How To Have An Epic South Of France Street Journey [Video]

Our two-week highway journey by the South of France — particularly from Good to Marseille by automobile — actually was wealthy.

And I don’t simply imply with fatty cheeses and generously poured glasses of crimson wine.

Usually after I journey I discover myself holed up in my AirBnB typing away for work extra usually that I’d prefer to admit; nonetheless, this journey was completely different.

Even when I wished to extend my display time it could have been onerous.

Hey, it’s no straightforward feat prying your eyes away from Provence’s infinite rows of cabernet and olive bushes or the attractive seashores and seashore golf equipment of the French Riviera.

There’s little question we had an incredible time, although it wasn’t till after I’d returned dwelling that I actually considered what precisely made Provence a spot I’d advocate.

Sure, there are particular challenges relating to driving (no offense, the French are loopy) and cultural variations; nonetheless, when you perceive these you’ll have a a lot simpler time having fun with the plethora of issues to do.

Let’s dive into methods to plan the proper southern France itinerary and highway journey!

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Free Assets For Your South Of France Street Journey

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When you’ve grabbed your copy, maintain studying for the highway journey itinerary for the South of France.

Street Journey South Of France [Video]

Psst – wish to see this South France journey come to life by video? Try this quick movie we fabricated from our journey!

This journey was simply as enjoyable because it seems to be and is nice for these touring in a gaggle or these doing a little solo journey in France. Be happy to steal the itinerary for your self when planning a highway journey.

South Of France Street Journey Overview

The next journey itinerary takes you thru the next locations:

Good (with day journeys to Eze for a medieval village, Monaco for a VIP afternoon, and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for the Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild; here’s a extremely rated tour choice for visiting these spots)
Cannes (with day journeys to St. Tropez/Ramatuelle for seashores, Gassin for wine tasting, and La Croix Valmer for seashores and climbing)
Moissac Bellevue (we stayed at a woodland set horse farm then had been about 20 minutes from Verdon Gorge)
Hyeres (the cobbled commune itself is enjoyable to discover, is close to lovely seashores, and is accessible to the untouched Port Cros Island)
Aix-en-Provence (my private favourite spot of the journey as a result of small quiet metropolis stuffed with facilities and accessibility to lovely Provence farmland, a tacky rooftop lunch at La Fromagerie Du Passage, and a day journey biking outdoors town with Arthur of Secrets and techniques d’ici are musts!)
Marseille (don’t miss climbing within the city Calanques Nationwide Park, which doesn’t really feel city in any respect and is accessible to lovely port cities and seashores)

You’ll be able to drive straight from Good to Marseille in 3 hours or much less, so the itinerary means that you can see and expertise rather a lot with out having to drive a ton every day to get from place to position.

South Of France Street Journey Experiences

Positive, there are many nice locations with various actions; nonetheless, the South of France takes it to a different stage. For me, the Good to Marseille route is without doubt one of the finest highway journeys in France.

We beloved with the ability to hop in a automobile and inside an hour be at a very new place.

The gorgeous village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Beautiful!

Alongside each winding coastal or mountainside drive there have been quite a few medieval villages, scenic adventures, lovely seashores, buzzworthy wineries, scrumptious eating places, and extra to find.

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The place To Eat In Good

We had a little bit of a rocky begin in Good, and I’m not referring to the seashores (that are attractive, however rocky).

It primarily needed to do with the driving. French drivers, particularly in Good, actually zoom round with no guidelines, driving into oncoming visitors, swerving onto sidewalks, and chopping you off.

It was rather a lot to deal with at first, although we had been joyful we had the automobile for the numerous day journeys we did and for persevering with our journey.

Issues instantly took a flip for the higher once we parked the automobile to discover on foot, particularly in Outdated City the place we had our first native meal at A Buteghinna.

The restaurant holds a “Delicacies Nissarde” certification, which means they uphold the traditions of Niçoise delicacies, regionally particular from “French delicacies.”

From the panisse (stylish pea fries) to the soupe au pistou (a basil soup) each dish took us on an academic culinary journey, telling the story of Good’s relationship with Italy and town’s Mediterranean location.

Savoring conventional Niçoise delicacies at A’

From a typical Good dinner in a neighborhood dwelling by BonAppetour to native avenue meals like socca (fried stylish pea bread) and pan-bagnat (Nicoise salad on bread) we immersed ourselves in native Good meals, although considered one of our favourite meals was on the globally-inspired Le Vingt4.

The venue sources one of the best regional substances on this planet with wines from the identical place to pair.

In basic Mediterranean style, the chef let the flavors communicate for themselves, protecting substances as uncooked as potential.

Easy but decadent is one of the best description.

I imply Brie de Meaux laced with mascarpone and winter truffle paired with Herbelet Champagne Grand Cru?

The French actually do take note of element and make consuming an expertise whether or not it’s native or international delicacies.

Seasonal ravioli at Le Vingt 4

Day Journeys From Cannes

And the wine is essential, too. Cannes is nice, however we opted for fixed day-tripping over spending a lot time within the metropolis. That is once we had been launched to the wine and journey of the Côte d’Azur.

The vacation spot in thoughts for our Cannes day journey was La Croix Valmer to hike Les 3 Caps (the Three Capes) from the Plage de Gigaro (Gigaro Seashore).

To begin with, WOW. Do that hike, even when only a part. You’ll stroll alongside the coast, into pine woodland, and on high of a hill for aerial Mediterranean vistas.

Cap Lardier

Whereas I like to recommend a lot of water and sunscreen, the showering go well with is non-obligatory if you make use of these seashores for a settle down.

No images of our skinny dipping session (sorry!), however right here we’re having enjoyable on the seashore beforehand.

Cooling off

After the hike we had plans to go to St. Tropez, driving by the purchasing space after which ending on the well-known Pampelonne Seashore, which is definitely in close by Ramatuelle.

We’d heard this seashore was considerably posh, however what we discovered was an excellent chill three-mile stretch of white sand.

Even higher, we found Domaine Bertaud Belieu in close by Gassin — subsequent to St Tropez — alongside the way in which.

Situated within the Var Division, we discovered ourselves immersed in vineyards from many wineries (domaines), although this one caught out when it comes to magnificence.

The old-world structure gave it a whimsical really feel, and once we got a complimentary 10-tasting degustation we knew we’d made the proper alternative.

We purchased two bottles (15 Euros / ~$17 USD complete!) to point out our appreciation and savor the native flavors.

Having a greater time in France as soon as we realized the rule about pleasantries

What Is Thought of Provence? PACA? The South Of France?

So earlier than Andy and I booked our journey to France we wished to go to “Provence”; nonetheless, we couldn’t fairly perceive what Provence really was.

We pictured a countryside stuffed with aromatic lavender, mourvèdre grapes and cheese farms, however the place was Provence?

We knew it was a area, however was there a selected place one stayed to expertise “Provence?”

For some time, we thought Aix-en-Provence was Provence, however truly, Aix is a small metropolis inside Provence.

We had been additionally unclear if cities like Good and Cannes had been thought of Provence. Throughout our highway journey from Good to Marseille we realized the route really fell into the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Area (PACA), with locations like Good, Cannes, and St. Tropez being a part of the Côte d’Azur and locations like Verdon, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille being a part of Provence.

Wine tasting at Domaine Bertaud Belieu

All of them fall into the bigger PACA area, although, and there’s some discrepancy.

As an example, when asking a gaggle of locals in Aix-en-Provence whether or not St. Tropez was in Provence or not, they argued with one another in regards to the reply.

There may be clearly some overlap with the sub-regions inside PACA.

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PACA is considered one of France’s 22 administrative areas and encompasses six departments. Keep in any of those locations and easily get misplaced, uncover, and revel in.

There are such a lot of great villages in Provence and past to discover and fall in love with.

A Moissac-Bellevue Resort In The Countryside

Bustling hotspots like Good, Cannes, and St. Tropez had been nice; although when it comes to satiating our longing for countryside a horse farm in Moissac-Bellevue — lower than two hours from St. Tropez — did the trick.

The epic South of France keep allowed us an evening of consuming our Bertaud Belieu wine (Laure, the lady proudly owning the farm, additionally gave us selfmade lemon wine) and stargazing from our cabin. There was no electrical energy, although Laure offered lanterns.

Andy and I sat for 4 hours photographing the evening sky, telling ghost tales, and getting tipsy earlier than falling right into a deep slumber, the sound of whinnying horses our evening lullaby.

Within the morning, we awoke early — the one evening of the journey we bought up earlier than 10:30am — to an al fresco breakfast of selfmade preserves to unfold on toast.

Taking a break from life at a quiet horse farm

Strawberry, fig, prune, mandarin, raspberry, and apricot had been just some of the numerous spectacular flavors giving us a sugar rush for the day forward at close by Gorges du Verdon (Verdon Gorge).

The geography right here is fascinating; not solely is that this place naturally lovely with its vibrant inexperienced river and dramatic rock formations, however the River Verdon splits the departments of Var (as within the Mediterranean wine area talked about above) and Alpes de Haute Provence (an Alpine ecosystem and in addition a wine area).

Verdon Gorge Kayaking

There are a lot of locations round Verdon Gorge you may select to go. Laure knowledgeable us the 2 sides of the Gorge are each breathtaking and really completely different.

We determined to make our manner towards Moustiers Sainte Marie, which appeared to pop up fairly a bit on the Web; nonetheless, plans modified throughout the journey.

Are you seeing a sample right here? There’s no must plan in Provence. Adventures pop up at each flip.

Taking a look at Verdon Gorge from above

Image this: we’re driving alongside the winding mountain route D952, switching forwards and backwards between shady forest and open skies.

Instantly, a flash of vibrant neon green-blue seems out of the nook of my eye. Lake Verdon.

It peeks by open patches of tree till the highway and my view are utterly unobstructed. Wow.

We attain a bridge connecting the 2 departments that stretches over the river, and we get out to seize the enduring images we’d seen on-line.

It’s then we discover the plethora of tourists canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boating on the waters; a serene scene that rapidly adjustments our alternative from climbing to kayaking.

From this bridge, we see quite a few rental facilities from above and drive right down to lease a kayak for 26 Euros ($29 USD) for 2 hours.

The paddling journey is scenic, permitting us to absorb the gorge from beneath because the cliffside swallows us up, in addition to pleasant.

We get supplied photographs of whiskey by a passing boat of Swiss vacationers, soar out to swim within the chilly waters, and submit up on the quite a few seashores alongside the way in which.

Verdon Gorge completed proper! Making associates over whiskey.

Provence Journey Adventures

What was fascinating to me was what number of outside adventures and nationwide parks there have been alongside the journey, significantly in Provence.

I anticipated medieval cities, vineyards, and lavender farms; I didn’t anticipate to be kayaking deep gorges or climbing coastal capes.

It actually allowed for an all-encompassing journey. And these nationwide parks aren’t simply within the countryside, however within the cities.

As an example, Marseille not solely allowed us to remain in a homey family-run fort full with a pool, onsite climbing trails, and expansive terrace views however to go to an city nationwide park.

Calanques Nationwide Park encompasses 201 sq. miles, together with the rugged terrain of the Massif des Calanques, which Andy and I hiked and scrambled.

Taking within the view from Marseilleveyre Peak, probably the greatest day journeys from Marseille for nature lovers!

Our information took us alongside the dolomite cliffside and up Marseilleveyre Peak for 360-degree views from 433 meters (1,421 ft).

The breathtaking view showcased the glowing Mediterranean and Bay of Marseilles in addition to the city panorama.

Biking In Aix-en-Provence

Presumably our favourite views, ones that actually showcased the wonder and pure prosperity of Provence, got here throughout our time in Aix-en-Provence.

We met our information Arthur of Secrets and techniques d’ici in entrance of Bee’s Cycloplanet for a personal electrical bike tour.

Whereas electrical bikes aren’t but in style in america, in Europe you may lease them to make beautiful hilly rides doable (I wouldn’t have been in a position to full this route with out it!).

E-Biking within the Provence countryside

The journey took us outdoors of town for vistas of mountains, lavender fields, olive groves, historic farmhouses, and infinite rows of grenache and cabernet.

We even bought two tastes of Provence; one at Domaine de Saint Ser the place we savored a tasting of natural rosés, and one throughout lunch within the small village of Puyloubier.

We dined in a good looking courtyard lined with fountains and bundles of wine grapes on the luxurious Le Relais de Saint Ser Puyloubier.

Right here native wine was paired with selfmade dishes crafted from native Provençal substances. Think about roast hen served in a prawn bisque and topped with mini crepes and peas, adopted by a decadent apricot tart smothered in wild fruit coulis and selfmade whipped cream.

And I didn’t even really feel unhealthy. By the tip, we’d biked 31 lovely miles, sufficient to let me have my cake and eat it, too.

Again at our guesthouse, L’Epicerie, we cozied up within the in-room Jacuzzi and toasted with glasses of bubbly to an epic highway journey.

Ending Tip: When planning a visit to the South of France the toughest factor can be deciding the place to cease and the place to skip, particularly in the event you’ve by no means been and haven’t any psychological picture of the land. Know this: anyplace you keep you’ll be near myriad completely different locations.

As an example, Good is simply 20 minutes from Eze, 40 minutes from Monaco, and 40 minutes from Cannes. Aix en Provence is 25 minutes from Marseille and an hour from Avignon.

My level: don’t stress about the place to go.

When you don’t like the place you booked use it as a base for unbelievable day journeys or simply drive round and see what you discover.

South Of France Street Journey Map

That will help you simply take pleasure in a highway journey by the South of France, here’s a Google map with the above-mentioned locations pre-plotted: