SOUTH OF FRANCE
- Dara
- Aug 16, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 19, 2024
Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Ezes, Antibes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, St Tropez and the Provence (Saint Remy / Avignon / aix en provence/ gorges du verdon / lavender fields)
The best way to travel in the South of France is by car. You can get to the South of France by:
Spending some time in Paris and taking a 1 hour flight into Nice.
You can drive estimate 9 hours direct and stop 4 1/2 hours on your way, in Lyon.
You can take a train estimate 6-7 hours from Paris to Nice.
You can take a train from Paris to Avignon estimate 3 hours and from Avignon rent a car to explore the other regions.
You can fly direct into Nice
I will highlight the regions and explain the best way to explore all of them by car or train. When you are in Nice / Monaco / Cannes / Eze / Antibes and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat region, you can take a time efficient train between those villages and it’s simple and inexpensive vs worrying about driving with traffic or finding a space to park.
You can stay in any of these areas, it depends what vibe you are looking for during your stay and your finances.
I will list them in the geographical order
Monaco - This is a must see. Monaco is an upscale area that has many shops, restaurants, exotic cars and a beautiful marina to walk a path and see the luxurious yachts. There is a casino if you are interested in that.
My personal favorite hotel in Monaco is Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo. It’s 5 star and luxurious, but not ridiculously expensive, like the Four Seasons Hotel in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
It’s walking distance to most things in Monaco or a short drive.
Be aware that in Monaco Ubers are not allowed, so you have to either walk, drive yourself or hire a car service.
Activities in Monaco:
Explore the shops Av. Princesses Alice
Visit the Princes Palace of Monaco
Restaurants in Monaco:
Sass Cafe is an upscale / high energy restaurant that has a DJ and dance club vibe on specific nights. The food is French / Italian and delicious.
La Note Bleue - this restaurant is on the beach so it has a relaxed vibe
de Paris Monte- Carlo Hotel has MANY great restaurants low key / lounge and high end Michelin star. L'Orange Verte is one I love to eat lunch at since it’s on the outside terrace so you can see the beautiful marina and people watch while you eat and relax. (this link will give you many restaurant options)
Eze -
(25 mins drive or 45 mins train from Monaco)
This village transports you back in time to the Middle Ages with cobblestone streets and the architecture hasn’t changed. You can walk the whole village and it makes you feel like you’re in Beauty and the Beast.
Acitivies in Eze:
Le Jardin Exotique - mostly succulents with a picturesque view of the ocean
Nietzsche - mountain hike path that has beautiful views but you need to be physically fit as it can be a challenge
Plage de la Mala - this beach is between Monaco and Eze
Mont Bastide - Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 1/2 hours to complete
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat -
(35 mins drive or 50 mins train from Monaco)
This region is my personal favorite for South of France. It has some of the most breathtaking views, peaceful walking path along the ocean and elegant vibe, makes you never want to leave.
The Four Seasons property is exceptional, but to stay there is extremely expensive and in my opinion not worth it.
Activities in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat:
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild - built in 1912 this villa is magnificent with its architecture and garden - definitely worth a visit and listen to the audio tour
Plage Paloma (beach) - it’s a small beach but has a beautiful view and you can rent chairs or bring your own towel. There is a good restaurant you can also sit at for lunch and relax
The walking path with exceptional views and stairs at different points that lead you to the ocean for a swim (“There are three main walking routes in Cap Ferrat, and they all come with eye-popping sea views and soothing sounds of the waves included. The Cap-Ferrat circuit, a four-mile walk along an occasionally rocky coastal path (parts of which are currently closed); the shorter Pointe Saint-Hospice route through the pine forests and coastal roads around the Saint-Hospice peninsula; and the 30-minute stroll along the elevated Maurice Rouvier promenade. The latter runs along the shore the port of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to the next town along the coast, Beaulieu-sur-Mer.”)
Nice -
(40 mins drive or 30 mins train to Monaco)
This is where the airport for domestic and international flights is located. The airport is 15 mins drive or 4 mins train from downtown Nice. The area is on the beach and filled with restaurants and shops. It’s worth exploring, but I would not advise staying in Nice.
Antibes -
(50 mins drive or 1 hour train from Monaco)
This village is very charming and has adorable shops and restaurants. There is so much to see and do just by wandering the streets. It’s very French feeling with the architecture and landscape.
Cannes -
(50 mins drive or 1 hour and 15 mins train from Monaco)
Cannes is known for its film festival and scentic locations for many films. It has more of a city vibe but still a touch of French elegance.
There are many hotels, restaurants and shops that are boutique and luxury designers. You can spend hours in Cannes exploring what it offers.
If you are looking for an energetic vibe with somewhere always to walk and something always going on, I recommend you stay in Cannes. The other villages are much more tranquil.
The best hotel in Cannes is, Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel which offers beach club access and walking distance to all of Cannes.
St Tropez -
(1 hour and 45 mins drive from Monaco)
(There is no train)
St Tropez and what you probably have seen in films or postcards. It’s beach vibe mixed with upscale restaurants that turn into dance clubs at night and mega yachts that scream wealth are surrounding you. There are designer shops throughout St Tropez and art gallery.
Everything is mostly within walking distance when you’re in the heart of St Tropez. Otherwise more secluded hotels, restaurants and beaches are only 20-30 mins drive.
You can explore the small city vibe on a marina or relax by the beach with a good chance you’ll hear dance music playing from a restaurant.
Hotel
St Tropez has many hotel options within all expense ranges. I will say it’s difficult to find a “modern” hotel, as most still have an elegant authentic French decor. The most modern hotel I found was “Lily of the Valley” which
is a modern and luxurious hotel that offers beach amenities and wellness treatment programs.
Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière
Airelles Saint-Tropez, Pan Dei Palais
La Réserve Ramatuelle
Restaurants
There are many options for cuisine and it all depends on the energy level you have and ambience you are looking for that day / night.
Gigi is a known restaurant with delicious food and beautiful atmosphere.
La Table de La Messardière located in the Airelles property is a 5 star restaurant serving an extravagant breakfast / brunch
Provences outside of the French Riviera
Gorges du Verdon-
(2 hour drive from St Tropez and 2 1/2 hours drive from Monaco)
This region is incredible with its mezmoring green / blue water and mountains. You can rent a small boat and explore the waters or find a spot while driving to spot and take in the scene.
Avignon -
(3 hour drive to Monaco)
(2 1/2 hour drive to St Tropez)
(6 hours drive from Paris)
(3 hours train from Paris)
If you decide you want to explore the provences that are off the French Riviera, you will need to rent a car or have a car service.
This region is very beautiful, peaceful and serene. The lush landscape, the sound of the birds, the smell of flowers and the architecture from the Middle Ages of France.
There is a reason Van Gogh and many other famous artists and poets stayed in this region. It’s tranquil and inspiring.
Avignon is a charming village along the Rhône River. You will feel transported back in time with this region and disconnected from the world!
There are many boutique hotels you can stay in and one luxury 5 star hotel (not modern) all have that elegant French decor.
Hôtel La Mirande - is a larger luxury hotel
La Divine Comédie - is a small 5 bedroom château that has the largest private garden in the region. It has a magical feel to the estate. I recommend booking as far in advance as possible since room availability is limited. I booked my room 1 year in advance and there was only 2 room options for me.
I recommend staying in Avignon and day trip to St Remy, Arles, Nemes and Aix-de-Provence
You can find hotel options for any of those villages if you decide you prefer to stay there.
St Remy -
(30 mins drive from Avignon)
The is village has a magical vibe to it, or maybe it’s the history. It’s where Van Gogh volunteered to stay in a mental asylum in 1889 for 1 year and painted, “A Starry Night” and many of his known masterpieces. He was truly inspired by the landscape in St Remy and Arles.
Nostradamus was from St Remy and born in 1503.
Arles -
(30 mins drive from St Remy)
(45 mins drive from Avignon)
This village was inspiration for Van Gogh to paint many of his cafe works of art and he lived in Arles, prior to admitting himself to St Remy asylum.
Pablo Picasso also lived many years in Arles.
You can get lost on the streets driving or walking and feel the air and see the lush landscape that captivated many artists.
I would love to live in this region for a few months!
Aix-de-Provence -
(1 hour drive from Avignon)
This is like a small city with much to walk and explore. Many shops and restaurants with a metropolitan vibe. There are more hotel options since it’s a small city, but you will miss the true energy of the Provences in you stay in this area and not Avignon.
LAVENDER - The Provences are known for Lavender. There are different seasons that have it more flourished than others. I went in June and it was beautiful.
Valensole - The is region has many lavender fields that stretch for miles.
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