Make a Trip of It
South of France Travel Tips
For anyone making a longer holiday of the wedding, we've put together a few of our favourite places in Provence and the Côte d'Azur. Hiring a car is strongly recommended for most of these routes. If you're considering travelling in the region, drop Grace or JF a message and we can give you more detailed advice on places to stay, restaurants and things to do.
The Luberon & Lavender Trail
Best explored by car
Begin in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a pretty riverside town known for its canals, antiques and Sunday market. Continue to Gordes, a medieval hilltop village, before visiting nearby Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, where lavender fields surround the abbey.
From there, travel to Roussillon, famous for its ochre-red buildings and landscape. Wander through the village or follow the short Ochre Trail before.
This is technically possible in one ambitious day, but far more enjoyable over two. An overnight stay around Gordes, Ménerbes or Bonnieux allows time to explore the smaller villages and vineyards without rushing.
Lavender generally blooms from mid-June into July, although the precise timing depends on the weather and altitude. Late June should offer a good chance of seeing it, but there are of course no guarantees.
The Alpilles
From Arles
Literally “the Little Alps” - limestone hills, olive groves and some of Provence’s prettiest villages. Stop off at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where you can browse the boutiques and stop for lunch. The Wednesday market is particularly nice, although also particularly busy. Don't miss the former monastery where Van Gogh spent a year and painted some of his most famous works, now a museum.
From there, drive to Les Baux-de-Provence, a medieval village built into a hillside, enjoy the view and visit Carrières des Lumières, an immersive art installation inside a former stone quarry.
On the way back to Arles, stop at an olive-oil estate or vinyard for a final glass of rosé.
Aix, Marseille & Cassis
From Arles
Day One: Aix-en-Provence: Spend the day in Aix-en-Provence for some great shopping, beautiful streets and fabulous food. Check out Cézanne's studio just on the outskirts of town.
Day Two: Marseille: Continue to Marseille for the Old Port, the historic Le Panier neighbourhood and some great nightlife. Stay around the Corniche area and don't miss the beautiful fishing village Les Goudes on the edge of the city.
Day Three: Cassis & the Calanques: Finish in Cassis, a small harbour town. Have lunch by the port before exploring the Calanques National Park, make sure to book access to the national park well ahead on the My Calanques app and check ahead for any closures due to wildfire risk.
Camargue
From Arles
Immediately south of Arles, the Camargue feels entirely different from the rest of Provence: salt marshes, rice fields, lagoons, flamingos, black bulls and white horses.
Begin with a drive through the wetlands towards Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a relaxed seaside town with broad sandy beaches. Stop at one of the nature reserves along the way or book a horse ride, bicycle tour or guided wildlife safari.
For a wilder experience, head towards Salin-de-Giraud and the beaches of Piémanson or Beauduc. These are enormous, exposed and largely undeveloped stretches of sand rather than manicured Riviera beaches. Beauduc in particular is remote and reached by a long, rough approach road, so check current access conditions and do not attempt it in an unsuitable hire car.
Services can be limited once you leave the main towns, and the Mistral wind can be surprisingly strong.
Côte d'Azur Road Trip
Fly home from Nice
This route follows the Mediterranean eastwards from Provence towards Nice.
Cassis: Begin with a night in Cassis, combining the harbour and a hike through the Calanques. Make sure to book access to the Calanques National Park well ahead on the My Calanques app and check for any closure due to wildfire risk on the day.
Toulon: Continue along the coast to Toulon. Browse the daily market on the Cours Lafayette, or take the cable car up Mont Faron for panoramic views across the coastline. The French Navy is also based there - speak to Freddie Ellery if you want tips on that.
Bormes-les-Mimosas: Travel onwards to Bormes-les-Mimosas, where we got engaged! Have lunch at Café Léoube on the sand and then hit the beach or hike along the coast to discover more beautful, secluded beaches.
Porquerolles: Take the ferry from the Hyères peninsula to Porquerolles, a car-free island of pine forests, vineyards and clear-water beaches. Porquerolles is an island rather than a drive-through stop, so allow a full day and book ferry tickets and accommodation well ahead in summer.
Saint-Tropez: Continue to Saint-Tropez for the harbour, old town and beach clubs. Note: the best restaurants and beach clubs that are branded as St Tropez are in Ramatuelle - we suggest you spend time there instead of the town centre, as summer traffic around the peninsula can be formidable.
From Saint-Tropez, continue towards Antibes or Cap Ferrat, depending on how much time you have, before flying home from Nice.
