Looking for the very best locations to check out in the South of France? You’ve concerned the best location. It had actually been fairly a long time given that we’d took a trip the South of France, however this summertime we had the good luck of costs almost a month reviewing this attractive area. While taking a Canal du Midi cruise ship on our deluxe houseboat with Le Boat, we had the possibility to check out several of the lesser-known locations in Southern France.
During this journey down the historical river, we were advised of all the attractive locations in the South of France that we’ve taken control of the years. France actually has all of it. So, if you are seeking to branch off from the average, have a look at the very best locations to check out in the South of France to develop a vacation that will certainly spark all the detects.
Top Places to check out in the South of France
Historic cities, the French Riviera, and also attractive coastlines; the South of France exudes with power and also enjoyment. But what are the very best locations to check out in the South of France? Are you trying to find a city full of sophisticated style and also social tourist attractions? Or probably among the attractive middle ages towns, ignoring the Mediterranean Sea bordered by olive groves? Be it sandy coastlines, art galleries, or standard French food, Southern France is an ageless vacation location, and also it’s simple to see why.
This overview will certainly cover whatever from the spectacular all-natural tourist attractions in the South of France to national forests and also the very best cities. Are you all set to begin? Let’s have a look.
Best cities and also communities to check out in the South of France
When trying to find the very best locations to check out in the South of France, a wonderful location to begin is with the area’s city locations. South France has some extraordinary cities and also communities. Let’s dive right in.
1. Toulouse
Toulouse was an unforeseen city in the South of France, situated inland along the Spanish boundary. The city has the label ‘La Ville Rose’, implying the pink city because of the pink blocks utilized to construct the majority of its structures. Toulouse is France’s 4th biggest city after Paris, Marseilles, and also Lyon and also yet it is simple to check out walking. When seeing Toulouse, you’ll really feel as if you are seeing the genuine France with residents eating in outside coffee shops and also pupils kicking back by the river’s side. It is what we picture Paris resembled half a century back.
A dynamic college city, Toulouse might be little, however it is full of power. There are lots of tourist attractions to see in Toulouse like the major square of La Capitole, Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse, and also the Musee Aeroscopia. Toulouse is the facility of the aeronautics and also room sector in France and also this gallery showcases its background and also growth.
If you go, see to it to get a Toulouse Pass to actually check out the city. The Toulouse Pass uses 1, 2, or 3-day passes that consist of public transportation and also cost-free entry right into the majority of the city’s most preferred vacationer destinations.
There is an old community to stray, lots of galleries, and also a relatively innovative style scene. It is additionally the beginning factor of the Canal du Midi which winds its means down 240 kilometres to the French Riviera. Toulouse is a wonderful location to check out in South France, and also will most definitely maintain you delighted. Read a lot more: Best Things to do in Toulouse France
2. Marseille
Marseille is the earliest city in Southern France. In truth, it is the earliest city in all of France and also it is 2nd in dimension just to Paris. Located on the Gulf de Lyon, which becomes part of the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is the best mix of African and also French society. A trading hotspot and also port center given that 600 BC, Marseille is among the very best locations to check out in the South of France if you desire a preference of background and also old society.
The essential component of Marseille is its Vieux Port. It is right here that angler as soon as marketed their catch, and also centuries later on, numerous still do. You need to additionally check out the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, the Musee des Beaux-Arts, and also Palais Longchamp.
We recommend investing a minimum of 3 days in Marseille to make sure that you experience the fish and shellfish scene, and also its ideal tourist attractions consisting of a field trip bent on Chateau d’If made well-known by Alexander Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo created by Alexander Dumas.
When seeing Marseille, we recommend obtaining a Marseille City Pass – The city pass stands for 1-3 days and also allows you get on jump off to see all the leading vacationer destinations. With unrestricted accessibility to public transport plus a scenic tour on the Tourist train to Notre-Dame de la Garde or with the Old Marseille. You’ll have entrance to MUCEM, and also Regards de Provence Museum, plus going across Frioul Island, or If Island with entry to Chateau D’If. There are lots of discount rates, entrance to community galleries, and also an assisted city scenic tour. See information right here.
3. Cannes
Who hasn’t come across Cannes? If you are seeing Southern France and also yearning a city experience, you should check out Cannes. The city is probably one of the most well-known area on the French Riviera many thanks to the glamour and also beauty it emanates on a yearly basis. It is enjoyed by celebs, and also loved for its yearly movie celebration, The Cannes International Film Festival. It has numerous cherished coastlines and also social tourist attractions too.
Much of Cannes and also its tourist attractions can be experienced by strolling (or driving) along the Boulevard de la Croisette. The blvd covers the Cannes shoreline, with spectacular sights over the Bay of Cannes on the Mediterranean Sea. The Boulevard de la Croisette is lined by deluxe resorts, shops, and also dining establishments and also provides flawlessly to a high end group.
Cannes is ideal for those that desire deluxe, resort-style ambience. When we went to Cannes, we couldn’t pay for the deluxe resorts and also rather remained at a camping site contemporary of community. But we still had the possibility to clean shoulders with the abundant and also well-known as we went to the coastlines to work with our tans and also appreciate a preference of that first-class friendliness.
4. Nice
Nice is the greatest city on the French Riviera that makes it among the leading locations to check out in the South of France. It has one of the most city feeling out of all the put on our listing and also is perfect if you intend to really feel in the center of all the activity. An excellent option for a resort is Hotel Nice Riviera. This 4-star resort is one block from the coastline with affordable rates.
Like Cannes, Nice has a picturesque stretch of roadway along its shoreline. Promenade des Anglais extends 7 kilometres and also is where you’ll discover most of tourist attractions and also the very best sea sights. It gets on the Promenade des Anglais that you’ll discover the Nice Carnival, which occurs every February or March. You need to stroll the boardwalk, Old Town, and also make time to check out the Castle Hill of Nice – an old middle ages citadel ignoring the city.
Interestingly, Nice is additionally bordered by a variety of attractive communities and also towns – most of which go back to the Middle Ages. You can invest days kicking back in the city and also on its attractive coastlines, taking the strange outing to a middle ages community for the very best of both globes. Read a lot more: 24 Hours in Nice – Sometimes You Only have a Day to See it All
5. Aix en Provence
The area of Provence is among one of the most wonderful areas in France, and also Aix en Provence is whatever you’d anticipate of a city in southerly France. It has course, style, and also background by the container lots. The previous funding of Provence is best for travelers that value society when selecting a vacation location. Aix en Provence has a variety of labels, consisting of “The city of a Thousand Fountains” and also “The City of Counts”. It is loaded with points to do and also see, and also it has a worthy ambience to match.
Aix en Provence is an artistic college community simply 20 mins north of Marseille. It was additionally the birth place and also residence of the wonderful painter Paul Cezanne. The city takes pride in this historic truth and also traces of Cezanne can be located anywhere in the city. The Cezanne stroll is your ideal means to see whatever Cezanne. This is an enjoyable and also intriguing self-guided scenic tour that Dave and also I did on a bright mid-day throughout our browse through. Our strolling scenic tour took us around the Old Town, seeing Cezanne’s Studio, and also Camp De Milles.
Some of the very best points to do in Aix en Provence is to discover its art galleries, galleries, and also various other historic tourist attractions. Expect a vibrant nightlife scene and also lots of short-lived exhibits and also occasions.
6. Saint Tropez
Yearning to be actions far from the sea? Saint Tropez is the perfect prospect. Saint Tropez is best if you desire beauty and also appeal, yet a quieter feeling than large cities like Nice. The town rests on the French Riviera and also was as soon as a little angling town.
The angling town shot to appeal after being utilized as a shooting place for And God Created Woman starring Brigitte Bardot in 1955. Since the 1960s travelers have actually been gathering to among one of the most preferred locations to check out in the South of France, however Saint Tropez has actually still kept several of its most enchanting town high qualities. You can still identify some little angling watercrafts in the Old Port, and also La Ponche Quarter is still packed with slim roads with rocks.
The ideal coastlines in Saint Tropez are Plage de Pampelonne, Plage St. Tropez and also Bouillabaisse Beach. However, as soon as you’ve invested a day on the coastline see to it to experience the community’s friendliness scene, and also don’t miss out on having a look at the main square at the marketplace at Place des Lices. It has a credibility for tasty food and also great in your area possessed dining establishments; most definitely attempt the fresh fish and shellfish and also in your area expanded olives.
7. Saint Paul de Vence
Saint Paul de Vence is among the earliest middle ages towns on the French Riviera. Picture a walled community with rock roads and also historic, looming structures. Everything is constructed from standard rock and also Saint Paul de Vence is the type of location where fully of rock seems like it has a tale to inform.
The community rests on a hillside ignoring the French Riviera. It is fairly simple to check out as a today journey from Nice however, if you can, you need to attempt to remain in the community itself. Saint Paul de Vence seems like someplace out of a fairytale. Just going through its patched roads and also Old Town (bear in mind a cam) suffices to maintain you delighted for a complete day.
It was as soon as the residence of well-known painter Marc Chagall and also when you check out among its leading tourist attractions, the Cimetière de Saint-Paul-de-Vence, you will certainly see his tomb.
You need to additionally eat at La Colombe d’Or, where the Roux household as soon as allowed musicians such as Picasso, Braque, Calder, and also Matisse eat for currently well-known paints. Eating tasty food is also far better when you are bordered by artworks while you consume.
8. Les Baux de Provence
Okay, we might be focusing on cities and also communities however the town of Les Baux de Provence was as well attractive not to consist of. This hill town is still shielded by middle ages wall surfaces and also makes a remarkable, unforgettable escape. In truth, it is so attractive that the city is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The leading tourist attractions in the town are, The damages of Castillo de Los Baux, a 12th-century castle, and also Carrieres de Lumieres. Carrieres de Lumieres (the quarry of lights) is a unique destination with art work predicted onto the obsolete quarry’s sedimentary rock wall surfaces. Art lovers will certainly enjoy the uniqueness of an electronic event, and also the art work showed modifications regularly which maintains the quarry interesting to check out.
Sure, Les Baux de Provence is peaceful and also distanced from the Mediterranean Sea, nevertheless, the town has a movie established feeling and also is rupturing with background and also beauty. If you desire an enchanting, lower seasoned impact of Southern France, Les Baux de Provence is a wonderful location to check out. You might additionally such as Enchanting Medieval Villages in France – The French Riviera
9. Saint Rémy de Provence
Saint Remy de Provence is an additional lovely, country community situated on the borders of the Alpilles Natural Regional Park. Not just does Saint Remy de Provence have attractive style and also peaceful city surroundings, however its all-natural appeal was additionally the muse of a popular musician.
Vincent Van Gogh resided in Saint Remy for a year, where he inspected himself right into a psychological healthcare facility and also started among his most respected working durations. It remained in Saint Remy that he repainted The Starry Night. Whether you are a Van Gogh follower, art lover, or simply captivated, Saint Remy is a wonderful location for more information regarding art background.
Musee Estrine Presence Van Gogh is the very best destination for finding out more regarding the musician. Glanum is the very best destination for background and also is an old Roman community and also considerable ancient website. You can additionally check out the Monastery Saint Paul de Mausole – the psychological asylum where Van Gogh was confessed. Saint Remy de Provence has great deals to maintain you delighted.
10. Vers Pont Du Gard
Vers Pont Du Gard is an additional town and also, like Saint Remy, has great deals of bordering Roman heritage. The most well-known Roman destination is the Pont du Gard bridge and also aqueduct, which have actually been shielded and also preserved to still stand today. I bear in mind taking our trip in the South of France and also making a detour for the single function of seeing this bridge. Vers Pont Du Gard contains outstanding style, and also if you like seeing locations with personality, you will absolutely remain in for a reward.
Once you’ve gone to the community’s bridge, the Pont du Gard Museum and also Chapel Notre Dame de Laval are the very best tourist attractions to appreciate. You can additionally swim and also fish in the River Gardon. Despite being inland, liing beside a river makes Vers Pont Du Gard a satisfying location also in the elevation of summertime. You aren’t compromising a lot by missing coastline days for river days, and also swimming is revitalizing on a warm day.
11. Arles
Arles is our last suggestion and also quickly among the very best locations to check out in the South of France. In the old Roman duration, Arles was as soon as a rural funding. Today, most of the style and also archaeological sites stay – consisting of Arles Amphitheater.
We suggest capturing an efficiency at the Arles Amphitheater, taking a Van Gogh strolling scenic tour to see the locations which motivated well-known jobs, and also seeing the cloisters at St. Trophime. Arles has great deals of spiritual and also imaginative background, so enable great deals of time for taking in the sights.
The city itself rests on the financial institutions of the Rhone River. It is flanked by the Camargue Nature Reserve and also, while situated inland, is much less than a hr’s drive from several of the very best coastlines on the Riviera. If you are seeking to work with an automobile and also check out great deals of France, Arles is a remarkable base.
Best all-natural locations to check out in the South of France
Now we’ve covered the very best cities and also communities allow’s take a look at the very best all-natural locations to check out in the South of France.
Southern France contains impressive all-natural locations to check out, whether you intend to utilize them as a field trip or simply prepare to remain close by. You ideal have a Google Maps account due to the fact that you’ll require offline maps to head to these areas. These locations are the creme de la creme.
12. Verdon Natural Regional Park
Verdon Natural Regional Park is among the very best locations to check out all-natural tourist attractions, not simply treking tracks and also attractive sights. Located in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the 180,000-hectare park is most recognized for the Gorges du Verdon and also Lake Croix.
The Gorges du Verdon is a 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) lengthy river canyon with a fantastic milklike blue river. Expect wild water rapids and also high high cliffs rising to 700 meters (0.4 mi) on either side of the river. This all-natural marvel is the inmost canyon in France. You can trek to various perspectives, and even publication a rafting experience awhile of additional euphoria. The Gorges du Verdon is a huge bargain and also is referred to as France’s solution to the Grand Canyon.
After leaving the Verdon Gorge, the river runs right out right into the Lake of Sainte-Croix. There are 3 towns along its coasts and also you can choose to get hold of a snack and also swim.
13. Calanques National Park
Calanques National Park covers both sea and also land, and also the 128,000-acre get is positioned on the shoreline a hr’s drive from Marseilles en path to Cassis. If your concept of paradise is seaside walks with surprise coves and also significant high cliff deals with, after that Calanques is an ideal area. It is the only national forest in Europe that lies near city locations and also is both ashore and also sea.
The word ‘Calanques’ defines a dolomite or sedimentary rock inlet – essentially significant light grey or white sea high cliffs. The park contains these attractive locations and also you need to most definitely buy a top quality electronic camera to make sure that you have photos to value after your vacation.
Keep your eyes peeled off while treking too, as the aquatic books are preferred areas for vessels of dolphins. The park has more than 140 varieties of secured pets and also plants, which is a nature enthusiast’s desire.
14. Natural Reserve of the Courant d’Huchet
Compared to the various other areas on this listing, the Natural Reserve of the Courant d’Huchet is small. However, it has several of one of the most striking landscapes and also is quickly among the very best all-natural locations to check out in the South of France. It lies a hr’s drive north of Biarritz and also produces a wonderful outing.
The get is largely marshland however has a coastline in the middle of the park. The coastline has high hillsides of dune that wonderfully contrast the bordered marshes and also woodland. Visitors can head to the coastline to swim and also climb up the dune.
You can additionally trek the network of tracks, identifying indigenous pets and also vegetation as you stroll. If you desire something actually various though, we suggest a watercraft scenic tour. You can work with a watercraft to check out individually or take a scenic tour for an extra useful experience – whichever takes your fancy.
15. Baronnies Provencales Regional Natural Park
Have you ever before seen those artistic lavender area images glued around Instagram? Well, Baronnies Provencales Regional Natural Park is where you can take your really own. Apart from its remote towns and also low-lying hills, Baronnies Provencales contains lavender areas. If you check out the South of France in between June and also September, you need to most definitely make your means to the park to see them.
Baronnies Provencales Regional Natural Park has to do with a hr and also a fifty percent drive from Avignon. You might check out on a day journey or discover lodging in among the park’s towns. Apart from the lavender areas, you’ll discover hundreds of treking tracks and also various other outside tasks.
16. Regional Park of Camargue
Camargue Park is well-known for numerous points, consisting of the as soon as wild herds of Camargue equines. The Camargue equines are extremely treasured in France and also are thought about to be among one of the most old steed types on the planet. While reproduction is purely controlled currently, you could still be fortunate sufficient to identify a semi-feral herd.
Apart from the equines, Camargue Natural Regional Park includes marshes, harsh grazing locations, and also an aquatic get. It is additionally situated along the shoreline, simply beyond Marseilles and also near the city of Arles.
The ideal points to do in Camargue are animal relevant. You can identify flamingoes at Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau and also check out a cattle ranch to take a horseback come through to identify the semi-feral equines from afar.
17. Alpilles Regional Nature Park
Fancy obtaining energetic? Alpilles Regional Nature Park has one of the most to use in regards to cycling, treking, and also horseback riding tracks with lots of rider facilities. With all its limestone rock developments and also high cliffs, there is lots of climbing up chances too.
Alpilles has a wonderful mix of tasks. Whether you desire background, society, a physical fitness obstacle, or a brand-new account image, Alpilles has sufficient variety to match your requirements. It is a pedestrians heaven with treking tracks with yearn woodlands, olive groves, and also wineries.
You can additionally quickly check out the castle, and also quarry art display screen in neighboring Les Baux de Provence which we currently pointed out over.
18. Sainte Baume Natural Regional Park
Sainte Baume Natural Regional Park is where the alpine satisfies the Mediterranean. The park contains significant sedimentary rock hills, ridges, and also evergreen woodlands.
Climbers will certainly enjoy Saint Baume, which is focused around a lengthy hill ridge. There’s a wonderful series of climbing up paths to check out, varying in problem and also design. Sainte Baume additionally holds great deals of spiritual importance. Visitors will certainly discover an underground chamber where Mary Magdalene supposedly lived. The website is preferred among explorers and also can be gotten to through a beautiful woodland course in around forty mins.
19. Pyrenees National Park
Pyrenees National Park is among the very best locations to check out in the South of France. The park rests on the French-Spanish boundary and also we were stunned to discover them in South France. We had actually recognized the Pyrenees from our time in Spain, however we constantly thought about them as additional north. We were stunned to see the hills while travelling in 40-degree warmth to Carcassonne.
From towering fields and also high-altitude lakes to imposing, rugged hills, the park is spectacular. If you desire an interesting, attractive location to check out in Southern France, Pyrenees National Park is container listing worthwhile.
Cirque de Gavarnie is among one of the most well-known tourist attractions in the Pyrenees of France. A circle is a huge high cliff face that contours fit like a substantial, all-natural amphitheater. Cirque de Gavarnie is best recognized for its numerous falls, which cascade the high cliff wall surfaces.
Apart from the Cirque de Gavarnie, the park contains treking tracks, limitless outside tasks, and also climbing up chances. If you enjoy hill climbing up specifically, you’ll enjoy it right here.
20. Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park
Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park is a nature get firstly, which we enjoy. The park satisfies tourist however in eco-friendly means, and also there are tourist attractions like an eco-museum and also bird refuge to check out.
The park beings in southwest France, consisting of some seaside locations and also some inland. Visitors can kayak down rivers, swim in all-natural lakes, or trek the various tracks. Landes de Gascogne is a tranquil, attractive park that is rupturing with nature. Visitors can value being bordered by numerous various varieties of vegetation and also animals.
21. Narbonnaise en Mediterranee Natural Regional Park
Narbonnaise en Mediterranee is a varied area. You’ll discover coastlines, high cliffs, woodlands, and also also wineries. The wineries are especially preferred, and also some individuals describe the park as the land of a glass of wine.
You can go a glass of wine sampling, go, or choose an outdoor camping escape. Narbonnaise en Mediterranee has to do with a hr and also a fifty percent’s drive from Montpellier and also Toulouse. It rests on the Mediterranean shoreline and also is preferably integrated with a coastline vacation. If you desire someplace to a glass of wine preference and also check out, it is a tiny, attractive, and also simple all-natural location to check out in Southern France.
22. Mercantour National Park
A sensational 167,297-acre park, Mercantour is a mix of towering lakes, uneven range of mountains, and also great deals of breathtaking treking tracks. Even far better? It is simply a hr’s repel from Nice.
The park varies and also fairly unvisited contrasted to France’s various other national forests. For those that make the journey however, there are limitless benefits. You’ll uncover small towns and also hill areas where lots of people still live off of the land. You can example decadent cheeses and also luxurious honey and also perhaps even bring some residence as a keepsake.
After valuing the social side of Mercantour, you can dive right right into its outside tasks. Hike, bike, climb, swim, and also flight till your heart is material.
It’s obvious that the South of France is enchanting. This is simply the pointer of the iceberg of locations to check out in the South of France.
We really hope that this aided offer you a feeling of what you can see and also do from strolling rock roads in middle ages communities or relaxing on sandy coastlines on the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. All of these locations to check out in the South of France deserve seeing. Glamorous, historic, and also normally attractive, the South of France makes certain to assure memories for a life time.
