You have 10 days to spend in France and you want to discover the South of France, the Riviera, the Luberon, lavender fields and the small villages of Provence ? Know that it is quite possible to make a South of France circuit by train that you can organize yourself.
To help you build this travel in France for 10 days, here is my route that can inspire you to develop your own personalised tour. The schedules and duration of the trips may vary depending on the period (summer or winter), strikes, schedule changes and are therefore only indicative.
South of France in 10 days - Map of the train route
To visualize my train route, here is the map plotting the tour of the South of France that you could do in just 10 days. Of course, if you have 12 or 15 days, this tour will be even more enjoyable because you can better enjoy the tourist attractions taking more time. But for a 10-day optimized trip, it's a very good compromise!
South of France in 10 days - Train tickets
Like this route is studied for a train tour, you might be wondering: where do I go book my train tickets ? Directly in the stations? On the Internet ? On which site ? Do we have to book them in advance?
Obviously, you can buy your tickets at the stations, but it is likely that this way you will not be able to access all the possibilities of timetables and prices. Most people book their trip well in advance because otherwise the chosen trains are full and the prices are much higher by purchasing the tickets at the last moment.
Here is a reliable site where you can book your tickets in advance: https://www.thetrainline.com/en/train-companies/sncf
Otherwise, you also have EURAIL which gives the possibility of taking a pass to access most trains without prior reservation. More information on EURAIL
South of France in 10 days - Detailed stages of the circuit by train
Paris Avignon - Day 1
- Paris - Avignon trip (2h40)
- Departure from Paris Gare de Lyon by TGV at 16:37 p.m.
- Arrive at Avignon Center at 19:17 p.m.
- Nuit à AVIGNON
Which hotel in Avignon? Le Vernet
Le Vernet is not a hotel. It is a beautiful old building with very quiet apartments in the center of Avignon. The apartments are very tastefully decorated and are very functional. There, it feels like home. Lola is very friendly and attentive to all of your questions. Great neighborhood with good restaurants and lots of shops. Plan a budget of around 80 Euros per night.
Avignon Gordes - Day 2
- Visit of Avignon in the morning
You can visit the Palace of the Popes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Gothic palace in Europe, surrounded by imposing fortifications and defense towers.
- Route Avignon - Cavaillon - Gordes
- Departure from Avignon at 15 p.m.
- Arrival in Cavaillon at 15:51 p.m.
- Cavaillon - Gordes bus see below or taxi (30 minutes)
- Go to Cavaillon bus station to take the bus to Gordes (Place du Château stop)
- Arrive at Gordes at the end of the afternoon
- Nuit à GORDES
Which hotel in Gordes? Le Relais du Silence Le Mas des Romarins
As Gordes is a small village, there is not a lot of choice of inexpensive and well placed hotels. Here is the best value for money: Le Relais du Silence Le Mas Des Romarins. This hotel is housed in a 10th century building a XNUMX-minute walk from the village center. With its beautiful view, its pretty swimming pool, its garden and its restaurant serving good regional dishes, it has everything you would expect from a Provencal hotel!
Gordes Sénanque Abbey Lavender fields - Day 3
- visit the Gordes village
- Take a taxi to visit theSénanque Abbey
- Visit of theNotre Dame de Sénanque Abbey and walk in the lavender fields. For information, the peak of flowering of lavender is from the end of June to the beginning of July.
- 14:30 p.m. return from Gordes by bus or taxi (30 minutes) to the Cavaillon station
- Route Cavaillon - Marseille (1h15 min):
- Departure from Cavaillon at 15:52
- Arrival in Marseille-St-Charles at 17:06 p.m.
- Nuit à MARSEILLE
Which hotel in Marseille? NH Collection Marseille
In a magnificent building of character from 1864, this hotel is very well located in the quiet district of La Joliette. It is the new business and leisure district of Marseille which is located in the 2nd arrondissement, next to the Old Port and the Panier. TO 15 min walk from Gare Saint Charles, its location is ideal because it is right in the city center, very close to tourist sites.
Its value for money is exceptional for Marseille (100 Euros per night).
Marseille Hyères - Day 4
- Visit of Marseille in the morning (possibility to take a tour in a tourist bus for 19 Euros)
- Marseille Hyères trip (1h30)
- Departure from Marseille-St-Charles at 14:32 p.m.
- Arrival in Hyères at 16:01 p.m.
- Nuit à Hyeres
Which hotel in Hyères? Hotel La Potiniere
Located very close to Hyères, La Potinière hotel has its own private beach. This hotel faces the Porquerolles Islands and Port-Cros. Decorated in a typical Provencal style, the hotel rooms are functional, comfortable and peaceful. And of course, this hotel has free parking! So, it is perfect for a relaxing and lazy break on the beach.
Porquerolles Cannes - Day 5
- Day on theIsland of Porquerolles
- 8h00 - Go to La Tour Fondue (35 minutes)
- 9h00 - Take the ferry to theIsland of Porquerolles (15 minutes)
- 9am - Discover the Island and laze on the beach
- Return to Hyères at 17:00 p.m.
- Hyeres - Toulon - Cannes route
- Departure from Hyères at 18:02 p.m.
- Arrival in Toulon at 18:22 p.m.
- Change in Toulon (26 min)
- Departure from Toulon at 18:48 p.m.
- Arrival in Cannes at 20:10 p.m.
- Nuit à CANNES
Which hotel in Cannes? Renoir Hotel
This magnificent four-star hotel is a 10-minute walk from the beach. Le Renoir is located a 5-minute walk from the Palais des Festivals, the marina and Rue d'Antibes. Ideal location for exploring the city of Cannes, very friendly staff, comfortable and very soft bed, very clean, very good breakfast….
Cannes Saint Paul de Vence - Day 6
- Visit of Cannes in the morning
Seaside resort of the French Riviera, Cannes is famous for its international film festival. La Croisette, a chic and elegant boulevard along the coast, is lined with sandy beaches, great jewelers, luxury boutiques and palaces.
- Cannes - Cagnes sur mer - Saint-Paul-de-Vence journey (1h20)
- Departure from Cannes at 15:21 pm by train
- Arrival in Cagnes-sur-Mer at 15:44 p.m.
- From Cagnes-sur-Mer walk about 15 min (or taxi) to the bus station about 1 km away: Square Bourdet
- Take bus n ° 94 Hourly (5min)
- Arrival in Saint-Paul-de-Vence (Les 4 Chemins) around 16:20 p.m.
- Visit of Saint Paul de Vence
- Nuit à SAINT PAUL OF VENCE
Which hotel in Saint Paul de Vence? Hostellerie de la Fontaine
For this stopover night, I selected one of the most beautiful hotels in the heart of the historic center of Saint Paul de Vence. This beautiful boutique hotel has a very good restaurant and a lovely terrace where you can have your meals.
Everything is good about this hotel: the location in the old stone streets, the view from the rooms, the fruit platter and the bottle of rosé to welcome you in the room, breakfast on the terrace ... and of course the welcome, kindness and good humor from all the staff.
Saint Paul de Vence Nice - Day 7
- Visit of Saint Paul de Vence in the morning
Facing the Mediterranean Sea, backing onto the mountains of the Southern Alps, this medieval village is one of the most beautiful in the French Riviera. This little corner of Provence attracts a lot of creators and artists. Sensibilities and talents from the most diverse horizons settle down and meet in the many art galleries.
- Route Saint Paul de Vence - Nice (50 min)
- 14:30 p.m. - Take a taxi to St-Laurent-du-Var station (20 min);
- Departure by train from St-Laurent-du-Var at 15:23 p.m.
- Arrival in Nice at 16:33 p.m.
- Nuit à NICE
Which hotel in Nice? Ellington Hotel
This beautiful hotel is located in the heart of a residential area close to everything: train station, Place Masséna, town center, old Nice, the Promenade des Anglais, beach, good restaurants… The Hotel Ellington has the charm of old buildings with all the comforts of a modern hotel. The welcome is always warm and attentive. A generous breakfast with a lot of choice and fresh fruit is served in a magnificent setting (superb patio). As for the room, the cleanliness is impeccable. This hotel is really a good choice for visiting and enjoying Nice!
Nice Eze - Day 8
- Nice visit in the morning
Nice, capital of French Riviera, has been able to preserve this indefinable charm since its cosmopolitan past. This city has become a center of tourist excellence with an art of living and a well-preserved local culture on the walls and on the plates!
- Nice - Èze route (15 min)
- Departure from Nice at 15:36 p.m.
- Arrival in Eze at 15:51 p.m.
- visit the village of Eze
- Nuit à EZE
Which hotel in Eze? Eza Vista
Breathtaking view of the sea, close to shops and the medieval city, continental breakfast on the terrace… all for a small price (80 Euros per night) in a studio!
Eze Marseille - Day 9
- visit the village of Eze in the morning + lunch
This beautiful hilltop village overlooking the peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferret, offers remarkably preserved medieval architecture. The alleys lined with vaulted houses with numerous artists' and craftsmen's shops give this village a special atmosphere of authenticity and traditions.
- Eze - Marseille route (3h23 min)
- Departure from Eze at 16:39 p.m.
- Arrival in Nice at 16:54 p.m.
- Departure from Nice at 17:23 p.m.
- Arrival in Marseille St Charles at 20:02 p.m.
- Nuit à MARSEILLE
Where to choose your hotel in Marseille?
When you have little time, it is better to choose a hotel close to the tourist interests of Marseille. A hotel near the Old Port would be perfect.
NH Collection Marseille
Located in the new business and leisure district of Marseille, near the Old Port and the Panier district, this hotel is ideal for its location in the city center and therefore close to tourist sites. Its value for money is very interesting for Marseille. Indeed, for 100 euros per night, you can enjoy a hotel with very high standards and exceptional service!
Marseille Paris - Day 10
- Visit the city of Marseille (possibility to do it by tourist bus for 19 Euros only),
- Spend your morning in cruise in the Calanques from Marseille or Cassis.
- Route Marseille - Paris (3h26)
- Departure from Marseille-St-Charles at 18:04 p.m. by TGV
- Arrival at Paris Gare de Lyon at 21:23 p.m.
Do you prefer to travel by car? So discover my road itinerary which allows you to go through the Lubéron, in Provence and follow the Riviera: 10 days South of France tour by car
And why not a road trip in Camargue, tourist circuit in Ardèche, weekend in Carcassonne ou 1 week in the Landes ?
And if you want to spend a night at the Château ...
Nice route but the title is a little misleading: it is not the South of France but only Provence.
It's true, it's a bit restricting the South of France ... And I am all the more "guilty" that I live in Toulouse, therefore in the South of France! I will try to clarify it on the article because for a good SEO, I am not sure that it is recommended to modify a URL ...
In any case, thank you for reacting.