Exploring the South of France: A 10-Day Itinerary
Our family had an amazing time exploring the captivating region of the South of France. With its countless picturesque towns and diverse landscapes, there was something for everyone to enjoy. From the charming countryside of Provence to the stunning coastline of the Riviera, we embarked on a journey filled with unforgettable memories.
Getting to the South of France
To maximize our time, we chose to fly into Marseille and depart from Nice. This allowed us to explore both regions effortlessly. However, flying round trip from either airport or taking a train from Paris are other viable options. We rented a car for the entire trip, which is essential for us when traveling with young children, but train transportation is also available for those who prefer not to drive.
Flying from Miami, we flew Iberia and had a layover in Madrid. This was quite the experience because our first flight was delayed by almost 2 hours, so we pretty much knew we were going to miss our 2nd flight. To our surprise, when we landed, there was a chance we were going to make it, so we had to really rush through airport, and if you know the Madrid ariport…. Its huge!!! Our kids were also soooo tired because they didn’t sleep for many hours on the first flight, so there was some crying and lots of holding the kids while running through the airport but we didn’t want to give up! So, after going up and down what felt like a million escalators, through customs, through security, and then through the airport to find the gate, we finally made it to the gate a minute after they closed the flight. The gate agents were SO nice, they opened the flight back up and let us on. We were DRIPPING in sweat, but we made it…. Yay!!! Its always an adventure!
Day 1 - St Remy de Provence
We decided to make St Remy our home base for the first portion of the trip since it was central to all the towns we wanted to explore. We LOVED St Remy and are so happy with this decision.
Day 1 is always tough when traveling with kids, so you have to just go with the flow and know there’s most likely going to be some crying, because jet lag mixed with the exhaustion of traveling is usually a recipe for some meltdowns.
We decided to hang by the pool of our hotel, have lunch, take it easy and relax a bit. Then we went into town to walk around a bit and have dinner. St Remy is such a cute town, we loved walking around there. All the shops close at 7pm, so we then headed for dinner. Dinner was delicious and 2 out of 3 kids fell asleep at the table.
Hotel: Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa or Sous les Figuiers
Day 2 – Gordes, Rousilon & L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Gordes
Now that everyone had a good night’s sleep, the trip really begins! We ate breakfast at the hotel and began the drive over to Gordes, which was around 45-50 minutes.
Tucked away in the hills of Provence, Gordes is like a fairytale town you don't want to miss. Wander through the cobbled streets of this medieval gem, where honey-colored stone houses seem to cling to the hillside. Gordes is renowned for its stunning views of the Luberon Valley, offering the perfect backdrop for exploration. Marvel at the majestic Gordes Castle, a historic fortress that stands proudly overlooking the town, and explore the narrow alleyways lined with artisan shops and quaint cafes. Don't miss the weekly market, where you can savor the flavors of Provencal cuisine and indulge in local delicacies. For a touch of culture, visit the Senanque Abbey, a serene lavender-scented haven just a short drive away, or Les Bories, a unique place to see ancient huts. Gordes, with its timeless allure, invites travelers to slow down, immerse themselves in the rich history of Provence, and savor the beauty that graces every corner of this picturesque town.
There is a place to stop right before you get to the village for a gorgeous view of the entire town.
We continued driving and parked in town and began exploring. The first thing we did was buy a bottle of wine and strawberries at a market right by our car. These were the best strawberries we’ve eaten in our entire life!
Next we drove to Rousillon. We didn’t get to spend too much time here because it started to rain, but we were able to grab this picture and see a bit of the area. There's a nice hike to do, however, it was closed due to the rain. Undeterred, we continued our drive through the scenic Louberon Valley, reveling in the breathtaking beauty around us.
Our next stop was L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The kids had ice cream and we walked around the many streets to explore. We really enjoyed stopping in this cute town and wished we had a little more time there.
From there we drove to Eygalieres, a very charming town close to St Remy, for dinner. We ate at L’Aubergine, which was gorgeous and delicious, but there are so many great options in this town. We really wanted to try Chez Paulette but they were full. Nonetheless, Eygalières proved to be a gem worth exploring. Highly recommend checking out this adorable town!
Day 3 – Avignon & Beaux
We kicked off our day exploring Avignon with a visit to the iconic Palace of the Popes, undoubtedly the most renowned attraction in the city. The kids were particularly thrilled as each visitor is provided with an iPad, offering an engaging experience with QR codes to scan in every room. This interactive feature not only provided informative insights about each space but also transformed it into an augmented reality wonder so the kids could really get an idea of how it used to look, making the visit truly enjoyable for them. Our tickets also gave us access to the scenic gardens and the famous bridge, adding to the overall experience.
Wandering through the city on a Sunday, we discovered that many shops were closed. Nonetheless, we took a leisurely stroll, found a charming square to grab a quick bite, and continued our journey to Beaux.
Expecting Beaux to resemble St Remy due to their proximity, we were pleasantly surprised by the stark differences. Beaux appeared as if the entire city had been carved into the rock. After exploring the unique surroundings, we decided to head back to St Remy for dinner. A local recommendation led us to a lively square boasting three different restaurants. It turned out to be an excellent choice, especially for families with kids. The square had a ton of children, providing a playful atmosphere while we enjoyed a relaxed and delightful dinner. Highly recommend this spot for a memorable evening with the family!
Day 4 – Lourmarin
We found ourselves spending the day in Lourmarin, a charming village with a rich history and picturesque surroundings. The village is known for its vibrant arts scene, so keep an eye out for galleries showcasing local talent.
Day 5 – Aix en Provence
I had been eagerly anticipating our visit to Aix-en-Provence, having heard they have a fantastic market. The city hosts market days on Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday, so we made sure to be there on one of those market days. We were consistently missing other town markets due to our jet lag-induced late mornings, today promised to be an exciting one. The challenge for us lay in the markets closing at 1 pm, and with our sleep patterns slowly adjusting, we found ourselves waking around 10 am, leaving just enough time for a drive, arriving at Aix around 11:30 am. Although the ticking clock didn't afford us a leisurely pace, we dove into the market headfirst, relishing in an array of delightful food samples and immersing ourselves in the lively atmosphere. We were nervous that Aix would feel like one of the bigger cities like Avignon (we much prefer the smaller ones), but it wasn’t like that at all. We found ourselves enchanted by Aix, spending the entirety of our day exploring its vibrant streets and savoring the unique experiences it had to offer.
Aix was our last stop in the area of Provence so from here we began the 2nd half of the trip to the riviera.
Since it was already late in the day and we didn’t want to drive for too long, I heard about this beautiful area, Le Castellet, so we decided to find a place to sleep there. We were obsessed with the hotel that we found, so the second we got there we immediately booked for another night. We also had the best meal of the entire trip at their restaurant. The property is gorgeous. They have bocce ball area which kept the kids very entertained.
Hotel: Mas Du Brulat
Day 6 – Le Casstellet
Explored the town and some nearby wineries and ate dinner at the hotel again.
Day 7 – St Tropez
Then we were off to St Tropez. To break up the drive a bit, we stopped in Le La Lavandou and took a walk along the beach and sat for a drink.
In St Tropez, the beach is uniquely situated away from the town center, creating a distinctive dynamic for visitors. Unlike many coastal destinations where the beach seamlessly merges with the town, St Tropez's beaches are a short distance from the heart of the town. This layout provides a sense of separation, allowing visitors to enjoy the bustling energy of the town and then retreat to the serene coastal haven. The juxtaposition adds to the allure of St Tropez, offering a dual experience where one can seamlessly transition from the lively streets to the tranquil beach, relishing both aspects of this iconic destination.
We decided to head straight to the beach for lunch. Since we didn’t have a reservation at one of the main places, we went to La Serena and loved it. The staff were beyond nice to us, and their beach was great. They're located right next to Le Club 55. We were also told that the restaurants next door on either side, Cap21 & Byblos, are also good if you’re looking for a different option.
We showered and changed there and headed to the port, which is about a 15 minute drive, for some shopping and dinner. St Tropez has every store you can think of, so do your research before, if you’re looking for something specific. We found a cute park and our kids made friends with the nicest group of friends who were playing bocce ball. Our kids played with them for hours and had the best time. With the weather being so pleasant and the kids having such a great time, we decided to pick up a couple of pies of pizza and have dinner at the park, capturing the essence of spontaneous joy and the beauty of making new friends.
Hotel – Hotel Font Mourier
Day 8 – St Tropez
Levi is always napping in the car, so this morning we finally let him take a nap in the room, while we hung out at the hotel pool until he woke up. Then we did the exact same thing as the day before, beach club then Port.
Day 9 - Antibes
After breakfast we drove to Antibes. We chose Antibes as our last home base since we were flying home out of the Nice airport, and Antibes is about 25 minutes from the airport. We didn’t have enough time for Nice itself, so we’ll have to make that a stop on our next trip to France.
We dropped our stuff off at our hotel and headed for lunch by the beach at Helios. Then we went into town, walked around, went to a playground, and grabbed dinner at a random restaurant. There are a ton to choose from in town.
Hotel -
Day 10 – Saint Jean Cap Ferrat & Eze
Our last day...
We drove to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and from the moment we got there we wished we had more time. Just breathtaking.
We stopped at Plage Passable, had a great lunch and the kids had a great time at the beach. We didn’t want to leave, but we knew we really wanted to see Eze, so we went there for late afternoon and dinner.
Eze is a captivating medieval village perched on a hilltop along the Riviera, offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding landscapes. A little about Eze:
Location: Eze is situated between Nice and Monaco on the French Riviera, making it a popular destination for tourists
Historical Significance: The village has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, with remnants of its medieval architecture still intact. The narrow cobblestone streets and ancient stone buildings contribute to its charming and timeless atmosphere.
Exotic Garden: Eze is home to the Jardin Exotique d'Eze, an exotic garden situated on the ruins of an ancient castle. The garden showcases a diverse collection of cacti and succulents and provides panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
Eze Village: The main attraction is the Eze Village, perched 427 meters above sea level. The village is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, artisan shops, and art galleries. Visitors can explore the labyrinthine streets and discover hidden gems at every turn.
Eze Castle Ruins: At the top of the village, the ruins of the Eze Castle offer a glimpse into the area's medieval history. The castle once served as a fortress to protect against invasions from the sea.
Château de la Chèvre d'Or: a luxury hotel and restaurant with a Michelin-starred gastronomic experience. The restaurant terrace provides breathtaking views, offering an unforgettable dining setting.
Nietzsche Path: Friedrich Nietzsche, the famous German philosopher, spent time in Eze during the 1880s. The Nietzsche Path, a scenic trail leading to the village, is named after him. It is said that he found inspiration for some of his works while staying in Eze.
Craftsmanship: Eze is known for its traditional crafts, including perfumery and artisanal products. The Fragonard Perfume Factory, located in the village, allows visitors to explore the art of perfumery.
After Eze, we came back to the hotel, packed up, and took one last stroll along the boardwalk by our hotel.
And that’s wrap! Usually by the end of these types of trips where we’re constantly moving around to different places, we’re ready to go home, but here we could have kept going. We really loved it and there were so many other places we wanted to make it to, but we just didn’t have enough time.
We got very lucky with all our hotels because I found them all completely randomly and we really loved every single one of them. Highly recommend!
Comments