South of France Travel Guide

Most people thinking about visiting France automatically set their sights on the bright lights of Paris or the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux. However, the South of France has so much to offer and should definitely be on your radar. 

The sparkling Mediterranean, scented lavender fields, and charming villages are just the beginning. South of France travel is an incredible experience that you need to discover with all your senses: the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that make this part of the country so special.

Cannes: Exploring the French Riviera 

What once was a small fishing village is now a top destination on the French Riviera. While Cannes is famous for its international film festival, it also has first-rate beaches and buzzing nightlife. You’ll find seven kilometers of sandy beaches on the Mediterranean coast where you can swim, enjoy water sports, or take a boat tour. As the sun sets, wander the streets and you’ll find an ample selection of places to try local food and wine. 

If you’re visiting in the warmer months, be sure to check the calendar for Cannes summer events. Besides the film festival, Cannes hosts a variety of other celebrations, including: 

• International Fireworks Festival 

• Cannes Yachting Festival 

• Les Plages Électroniques music festival 

• Summer concerts 

• Cannes International Games Festival 

Nice: The Jewel of the Côte d’Azur 

Nice is the largest city on the French Riviera and has a little bit of everything for visitors. You’ll find pebbly beaches and a 4-kilometer-long boardwalk called the Promenade des Anglais, which is a hub of seaside activity. The seaside has plenty of options for dining, enjoying French wines, and dancing the night away after dark. 

Getting away from the coastline, you’ll discover a charming old town that boasts interesting museums, beautiful churches, pastel buildings, and bustling markets. Through the twisty streets, you’ll find Roman ruins, quaint shops, and emblematic landmarks, like Place Masséna, that a worth a stop. 

Do as the locals do and bring a basket to the market to load up with local goodies like cheese, olives, flowers, and handmade wares. It’s always a good idea to have euros on hand when visiting the markets. Get yours ahead of time by ordering them through Currency Exchange International before your trip. 

Like Cannes, Nice hosts a variety of summertime festivals that tend to sell out early, so check for events early in order to get tickets. 

Provence: A Breath of Fresh Air 

Provence is home to beautiful cities like Marseille, Cannes, and Nice, but no trip to the south of France is complete without seeing the fragrant lavender fields in the countryside. The majority of the lavender fields are north of Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, near the Verdon and Luberon plateaus. The fields border the roads and are in full bloom from mid-June until mid-August. 

One of the best ways to see the fields is to follow Chemin des Lavandes (Lavender Road). This is a 4-kilometer path near the village of Sault that gives visitors the chance to really see and smell the unique colors and aromas of this region. Markers along the path explain more about the process of harvesting and processing lavender. 

You can also see the lavender fields by making a road trip between Provençal villages. The Route de la Lavande connects Montlaux, Banon, and Simiane-la-Rotunde. The latter is a hilltop village that looks like it's from a storybook. Rather unchanged by time over the centuries, the focal point is the 12th-century rotunda that the town gets its name from. 

Provençal Villages: Understanding Local Culture 

By visiting a village or two, you’ll get to experience what locals themselves love about southern France. Life moves at a slower pace. People take time to partake in joie de vivre (living well) by appreciating good meals, staying active in nature, and enjoying the company of loved ones. The Mediterranean lifestyle just really can’t be beat, and when you visit a village in the south of France, you’ll understand why. 

• Roussillon: This ochre-colored village is on a red cliff and is surrounded by pine trees and ochre quarries. It’s considered to be one of the most incredible villages in France for its natural landscapes, numerous art galleries, and tasty dining options. 

• Carcassonne: A medieval town with 52 towers and 3 kilometers of ramparts, Carcassonne is a village with more than 2,500 years of history. Walking through this town feels like stepping back in time and experiencing history firsthand. 

• Cassis: This fishing village has pebbly beaches and is famous for its calanques, or narrow inlets between steep cliffs. It also has lots of dining, pretty buildings, and vineyards that make local wine. 

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