless and enjoyable.
Is The South of France Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, yes. The South of France is one of the most beautiful and diverse regions in Europe. Whether you’re into glamorous beach towns, historic landmarks, or natural wonders, this area has something for everyone. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many times and each trip has been a completely different experience.
One visit might be all about soaking up the luxury of Saint-Tropez, while another could be spent exploring the rugged beauty of the Gorges du Verdon. No matter your travel style, the South of France is 100% worth adding to your bucket list.
Tips for Planning a Trip to the South of France
How to Get There
The easiest way to reach the South of France is by flying into major airports such as Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, Marseille Provence Airport, or Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. During peak season, many airlines from the U.S. will offer flights directly into Nice so this is generally the best option when you’re coming from the United States.
If you’re coming from Paris, you can take a high-speed TGV train to Aix-en-Provence, Avignon or Nice. You can also fly from Paris to Nice or Marseille easily on regional airlines like easyJet and Air France.
Renting a car is highly recommended for exploring smaller towns and countryside areas so keep in mind picking up your rental car if you’re planning to do a South of France road trip for part of your time there. A rental car isn’t always necessary depending on your itinerary and where you’ll be staying though.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the South of France is late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October). The weather is warm but not too hot, and you’ll avoid the peak summer crowds. If you dream of seeing the famous lavender fields in full bloom in locations like Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, plan your trip in late June or early July.
If you want to seek better prices you’ll want to travel in off season or shoulder season. Peak season is summer for the South of France. There’s higher pricing and limited availability when it comes to hotels, tours, beach clubs, dinner reservations etc. So consider what is the best time to visit the South of France depending on where you plan to spend your time.
But if you want to jump in the Mediterranean Sea, do a boat day or really feel the heat of summer, mid July onwards in the summer is the time to go. Of course, it is also the most expensive for many destination like Saint Tropez.
Use an Expert
Before I became a luxury travel advisor with a leading travel agency, I truthfully had never used a travel agent myself. I always loved the planning part of a trip. It was like half of the fun of planning a vacation! I loved researching, creating itineraries and saving places to consider for dining, tours and more.
But not everyone feels that way. Planning a vacation in a foreign country, with a foreign language in particular, for an involved trip can feel really daunting. Having someone help you with the details and make it more seamless can be a huge help.
At En Route to Rêverie, we make it our business to know the best of the South of France. We have an internal rolodex that we use to personalize your trip to help you have the best vacation possible. The internet is an amazing place and social media as well but search any popular destination in France when you start to try and plan your trip and you’ll be inundated with thousands upon thousands of search results that would take hours and hours – if not days and weeks – to consume and vet.
And a lot of what we see on social media for the South of France is worth skipping. It may *look* beautiful, but the food is awful or the service terrible. Or it’s totally out of the way and not worth it. Or it may be too crowded. Etc. etc!
Working with En Route to Rêverie will help you plan a trip’s ins and outs, book your hotel, draft an itinerary and more that will help save you time and we give you our honest opinions about what’s worth skipping.
Assess Perks
I love the aspect of being a travel advisor that allows me to get my En Route to Rêverie clients VIP perks like complimentary breakfast, spa credits or food and beverage credits, complimentary hotel room upgrades when available, and special other VIP treatment aspects.
Complimentary breakfast may not seem like much but if you’re staying at a luxury hotel or at a resort in the South of France where there aren’t many options nearby, breakfast can often be around $50 / person. If you’re staying there for a week you’re looking at a savings of hundreds of dollars for the week alone. All because you booked with En Route to Rêverie.
Choose a Hotel Well in Advance
The best hotels fill up quickly and there’s a lot of choice in this region but they are all limited in availability for peak dates. We can help you maximize your budget and decide what destination is best for you to stay in.
Must-Visit Places
- French Riviera – Includes stunning seaside towns like Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Cannes.
- Provence – Known for its lavender fields, small villages and beautiful countryside landscapes. There’s loads to see and do in the region of Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur and know that the region is big so you’ll want help to curate your Provence itinerary.
- Gorges du Verdon – A breathtaking natural wonder perfect for hiking and kayaking for those who want a bit of adventure travel mixed into their itinerary. Or you could consider Calanques National Park as well.
- Saint-Tropez – A glamorous seaside town with beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife.
- Aix-en-Provence – A charming city full of history, art, and fantastic markets. Aix en Provence is big though so definitely leave a day for it.
- Medieval Villages – Explore places like Eze, Gordes and Roussillon for a taste of history and charm.
We often help our En Route to Rêverie clients narrow down their options based on these elements and also based on their budget and availability of hotels we’re recommending to them.
How Many Days Should You Spend?
A minimum of 5-7 days is ideal for exploring the South of France. This allows you to see multiple destinations without feeling too rushed. If you have more time, extending to 10-14 days will give you a more relaxed pace with room for day trips and spontaneous adventures. This will also allow you to combine country and coastline vibes well.
South of France Itinerary
A sampling of what some of your days could look like depending on what you want to see and do and where you are planning to stay.
Day 1: Arrival & Exploring Nice
Day 2: Day Trip to Villefranche-sur-Mer & Eze
Day 3: Monaco & La Ciotat
Day 4, Day 5 and Day 6: Exploring Saint-Tropez
Day 5: Provence Countryside & Lavender Fields
Lavender typically blooms late June if you can plan your timing right.
Day 6: Gorges du Verdon Adventure
Day 7: Exploring Avignon
Before you go, don’t forget to check out what to pack for France in summer to make sure you’re fully prepared for your adventure.
The South of France is an absolute dream destination with something for everyone—whether you love coastal towns, historical sites, or countryside escapes.
With careful planning, you can create a trip that’s both enriching and unforgettable. Bon voyage!
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- What to Pack for France in Fall.
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