When it comes to choosing the best locations to enjoy France from, the South tends to get heaped with praise — and for good reason. You're close to the majesty of the Mediterranean, meaning you're always likely to get splashed with sunshine, and there's a plethora of quaint towns, seaside spots, and historic artefacts to explore.
Given that France is such a huge country to explore in its entirety, we've put together a guide on building a South of France itinerary based on your specific interests. The French Riviera absolutely deserves to be enjoyed for more than just a few days — and if you're short on ideas of where to go during a week or more's break, you've come to the right place.
South of France itinerary overview
From Provence to Nice and Cannes, there are plenty of sights, dishes, and sunny days to experience when exploring the South of France. No two itineraries have to be the same, which is why we've built this guide around a few different templates you can adjust to your own tastes and preferences.
Traveling around the South of France is not particularly difficult. If you're not taking a road trip around the various towns and coastal resorts, the ports of call we recommend are well connected by train and bus routes. And if you're exploring wider France — including Paris and Nantes to the north — you can easily fly down to Provence without much hassle.
[tip title="The South of France should never be rushed"]The fabulous Mediterranean views, the year-round sunshine, and the delicious French food are all great reasons to take things at a leisurely pace. In our templates below, we suggest spending a few days in each spot if you can — there's no rush, and the experience is far richer for it.[/tip]Best places to visit in the South of France
We asked those of us in the SIMOVO team who have been to the South of France in recent years to name their favourite spots across the region. The results were pretty unanimous, with Nice, Cannes, Saint Tropez, and Aix-en-Provence all topping the overall best-of list.
[numbered title="Nice" pill="Côte d'Azur heart"]Sandy stretches, a quaint old town, panoramic views from Castle Hill, bustling markets, and unique twists on French cuisine. The natural starting point for any South of France itinerary.[/numbered] [numbered title="Cannes" pill="Film festival and yachts"]World-famous for the annual film festival, Cannes also offers a stunning waterfront boulevard, 16th-century old town architecture, and a traditional fishing port — without needing a Hollywood budget.[/numbered] [numbered title="Saint Tropez" pill="Luxury and nightlife"]Iconic club scenes, charming markets, and cobblestone streets — gentle by day and vibrant after dark. The place to be if you have a flexible budget and want the best of the French nightlife scene.[/numbered] [numbered title="Aix-en-Provence" pill="Art history and markets"]The elegant hometown of Paul Cézanne — charming narrow streets, daily markets, and bustling art hubs, all with the promise of wonderful year-round weather.[/numbered]Nice
Nice is a stunning resort at the heart of the sparkling Côte d'Azur — home to sandy stretches, a quaint old town scene, and incredible panoramic views, especially if you're able to scale the heights of the famous Castle Hill.
Nice is also well-known for its unique twists on already fabulous French cuisine, and is home to bustling marketplaces that the French Riviera is world-famous for. Make sure to kick back and relax on a roof terrace or two when you visit.
Cannes
You may already know of Cannes thanks to the annual film festival — and for that reason, it's often regarded as one of the playgrounds for the rich and famous along this stretch of Europe. That said, you don't have to be Hollywood elite to enjoy life here. Check out the waterfront boulevard, the old town with its 16th-century architecture, and the traditional fishing port.
[tip title="Visit Cannes in May for the film festival, autumn for the yachting season"]If you're keen to experience Cannes at its most glamorous, head across in May for the film festival. Otherwise, early autumn brings the yachting festivals and a slightly quieter but equally buzzing atmosphere along the waterfront.[/tip]Saint Tropez
Saint Tropez is synonymous with sand, sunshine, and luxury yachting. This really is the place to be if you have a flexible budget and want to experience the best of the French nightlife — it competes remarkably well with what you'll find further north. From iconic club scenes to charming markets and cobblestone streets, Saint Tropez is chameleonic — gentle in the day and genuinely alive at night.
Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is a quaint, elegant corner of the Riviera with important art history links — it's the hometown of the legendary Paul Cézanne. Charming narrow streets, daily markets, and bustling art hubs fill the area, meaning you'll rarely be stuck for something to see or do — all with the promise of wonderful weather.[/tip]
South of France itinerary ideas
Here are four South of France itinerary templates to enjoy at your leisure. Feel free to add more stops, extend your stay in favourite spots, or adjust the pace entirely to suit your own preferences.
[tip title="The classic route runs Nice to Aix-en-Provence along the coast"]For a first-time visit, the most logical and scenic direction is to start in Nice on the eastern Côte d'Azur and work your way west through Cannes and Saint Tropez toward Aix-en-Provence. The 10 and 14-day templates reverse this for a slightly different experience — starting inland and finishing at the coast.[/tip]South of France itinerary for 7 days
- Days 1–2: Start your journey and establish a base in Nice.
- Days 3–4: Head further along the coast towards Cannes.
- Day 5: Soak up some sun in Saint Tropez.
- Days 6–7: Travel further inland towards Aix-en-Provence.
South of France itinerary for 10 days
- Days 1–3: Start your adventure in Aix-en-Provence.
- Days 4–5: Work your way down to Marseille, then Toulon.
- Days 6–7: Enjoy the town of Hyères and travel up to Saint Tropez.
- Days 8–9: Travel further along the coast towards Cannes.
- Day 10: Finish your trip in Nice.
South of France itinerary for 14 days
- Days 1–3: Start in Marseille and explore Aix-en-Provence.
- Days 4–6: Head east — either south to Toulon and Hyères, or north to explore the region's wildlife parks.
- Days 7–8: Establish a new base in Saint Tropez or Cannes.
- Days 9–11: Relax in Nice for as long as possible.
- Days 12–14: Your choice — return to favourite spots, or cross the border into Italy for an extended adventure.
Best time to visit the South of France
The French Riviera gets around 300 days of sunshine a year — and that's not far off the mark. For the best beach-based adventures, head here toward the end of spring and the start of summer. The summer months are when things get very busy, so for a milder holiday with smaller crowds, early autumn is an excellent alternative.
[tip title="February offers a quietly wonderful winter sun escape"]The South of France is very popular for winter sun breaks, and February in particular is mild and breezy — a genuinely pleasant contrast to the deep freeze of a UK or Northern European winter. Crowds are minimal, prices are competitive, and the atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried.[/tip] [esim flag="🇫🇷" label="France" data="10GB · 30 days" price="£8" href="/products/france" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Stay connected across the South of France — no roaming charges[/esim] [faq] [q]What are the best places to visit in the South of France?[/q] [a]The four best destinations in the South of France are Nice (the elegant heart of the Côte d'Azur), Cannes (world-famous for its film festival and waterfront boulevard), Saint Tropez (luxury yachting, nightlife, and charm), and Aix-en-Provence (art history, daily markets, and narrow cobblestone streets). Together they cover the full range of experiences the French Riviera has to offer.[/a] [q]What is the best time to visit the South of France?[/q] [a]Late spring to early summer (May to June) offers the best beach conditions with manageable crowds. Early autumn (September to October) is excellent for milder weather, quieter resorts, and the yachting season in Cannes. February is ideal for a winter sun escape — mild, quiet, and significantly cheaper than peak season. Summer (July to August) is spectacular but very busy and expensive.[/a] [q]How do I get around the South of France?[/q] [a]The major towns along the Côte d'Azur — Nice, Cannes, and Saint Tropez — are well connected by train and bus routes, making it easy to travel between them without a car. A road trip is also a popular and scenic way to explore at your own pace. If travelling from Paris or elsewhere in France, the TGV high-speed train to Nice takes around five and a half hours, or there are regular flights to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport.[/a] [q]What is Nice like?[/q] [a]Nice is the main city of the Côte d'Azur and a natural base for exploring the French Riviera. It combines a beautiful promenade (the Promenade des Anglais), a charming old town (Vieux Nice) with daily markets, and excellent access to nearby attractions including Monaco and the hill villages of Provence. It also has unique regional cuisine — dishes like socca and salade niçoise are must-tries.[/a] [q]How long do I need for a South of France trip?[/q] [a]Seven days is the minimum for a meaningful South of France trip — enough to cover Nice, Cannes, Saint Tropez, and Aix-en-Provence at a brisk pace. Ten days allows for a more relaxed experience with additional stops including Marseille and Toulon. Fourteen days is ideal for first-time visitors who want to explore at leisure and potentially cross into Italy via the Ligurian coast.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for France?[/q] [a]A SIMOVO France eSIM is one of the most practical additions to any South of France trip. It activates on landing, connects you to France's best available networks, and gives you prepaid data to navigate between coastal towns, find restaurants, and stay in touch — without roaming charges when you get home.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇫🇷" label="France" data="10GB · 30 days" price="£8" href="/products/france" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Stay connected across the South of France — no roaming charges[/esim]
