South of France Guide – The Ultimate South of France itinerary
This South of France travel guide will tell you everything you need to know to help you spend the perfect seven days in the incredible French Riviera.
Attracting over 5 million visitors every year, The French Riviera is second only to Paris in generating tourism for France and it is easy to see why. The French Riviera has so much variety, from the city life in Nice to the quaint mountainside villages of Eze, the French Riviera has something to offer for every type of traveller and with that there are so many variations you can choose when mapping out your itinerary.
Here, we will provide you with the perfect itinerary for how to spend 7 days in the South of France to explore this incredible region including when to visit, where to stay and the best places for food and drink. We spent over a month exploring this region last year so we will provide you with all of the useful information we picked up during our travels.
When to Visit the South of France
The South of France has good weather most of the year but becomes extremely crowded in peak summer season, particularly in July. The crowds at train stations along the main coastal route become very uncomfortable in the middle of the summer, with temperatures in the mid thirties (Celsius). This is the main tourist area in France after Paris, with around 5 million visitors a year so avoiding peak times is key to having a more relaxed stay.
Outside of that, The French Riviera is suitable to visit throughout the year, with the average number of days rainfall never passing 6 per month. For the right balance of good weather and less crowding, we would suggest visiting in either May, September or October – temperatures during these months sit between 14-24 degrees celsius on average.
Book Flights to the South of France
Best places to stay in the south of france
In our experience, it is best to choose a base to take day trips from, rather than to have to move your stuff around to each location. The towns and villages are close enough together that it wouldn’t necessarily be worthwhile to change accommodation numerous times during your visit.
The most popular place to choose as a base in the French Riviera is Nice, it offers the widest range of accommodation, has the best of city and beach life and is family friendly. Nice also has the widest range of bars and restaurants, as well as being a good middle ground to travel in both directions for your day trips.
If you would like an alternative option, we would also suggest Antibes, just 25 minutes further south, it is a little bit quieter but still has plenty of nice beaches, a theme park and water park for families and isn’t as crowded as Nice.
Getting Around the French Riviera
When it comes to exploring this region, there are two main options available; renting a car or using public transport. Both have their advantages and disadvantages but we predominantly tend to use public transport to minimize the stress of driving on the other side of the road – that being said, there are few things more stressful than trying to cram on to a train destined for Monaco in the middle of July – especially if you’re travelling with a pram.
Best time of day to catch the train
If you value comfort at all, try to catch trains before 9am and avoid travelling between 9-11am and 4-6pm wherever possible. During these times the trains get extremely crowded, can be very uncomfortable and the journeys can actually be quite tense with people becoming increasingly frustrated by the crowds. If you’re travelling with young children or with equipment plan your trip around avoiding peak times to ensure you have enough space for prams, bikes etc.
Sud Azur Pass
In our experience, the most cost efficient way to explore the French Riviera by train/bus is to purchase a ‘Sud Azur‘ pass – this pass will give you unlimited access to buses/trams and trains across the region and is really good value if you plan to take day trips by train.
| Sud Azur Explore | Cost(Adult) | Cost (4-18 year olds) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Day Ticket | €35 | €30 |
| 7 Day Ticket | €50 | €40 |
| 14 Day Ticket | €80 | €65 |
*Public transport is free for children under 4
Individual Public Transport Fares in the French Riviera (Without a Pass)
The prices below are for buses/trams and do not include train tickets for day trips.
| Ticket Type (La Carte/Ma Carte) | Cost (Adult) |
|---|---|
| Single Journey | €1.70 |
| 24 Hour Ticket | €7 |
| 48 Hour Ticket | €13 |
| 7 Day Ticket | €20 |
| 14 Day Ticket | €36 |
Best things to do in the south of france
The French Riviera is full of great things to do throughout your trip, from walking tours to kayaking and everything in between. Here are just some of our favourites.
South of France Itinerary
Days 1 and 2 – Nice
Spend some time exploring your base, Nice. A hugely popular holiday destination itself, Nice offers the perfect blend of city and beach life, as well as new and old and has plenty of points of interest to act as the perfect base for your trip. Nice also has a great food scene so you won’t be short of options every evening.
Explore the Old Town
This is our favourite area of Nice, filled with so much colour and character – you could easily spend a day wandering around these streets and you will find something new at every turn. This area is great for photos too, with the narrow colourful streets providing great backdrops for capturing memories. Here, you will also find a lot of amazing food and drink options, with great cafes, restaurants and wine bar
Swim in the ‘Gatorade Water’
No trip to Nice would be complete without taking a dive into the the incredible blue water along the Promenade des Anglais.
A couple of things to note about the beach here before diving in:
- The beach is very stony so it is best to bring a pair of water shoes with you – they can be found at most of the shops nearby
- The tide is quite strong and the water gets deep quite quickly so if you are not a confident swimmer stay as close to the shore as possible
Watch the Sunset at Coline du Chateau
For any trip to Nice, watching the sunset as the planes fly over head at the beach is a must. There are three main options (1. Coline du Chateau; Mont Alban; 3. I Love Nice #) that we found for doing this, with Coline du Chateau (Castle Hill) being the most popular.
If you are travelling with young children, we would not recommend the walk up to the viewpoint at castle hill for sunset but there is a lift that operates from 10am-5:30pm that takes you to the top and makes it much easier if you are travelling with a pram etc. At the top, there is a play park for kids and a number of other viewpoints well worth seeing, as well as a beautiful waterfall so this place is worth visiting throughout the day.
The best alternatives to Castle Hill at sunset, are the promenade itself which is a beautiful place for photos at sunset, particularly as the palm trees provide a picturesque backdrop; start off at the ‘I Love Nice#’ sign, grab some photos, get a takeaway pizza (other healthy alternatives are available) and sit at the beach watching the sunset, admiring the planes and boats as they pass – a perfect way to end an evening in Nice.
Cathedrale Saint Nicolas
This beautiful Russian orthodox church situated just a short walk from Nice city centre is well worth adding to your next trip to Nice. The building is incredibly picturesque and is beautiful inside and outside the building.
Cascade de Gairaut
This is a hidden gem in Nice – situated up on the hills of Nice, this offers a great view overlooking the city and is also a nice photo spot to stop at during your trip. To get there, you can get the number 35 or 63 bus and it takes around 10-15 minutes.
Best Places to Eat/Drink in Nice
Old Town/Promenade
- Marinette (Brunch)
- Maranna (Brunch)
- Brume (Brunch)
- Hobo (Brunch)
- Waka (Promenade Drinks)
- Babel Babel (Promenade Drinks)
- Movida (Promenade Drinks)
- La Treille (Wine Bar)
- The Patio (Dinner)
- La Favola (Italian)
Garibaldi
- Clay (Brunch)
- Full Bloom (Coffee)
- Cafe du Pin (Drinks)
- Saint Amour (Half Price Cocktails 5pm-8pm)
- Gigi (Italian Restaurant $$$)
- Le Plongeoir ($$-$$$)
Casual Food
- L’Authentique (Pizza)
- Bubu (Burgers)
- Banh Mi (Vietnamese)
- D’Aqui (Street Food)
- Luks (Kebabs)
- Helios (Greek)
- Lupita (Mexican)
- Philippe Tayac Patisserie (Bakery)
- Maison Celine (Bakery)
- Pistache (Bakery)
Best Photo Spots in Nice
- Le Negresco Hotel
- Promenade des Anglais
- Coline du Chateau
- Arches of Jaques Chiraq
- Cathedrale Saint Nicolas
- Cascade Gairaut
- I Love Nice # Sign
- Villa Massena
- Port Lympia
- Vieux Ville (Nice Old Town)
- Le Plongeoir
- Place Massena
- Place Garibaldi
- Fontaine du Soleil
- Cathedrale Sainte Reparate de Nice
Best place to stay in Nice
For ease of access, particularly when you are planning to take numerous day trips along the coast, it is best to stay near the city centre where possible. If you are not staying along the main Promenade, it is best to choose somewhere close to any of the stops on the Line 1 tram network, which runs through the centre of the city and also stops beside the Old Town, as well as the main train station. This makes it much easier to plan day trips along the coast, as well as navigating the city itself.
Hotels for every budget in Nice:
You can search for hotels in Nice below:
| Hotel | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Aparthotel AMMI Nice Lafayette | €80-120 per night (Double Room) |
| Aparthotel AMMI Vieux Nice | €80-140 per night (Double Room) |
| Hotel la Ville Nice | €70-120 per night (Double Room) |
| Hotel 66 Nice | €60-120 per night (Double Room) |
| La Riviera Collection | €80-140 per night (Double Room) |
| Palais Segurane | €110-160 per night (Double Room) |
| Palm Boutique Hotel | €110-160 per night (Double Room) |
| Palais Saleya Boutique Hotel | €120-180 per night (Double Room) |
| Hotel Apollinaire Nice | €150-200+ per night (Double Room) |
| Aparthotel 9 Alberti | €150-200+ per night (Double Room) |
Day 3 – Villefranche Sur Mer
This is definitely one of our favourite places to visit in the South of France and the easiest one to get to from Nice, making it the perfect place to start exploring.
You can catch the train from Nice Ville or Nice Riquier stations for €5 return and from there it takes less than 10 minutes to reach Villefranche-Sur-Mer – and within a couple of minutes you could be sitting on the beach with a nice drink. You can also catch the number 15 bus from Boyer and it will drop you at the top of the village, just a 5 -10 minute walk to the Old Town.
The beach here, Plage Marinieres, is one of the nicest along the coast and you could easily spend the day there. The water is a really good temperature, there isn’t a strong tide and it is quite sandy, rather than the traditional stony beaches typically found around the region. This beach is also very picturesque, offering nice views of the port, as well as the trains passing overhead.
Best Sights in Villefranche Sur Mer
- Viewpoint at Napoleon Boulevard
- Plage Marinieres
- The Old Town
Best Places to Eat/Drink in Villefranche Sur Mer
- Alma
- Espuma
- Dry
Day 4 – Menton
Sitting just outside the Italian border, Menton is the perfect combination of Italy and France – a relaxed seaside town with a huge burst of colour. The train journey to Menton takes around 35 minutes from Nice Ville and costs €12.80 return for an adult ticket. Trains heading in this direction from Nice get very crowded, especially in the morning so try to catch a train before 9am, particularly if you are travelling with young children or have a bike etc.
Once you arrive in Menton, take a walk through the old town and snap some photos at the iconic Basilique Saint Michel Archange before taking some time to relax at the beach – Plage des Sablettes. If you are planning to stay overnight in Menton, try out the Hotel Riva, which is really central and has great views overlooking the sea.
Best Sights in Menton
- Plage des Sablettes
- Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton
- Rampe Saint Michel
- Promenade de la Mer
Best Places to Eat/Drink in Menton
- Eunoia
- Casa Fuego
Day 5 – Antibes
Antibes is a 25 minute train journey from Nice Ville/Riquier or Saint Augustine stations.
Antibes is one of the most popular places for families in the South of France and is often chosen as an alternative to Nice for a base. Aside from Nice, this is also the most family friendly area to visit, with a water park and theme park and far fewer hills and steps to navigate, making it less stressful than some of the hillier alternatives. Antibes has a really relaxed atmosphere and some of the best beaches in the South of France.
There is also a beautiful walk you can take a long the promenade, Cap D’Antibes, which we would really recommend doing when you visit Antibes. If you want to get some nice photos that capture the style of the South of France, go to a street called Rue de bas Castelate – this is a residential area so it is obviously important to respect that while there but this street is lined with lots of a beautiful flowers, well worth visiting.
Best Sights and Activities in Antibes
- The Nomad
- Picasso Museum
- Port Vauban
- Aquasplash Water Park
- Rue de Bas Castelate
Best Beaches in Antibes
- Plages les Gravettes
- Plages des Ondes
- Plages des Garoupe
- Billionaire’s Bay
Best Places to Eat/Drink in Antibes
- Cha Bothe (Brunch)
- Bam Bam (Lunch)
- Good Mate (Coffee)
- Nomad (Coffee)
- Chez Jules (Italian)
- La Guingette
Day 6 – Grasse
Grasse is a little bit further way from Nice than a lot of the other day trips in this region – it takes around 1hr 10mins by train and costs €16 return for an adult ticket. That being said, the train does pass through a lot of the other towns we would suggest seeing, such as Cannes and Antibes so you could spend half a day in Grasse and the second half in one of those towns depending on how many days you are spending in the area.
The train station in Grasse isn’t actually that close to the town centre but there is a bus that runs frequently and will take you there in 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can walk but it takes around 25 minutes and is very uphill so try to avoid during peak summer or if you have any mobility issues etc.
There are two main attractions that stand out in Grasse – the umbrella lined streets and their incredible perfumeries. The contrast of the pink umbrellas against the vividly painted buildings in oranges and yellows provides a beautiful visual backdrop, while the perfumeries naturally provide the area with a great scent, what’s not to love.
Where to eat/drink in Grasse
While we were there, we found a lovely Parisian style cafe to grab a coffee and pastry, Cafe Fleur. The cafe has tables out on the footpath and it is a lovely spot for a photo. The owner also explained that his wife hand makes the china cups so we naturally had to buy one as a memento of our visit.
Day 7 – Cannes
Your final day trip will see you heading to Cannes, home of the Cannes Film Festival and beach clubs, Cannes is a great place to visit to get a sense of the luxurious lifestyles led along this coast. The main beach here, Plage Croisette is lined with beach clubs and naturally, they are not cheap – with sun loungers often costing upwards of €120. That won’t stop you from hitting the beach though, as there are a number of free sections and we would also recommend visiting the Old Town (Le Suquet), as well as the food markets in the city. If that isn’t of interest, you could also do some shopping across the high street shops or take a boat trip to the Le Lerins islands, which have crystal clear waters for some swimming.
Where to eat/drink in Cannes
- Rosana
- Cafe Creme
- Cafe Sauvage
Best Sights and Activities in Cannes
- Chateau du Napoules
- Le Suquet
- Lerins Islands
Best Beach Clubs in Cannes
- Lucia
- Copal
Other places to visit in the South of France
There are a lot of alternative ways to spend your time on the French Riviera. below are just some of the great towns and villages that you could easily substitute in to your trip:
- Eze
- Monaco
- Saint Paul du Vence
- Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
- Valbonne
- Mougins
- Beaulieu Sur Mer
- Juan Les Pins
