South of France tours

Yes – and for good reason. Few regions pack this much variety into such a short distance.

Head to Provence for slow mornings at artisanal markets, road trips (or bike rides) through lavender fields, wine tastings, and wanders through the elegant streets of Avignon and Aix-en-Provence.

Then trade it all for the French Riviera, where some of the most glamorous cities in France – Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez – bring beaches, warm water and yacht-lined harbours.

The South of France covers the Mediterranean coast and the countryside just behind it, stretching roughly from Marseille to the Italian border. Think of it as two halves: the French Riviera along the coast, and Provence just inland.

The French Riviera runs from Nice and Cannes to Monaco, known for its beaches and glittering seaside towns. Provence sits behind it – lavender fields, vineyards, and medieval villages like Gordes and Rousillon.

It depends what you’re after, but a few stops come up again and again. Here are some of our favourites:

Provence:
• Avignon
• Nîmes
• Arles
• Aix-en-Provence
• Gordes
• Roussillon
• Valensole Plateau lavender fields
• Calanques National Park
• Verdon Gorge

French Riviera:
• Nice
• Villefranche-sur-Mer
• Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
• Èze-Village
• Monaco
• Antibes
• Saint-Paul-de-Vence
• Cannes
• St. Tropez

Want more inspiration? Check out this guide to the best places in France, beyond Paris.

To see Southern France come alive, plan your trip between April and October.

Summer (June to August) is peak season for a reason – especially for a French Riviera vacation. Sunny days and balmy evenings make it perfect for swimming in the Mediterranean, dining al fresco, and wandering medieval villages without a jacket in sight.

If lavender is on your list, aim for mid-June to late July, when the fields across the Valensole Plateau are at their most vivid. This is by far the most popular time to visit though, so book well in advance if this is when you want to travel.

Spring and early autumn have their own charm – milder temperatures and a slightly quieter pace, ideal if you’d rather explore with fewer visitors around.

Find out more in this guide to the best time to visit France. 

We recommend a week to get a proper feel for the region – a few days on the Riviera, a few in Provence, without ever feeling rushed.

But if you want to go deeper, 10 days to 2 weeks gives you more time to explore, more time to unwind, and enough of it to see everything on your list. Get inspired by these things to do in the South of France.

A longer trip also lets you cross into neighbouring countries. Our France and Italy tours combine Provence and French Riviera tours with Rome and Tuscany. Or you could add the Swiss Alps and Lake Como to the mix on a tour of France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Yes. The region is well connected, whether you’re travelling by car, train or a mix of both.

That said, the best way to see it is from behind the wheel. A self-drive tour of France gives you the freedom to trace the Côte d’Azur at your own pace, pull over for whichever lavender field catches your eye in Provence, and take a spontaneous day trip when the mood strikes.

If your trip starts in Paris, some of our itineraries include a high-speed train journey down to Avignon. This way, you get a taste of both road trip freedom and effortless rail travel, all in one trip.

Absolutely. You can add an extra night at the start or end of your trip – in Nice, say – to ease into the pace or squeeze in one more day by the coast.

You can also shape the trip around what you love, with optional activities like a guided tour of Avignon’s food scene, or upgrades such as private airport transfers.

Just let us know what you have in mind when you book, or speak to your travel consultant beforehand.

Yes. These tours run on flexible start dates, so you can begin on a day that suits your own travel plans rather than a fixed departure schedule.

Just pick your preferred start date when you book.

What to bring depends on the season. But the South of France calls for a fairly simple wardrobe that can handle warm days, cobbled streets, and the odd dip in the Mediterranean.

Here are a few packing essentials:

• Light, breathable clothing 
• Comfortable shoes or sandals
• A light jacket for cooler evenings, especially in spring or autumn
• Sunglasses, sunhat and sun cream
• Swimwear
• Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated