The south of France is one of my most favorite places in the world. After living a few years in Paris, a trip to south was my yearly jaunt to the sun and sea. The south of France has so much to offer, from lush lavender fields and rosé vineyards in Provence to turquoise beaches and charming coastal towns in the French Riviera. A trip to this area of France is truly magical and a unique experience to discover a different side of France apart from Paris. The towns are more quaint, the people are more friendly and the fresh Mediterranean-influenced cuisine is more divine. It is no doubt that I plan to retire here one day!
If you’re dreaming of a trip to the south of France, I’ve got the perfect guide to all of the most charming towns that show you the best of what this area of France has to offer!
TOWNS TO VISIT IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE:
1. ST. TROPEZ
Saint Tropez is the ultimate French Riviera destination. This lux hotspot is frequented by celebs and tourists alike. Every corner here is utterly breathtaking, from the colorful streets lined with shops and restaurants in the old town to the white sand beaches and turquoise Mediterranean waters.
If you’re looking to get lost, simply stroll around the streets and find plenty of colorful alleyways filled with vintage charm and cascading flowers. I also recommend spending a day at a chic beach club in Ramatuelle like Cabane Bambou or Les Palmiers .
2. VALENSOLE
The lavender mecca of the south of France. Located in the Provence region of France, Valensole is known worldwide as one of the most beautiful places to witness lavender season. The lavender fields are like none other, with large expanses of rolling hills filled with these purple beauties located right outside of the small town. The lavender season is short, so if you’re traveling to the south from late-June to mid-July you will want to take advantage of this opportunity!
My favorite lavender fields can be found at these two locations, which are those famous fields you see all over your Instagram feed: Lavender Field 1 and Lavender Field 2.
There are also gorgeous sunflower fields in nearby on the roads in Manosque. The town itself of Valensole is equally as beautiful so make sure to stop by the shops for some lavender goods!
3. NICE
This city is one of the most frequented travel destinations in the South of France, and for good reason! Nice is the largest city in this region and there is a lot to do and see here from beaches to shopping, restaurants and plenty of views! Read my full travel guide on how to spend the perfect 48 Hours in Nice.
As a large coastal town, you can’t miss a trip to Nice’s pebbled beach. There are a ton of beach clubs here that you can rent chairs and umbrellas at like Opéra Plage or Plage Beau Rivage.
Aside from the beach, you won’t want to miss a walk along the scenic coastal avenue of Promenade des Anglais and stop for a visit at the famous Hotel Negresco. For those that love beautiful buildings and amazing views, also walk around the colorful Masséna Square, check out a view from above at Castle Hill and see the beauty of the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, which looks like a lot like a fairytale castle!
4. BORMES-LES-MIMOSAS
Bormes-les-Mimosas is a small village located in the hillside in between the the towns of Hyères and Saint Tropez. This village is a bit off of the beaten path, but it is truly an untouched gem of the south of France!
Classified as a “Ville Fleurie”, this town is full of gorgeous floral blooms on every corner. The village itself is incredibly charming with that classic southern French charm full of pastel hues and rustic touches. Because it is so small, you can wander around and find charming corners in every which-way.
5. CANNES
The film capital of France and a great beach destination to explore. Cannes is known for its annual film festival that gathers celebrities from around the world, but this town is just as glamorous at any time of year. This city still has a larger beach town feel, but without the crowds of Nice, which is one of the reasons why I love making Cannes a home base for side trips along the coast.
Cannes has some beautiful beach clubs along La Croisette, so pick a spot and spend the day! The Marina is another great location to stroll around and admire the gorgeous yachts. Here you can also catch the perfect Cannes sunset over the town.
If you’re up for a bit of an adventure, catch a ferry over to Île Saint Marguerite and explore for the day. This little island is right off the coast of Cannes. It has some beautiful nature and you can treat yourself with a meal at the uber-exclusive meal and beach day at the celeb-frequented La Guérite.
If you’re looking for a lush place to stay, look no further than the photo-worthy InterContinental Carlton Cannes. This hotel is THE spot to stay here and is extra instagrammable!
6. GRIMAUD
Grimaud is split into two: a quaint hillside village and Port Grimaud, acolorful coastal town referred to as a “little Venice” of the French Riviera. Grimad is located nearby neighboring St. Tropez and makes for a great day trip!
Much like Bormes-les-Mimosas, the Grimaud village is also classified as a “Ville Fleurie”. Every street is filled with colorful charm and beautiful flowers. This is a dream if you love picturesque French towns like me!
The village is very easy to explore, so make sure to plan some time to walk around the cobblestone streets! If you have some extra time, head drive to Port Grimaud and walk along the colorful canals.
7. VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER
Villefranche-sur-Mer is a hidden gem located right next door to Nice. This coastal town is on the small side, so it’s much quieter, relaxed and has an overall vacation vibe. My favorite part of this town is the beautiful pastel colored homes that line the streets in absolute perfection. This was by far the most charming town in the south of France for me. Plus there is a quaint public beach to visit too!
If you’re looking for some other awesome views of Villefranche-Sur-Mer, check out the pedestrian walkway near Place Wilson. I also recommend capturing views from above along the Boulevard Napoléon III towards Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
8. SAINT-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT
Located around the corner from Villefranche-Sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a beautiful coastal peninsula home to many gorgeous beaches and hotels. The highlight of this peninsula is most definitely the famous pink palace located here, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
The design of this villa is absolutely stunning, from the pink facade to the detailed interior and the lush variety of gardens on the property. There is enough to keep your eyes and your camera occupied for quite some time! Out of the eight different gardens here, mine was certainly the Spanish one. I loved the unique details here and of course the bougainvilleas! The villa also has an interesting history, so make sure to catch some tidbits during your visit here.
9. CASSIS
Cassis is a great southern escape located nearby the big city of the south, Marseille. This town is easy to access from Marseille and is a fantastic starting point if you are looking to hike the gorgeous rocky limestone inlets of this region referred to as Les Calanques. Read my full Travel Guide to Cassis & The Calanques.
The town itself is full of charm, with quaint streets plentiful with restaurants and shops; There is also a lovely marina where you can sit down and have a glass of wine while enjoying the sunset.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, I highly recommend spending the day hiking the three calanques that are closest to Cassis: Calanque de Port Miou, Calanque de Port Pin, Calanque d’en Vau. You can reach these calanques on an intermediate hiking experience that will last you several hours.
10. MENTON
Menton is on the eastern most edge of the South of France, right next to the Italian border. This colorful town has a gorgeous stretch of beaches and lots of Franco/Italian influence.
If you are traveling to Menton in February, there is a unique Lemon Festival filled with colorful displays and floats. In the spring or summer months, you can’t miss the beach! A visit to the beautiful gardens at Serre de la Madone or Val Rahmeh-Menton Botanical Garden should also be on your list!
11. GORDES
Gordes is consistently named as one of the most beautiful towns in France and it’s clear why! This hillside town looks like something from a movie set. Everything is perfectly placed and the provencal-style buildings give you all of the Country-French feels! The best view of this town is located along the Route de Cavaillon and it is breathtaking!
Also located nearby Gordes is the famous Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque. This abbey is a religious site, but it also is home to some of the most iconic lavender fields in the region. You cannot access the lavender fields, but it is well worth a visit for the views!
12. MARSEILLE
Marseille is the big city of the south and it is often avoided by tourists due to its chaotic size. This is a busy, crowded city, but it also has some charming pockets that I loved discovering! If you’re headed to other destinations to the south, Marseille might be your starting point. If it is, I would say its worth a day visit!
The most picturesque parts of Marseille are definitely the colorful Vallon des Auffres, which is a small port with a few cute restaurants tucked under a small bridge and the Quartier Panier located in the old town. For the best views, check out the views from the Pharo Palace or the InternContinental Marseille Hotel Dieu.
13. AIX-EN-PROVENCE
Aix-en-Provence is the city of a thousand fountains. Located in Provence, this city is one of my favorites in France because the townscape is so beautiful! Filled with fountains, rustic cobblestone streets, lovely squares and amazing shops and restaurants, Aix-En-Provence is a destination in itself!
If you plan a visit, two of my favorite spots are located at the Place d’Albertas and the Pavillon de Vendôme.
I hope that you find this guide useful for planning your perfect trip to the South of France! These towns are so much more than just a photo, so make sure to experience each to the fullest!
