With its rustic countryside, wine regions, and scenic beaches, it’s hard not to fall in love with the South of France. It’s no surprise why it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world! Imagine spending a week exploring quaint villages, beautiful lavender fields and relaxing in the luxurious French Riviera. This road trip itinerary is for one week but you could easily spend 10 – 14 days here if your holiday allows.
If you’re planning the perfect South of France road trip than look no further. This ultra-detailed 7 day South of France itinerary will show you the best of the French Riviera and Provence. First, lets touch on where you will visit during your 7 days in the South of France.
French Riviera & Provence Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Marseille
Day 2: Day trip to Aix-en-Provence & Valensole Lavender fields from Marseille
Day 3: Arrive in Cannes
Day 4: Arrive in Nice
Day 5: Day Trip to Monaco from Nice
Day 6: Day Trip to Villefranche-Sur-Mer & Eze from Nice
Day 7: Day Trip to Menton from Nice
If you have additional time to spend in the French Riviera, I suggest flying into Marseille and adding extra stops along the French Riviera to Antibes and Saint Tropez.
Here’s an overview of exactly what the quintessential South of France road trip looks like. One of the best travel hacks, in my opinion, is using Google Maps to plot out your own specific itinerary once you decide on it! You can add a ton of additional details and points of interest based on your specific road trip.
How to Get to Marseille
We spent our first 3 days in Paris and then took a TGV highspeed train into Marseille. The train ride from Paris to Marseille was about 2 hours. The most cost-time-effective way to get from Paris to Marseille is by train. Additionally, the car rental office is conveniently right outside the train station in order to pick up your rental car.
If you’re flying straight into Marseille, then disregard the above mentioned information.
Car rental tip: You can rent your car in Marseille and return it in Nice. You can return it at the Nice airport when you depart or once you arrive to Nice, if you don’t plan to use the car once in Nice.
We chose to return our Avis car rental upon arrival to the Nice Railway Station Gare as parking is difficult to come by in Nice. We decided it would be best to get around on foot, use public transportation and via Uber. This worked out perfectly for us and we didn’t have to worry about paying daily parking fees and finding parking in Nice during our 4 night stay.
Day 1: Arrive in Marseille
Marseille, a port city in southern France, has been a crossroads of immigration and trade since its founding by the Greeks circa 600 B.C.
Things to Do: Make sure you walk around the Old Port of Marseille, see the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde and Palais Longchamp.
Where to Stay: AC Hotel Marseille Prado Veldrome
Where to Eat: Oh Massalia , Le Hippe Chic Café , Le Relais Corse , Wood La Cantine Gourmande
Day 2: Day Trip to Aix-en-Provence & Valensole Lavender Fields from Marseille
Start the day by picking up your rental car from Avis at the Marseille Railway Station. From here you will drive about 30 minutes to Aix-en-Provence. I recommend picking up your rental car early so that you can make the most of your day.
Things to Do: Once in Aix-en Provence, get lost in the cute, tiny little streets. Make sure to check out Cours Mirabeau, Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur and Place d’Albertas.
Where to Stay: Renaissance Aix-en-Provence
We did not stay in Aix-en-Provence, however if you have the time I suggest spending 1 night. I would even suggest staying in Aix-en-Provence over Marseille.
Where to Eat: Weibel , BigBrod , Platanos
Plateau de Valensole and the Lavender Fields
Among the best lavender fields in Provence are those in the Valensole Plateau. It’s here you’ll find endless stretches of fragrant rows peppered by stone huts and token trees.
The Valensole lavender fields are probably the most visited in all of Provence and subsequently the most photographed. From Aix-En-Provence, you will continue driving for about 1 hour before reaching Valensole.
Please note that Lavender is a summer flower that starts to bloom in Provence around mid June and is generally harvested from mid July to the beginning of August. However the exact dates differ from year to year depending on the weather. So if you come out of this season you will miss the lavender fields.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the lavender field in Valensole. I have written a detailed post on how to reach the lavender fields in Valensole.
Where to Eat: Even if you’re planning on visiting the villages on this Valensole lavender fields itinerary, you’ll struggle to find somewhere to eat outside of regular meal times. I suggest eating breakfast or lunch in Aix-en-Provence prior to visiting the lavender fields. Bring plenty of water on your drive and you could bring a picnic to enjoy as a snack.
Depending on where you’re staying, make your way back to Marseille or Aix-en-Provence. Enjoy the rest of your night before heading out to your next destination.
If you’re looking for the best wineries to visit in Provence, you’ll notice that I didn’t include that as part of my itinerary since I was pregnant, we were driving and limited on time. If you stay in Aix-en-Provence and have an extra day, I would suggest dedicating the second day to seeing all of the different wineries.
Here’s a quick list of wineries in Provence:
- Chateau la Canorgue
- Château de Berne
- Chêne Bleu Winery
- Domaine de Fontenille
- Château Fontvert
- Chateau DEsclans
Day 3: Arrive in Cannes
Cannes, a resort town on the French Riviera, is famed for its international film festival. Its Boulevard de la Croisette, curving along the coast, is lined with sandy beaches, upmarket boutiques and palatial hotels.
Things to Do: Visit La Croisette, one of the most iconic streets in France, People watch in Le Vieux Port, Stroll along Rue d’Antibes and do some luxury shopping and hang out at the beach.
Where to Stay: JW Marriott Cannes
Where to Eat: Bella Storia, Gelato Junkie
Prepare to wake up in the morning and drive to your final destination, Nice. The drive should take about an hour from Cannes.
Day 4: Arrive in Nice
There is more to Nice than the world-famous shoreline. Nice is a city filled with history, culture, and art – enough to keep you occupied for days. Nice is the perfect city to also position yourself for day trips to smaller towns.
Things to Do: Stroll around Old Nice, walk along the Promenade des Anglais and chill on the beach, climb up Nice Castle Hill, and relax at a beach club.
Where to Stay: Le Meridien Nice or AC Hotel Nice
Where to Eat: La Cucina, Ruhl Plage, Byblos
Day 5: Day Trip to Monaco from Nice
Just a 20 minute drive away from Menton is Monaco, a sovereign city-state, country, and microstate on the French Riviera. The tiny city-state is famous for its lavish wealth, casinos, and glamorous events such as the Monaco Yacht Show and the Monaco Grand Prix.
I suggest taking an Uber to Monaco, however you can also take the train, but beware that it gets really packed during busy season and takes about double the time as driving.
Things to Do: Visit Casino Monte-Carlo, head up to Avenue de la Porte Neuve for the best view of Monaco and the surrounding mountains, check out the unique architecture of the Cathedral de Monaco, enjoy the view of Port de Fontvieille from the ‘Vue Panoramique sur Monaco – Fontvielle’.
Highlights of Monaco include exploring the Rocher de Monaco. This is where you’ll find historical highlights such as Place du Palais, which is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco.
How to get to Monaco: You can either take an Uber or car service or the SNCF train. Get to the train station 30 minutes before your train is expected to leave to get your tickets as the line to purchase tickets is typically long.
Where to Stay: We stayed in Nice and did a day trip to Monaco, however if you plan to stay in Monaco, I recommend Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco.
Where to Eat: Mozza, Tip Top, Cafe de Paris Monte-Carlo
Day 6: Day Trip to Eze & Villefranche-Sur-Mer from Nice
Eze is a beautiful medieval town on a hill in-between Monaco and Nice. There are lots of cute streets to get lost in and an amazing view over the Mediterranean to admire. Make sure to check out the pastel colored church and exotic garden.
How to Get to Villefrance-Sur-Mer & Eze: Fastest way is via an Uber, however the SNCF train is also an affordable and easy option. Get to the train station 30 minutes before your train is expected to leave to get your tickets as the line to purchase tickets is typically long.
Also, when taking the train the trains coming back to Nice get more and more packed as the day goes on. Sometimes during busy season you will have to wait for several trains before boarding or just squeeze your way on.
Things to Do: Visit the Fragonard Parfum Factory, take the time to walk around the old village viewing its ancient fountains, old stone houses, and amazing archways.
Where to Eat: Deli Eze Village
Villefranche-Sur-Mer
Villefranche-Sur-Mer, one of the prettiest towns in France! Villefranche-Sur-Mer dates back to the 14th century and was the most significant maritime port along the Riviera. Today, the Villefranche Promenade is probably the liveliest area you’ll encounter in the village.
Things to Do: Make sue to walk down Rue Baron des Brès and head to the viewpoint on Boulevard Napolean III, the most instagrammable spots in Villefranche-Sur-Mer. Wander the old town, where most buildings are from the 12th or 13th century and have been beautifully preserved. All the houses are painted in rainbow colors with shutters, plants, and flowers to match.
Day 7: Day Trip to Menton from Nice
Menton is a stunning harborside with views of the colorful houses and the 17th-century church of Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange.
How to Get to Menton: SNCF operates a train from Nice Ville to Menton every 30 minutes. Tickets cost $5 – $16 and the journey takes 40 min. Alternatively, you can grab an Uber or car service, which takes about 30 minutes, however more costly.
Things to Do: Spend your first full day on the Cote d’Azur enjoying Menton’s iconic Plage des Sablettes. The beautiful Azure water laps in front of colorful orange and yellow houses, it’s the perfect Instagram spot!
I hope you enjoyed this road trip around Provence and the French Riviera, and fall in love with the South of France as much as we did! If you have any questions regarding my trip, please feel free to DM me on Instagram or leave a message below!
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Thanks for the great information. We’re planning a trip to the Riviera, so this will be very helpful.
Anytime! Thank You Clay! Hope you enjoy your trip!
Just what I needed! This looks like the trip we’ve been dreaming of. I might have to sub out the lavendar fields for a September itinerary. Any suggestions? Maybe extra time in Aix-en-Provence for wine tasting?
Hi Jill, spending extra time in Aix-en-Provence for wine tasting is a great idea! you could also visit other surrounding small towns!