The Best 10 Day South of France Itinerary: From the French Riviera to Provence

Dreaming of the perfect South of France itinerary that combines glamorous coastal towns with storybook countryside villages? This south of france itinerary will guide you through the best spots.

On our third trip to France, we finally made it happen. And let me tell you, it was every bit as magical as we imagined.

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region (known as the South of France) is fairly large and incredibly diverse, with so much to see and do — from sparkling Mediterranean beaches to sun-soaked hilltop towns, lavender fields, and charming local markets.

To help you plan your own adventure, I’ve put together this 10-day South of France itinerary, taking you from the chic shores of the French Riviera to the heart of Provence’s storybook villages. If you’re dreaming of a bucket-list escape that blends coastal beauty with charming countryside, this 10-day South of France itinerary is for you.

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Overview: 10 Day South of France Itinerary

• Days 1–4: The French Riviera
• Day 5: Saint Paul de Vence & Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
• Days 6–8: Verdon Gorge & Luberon Villages in Provence
• Day 9: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence & Les Baux de Provence
• Day 10: Departure

Before You Go: Planning Your South of France Itinerary

Before diving into the day-by-day breakdown, here’s everything you need to know to plan a smooth and unforgettable trip through the South of France.

Best Time to Visit the South of France

The South of France enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny days most of the year.

• My preference would be to visit in May or early June, or September – you’ll have pleasant weather, and it will be less crowded. July and August will be hot, with higher prices and crowds.
• For lavender season, visit mid-June to mid-July (sadly we missed the lavender fields since we visited in early June… we saw one field that was bloomed though!).

How to Get to the South of France

The South of France is well-connected by air and train, and this particular South of France itinerary starts in Nice, but you could consider the second option below.

• Fly into Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) to begin your trip on the French Riviera. It’s the second-busiest airport in France and serves many international routes.
• Fly into Paris (CDG) – If your flight is round trip from Paris, you could take a short flight to NCE or the train (TGV) to Nice upon arrival, and work your way back. Alternatively you could fly into Paris and do this South of France itinerary in the opposite direction, to end in Nice.
• End in Provence: Depart from Avignon TGV, Aix-en-Provence, or Marseille Provence Airport (MRS).
  • We were flying back home to the US from Paris, so we took a train from Avignon TGV Station to Paris.

How to Get Around in the South of France

Train travel is great along the French Riviera. Having a rental car would increase flexibility and convenience, but we decided not to have one for the first leg of the trip since trains were available.

For Provence, including Verdon Gorge and the Luberon countryside, a rental car is essential.

My recommendations: Train + car combo is ideal for this South of France itinerary. Use trains for the French Riviera (Days 1–4), then rent a car on Day 5 to explore inland Provence. There’s usually a one-way drop-off fee, but it’s well worth it for the flexibility and convenience. You’ll get to see so much more without having to circle back to your starting point.

Rental Cars:  Book with Discover Cars for the best prices – I always choose a trusted company like Hertz, Enterprise, or Sixt within the search results.

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Where to Stay during this South of France Itinerary

I’ve listed some of my top choices for each of the regions covered in this itinerary:

Where to Stay in French Riviera (Côte d’Azur):

• Palais Ségurane Boutique Hôtel – cute boutique hotel in Nice
• Hôtel Du Couvent – luxury in Old Nice
• Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée – where we stayed, right on the Promenade

Where to Stay in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie:

• Hotel Les Restanques De Moustiers – this one was my top choice but it was sold out for our dates
• La Bastide de Moustiers – luxury option with beautiful grounds and a Michelin star restaurant

Where to Stay in Provence:

• Capelongue – beautifully designed hotel in Bonnieux (Luberon). We LOVED our stay here.
• Bastide de Marie – breathtakingly dreamy hotel in Menerbes (Luberon)
• Airelles Gordes – ultimate luxury for a splurge in Gordes (Luberon)
• Le Moulin – charming hotel in the pretty town of Lourmarin (Luberon)
• Hôtel Le Saint Remy & Spa – good option if you want to base in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

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Days 1–4: The French Riviera – Côte d’Azur

Base: Nice (4 nights)
Where to stay in Nice: Palais Ségurane Boutique Hôtel, Hôtel Du Couvent, Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Le Negresco

We flew into NCE (our home airport began serving direct flights as of this year in 2025 so we got lucky!) and based ourselves in Nice for the first part of the trip in the dazzling French Riviera. We spent the next few days taking day trips around the coast. I recommend combining no more than 2 towns per day. You can do the following in any order of day. Listed are the highlights for each place.

Day 1: Nice + Villefranche-sur-Mer

• Things to do in Nice
  • Walk the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais
  • Get lost in the streets of Vieux Nice (Old Town Nice)
  • Climb Castle Hill for panoramic views
  • Marché Cours Saleya – flower and produce markets
  • Walking tour of Old Town and Castle Hill
• Take a 7 minute train to Villefranche-sur-Mer.
  • Explore the colorful old town
  • See Chapelle Saint-Pierre
  • Enjoy the sandy beach (Nice has pebble beaches) at Plage de la Marinière.
  • Walk along the Promenade des Marinières and watch the boats

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Day 2: Èze & Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

• Head to the medieval hilltop village of Èze Village. Read my guide on how to get to Èze Village here.
  • Jardin Exotique d’Èze
  • Dine or drinks at luxury hotels La Chèvre d’Or or Chateau Eza
  • Wander the Medieval streets
  • Visit the Fragonard perfumery and make your own perfume
• Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
  • Visit Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
  • Swim or relax at Paloma Beach (currently under renovations)

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Day 3: Menton & Monaco

• Take a train to Menton
  • Admire the Italian-influenced town’s charm
  • See the Baroque style church: Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton
  • Photos at Les Rampes Saint Michel
• On the way back stop in Monaco
  • Monte Carlo Casino (you need your passport to get in)
  • Prince’s Palace
  • Musée océanographique de Monaco

Day 4: Antibes & Cannes

• Take a train to Antibes
  • Explore the charming old town
  • Visit the Picasso Museum (closed on Mondays)
  • Marché Provençal
  • Fort Carré
  • Swim in Bay of Billionaires
• Cannes
  • Boulevard de La Croisette
  • Wander through Le Suquet (old town)
  • Palais des Festivals 

We ended up feeling unwell on our third day and missed out on Monaco. Depending on your pace, you can modify this itinerary.

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Day 5: Saint Paul de Vence & Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Drive time: 40 minutes from Nice to Saint Paul de Vence, then 2 hours 30 minutes to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Base: Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (1 night)
Where to stay in Moustier-Sainte-Marie: Hotel Les Restanques De Moustiers, La Bastide de Moustiers

Now we will trade the coast for mountains and lakes as you journey into Provence’s Verdon region.

But before we do that, this South of France itinerary requires a stop by the cutest inland village on the French Riviera, which is Saint Paul de Vence.

This is where the need for a car came in. Saint Paul de Vence is about 35-40 minutes away from Nice, but it isn’t particularly easy to get here by public transportation. You’d have to take a train to Cagnes-sur-Mer and then a bus to the village.

We decided to pick up our rental car this morning and drove to the charming, artsy village of Saint Paul de Vence. Check for the best rental car rates here.

Things to do in Saint Paul de Vence

• Fondation Maeght (Museum of modern art)
• Stroll along the ramparts
• Pop into galleries and shops
• See Le Grande Fontain (fountain centerpiece in a cute square)

I’d heard that Saint-Paul-de-Vence was overly touristy—but honestly, I found it absolutely beautiful and thought it fully deserved the attention it receives.

After a lovely time in Saint Paul de Vence, we drove to a picturesque mountain village called Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. This village is nestled between limestone cliffs. I had read that the roads leading to this area from the coast were challenging, but while there were certainly some very windy roads, we didn’t find them particularly difficult to navigate by car.

Moustiers-Saint-Marie is truly one of the most stunning villages I’ve seen. It’s practically built into and between rocks.

Things to do in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

• See the golden star hanging between the cliffs
• Try lavender ice cream
• Wander through the village built against a steep rock face
• See waterfalls running through the village

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Days 6–8: Verdon Gorge , Valensole, Arrive at Provence’s Luberon Villages

Base: Bonnieux, Gordes, or Lourmarin (4 nights)
Where to stay in Luberon: Capelongue, Bastide de Marie, Airelles Gordes, Le Moulin

Verdon Gorge, Lac de Sainte-Croix

After a hearty breakfast in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, we set off to see one of the spots I had been dreaming about for this entire trip: Verdon Gorge and Lac de Sainte-Croix.

To visit this incredible place, set your GPS to “Pont du Galetas“ — it’ll take you straight to a scenic bridge that offers absolutely breathtaking views of the gorge and the lake. There are parking spots on both sides of the bridge so that you can stop and soak in the views.

There are a few rental spots around the lake. We chose Base de l’Étoile, which offers pedal boats, canoes, and solo kayaks. We opted for a pedal boat — €20 for 1 hour or €40 for 2 hours —and cruised through the striking turquoise waters. This was definitely a highlight of the trip for us.

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Valensole

If you are visiting in summer, especially mid-June to mid-July, make a stop at Valensole to see some beautiful lavender fields. We were a little too early (early June) so we only saw one field that was somewhat bloomed.

Luberon

We then drove about 1.5 hours to our new home base in the Luberon.

The Luberon region, nestled in the heart of Provence, is a dreamy stretch of rolling hills, vineyards, and some of the most picturesque villages in France. It’s known for its lavender fields, rustic stone houses, and lively open-air markets — all wrapped in a slower, more authentic pace of life.

Villages like Gordes, Roussillon, Lourmarin, and Bonnieux are all just a short drive from one another, so staying in a central location gives you easy access to explore the best of inland Provence without spending too much time in the car.

If you’re looking for a charming base, I’d recommend Lourmarin, Gordes, or Bonnieux — all are incredibly scenic, with great restaurants and a relaxed, local feel.

For this trip, I wanted to focus on small villages rather than larger cities like Aix-en-Provence or Avignon. So we chose to stay at Capelongue, a beautiful property near Bonnieux that checked all my boxes when it came to location, aesthetics, and amenities. It was perfect for this 10 day South of France itinerary.

🏛️ Days 7-8 Luberon, Provence

Provence is all about embracing the slow life. We started the morning with a delicious breakfast at our hotel, ready to head out for a day of exploring the region’s picture-perfect villages.

During your time in the Luberon, you’ll find yourself village-hopping each day — stopping in for long, leisurely lunches, wandering cobblestone streets, and soaking in the peaceful rhythm of Provençal life.

One thing you absolutely must experience is market day. Almost every village in the region has its own weekly market, and they’re full of local produce, fresh flowers, cheeses, handmade goods, art, and more. The Friday market in Lourmarin is widely considered one of the best in the region and I’m really glad we got to experience it. Parking in these villages on market day gets pretty tight so make sure to head to the village early in the morning.

Tip: Before finalizing your itinerary, check the market days and hours for each village here. Definitely feel free to tweak the itinerary so you can experience some of these markets.

I included two villages per day in this South of France itinerary — you could certainly squeeze in three, but remember, Provence is all about the slow life. Don’t rush and carve out time for a relaxing afternoon by the pool, a spontaneous wine tasting, or a long, leisurely dinner.

Day 7: Gordes & Roussillon

• Visit the iconic stone village of Gordes, perched above the valley
  • Dine with a view. Airelles Gordes is a luxury hotel that houses several restaurants with incredible views. In fact, Clover Gordes was featured in “Emily in Paris”.
  • Photos at the scenic viewpoint
  • Caves of Palais Saint Firmin
  • Walk through the lavender fields at Sénanque Abbey (best mid-June to early July)
• Wander the vibrant ochre-colored streets of Roussillon
  • Hike the Ochre Trail (30-45 minutes)
  • Tasting of balsamic vinegar at Bal’s Art (I promise you’ll end up buying a few bottles)

Day 8: Lourmarin & Bonnieux

• Visit the charming village of Lourmarin, often considered one of the most elegant in the Luberon.
  • Market day on Friday mornings
  • Walk through tree-lined boulevards, boutiques, and art galleries
  • Visit Château de Lourmarin, a restored Renaissance castle
  • Grab coffee at a cafe and people-watch at the village squares
• Admire breathtaking views from the scenic hilltop village of Bonnieux
  • Climb to the Vieille Église (Old Church) for panoramic views
  • Bonnieux has several amazing restaurants to try. Even if you’re not staying at Capelongue, stop by at one of their two restaurants: La Bastide is a Michelin star restaurant, and La Bergerie has the coziest atmosphere with a wood fire.

Some other options to add to this South of France itinerary if you have more time are Goult, Menerbes, Ansouis, Cucuron, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

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Day 9: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence & Les Baux-de-Provence

Base: Still in the Luberon (or optional 1-night stay closer to Saint-Rémy)
Where to stay in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: Hôtel Le Saint Remy & Spa

For your final full day in Provence, head southwest toward two of the region’s cultural gems.

Les Baux-de-Provence feels like a historic stone village perched high on a hill, with castle ruins and stunning views that make it feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence has a more vibrant and lived-in feel, with charming streets, local boutiques, and plenty of cafés. It was busier than many of the other villages I visited on this trip, but not in a way that felt too crowded. I actually loved the atmosphere and would love to spend a few nights here on our next visit — it seems like a perfect base for exploring Provence.

Morning: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

• Stroll through the elegant streets filled with art galleries, local boutiques, and fountains
• Stop by the Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery, where Van Gogh stayed and painted some of his most famous works including the Starry Night
• Walk through the Roman ruins of Glanum, just outside the town

Afternoon: Les Baux-de-Provence

Just 20 minutes from Saint-Rémy is Les Baux-de-Provence, a medieval village dramatically perched on top of a rocky plateau.

• Wander the fortress ruins and enjoy panoramic views of the Alpilles
• Explore the charming stone lanes, shops, and cafés
• Check out the Carrières des Lumières, an immersive digital art experience set inside a former quarry. The featured works are always changing – at the time of my visit it was Monet and Rousseau.

We actually chose to visit Les Baux-de-Provence first in the morning, but I don’t think the order really matters.

Return to your base in the Luberon for your final dinner in Provence, soaking up the golden hour magic one last time. Alternatively, you can spend a night in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

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Day 10: Departure from Provence

It’s time to say au revoir to Provence—after a dreamy 10 days of coastlines, cliffside villages, lavender fields, and unforgettable views.

Depending on your travel plans, there are several convenient options to end your trip:

• Avignon TGV Station – Ideal if you’re heading back to Paris or another major French city by high-speed train (TGV).
• Aix-en-Provence TGV – another good option.
• Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) – The closest major airport in the region, about 1.5 hours from the Luberon and around 1 hour from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Direct flights are available to Paris, London, and other European hubs.

We drove an hour from our base in the Luberon to Avignon TGV Station and dropped off our rental car at the station before hopping on the train to Paris.

💛 Final Thoughts on the 10 Day South of France Itinerary

The South of France is the kind of destination that lingers with you long after your trip ends. From the glistening waters of the Côte d’Azur to the golden light of Provence’s hilltop villages, every stop on this 10 Day South of France itinerary offers a different kind of magic.

This 10 day South of France itinerary was designed to give you a balance of everything: seaside glamour, medieval villages, nature escapes, and authentic Provençal charm. It’s perfect for a first-time visitor who wants to experience both the French Riviera and the countryside. Depending on your pace of travel and interests, you can modify parts of this itinerary.

So bookmark this post, share it with your travel companions, and start planning. I can’t wait to hear how this South of France itinerary goes for you!

Have questions about this itinerary? Drop them in the comments – I’m always happy to help!

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