Searching for one of the best locations to go to within the South of France? You’ve come to the best place. It had been fairly a while since we’d traveled the South of France, however this summer time we had the great fortune of spending practically a month revisiting this stunning area. Whereas taking a Canal du Midi cruise on our luxurious houseboat with Le Boat, we had the prospect to discover a number of the lesser-known locations in Southern France.
Throughout this journey down the historic waterway, we have been reminded of all the gorgeous locations within the South of France that we’ve taken through the years. France actually has all of it. So, if you’re trying to department out from the extraordinary, try one of the best locations to go to within the South of France to create a vacation that may ignite all of the senses.
Prime Locations to go to within the South of France
Historic cities, the French Riviera, and exquisite seashores; the South of France oozes with vitality and pleasure. However what are one of the best locations to go to within the South of France? Are you searching for a metropolis stuffed with elegant structure and cultural points of interest? Or maybe one of many stunning medieval villages, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea surrounded by olive groves? Be it sandy seashores, artwork galleries, or conventional French delicacies, Southern France is a timeless vacation vacation spot, and it’s straightforward to see why.
This information will cowl every thing from the beautiful pure points of interest within the South of France to nationwide parks and one of the best cities. Are you able to get began? Let’s have a look.
Greatest cities and cities to go to within the South of France
When searching for one of the best locations to go to within the South of France, an ideal place to begin is with the area’s city areas. South France has some unbelievable cities and cities. Let’s dive straight in.
1. Toulouse
Toulouse was an sudden metropolis within the South of France, positioned inland alongside the Spanish border. Town has the nickname ‘La Ville Rose’, that means the pink metropolis as a result of pink bricks used to construct most of its buildings. Toulouse is France’s fourth largest metropolis after Paris, Marseilles, and Lyon and but it’s straightforward to discover on foot. When visiting Toulouse, you’ll really feel as if you’re visiting the genuine France with locals eating in out of doors cafes and college students stress-free by the river’s edge. It’s what we think about Paris was like 50 years in the past.
A bustling college metropolis, Toulouse could also be small, however it’s stuffed with vitality. There are many points of interest to see in Toulouse like the principle sq. of La Capitole, Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse, and the Musee Aeroscopia. Toulouse is the middle of the aeronautics and house trade in France and this museum showcases its historical past and growth.
If you happen to go, make certain to select up a Toulouse Cross to actually discover the town. The Toulouse Cross provides 1, 2, or 3-day passes that embody public transport and free entrance into a lot of the metropolis’s hottest vacationer points of interest.
There may be an outdated city to wander, loads of museums, and a reasonably cutting-edge trend scene. Additionally it is the start line of the Canal du Midi which winds its means down 240 km to the French Riviera. Toulouse is a incredible place to go to in South France, and will certainly maintain you entertained. Learn extra: Greatest Issues to do in Toulouse France
2. Marseille
Marseille is the oldest metropolis in Southern France. In actual fact, it’s the oldest metropolis in all of France and it’s second in measurement solely to Paris. Positioned on the Gulf de Lyon, which is a part of the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is the right mix of African and French tradition. A buying and selling hotspot and port hub since 600 BC, Marseille is likely one of the greatest locations to go to within the South of France if you would like a style of historical past and historic tradition.
Crucial a part of Marseille is its Vieux Port. It’s right here that fisherman as soon as bought their catch, and a whole bunch of years later, many nonetheless do. You must also go to the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, the Musee des Beaux-Arts, and Palais Longchamp.
We advise spending a minimal of three days in Marseille so that you simply expertise the seafood scene, and its greatest points of interest together with a day journey out to Chateau d’If made well-known by Alexander Dumas in The Depend of Monte Cristo written by Alexander Dumas.
When visiting Marseille, we recommend getting a Marseille Metropolis Cross – Town move is legitimate for 1-3 days and allows you to hop on hop off to see all the highest vacationer points of interest. With limitless entry to public transportation plus a tour on the Vacationer practice to Notre-Dame de la Garde or by means of the Previous Marseille. You’ll have entry to MUCEM, and Regards de Provence Museum, plus crossing Frioul Island, or If Island with entrance to Chateau D’If. There are many reductions, entry to municipal museums, and a guided metropolis tour. See particulars right here.
3. Cannes
Who hasn’t heard of Cannes? If you’re visiting Southern France and craving a metropolis expertise, you will need to go to Cannes. Town is maybe probably the most well-known spot on the French Riviera due to the glitz and glamour it exudes on an annual foundation. It’s liked by celebrities, and adored for its annual movie pageant, The Cannes Worldwide Movie Competition. It has many beloved seashores and cultural points of interest as nicely.
A lot of Cannes and its points of interest may be skilled by strolling (or driving) alongside the Boulevard de la Croisette. The boulevard spans the Cannes shoreline, with beautiful views over the Bay of Cannes on the Mediterranean Sea. The Boulevard de la Croisette is lined by luxurious accommodations, boutiques, and eating places and caters completely to an upscale crowd.
Cannes is greatest for individuals who need luxurious, resort-style environment. After we visited Cannes, we couldn’t afford the posh accommodations and as a substitute stayed at a campsite simply out of city. However we nonetheless had the prospect to brush shoulders with the wealthy and well-known as we visited the seashores to work on our tans and revel in a style of that five-star hospitality.
4. Good
Good is the largest metropolis on the French Riviera which makes it one of many high locations to go to within the South of France. It has probably the most city really feel out of all of the locations on our checklist and is good if you wish to really feel in the midst of all of the motion. A good selection for a lodge is Resort Good Riviera. This 4-star lodge is one block from the seaside with affordable costs.
Like Cannes, Good has a scenic stretch of street alongside its shoreline. Promenade des Anglais stretches 7 km and is the place you’ll discover nearly all of points of interest and one of the best ocean views. It’s on the Promenade des Anglais that you simply’ll discover the Good Carnival, which takes place each February or March. It is best to stroll the promenade, Previous City, and make time to go to the Fortress Hill of Good – an outdated medieval fortress overlooking the town.
Curiously, Good can also be surrounded by quite a few stunning cities and villages – lots of which date again to the Center Ages. You’ll be able to spend days stress-free within the metropolis and on its stunning seashores, taking the odd day journey to a medieval city for one of the best of each worlds. Learn extra: 24 Hours in Good – Typically You Solely have a Day to See it All
5. Aix en Provence
The area of Provence is likely one of the most magical areas in France, and Aix en Provence is every thing you’d anticipate of a metropolis in southern France. It has class, magnificence, and historical past by the bucket hundreds. The previous capital of Provence is ideal for vacationers who worth tradition when selecting a vacation vacation spot. Aix en Provence has quite a few nicknames, together with “Town of a Thousand Fountains” and “The Metropolis of Counts”. It’s full of issues to do and see, and it has a noble environment to match.
Aix en Provence is an artsy college city simply 20 minutes north of Marseille. It was additionally the birthplace and residential of the good painter Paul Cezanne. Town is pleased with this historic truth and traces of Cezanne may be discovered in every single place within the metropolis. The Cezanne stroll is your greatest technique to see every thing Cezanne. It is a enjoyable and attention-grabbing self-guided tour that Dave and I did on a sunny afternoon throughout our go to. Our strolling tour took us across the Previous City, visiting Cezanne’s Studio, and Camp De Milles.
A few of the greatest issues to do in Aix en Provence is to discover its artwork galleries, museums, and different historic points of interest. Anticipate a full of life nightlife scene and loads of non permanent exhibitions and occasions.
6. Saint Tropez
Craving to be steps away from the ocean? Saint Tropez is the best candidate. Saint Tropez is ideal if you would like glamour and wonder, but a quieter really feel than massive cities like Good. The small city sits on the French Riviera and was as soon as somewhat fishing village.
The fishing village shot to reputation after getting used as a filming location for And God Created Lady starring Brigitte Bardot in 1955. Because the Sixties vacationers have been flocking to one of the in style locations to go to within the South of France, however Saint Tropez has nonetheless retained a few of its most charming village qualities. You’ll be able to nonetheless spot some little fishing boats within the Previous Port, and La Ponche Quarter continues to be filled with slim streets with cobblestones.
The very best seashores in Saint Tropez are Plage de Pampelonne, Plage St. Tropez and Bouillabaisse Seaside. Nonetheless, when you’ve spent a day on the seaside make certain to expertise the city’s hospitality scene, and don’t miss trying out the central sq. on the market at Place des Lices. It has a status for scrumptious meals and incredible regionally owned eating places; undoubtedly attempt the recent seafood and regionally grown olives.
7. Saint Paul de Vence
Saint Paul de Vence is likely one of the oldest medieval villages on the French Riviera. Image a walled city with cobblestone streets and historic, overhanging buildings. All the pieces is constructed from conventional stone and Saint Paul de Vence is the form of place the place each inch of rock feels prefer it has a narrative to inform.
The city sits on a hill overlooking the French Riviera. It’s comparatively straightforward to go to as a in the present day journey from Good however, in the event you can, it’s best to attempt to keep within the city itself. Saint Paul de Vence looks like someplace out of a fairy story. Simply strolling by means of its cobbled streets and Previous City (bear in mind a digital camera) is sufficient to maintain you entertained for a full day.
It was as soon as the house of well-known painter Marc Chagall and whenever you go to certainly one of its high points of interest, the Cimetière de Saint-Paul-de-Vence, you will note his grave.
You must also dine at La Colombe d’Or, the place the Roux household as soon as let artists resembling Picasso, Braque, Calder, and Matisse dine in alternate for now well-known work. Consuming scrumptious meals is even higher if you end up surrounded by artworks when you eat.
8. Les Baux de Provence
Okay, we could also be concentrating on cities and cities however the village of Les Baux de Provence was too stunning to not embody. This hilltop village continues to be protected by medieval partitions and makes an exquisite, memorable getaway. In actual fact, it’s so stunning that the town is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
The highest points of interest within the village are, The ruins of Castillo de Los Baux, a Twelfth-century fortress, and Carrieres de Lumieres. Carrieres de Lumieres (the quarry of lights) is a novel attraction with paintings projected onto the disused quarry’s limestone partitions. Artwork fanatics will love the novelty of a digital exhibition, and the paintings displayed modifications often which retains the quarry thrilling to go to.
Certain, Les Baux de Provence is quiet and distanced from the Mediterranean Sea, nonetheless, the village has a movie set really feel and is bursting with historical past and appeal. If you would like a quaint, lesser skilled impression of Southern France, Les Baux de Provence is a incredible place to go to. You might also like Enchanting Medieval Villages in France – The French Riviera
9. Saint Rémy de Provence
Saint Remy de Provence is one other beautiful, rural city positioned on the outskirts of the Alpilles Pure Regional Park. Not solely does Saint Remy de Provence have stunning structure and quiet city surroundings, however its pure magnificence was additionally the muse of a extremely popular artist.
Vincent Van Gogh lived in Saint Remy for a 12 months, the place he checked himself right into a psychological hospital and commenced certainly one of his most prolific working durations. It was in Saint Remy that he painted The Starry Evening. Whether or not you’re a Van Gogh fan, artwork fanatic, or simply intrigued, Saint Remy is a superb place to be taught extra about artwork historical past.
Musee Estrine Presence Van Gogh is one of the best attraction for studying extra concerning the artist. Glanum is one of the best attraction for historical past and is an outdated Roman city and in depth archeological website. You can too go to the Monastery Saint Paul de Mausole – the psychiatric asylum the place Van Gogh was admitted. Saint Remy de Provence has heaps to maintain you entertained.
10. Vers Pont Du Gard
Vers Pont Du Gard is one other small city and, like Saint Remy, has a lot of surrounding Roman heritage. Probably the most well-known Roman attraction is the Pont du Gard bridge and aqueduct, which have been protected and maintained to nonetheless stand in the present day. I bear in mind taking our street journey within the South of France and making a detour for the only real function of seeing this bridge. Vers Pont Du Gard is filled with spectacular structure, and in the event you like visiting locations with character, you’ll actually be in for a deal with.
When you’ve visited the city’s bridge, the Pont du Gard Museum and Chapel Notre Dame de Laval are one of the best points of interest to get pleasure from. You can too swim and fish within the River Gardon. Regardless of being inland, being positioned subsequent to a river makes Vers Pont Du Gard an pleasing vacation spot even within the peak of summer time. You aren’t sacrificing a lot by skipping seaside days for river days, and taking a dip is refreshing on a sizzling day.
11. Arles
Arles is our remaining suggestion and simply top-of-the-line locations to go to within the South of France. Within the historic Roman interval, Arles was as soon as a provincial capital. At this time, most of the structure and historic websites stay – together with Arles Amphitheater.
We advocate catching a efficiency on the Arles Amphitheater, taking a Van Gogh strolling tour to see the areas which impressed well-known works, and visiting the cloisters at St. Trophime. Arles has a lot of non secular and inventive historical past, so permit a lot of time for sightseeing.
Town itself sits on the banks of the Rhone River. It’s flanked by the Camargue Nature Reserve and, whereas positioned inland, is lower than an hour’s drive from a number of the greatest seashores on the Riviera. If you’re trying to rent a automobile and discover a lot of France, Arles is an excellent base.
Greatest pure locations to go to within the South of France
Now we’ve lined one of the best cities and cities let’s take a look at one of the best pure locations to go to within the South of France.
Southern France is filled with superb pure locations to go to, whether or not you need to use them as a day journey or simply prepare to remain close by. You greatest have a Google Maps account since you’ll want offline maps to go to those spots. These locations are the creme de la creme.
12. Verdon Pure Regional Park
Verdon Pure Regional Park is likely one of the greatest locations to discover pure points of interest, not simply mountain climbing trails and exquisite views. Positioned in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the 180,000-hectare park is most identified for the Gorges du Verdon and Lake Croix.
The Gorges du Verdon is a 25 km (15.5 miles) lengthy river canyon with an excellent milky blue river. Anticipate white water rapids and steep cliffs reaching as much as 700 meters (0.4 mi) on both facet of the river. This pure marvel is the deepest gorge in France. You’ll be able to hike to quite a few viewpoints, and even e book a rafting expertise for a bit of additional exhilaration. The Gorges du Verdon is a giant deal and is called France’s reply to the Grand Canyon.
After exiting the Verdon Gorge, the river runs straight out into the Lake of Sainte-Croix. There are three villages alongside its shores and you’ll take your choose to seize a chunk to eat and go for a swim.
13. Calanques Nationwide Park
Calanques Nationwide Park covers each ocean and land, and the 128,000-acre reserve is located on the shoreline an hour’s drive from Marseilles en path to Cassis. In case your thought of heaven is coastal hikes with hidden coves and dramatic cliff faces, then Calanques is an ideal spot. It’s the solely nationwide park in Europe that’s positioned close to city areas and is each on land and sea.
The phrase ‘Calanques’ describes a dolomite or limestone inlet – mainly dramatic pale gray or white sea cliffs. The park is filled with these stunning areas and it’s best to undoubtedly spend money on a great high quality digital camera so that you’ve got footage to cherish after your vacation.
Hold your eyes peeled whereas mountain climbing as nicely, because the marine reserves are in style spots for pods of dolphins. The park has over 140 species of protected animals and vegetation, which is a nature lover’s dream.
14. Pure Reserve of the Courant d’Huchet
In comparison with the opposite spots on this checklist, the Pure Reserve of the Courant d’Huchet is tiny. Nonetheless, it has a number of the most hanging landscapes and is definitely top-of-the-line pure locations to go to within the South of France. It’s positioned an hour’s drive north of Biarritz and makes for a incredible day journey.
The reserve is primarily marshland however has a seaside within the midst of the park. The seaside comprises excessive hills of sand dunes that fantastically distinction the surrounded marshes and forest. Guests can head to the seaside to swim and climb the sand dunes.
You can too hike the community of trails, recognizing native animals and flora as you stroll. If you would like one thing actually completely different although, we advocate a ship tour. You’ll be able to rent a ship to discover independently or take a tour for a extra informative expertise – whichever takes your fancy.
15. Baronnies Provencales Regional Pure Park
Have you ever ever seen these artsy lavender discipline images plastered throughout Instagram? Properly, Baronnies Provencales Regional Pure Park is the place you possibly can take your very personal. Aside from its distant villages and low-lying mountains, Baronnies Provencales is filled with lavender fields. If you happen to go to the South of France between June and September, it’s best to undoubtedly make your technique to the park to see them.
Baronnies Provencales Regional Pure Park is about an hour and a half drive from Avignon. You might go to on a day journey or discover lodging in one of many park’s villages. Aside from the lavender fields, you’ll discover 1000’s of mountain climbing trails and different out of doors actions.
16. Regional Park of Camargue
Camargue Park is known for a lot of issues, together with the as soon as wild herds of Camargue horses. The Camargue horses are extremely prized in France and are thought of to be one of the historic horse breeds on the planet. Whereas breeding is strictly regulated now, you may nonetheless be fortunate sufficient to identify a semi-feral herd.
Aside from the horses, Camargue Pure Regional Park options wetlands, tough grazing areas, and a marine reserve. Additionally it is positioned alongside the shoreline, simply outdoors of Marseilles and close to the town of Arles.
The very best issues to do in Camargue are animal associated. You’ll be able to spot flamingoes at Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau and go to a ranch to take a horseback experience out to identify the semi-feral horses from afar.
17. Alpilles Regional Nature Park
Fancy getting lively? Alpilles Regional Nature Park has probably the most to supply when it comes to biking, mountain climbing, and horseback driving trails with loads of equestrian facilities. With all its limestone rock formations and cliffs, there’s loads of climbing alternatives as nicely.
Alpilles has an ideal mixture of actions. Whether or not you need historical past, tradition, a health problem, or a brand new profile image, Alpilles has sufficient variety to match your wants. It’s a walkers paradise with mountain climbing trails by means of pine forests, olive groves, and vineyards.
You can too simply go to the fortress, and quarry artwork show in close by Les Baux de Provence which we already talked about above.
18. Sainte Baume Pure Regional Park
Sainte Baume Pure Regional Park is the place the alpine meets the Mediterranean. The park is filled with dramatic limestone mountains, ridges, and pine tree forests.
Climbers will love Saint Baume, which is centered round an extended mountain ridge. There’s an ideal vary of climbing routes to discover, ranging in issue and magnificence. Sainte Baume additionally holds a lot of non secular significance. Guests will discover a grotto the place Mary Magdalene allegedly lived. The positioning is in style amongst pilgrims and may be reached by way of a reasonably forest path in round forty minutes.
19. Pyrenees Nationwide Park
Pyrenees Nationwide Park is likely one of the greatest locations to go to within the South of France. The park sits on the French-Spanish border and we have been shocked to seek out them in South France. We had identified the Pyrenees from our time in Spain, however we at all times considered them as additional north. We have been shocked to see the mountains whereas cruising in 40-degree warmth to Carcassonne.
From alpine meadows and high-altitude lakes to towering, craggy mountains, the park is beautiful. If you would like an thrilling, stunning place to go to in Southern France, Pyrenees Nationwide Park is bucket checklist worthy.
Cirque de Gavarnie is likely one of the most well-known points of interest within the Pyrenees of France. A cirque is a big cliff face that curves in form like an enormous, pure amphitheater. Cirque de Gavarnie is greatest identified for its many waterfalls, which cascade down the cliff partitions.
Aside from the Cirque de Gavarnie, the park is filled with mountain climbing trails, infinite out of doors actions, and climbing alternatives. If you happen to love mountaineering specifically, you’ll adore it right here.
20. Landes de Gascogne Regional Pure Park
Landes de Gascogne Regional Pure Park is a nature reserve firstly, which we love. The park caters to tourism however in environmentally pleasant methods, and there are points of interest like an eco-museum and chook sanctuary to go to.
The park sits in southwest France, together with some coastal areas and a few inland. Guests can kayak down rivers, swim in pure lakes, or hike the quite a few trails. Landes de Gascogne is a serene, stunning park that’s bursting with nature. Guests can cherish being surrounded by a whole bunch of various species of wildlife.
21. Narbonnaise en Mediterranee Pure Regional Park
Narbonnaise en Mediterranee is a various area. You’ll discover seashores, cliffs, forests, and even vineyards. The vineyards are notably in style, and a few folks check with the park because the land of wine.
You’ll be able to go wine tasting, take a hike, or go for a tenting getaway. Narbonnaise en Mediterranee is about an hour and a half’s drive from Montpellier and Toulouse. It sits on the Mediterranean shoreline and is ideally mixed with a seaside vacation. If you would like someplace to wine style and discover, it’s a small, stunning, and straightforward pure place to go to in Southern France.
22. Mercantour Nationwide Park
A surprising 167,297-acre park, Mercantour is a mix of alpine lakes, irregular mountain ranges, and plenty of scenic mountain climbing trails. Even higher? It’s simply an hour’s drive away from Good.
The park is various and comparatively unvisited in comparison with France’s different nationwide parks. For people who make the journey although, there are infinite rewards. You’ll uncover tiny villages and mountain communities the place many individuals nonetheless reside off of the land. You’ll be able to pattern decadent cheeses and luxurious honey and possibly even deliver some dwelling as a memento.
After appreciating the cultural facet of Mercantour, you possibly can dive straight into its out of doors actions. Hike, bike, climb, swim, and experience till your coronary heart is content material.
It’s no secret that the South of France is mesmerizing. That is simply the tip of the iceberg of locations to go to within the South of France.
We hope that this helped offer you a way of what you possibly can see and do from strolling cobblestone streets in medieval cities or lazing on sandy seashores on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. All of those locations to go to within the South of France are price visiting. Glamorous, historic, and naturally stunning, the South of France is bound to ensure reminiscences for a lifetime.