- femmevoyage0
French Riviera and Provence Road Tour
Road tours are an excellent way of exploring a country further and more organically. Often you will come across a hidden gem which you would have otherwise have missed, such as this display of vintage cars I came across in Provence by the road side.
It also means you can take more control over your travels, and decide for yourself which destinations you will be travelling to. A much more immersive experience, they are filled with memories that will keep you entertained for years to come. European tours historically were tradition for wealthy Aristocratic families, and can be a way of adding exclusivity to your next holiday if you are looking for some extra adventure.
Having said that, road tours typically require more planning. However, it is particularly rewarding to see your plans come into fruition, as well as the unplanned and more spontaneous gems that appear along the way.
Over the years I have done multiple European tours, which have typically involved either one country at a time or multiple countries driving across Europe. Recently I was going through my travel archives, and thought it would be useful for others to have access to a road tour without having to plan every detail themselves. Or, if you would be inspired by this article to plan your own tour, or use some of the destinations as inspiration, that would also be a great outcome.
This particular article focuses on a tour of the South of France, with incredible destinations along the way, some of which I had not heard of prior to this tour, but will remember forever now due to their incredible beauty.
1. Arrival in Nice
Although some prefer to use their own car for a tour, and drive to the start destination via their own car, this can be impractical for a series of reasons. Firstly, road tours require many miles, which you many not want to add to your own personal car. Secondly, if you are from a country where AC is not typically required for the majority of the year, your AC may not be quite up to the standard required if completing a road tour of the South of France in the heat of the summer. You may also require further boot storage that your day-to-day car does not provide. You may also be going on this tour with friends or family members and require more space. For these reasons, flying to your starting point and hiring a car upon arrival can be a more practical solution.
A great starting point for this road tour is hence Nice. Flying into Nice airport, you can organise car hire on your arrival from
many well-known providers, and begin your tour with a solid start. It helps that Nice itself is beautiful. A favourite hotel of mine in Nice is Le Meridien Nice, located right on the Promenade des Anglais, with panoramic views of the aqua blue ocean, a rooftop pool and bar, and hotel room views out of a movie scene. Another good hotel option for Nice which I have also enjoyed is Hotel Aria.
Continuing on from Nice, once you have explored all the shops and restaurants, you can drive to Monte Carlo via the three Corniches roads. The most spectacular of the three Corniches is the Grand Corniche. This road was ordered to be built by Napoleon, is the oldest and also has the most spectacular views of the French Riviera as it is the highest.
Once you have explored Monte Carlo, perhaps visiting the famous casino and visiting nearby Monaco, you can continue on your tour, travelling a little more inland to truly explore the hidden gems of the French Riviera.
2. Saint Paul de Vence
Just under an hours drive from Monte Carlo lies Saint Paul de Vence, where many celebrities live and have once lived, including Pablo Picasso. It is a medieval village and is described as an artistic mecca. Many celebrities choose to stay in Colombe d'Or. If you would prefer to stay just outside of the medieval village, perhaps with some more privacy and quiet, I can highly recommend this villa hotel. With its own pool overlooking the beautiful village of Saint Paul de Vence, and a more exclusive feel, this hotel is an exceptional option.
3. Aix-en-Provence
Continuing on from Saint Paul de Vence, you can drive 2 hours to Aix-en-Provence. Known for its colourful markets, excellent cuisine and Cezanne the artist, it is a beautiful location for your tour. Along the drive you will see beautiful lavender and sunflower fields, particularly if you take the A roads as they provide a more scenic route.
In Aix-en-Provence you can complete the Cezanne art trail, and stay in Hotel St Christophe for a quick stay to be close to nearby shops and restaurants in the centre. Or if you are looking at spending more time in Aix-en-Provence and wouldn't mind being further away from the centre, perhaps you could stay in your very own Chateau at Chateau de la Gaude, an 18th century beautiful property in Aix-en-Provence. With its own vineyards, spa and restaurant, this seems like the perfect retreat to relax at during your tour of Provence.
4. L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Gordes, and Roussillon
About an hour's drive from Aix-en-Provence, going further inland, are the towns of L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Gordes and Roussillon. Each a beauty of their own with unique attractions to offer. L'Isle sur la Sorgue is a very picturesque town known for its markets held every Sunday from around 8am and are definitely worth a visit. As well as a general market, which may be of even more interest is their antiques market where you will be amazed by the selection of beautiful antiques to decorate your home with.
Gordes and Roussillon have beautiful viewpoints where you can park on the side of the road and see these villages from afar. Inside they offer art galleries as well as hiking trails, perfect to stretch your legs if you feel the car journeys have been reducing your daily step count (tip: they definitely won't do if you are exploring these towns on foot!). Below are some of my favourite photographs I took during my road tour in Gordes and Roussillon, it would be incredible if you could post some of your photos in the comments below.
Finally, the last stop of your South of France tour is Carcassonne. I have written an entire blog about the magic and beauty of Carcassonne here. Personally I think Carcassonne is an excellent choice to end your road tour of the South of France. For me, there is no place that holds quite the same magic and charm that Carcassonne does, and I hope you are also able to experience this too.
FEMME VOYAGE x
