Southern France is a area famend for its various landscapes, charming villages, and wealthy cultural heritage. From the sun-drenched seashores of the French Riviera to the rolling vineyards of Provence, this space provides an ideal mixture of leisure, journey, and exploration. A highway journey is the perfect strategy to expertise the wonder and number of Southern France at your individual tempo. Right here’s a rigorously crafted itinerary that can assist you profit from your journey by way of this enchanting a part of the nation.
Day 1: Arrival in Good
Highlights:
- Promenade des Anglais
- Outdated City (Vieux Good)
- Fort Hill (Colline du Château)
Start your journey in Good, the gateway to the French Riviera. Spend your first day exploring town’s vibrant ambiance. Stroll alongside the Promenade des Anglais, go to the bustling markets of Vieux Good, and climb Fort Hill for panoramic views of town and the Mediterranean Sea. Within the night, get pleasure from dinner at a standard Niçoise restaurant.
Lodging: Keep in a single day in Good.
Day 2: Good to Cannes
Route: 33 km (21 miles) by way of the coastal highway
Highlights:
- Antibes
- Picasso Museum
- La Croisette in Cannes
In your strategy to Cannes, make a cease in Antibes, a captivating city identified for its previous port and the Picasso Museum. Proceed alongside the scenic coastal highway to Cannes, the place you possibly can stroll alongside La Croisette, the well-known boulevard lined with luxurious lodges, boutiques, and the Palais des Festivals, dwelling to the Cannes Movie Competition.
Lodging: Keep in a single day in Cannes.
Day 3: Cannes to Saint-Tropez
Route: 86 km (53 miles) by way of the coastal highway
Highlights:
- Esterel Massif
- Port Grimaud
- Saint-Tropez’s Outdated Port
Drive alongside the gorgeous Esterel Massif, a coastal mountain vary identified for its pink rock formations and breathtaking views. Cease in Port Grimaud, a picturesque village usually referred to as the “Venice of Provence,” earlier than persevering with to Saint-Tropez. Discover the previous port, calm down on one of many well-known seashores, and expertise the glamorous nightlife that Saint-Tropez is thought for.
Lodging: Keep in a single day in Saint-Tropez.
Day 4: Saint-Tropez Aix-en-Provence
Route: 120 km (75 miles)
Highlights:
- Provence Vineyards
- Cours Mirabeau
- Saint-Sauveur Cathedral
Depart the coast behind and head inland to Aix-en-Provence, a metropolis identified for its artwork, historical past, and delightful structure. Take a leisurely stroll alongside the Cours Mirabeau, a tree-lined avenue dotted with cafés and fountains. Go to the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, and if time permits, discover the close by vineyards that produce among the finest wines in Provence.
Lodging: Keep in a single day in Aix-en-Provence.
Day 5: Aix-en-Provence to Avignon
Route: 82 km (51 miles)
Highlights:
- Luberon Villages
- Palais des Papes
- Pont d’Avignon
In your strategy to Avignon, take a detour by way of the Luberon area, identified for its charming hilltop villages like Gordes and Roussillon. Upon arrival in Avignon, go to the Palais des Papes, one of many largest and most vital medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Don’t miss the enduring Pont d’Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage web site.
Lodging: Keep in a single day in Avignon.
Day 6: Avignon to Nîmes
Route: 45 km (28 miles)
Highlights:
- Pont du Gard
- Roman Amphitheatre
- Maison Carrée
Drive a brief distance to Nîmes, a metropolis well-known for its well-preserved Roman structure. On the way in which, cease on the Pont du Gard, an impressive Roman aqueduct. In Nîmes, discover the Roman Amphitheatre, which remains to be used for occasions right now, and go to the Maison Carrée, one of many best-preserved Roman temples on this planet.
Lodging: Keep in a single day in Nîmes.
Day 7: Nîmes to Carcassonne
Route: 190 km (118 miles)
Highlights:
- Medieval Metropolis of Carcassonne
- Château Comtal
- Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus
Your highway journey continues to Carcassonne, a metropolis well-known for its medieval fortress. Spend the day exploring the well-preserved partitions and towers of the Cité de Carcassonne. Go to the Château Comtal, a fortress inside the metropolis’s partitions, and the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, identified for its lovely stained glass home windows.
Lodging: Keep in a single day in Carcassonne.
Day 8: Carcassonne to Montpellier
Route: 150 km (93 miles)
Highlights:
- Place de la Comédie
- Fabre Museum
- Cathedral of Saint Peter
Conclude your highway journey with a drive to Montpellier, a vibrant metropolis identified for its vigorous ambiance and wealthy historical past. Discover the Place de la Comédie, the center of town, and go to the Fabre Museum, which homes a formidable assortment of European artwork. Finish your day on the Cathedral of Saint Peter, a shocking Gothic construction.
Lodging: Keep in a single day in Montpellier or return to Good to finish your journey.
Conclusion
This Southern France highway journey provides an ideal mix of coastal magnificence, historic landmarks, and cultural experiences. By following this itinerary, you’ll discover the perfect that the area has to supply, from the glamour of the French Riviera to the medieval appeal of Carcassonne. Whether or not you’re a historical past buff, a nature lover, or just trying to absorb the solar, this highway journey will go away you with unforgettable recollections of Southern France.