Endless lavender fields, idyllic villages, dramatic coastline: these are just a few things that come to mind when you start dreaming about planning a trip to the South of France!
From castles to medieval cities, from lavender fields to the sparkling sea of the Côte d’Azur, the South of France is absolutely littered with incredible places to visit–not even a lifetime could hope to cover them all.
… Which won’t stop us from trying!
We love traveling (and eating) our way through this gorgeous corner of the world, usually as part of a French road trip, and don’t think we’ll ever be done returning.
While this list could never hope to be exhaustive, we’ve used this blog post to round up some truly magnificent corners of southern France, including some of our personal favorite places to visit in the South of France!
Table of Contents
Planning your trip to France at the last minute?
While we highly recommend renting a car and exploring the South of France independently if possible, I know that not everyone has the time or inclination to do so!
(If you are planning a road trip in the South of France, here’s our suggested itinerary, and here’s where we recommend finding your rental car!)
If you want to keep things simple, though, here are some of the top-rated day trips in the South of France:
- Provence Highlights From Avignon (Villages, Markets + More!)
- Best of the French Riviera From Nice (Some of the best views in France)
- Provence Lavender Fields Tour From Aix-en-Provence (Seasonal, of course!)
- Calanques National Park Boat Tour (Great way to mix up your trip)
Where is the South of France?
Sound like a silly question?
Perhaps it is, but it’s worth mentioning, because “South of France” is more of a colloquial term than a literal one.
While southern France can refer to anywhere in the southern half of the country, the South of France is generally defined as the southeast corner of France that is most influenced by a Mediterranean climate and culture.
In other words, the region of Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur and sometimes the region of Occitanie.
This is a fluid definition: there’s not a hard-and-fast rule to it. Places in southwest France, though, like gorgeous Bordeaux, Bayonne, and Saint-Émilion typically aren’t included.
To keep this blog post from getting longer than it already has, I’ve also excluded Occitanie here, choosing to focus on places to visit in Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur.
Places in Occitanie like Nîmes, Toulouse, and Carcassonne are absolutely worth a visit, though!
25 Epic Places to Visit in the South of France
Cool Cities to Visit in the South of France
Avignon
Once the home of popes, Avignon is an incredibly relaxed and beautiful city that is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the western half of Provence as a whole.
Some of the best things to do in Avignon include touring the Papal Palace, relaxing in the Place de l’Horloge, shopping your way through Les Halles d’Avignon, and walking the city’s walls.
Don’t forget to check out the stunning Pont d’Avignon, either!
Avignon is a popular base in Provence, so popular day trips like this one are plentiful and make for a great way to explore the surrounding villages and views quickly!
Cannes
If you know one thing about Cannes, it’s probably that the city is home to the famous Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes goes well beyond its glamorous reputation in the film industry, though!
The city’s beautiful beaches, gorgeous Boulevard De La Croisette, and the plethora of nearby day trips are all excellent reasons to visit Cannes.
Looking for a day trip from Cannes that you’ll never forget? Setting sail for the Lérins Islands is a magnificent way to enjoy the French Riviera!
Aix-en-Provence
You know that feeling where you step into a city and find yourself thinking, “oh my, I’d love to live here for a while?”
That’s how we felt about visiting Aix-en-Provence (or simply Aix) for the first time.
Once the capital of Provence, Aix-en-Provence is known for its colorful streets, many fountains, great location as a base to visit other places in Provence, and–best of all–outdoor markets.
Plan your visit for a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday for the biggest concentration of markets! Here’s the city’s market schedule.
On one of our trips to southern France we used Aix as a base to explore the Alpilles and Luberon Valley, and we loved spending our evenings there! That trip sadly didn’t take place during lavender season, but lavender-themed day trips like this are popular in the summer!
Saint-Tropez
Glitzy and glamorous to the core, Saint-Tropez is the ultimate French escape if you’re looking for a luxurious stay along the Côte d’Azur.
Once a medieval fishing village and later a port, Saint-Tropez is better known today for its beautiful beaches (and high-end beach clubs), the magnificent yachts that come to visit, and being referenced in a Taylor Swift lyric (IYKYK).
Don’t miss soaking in beautiful views of Saint-Tropez from the citadel while you’re there!
Menton
This incredibly bright and colorful French Riviera city reminds me of Italian getaways like Cinque Terre at first blush… and considering Menton is located near the border of Italy, that’s not surprising!
Come here in the summer for swimming, delicious food, and a lovely coastal escape, or in February for a bit of winter sun and their incredible annual lemon festival (Fête du Citron).
Menton is fairly small, but as you explore on foot, keep an eye out for the Basilique Saint-Michel de Arcange Menton! Don’t shy away from climbing, either: the views from the top of town are beautiful.
Arles
Located along the Rhône River, Arles is best known for its history as part of the Roman Empire and for inspiring many of the paintings of Van Gogh, who lived in Arles for a year.
Absolutely don’t miss the Cloister of St. Triomphe or the Arles Amphitheatre! The Arles Crypt is also excellent, and those 3 together still don’t make up all of the Roman ruins in Arles.
It’s also a great jumping-off point for a visit to the Camargue, a beautiful wetland famous for its wildlife–including flamingos.
Did you know you can book a safari (of sorts) when visiting the South of France?!
Nice
As the biggest city on the French Riviera and one of the most iconic beach cities in Europe, glamorous Nice is home to gorgeous markets, an incredible (and incredibly famous!) stretch of curving beach, tasty Nicoise salad, and an excellent location to use as a base for many day trips in the South of France.
We were surprised by how quickly Nice grabbed our attention, as we had (mistakenly, like so many others) expected to see it as more of a stopover. Instead, we walked away from Nice thinking that it would be a nice place to live for a year or so one day!
The city is lovely enough to deserve at least a little attention on your trip to the French Riviera.
No trip to Nice is complete without a stroll down the picture-perfect Promenade des Anglais, of course, but don’t miss the view from Castle Hill either: it’s worth the climb!
Monaco
Yes, Monaco is not part of France–but how could any blog post about the best places to visit in the south of France leave off Nice’s famous neighbor, the glamorous microstate of Monaco?
Whether you want to doll up and try your hand at cards at the Monte Carlo or simply want to stroll the streets and admire the many impressive yachts, Monaco is certainly worth a quick visit.
Top things to see on a day trip (because personally, I’d only recommend a day trip) include touring the Prince’s Palace, admiring the view from the Jardins Saint-Martin, visiting the St. Nicholas Cathedral, and checking out the Oceanographic Museum.
While not technically part of the Schengen Zone, you won’t (typically) go through passport control when traveling from France to Monaco and back.
You can easily get there by train or bus (we took the train there and the bus back to Nice), though plenty of French Riviera day trips like this one include a stop in Monaco!
Small Towns + Villages to Visit in the South of France
Èze
Perched high on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Èze is small enough to be seen in an afternoon and lovely enough to be appreciated for a lifetime.
Top things to do include visiting the Jardin Exotique (and enjoying its views), and savoring the walk through the village’s tiny cobblestone streets.
Want to skip the bus ride from the shore to the hilltop medieval village?
Consider hiking the (steep) Nietzsche Trail, which was named for the philosopher. It’s said he walked the path daily when spending time in Èze!
Ménerbes
If there’s one village in Provence’s magnificent Luberon Valley that you’re familiar with before visiting, it may just be Ménerbes.
Ménerbes is the setting of the popular memoir A Year in Provence (and Peter Mayle’s other books about the South of France–this is where his home is), and as you wander through town, it’s easy to see how a writer would be inspired here.
Don’t miss the stunning views from the Citadel while you’re there!
The town is also littered with art galleries of all kinds and hosts a (seasonal) bustling market on Thursdays.
Cassis
Looking for colorful buildings, a charming port, and an excellent place to enjoy a leisurely lunch overlooking a picturesque harbor… all located next door to the phenomenal Calanques National Park?
Head over to the adorable fishing village of Cassis, which looks more like it belongs in an impressionist painting than as a busy tourist destination less than an hour from Marseille.
We were completely charmed by this small town, and highly recommend a visit if you’re looking for a more laid-back beach town than glitzy cities like Cannes and Saint-Tropez.
Here’s our blog post about the best things to do in Cassis!
Gordes
Possibly the best-known village of the Luberon Valley, Gordes is built directly into the hilltop it rests on, giving a whole new twist to the concept of a hilltop village!
Le Château des Gordes, AKA the town’s castle with roots that stretch back 1000 years, is certainly worth a visit while wandering through town, as is the pretty Church of Saint-Fermin.
The absolute best thing to do in the center of Gordes, though, is simply to meander through it, enjoying shops, cafes, and restaurants (we loved La Trinquette). This is a place that, like so many other French villages, is more about ambiance than sightseeing.
Want to enjoy Gordes’ delightful market? Tuesday is market day here!
Looking for the iconic view in my (and everyone else’s) photos of Gordes? You’ll need to park outside of town and walk a bit to access it, but it’s clearly marked on Google Maps.
Les Baux-de-Provence
Considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, Les Baux-de-Provence is as small (population: 262) as it is delightful.
Located in the Alpilles, come here both for the winding, narrow stone streets and the countryside views, as well as a couple of attractions.
Don’t miss the Château des Baux-de-Provence! Made up of (what’s left of) a 13th-century fortress, it also boasts incredible views.
For art fans, the immersive Carrières des Lumières is supposed to be incredible, though we haven’t had a chance to visit yet!
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
Located right on the Sorgue River, the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is best known for being home to the gigantic spring that feeds the river.
You can even visit the source of the spring while in town! During our visit, we found it fascinating and wild to simply walk through an idyllic village and then… keep walking onto a hiking trail toward the spring (Ranger was a big fan, too).
Even apart from the spring itself, though, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse has a storybook-like air to it, and we found ourselves captivated by visiting.
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse‘s location on the river combined with the typical Provencal charm of the town itself makes it an unforgettable village to visit in southern France.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Perched high above the Côte d’Azur, Saint-Paul-de-Vence feels like exactly what it is: an artist colony, plus a typical French hilltop town, plus a glamorous destination along France’s best-known coast.
Stand on the medieval walls that surround the town, and you can see all the way out to the Mediterranean Sea… but wander down a narrow cobblestone street inside the town, and you’ll feel like you’re back in Provence’s Luberon Valley.
Once the haunt of artists like Picasso and Matisse, this is truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in France.
Walking the ramparts is a must while in town, be sure not to miss them!
Bonnieux
Tiny but mighty, Bonnieux is all about charming cobblestone streets and adorable houses, plus one more thing: the picturesque Church of Saint Sauveur (often called simply the “Old Church”) located at the highest point in town.
You’ll need to climb up 86 steps to reach the church, but it’s worth it! After exploring the area around the church, be sure to take plenty of time to admire the view over the Luberon Valley, too.
Look closely, and you’ll be able to pick out villages like the popular Gordes in the distance.
Villefranche-Sur-Mer
Climbing steadily upward from the sea, the colorful town of Villefranche-Sur-Mer is often considered one of the prettiest places to visit on the French Riviera–and after wandering its maze of tiny streets, you’ll likely agree!
There’s not much to “do” here, which is part of its charm, but be sure to check out the arch-covered Rue Obscure, which was originally built for military use in the 13th century.
Other top things to do include relaxing on the beach (of course), checking out the small museum housed inside the citadel, and ducking into the lovely Church of Saint Michel.
If you run out of things to do in town, though, you can always just… keep walking! The gorgeous town of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is only a couple miles or so away (there are a few route options).
Goult
Remarkably uncrowded and slightly more under-the-radar than villages like Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Gordes, Goult has all the charm you could ever dream of in a Provencal village.
Here, you’ll find excellent countryside views, cobblestone streets framed with buildings that boast colorful shutters, and a windmill at the top of town.
This is one of my personal favorite villages in the south of France–don’t miss it while in the Luberon Valley!
Here’s our blog post about what to do in Goult.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
If I were to move to a village in Provence tomorrow, it would be this one (and yes, that’s even considering that I said I would enjoy living in two other places covered in this guide!).
We loved our first trip to St. Remy so much, in fact, that on our next trip to Provence we decided to base ourselves there (we stayed here and loved it: the perfect mix of walkable to town but feeling like we’re in the countryside).
Incredibly beautiful, packed to the brim with tasty restaurants and interesting boutiques, and home to everything from fascinating art history (Van Gogh lived here during his days in a sanitarium) to a whimsical carousel, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is enormously popular for good reason!
The Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole (where Van Gogh lived), the Antiquities of Glanum, and the Musée Estrine are all must-sees, as is the Wednesday market!
Natural Wonders + Other Beautiful Highlights
Calanques National Park
If you’re hoping to hike in France, look no further than Calanques National Park!
Located between Marseille, Cassis, and La Ciotat, the Calanques (or coves) that are the highlight of the park are full of sparkling Mediterranean waters and framed by bright, white cliffs.
The combination is absolutely stunning!
Hiking, swimming, and kayaking are all popular options within the park, though if you’re looking for a great introduction without too much effort, you can’t go wrong with a boat tour like this.
Verdon Gorge
A deep canyon framed by white cliffs with a turquoise river that rushes through it: the Verdon Gorge is so beautiful that it almost defies description.
Stop here in the summer to kayak, canoe, swim, or even sign up for an adventurous aquatic hike or some whitewater rafting!
None of that is necessary to appreciate the beauty of the gorge, though: you can also simply admire the views from above and take a lovely walk.
We absolutely adored our visit here and would be happy to return again and again.
Abbey Notre-Dame de Sénanque
Located near the village of Gordes, the Sénanque Abbey is an unmissable place to visit in southern France for those exploring the Luberon Valley!
Though the abbey was founded in the 12th century and is still the home of monks today, these days it is best known for its gorgeous lavender field.
Lake of Sainte-Croix
Though this brightly colored lake is man-made, it’s absolutely gorgeous, and an excellent place for hiking or camping.
Located right next to the Verdon Gorge, making it a fabulous addition to your list of places to visit in the south of France!
Camargue Regional Natural Park
If you’re looking for a South of France travel destination that feels worlds away from typical views of a sparkling sea, a stone village, or a blooming lavender field, set off to be surprised by Camargue!
This park is made up of low-lying plains, moors, and salt marshes, and is home to a stupendous variety of wildlife–most famously, white horses, bulls, and flamingos (yes, flamingos).
You’ll absolutely need to either rent a car or book a safari tour like this to access the best spots here, but if you’re not already familiar with the area, odds are high that a visit to Camargue will broaden your perspective on what visiting the South of France can look like!
Valensole Plateau
The gigantic, far-as-the-eye-can-see, sprawling lavender fields of Provence may be the most popular place to visit in the south of France… and the Valensole Plateau is where you can find the best of them!
If you’re coming to southern France to chase lavender, you should absolutely add the Valensole Plateau to your list of places to see in the South of France.
Wondering when to visit?
Mid-July is generally peak bloom for lavender fields in the Valensole Plateau, though you can find blooms in different areas of Provence from mid-June to mid-August.
In other words, to see the best places to visit in the South of France at their most colorful and vibrant, a summer trip is the perfect option (though yes, it does get hot and crowded!).
Keep Planning your South of France Getaway…
If you found this roundup of travel destinations in the South of France helpful, we’d love to continue to be part of your travel planning here on Our Escape Clause!
You can browse our 40+ blog posts about France here, or check out these guides:
- 25 Fabulous Small Towns in France (+ Map to Find Them!)
- France or Italy: Which Destination is Right for You?
- The Ultimate South of France Itinerary: Provence + The French Riviera
- French Breakfast Guide: How to Enjoy Breakfast in France
- The Ultimate Packing List for Europe: Summer Edition (+ What to Wear)
Thanks for reading!
Kate and Jeremy (You can read more about us here)
Map of Places to Visit in the South of France
Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.
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