You plan to spend 10 days in France to discover the South of France. This trip, you want to organize it and enjoy it for yourself.
So, maybe you are wondering how can I do this? What route by car will allow me to make a beautiful South of France circuit with her mediterranean coast, Luberon, lavender fields, Camargue, Provence...
If you only have 4 or 5 days, you can do a small circuit in Provence, if you have 7 days you can visit the Luberon and Provence and with 10 days or more, follow the circuit below!
Circuit to organize and do by yourself
To help you build and organize your Travel in France, here is my route which allows discover the South of France by car in ten days.
My tour below is a simple model that I share with travelers for the sole purpose of giving them an idea that they can use as inspiration for their own trip. Estimated journey times may vary depending on the period (summer or winter), traffic, strikes, schedule changes, detours, etc.
If you prefer a tour limited to coasts of Languedoc Roussillon, here is my : Road trip from Montpellier to Perpignan
10 days in the south of France - Map road itinerary
As a reminder and before giving you more details, here is the map plotting the route for go aroundu South of France by car in only 10 days. Of course, if you have 12 or 15 days, this tour will be even more pleasant because you can better enjoy the sites by taking more time. But for an optimized 10-day trip, it's a good compromise!
10 days in the South of France - Car rental
Like this route is studied for a car tour, you might be wondering: where should I rent a car? Directly at the airport, in Marseille? Do we have to book it in advance? What are the recommended websites?
Of course, you can rent your car at the airport, but also online. I can recommend a good website that is ideal for comparing the price of flights, car rentals or even airport shuttles: Skyscanner
10 days in the South of France - Detailed stages of my itinerary
Paris Marseille - Day 1
- Arrival by plane at the airport of Marseille or arrival by train at Marseille station.
- Pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel in Marseille.
- Nuit à MARSEILLE.
Where to choose your hotel in Marseille?
If you have enough time to visit the city of Marseille on the day of your arrival, it is better to choose a hotel near the tourist sites. A hotel near the Old Port would be perfect.
NH Collection Marseille
Located in the new business and leisure district of Marseille, in the 2nd arrondissement, near the Old Port and the Panier, 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!
If you don't want or don't have time to visit Marseille on the day of your arrival, it is better to find a hotel in a quieter and more secure location than the city center.
Chateau Beaupin
Located in the chic and residential district of the 8th arrondissement and near a beach, this beautiful house has a small garden, a swimming pool, a barbecue… there really is everything you need!
It is truly an exceptional, splendid and calm place in Marseille for those who want the life of a castle for one night at the price of a simple hotel. Indeed, an apartment for 4 people will cost you only 120 euros per night!
Marseille Arles - Day 2
For this day at Marseille, 2 choices are available to you:
- Visit the city of Marseille (possibility to do it by tourist bus for 19 Euros only),
- Spend your day in cruise in the Calanques from Marseille or Cassis.
- At the end of the afternoon, drive to Arles (1h30)
- Nuit à Arles
Which hotel in Arles? Amphitheater Hotel
OK it is a bit retro but I chose it above all because it is very close to the amphitheater and the historic center. In addition, it has parking for your rental car. Finally, its price is also attractive: 75 € per night!
Arles Camargue Avignon - Day 3
- 8h00 - Visit of Arles (2h)
Arles is a city of art and history classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Roman heritage). It was the city where Van Gogh lived for a few months and today it is the capital of the Camargue.
- 10:00 am - Journey to the bird park of Night Bridge (30 minutes) in Camargue + visit (1h00)
- 11:30 am - Journey to Aigues Mortes (30 minutes) in Camargue
- 12h00 - Visit of the city and lunch at Aigues Mortes
The fortifications ofAigues-Mortes constitute a remarkably well preserved military structure. From the ramparts, you will discover a breathtaking view of the Camargue and the salt marshes whose colors alternate between blue and purple.
- 14:00 am - Journey to Avignon (1h30)
- 15h30 - Visit of Avignon
You can visit the Palais des Papes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Gothic palace in Europe, surrounded by imposing fortifications and defense towers. You can walk among other things on the famous Saint-Bénezet bridge, vestige of a very busy medieval bridge which partially crosses the Rhône.
- 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. The parking will be very useful for your rental car. There, it feels like home. Lola is very friendly and attentive to all of your questions. Great area with good restaurants and lots of shops. Plan on a very small budget: around 80 Euros per night.
Baux de Provence Gordes Abbey of Sénanque - Day 4
- 8h00 - Journey to Leases of Provence (1h00)
- 9h00 - Visit of Leases of Provence (2h00)
Perched on a rocky hill, the Leases-de-Provence is a site classified among the " most beautiful villages in France". Its streets flooded with sunlight, its squares and its shaded terraces make it a beautiful postcard of the villages of Provence.
- 11h00 - Road to Gordes (1h00)
- 12:00 - Lunch at Gordes
- 13:30 p.m. - 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 am - Journey to Aix en Provence (2h00)
- 16:30 p.m. - Visit ofAix en Provence
Aix en Provence, birthplace of Paul Cézanne, has a certain charm and an architecture of very interesting Italian influences.
- Nuit à AIX EN PROVENCE
Which hotel in Aix en Provence? Aquabella Hotel & Spa
Everything is perfect in this hotel: the room, the breakfast, the bar, the swimming pool, the spa and above all its location in the historic center of Aix en Provence. And best of all: there is parking!
Aix en Provence Gorges du Verdon - Day 5
- 7h00 - Departure for Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (2h00)
- 9h00 - Visit of the village of Moustiers (1h00)
High place of our beautiful Provence, this place is perched high in the middle of cliffs. The church and the earthenware museum are interesting to see, typical small narrow streets and many craft shops ...
- 10:00 am - Discovery of Gorges du Verdon by taking the crest road from Palud sur Verdon for about 2 hours
The route des crêtes is located on the right bank of the Verdon, near La Palud-sur-Verdon. 23 km long, it overlooks the most famous part of the Gorges du Verdon, which is certainly the most beautiful canyon of Europe. All along the road, you can admire magnificent cliffs, taking advantage of stops at the 14 belvederes set up for this purpose.
- 12:00 am - Journey to Castellane (40 minutes) where you can have your lunch.
- Short circuit by car (if you have the time):
De Castellane, you can take a one-hour trip to see the two magnificent lakes (Lac de Castillon and Lac de Chaudanne). From the village, take the D955 towards Saint-André-les-Alpes. Continue along the Castillon lake passing over its impressive dam on which is drawn the largest sundial in the world. About 1 km after the dam, turn right towards Demandolx. Gain height by linking the laces that line the road. A little before the village of Demandolx, turn right again following the direction “La Silve - Castellane”. The descent is via a narrow road (not recommended for motorhomes) on the Chaudanne lake. Follow Lac Chaudanne and join the intersection with Route Napoléon. Turn right to join Castellane by the D408.
- 15:00 p.m. - Journey from Castellane to Hyères (2h30)
- 17 p.m. - Arrival and dinner at Hyères
- 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.
Hyères Porquerolles Cannes - Day 6
- 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
- 13h00 - Return to Hyères
- 14:30 p.m. - From Hyères, 2 options:
- 1 option: Journey to Saint Tropez (1h30 minimum)
- Option 2 : Go directly to Cannes (1:30 p.m.).
In summer there is too much traffic to go to Saint Tropez , your best bet is to cancel this visit and go directly to Cannes .
- 16:00 p.m. - Si option 1, Visit of Saint-Tropez then drive to Cannes (1h30).
- 16:00 p.m. - Si option 2, you go directly to Cannes from Hyères and you will have enough time to start visiting Cannes upon your arrival.
- Nuit à CANNES
Which hotel in Cannes? Renoir Hotel
This splendid 4-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…. There is a private beach nearby. Guests have access to nearby parking.
Cannes Saint Paul de Vence Nice - Day 7
- 8:00 am - City tour of Cannes
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.
- 12h00 - Departure for Saint Paul de Vence (40 minutes)
- 13h00 - Visit of Saint Paul de Vence + lunch
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.
- 18:00 p.m. - Road to Nice (45 minutes)
- 19:00 p.m. - Dinner at Nice
- 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 Monaco Menton - Day 8
- 9h00 - Nice route - Eze (30 minutes)
- 9:30 am - Visit of the pretty village ofEze
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.
- 11h00 - Road to Monaco (30 minutes)
- 11h30 - Visit of Monaco and lunch
Monaco is an independent state with the official name of the Monaco principaty. It is 24 km from Nice, bordering Cap d'Ail, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin et Beausoleil. You will discover the history of the Grimaldi by going from the old town (a veritable open-air museum) to the Place du Casino.
- 16:00 am - Journey to Menton (45 minutes)
- 17:00 p.m. - Visit of Menton
Here is a place where nature and culture blend harmoniously. City of gardens, city of lemons but also City of Art and History, Menton is rich in an exceptional natural and historical heritage. From the cornices, you can admire a postcard landscape, that of a city set on the sea!
- 19h00 - Return to Nice (45 minutes)
- Nuit à NICE
Ellington Hotel
Nice Marseille - Day 9
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!
- Go from Nice to Marseille (3h00)
- Visit of Marseilles if you have enough time (see my article Marseille dangerous city?)
- Nuit à MARSEILLE near the airport or the train station to save time the next day for your return to Paris.
Where to choose your hotel in Marseille?
Hotel Ibis Marseille Provence Airport
The Ibis hotel is ideal if you want to spend a night near the airport for a small price (55 euros). Located 400 meters from Marseille Airport, this hotel offers a free shuttle service from 5 am to midnight. There is also free parking. The Ibis Hotel offers a grill restaurant and a bar. Guests are welcome to use the outdoor swimming pool.
Holiday Inn Express Marseille Saint Charles
Very good location if you want to stay a night near the train station and the historic center of Marseille. Indeed, this hotel is located right in front of the main station, metro, trains and a car rental service within 50 meters. Quiet, safe area and with some good little restaurants, cafes and supermarkets nearby. This hotel has an underground garage. Its price is very interesting (70 euros).
Return Marseille Paris - Day 10
- Return to Paris (by plane or TGV)
Vacation rental in the South of France
If you prefer a rental to spend a holiday in the South of France and make these visits by flitting around, I recommend this accommodation in the Lubéron near Gordes:
You prefer a train tour ? I will then let you discover my article: 10 days tour of South of France by train
Or one tour to visit France in 15 days
And why not a circuit around Perpignan or a road trip in Camargue
un circuit in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
a turn to Saint Guilhem the Desert or to Montpellier
un road trip between Montpellier and Perpignan
And if you want to spend a night at the Château ...