When my friend and I planned a trip to the South of France last spring, we were unsure which of its beautiful cities to visit. We settled on three that seemed quite different and would provide us with a range of what the South of France offers.
We visited the medieval town of Avignon, the university city of Aix-en-Provence, and the more urban city of Nice. I’m sharing my recommendations to do, see and eat in these three cities to help you plan your next trip to Southern France.
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Getting To & Around Southern France
Southern France has two main airports, one in Marseille and Nice, and both airports have frequent flights between Paris and other destinations across Europe. The plane ride between Southern France and Paris is about 1 hour and 20 minutes long.
Alternatively, the train is another option. Between Paris and Nice, the ride is 5 1/2 to 6 hours long. However, a high-speed TGV train between Paris and Marseille that takes about 3 hours is available. You can also use trains from other European cities, such as Barcelona and London, to connect you to the South of France.
Trains and buses are your best option within the region if you decide not to rent a car. The bus is much cheaper than the train, but it usually takes longer to reach your destination.
Related: When a Eurail Pass is Worth It and When It Isn’t
Tips For Visiting Southern France
1. Take advantage of the local Tourism Offices. They can provide local maps and information on transportation, markets, etc.
2. Skip restaurants and stay on a budget. The South of France is stunning. It is also an expensive destination. Eat local bread, cheeses, and fresh produce found at bakeries and markets. Use all the goods you acquire to cook your meals at your accommodation or enjoy al fresco by the beach.
3. Find activities with free or discounted admission. Identify museums, parks, and other public attractions in the city you would like to visit you’re traveling to, then go online to do more research. Many museums we wanted to visit in the South of France had specific days or times when admission was free.
Pro Tip: Get a pre-paid SIM card for France before you take off!
Three Cities to Visit in Southern France
Avignon
Avignon is a small medieval city in the heart of Southern France, located next to the Rhône River. The city has lots of history, which you can experience by visiting its Medieval monuments and simply wandering its winding, cobblestoned streets.
Things to Do in Avignon
Consider Avignon’s two most famous attractions: the St. Bénézet Bridge and the Pope’s Palace.
During the 14th century, the papacy was located in Avignon rather than in Rome. Nowadays, the former Pope’s Palace is one of the city’s biggest attractions. The cost of admission is 11 Euros.
The medieval St. Bénézet Bridge is the other attraction that draws tourists to Avignon. There is a famous children’s song about the bridge, and I remember learning the words as a child in elementary school French class. The bridge now spans only halfway across the Rhône River, and you can pay 5 Euros to walk across the part still standing.
Instead, I recommend walking up the road next to the Pope’s Palace to the Rocher des Doms park. From the top, you’ll have an amazing view of the famous bridge without paying the 5 euros to walk it, and a panoramic view of the old town of Avignon and its surrounding area.
Book These Activities in Avignon:
- See Avignon from a Double-Decker Bus
- Tour Brotte Wine Museum with tasting of 5 wines
- Luberon Electric Bike Rental from Bonnieux
Where to Stay in Avignon
When you book your accommodation in Avignon, stay in its historic center, enabling you to be centrally located. It also provides an ideal location for walking around the city and exploring its winding, medieval streets.
We stayed in a one-room Airbnb on Rue Banasterie, next to a little square with a few restaurants and a bakery where we ate breakfast every morning. Click here to find your next Airbnb.
Centrally-located budget hotels in Avignon:
Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is home to a university, so it has the vibe of a bustling college town. The city is quite larger than Avignon but is still extremely walkable.
Getting there: Aix-en-Provence has two train stations: Aix TGV, which serves the high-speed trains and is slightly farther away, and the local Aix Centre station, which is closer to the city center.
If coming from Avignon, take the train from Avignon Centre to Aix TGV and catch a bus straight into the city center. You can buy your bus ticket directly from the driver, and the ride is about 30 minutes, with wifi available onboard.
Things to Do in Aix
Aix has beautiful fountains located in every nook and cranny of the city. At the end of the Cours Mirabeau, the main boulevard in Aix, you’ll find the biggest fountain in the city. Go on a self-guided fountain tour with maps from the Tourism Office.
A visit to Aix is not complete without visiting one of its many markets. If you are in town on a Tuesday or Thursday, browse the clothes market located along the Cours Mirabeau and wander the streets to browse the flower and food markets.
Lastly, if you like art, visit Paul Cézanne’s studio, located about a 40-minute walk from the Cours Mirabeau. Cézanne is an Aix native, and his painting studio is still open to visitors. The studio is called Atelier de Cézanne and exhibits his art space, props, belongings, and gardens. Visiting his studio was one of my favorite experiences from my trip to Southern France and is worth visiting if you want to learn more about one of France’s most famous painters.
Book These Activities in Aix-en-Provence:
What to Eat in Aix
Immerse yourself in the delicious French food. A popular breakfast deal at many cafes offers a croissant, half a baguette with jam and butter, orange juice, and a coffee for 5,50 Euros.
Additionally, Aix is famous for being the birthplace of calissons, which are little candies with a texture similar to marzipan, but made with almonds and candied fruit. There are entire calisson stores located around the city, so make sure to stop at one to try the regional delicacy.
Where to Stay in Aix
We stayed in an Airbnb on Rue Chastel, next to the Cours Mirabeau. It was a perfect location and was within walking distance of almost everything. I recommend booking accommodation around the Cours Mirabeau, the Hôtel de Ville, or anywhere between the two.
Centrally-located budget hotels in Aix-en-Provence:
Related: 21 Budget Tips that Will Save You Money on the Road
Nice
After visiting Aix-en-Provence, we took a train to Nice. Nice was the largest city that we visited in the region, and it has more of an urban feel than medieval Avignon or quaint Aix.
Things to Do in Nice
There is an abundance of activities to do in and around Nice, but I would start with walking along the Promenade des Anglais, right next to the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Walk along this boulevard with the sea to your right until you reach the bottom of Le Chateau, otherwise known as Castle Hill.
Many stairs lead to the top of the hill, but your reward is a breathtaking view of Nice as you climb. There is an elevator, with a very long line, for those who can’t do the climb.
At the top, there is a waterfall, a park, and ruins from the old Le Chateau military citadel. The park offers panoramic views of Old Nice, the sea, and the Nice harbor.
Related: Renting a Car in Europe: 3 Things You Need to Know
Nice is in an excellent location for other day trips around the South of France. The one I would recommend visiting is the hillside town of Eze.
Take bus #82 or #112 and get off at Eze Village to get there. The two buses stop at various locations around Nice, a ticket costs 1,50 Euros and takes about 40 minutes.
Take note: do not take bus #100 to Eze-sur-Mer, which will lead you to the beach instead of the medieval town of Eze up in the hills.
Once there, visit Eze’s two perfumeries, Fragonard and Garlimard, to learn how they make perfumes. Also, climb the little hill to enter the medieval city of Eze, which has a stunning view of the sea from the gardens at the top.
Book a Tour of Nice:
What to Eat in Nice
As you can imagine, the food in Nice is delicious and abundant. Try socca; a chickpea flour pancake served hot and crispy right in the pan that it’s cooked in. Socca is one of Nice’s specialties, so grab some at one of the socca stands in the market along the Cours Saleya, right near the water.
There is a beautiful flower market and lavender and fresh produce stands. While the Cours Saleya can be touristy, there is lots of live music at night, so grab dinner at a restaurant and listen to music as you rewind from the day.
I also recommend eating at Crêperie Corentin for a very traditional creperie experience. While crepes originated in Northern France, this creperie offers traditional crepes, galettes, and hard cider that are all very typical of traditional crêperies.
Where to Stay in Nice
I would recommend staying in Old Nice. It is an older, quainter part of the city center that is fun, cute, and close to many different attractions. We found it was cheaper to stay in an Airbnb in Nice instead of a hostel, and the one we stayed at was on Rue Droite. The owner was an artist and had his studio right across the street from the apartment, so he was nearby if we had any questions or concerns. One morning he even brought us a fruitcake as a welcome gift!
Centrally-located budget hotels in Nice:
By Maddy Wolfe
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