South of France

January 21, 2023

South of France - incredible 10 day travel itinerary

Our 10 day south of France guide covers everything you need to know to plan the ultimate trip to this bucket list destination. If you’re wanting to explore the French Riviera, we definitely recommend making Nice your home base. This is especially true if you’re planning on traveling around by public transport. If you are planning on making Nice your home base, we have a very detailed post here that covers everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful city. 

Nice has an incredible amount of connections to nearby towns and villages by train and bus at very affordable rates. In fact, most places on the Cote d’Azur can be reached from Nice. Our 10 day guide covers all the best villages and towns nearby to Nice that we think should be on any south of France itinerary. We provide information on how to get there, how much time you need and what to see and do in each location.

You can fit in so much

We did this exact 10 day south of France itinerary in summer 2022. It was our first trip and we were surprised at how much we were able to fit. We didn’t feel like we packed too much in and had plenty of time for going to the beach and slow afternoons sipping on lemonade in Nice’s old town. Nice is a very trendy destination, and you could certainly spend quite a few days soaking up the atmosphere in the city, but the unique and gorgeous surrounding towns were definitely the highlight for us!

Tip: avoid the biggest mistake we made. If you ask for water at a restaurant they will give you bottled still or sparkling water. They will never bring you tap water. To save yourself the money, ask for a carafe of water by saying the following  ‘carafe d’eau s’il vous plaît’.

Couple embracing at dusk in front of colourful town

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Menton at sunset

In this article

10 day South of France itinerary: overview

Day 1: Nice (arrive)

Day 2: Menton + Monaco

Day 3: Eze Village + Villefranche-sur-mer

Day 4: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild + Beaulieu-sur-Mer

Day 5: Marseille

Day 6: Cassis and the calanques

Day 7: Marseille + Nice

Day 8: Cap d’Ail

Day 9: Nice beach day

Day 10: Nice (depart)

Highlights map for 10 days south of France itinerary

How to get to Nice

To start your 10 days south of France itinerary you will most likely be flying into Nice. We have used Nice as the home base for this entire itinerary as we think it is the most convenient location due to its: 

  1. Proximity to an international airport 
  2. Train and bus connections to nearby villages and beaches 
  3. Accommodation and restaurant options
  4. Sightseeing options for your downtime   

You will pick up flights direct to Nice from most destinations in Europe as well as further afield in the US, North Africa and the Middle East. The closest airport is Nice Cote d’Azur Airport, an international airport situated just 8km away from the city centre. It is the third busiest airport in France after the two that service Paris so that gives you an idea of how popular this destination is! 

Nice airport to the city

Getting from Nice airport into the city is very easy! So easy you don’t need to bother with pre-booking anything or pre-planning transport. Inside the airport you’ll see signs directing you to the tram (light rail). Take tram line 2 in the direction of Port Lympia for €1.50 each way. There are multiple stops in town depending on where your hotel is. The main stop in the city centre is Jean Médecin. The whole journey won’t take longer than 30 minutes. The tram leaves the airport every 8 minutes and runs from around 4am to 11.30pm depending on the day. You can find more information including timetables here.

How to get around southern France

Before diving into this 10 days south of France itinerary, I wanted to cover off the basics on how to get around the French Riviera. We think southern France is one of the easiest regions to travel around by public transport that we have ever experienced! It’s so well interconnected and affordable. Below we cover off all the major options for traveling around southern France including public and private transport.

The incredible pink-hued Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Walking 

While in Nice you will be able to get around almost exclusively on foot. When traveling larger distances there is a tram line you can take but it won’t save you much time. 

Public transport 

To get to destinations around the south of France form Nice you will want to take public transport. It’s quick, affordable and you won’t have to worry about traffic and parking.  

Train 

There are two train stations in Nice, Nice Ville and Nice Riquier. If you’re booking your tickets in advance be sure to check which station is closer to your accommodation. Nice Ville is to the north west of the old town. If you’re planning on staying close to the promenade this will probably be the closer option for you. Nice Riquier is further east, just above Quartier du Port. We found using the Trainline app to book our tickets ahead of time to be very easy and convenient. The prices are the same, and the schedule is accurate and up to date.  

Bus 

You will find that the train will get you to most surrounding villages much quicker than the bus, but there are exceptions. A notable example is Èze. The train station goes to the town on the coast, whereas most people want to visit the village at the top of the hill which can only be reached by bus. Bus tickets can be bought from the bus driver, just bring cash with you (typically a ticket will cost you €1.5 each way). 

Tours 

If you’d rather avoid the hassle of organising your own day trips, you will find plenty of tours leaving Nice that visit surrounding towns and villages. This tour goes to the village of Èze, Monaco, Monte Carlo, and Antibes over 10 hours and costs €75. Or you can opt for a half day tour like this one to Èze, Monaco, & Monte-Carlo for €40. 

Car

None of the locations we have included in this guide require you to have a car as they are all very easily accessed by public transport. Arguably a lot of destinations are much more convenient to visit by public transport due to the availability and cost of parking in many villages. If you do need to hire a car, there are plenty of options in Nice both at the airport and in town. This is a hugely popular destination, so booking your hire car in advance will help you to secure a good price and the kind of vehicle you are after. If you’re driving make sure you plan your days so that you are arriving at your destination early in the morning so that you can find parking, and also make sure you’re factoring in parking fees in your budget as this will add up. 

Nice travel guide:Where to stay

We suggest that you try to stay in the area between the train station and the old town / beach. These are the areas of Le Carré d’Or (green in map above), Thiers (red in map aboce) or Carabacel (purple in map above). We split our visit between staying very close to the train station for a few days, and then a few days very close to the promenade.

Hôtel Byakko Nice

At Hotel Byakko Nice we paid €490.50 for 3 nights in August 2022 (the MOST EXPENSIVE time of year to visit Nice). The hotel’s location was perfect for day trips, being only a 6 minute walk to the train station. It was also only a 15 minute walk into the old town and a 20 minute walk to the promenade. We really liked this hotel. The staff were really friendly, the aircon was cold, and the room was perfect for a few nights with enough space to spread out our luggage. An added bonus was the rooftop here, perfect for a rose at the end of the day. 

Hôtel de la Fontaine

We also stayed at Hotel de le Fontaine and paid €585 for 4 nights in August 2022. It was only a 2 minute walk to the promenade, which was perfect for our beach days, and sunsets on the beach with a pizza and a bottle of wine. It was a 15 minute walk into the old town, and a 15 minute walk to the train station (or take the tram for €1.50 and you will cut down walking time to just 7 minutes). The distance to the promenade was our favourite thing about this hotel, but again the staff were incredibly friendly and the rooms were super spacious for a few nights.  

The colourful streets of Villefranche-sur-Mer

10 day south of France itinerary: Day 1 Nice (arrive)

Destination: Nice

  • Flower markets and historic squares
  • Viewpoints and impressive ports

Nice is such an incredible city. I’m not usually a huge fan of cities, particularly during peak season, but Nice was charming despite the crowds, vibrant despite the heat and fun despite its (understandable) popularity. 

Once you’re settled into your hotel, we suggest you check out the following:   

Place Massena 

This historic square in Nice is easily recognised by its large red buildings and unusual black and white geometric tiled floor. It’s located just outside of the Old Town and makes for a great place to start your own city tour. You can take in the views and people watch at a nearby restaurant, or go shopping along the boulevard. 

Cours Saleya market 

This outdoor market hosts multiple different kinds of markets with the most popular being the fresh flower market held on Tuesdays to Sundays. The flower stalls stay open until about 5.30 in the afternoon and the light at this time is very beautiful. Between June and September there is also a night market which is mostly crafts. Cours Saleya is located in the old town on a pedestrian street.      

Viuex Nice 

Vieux Nice is Nice’s incredible old town. You’ll likely head here most evenings for dinner, but it’s good to get yourself familiar with the area on your first day. You don’t need to plan out a route really, it’s not that big of an area. A couple of notable stops include Cathedral of Saint Reparata and Musée du Palais Lascaris. The beautiful narrow cobblestone streets are filled with stores selling Niçoise and Provençal goods. This is where you will find most restaurants, from busy pubs to affordable socca eateries.

Left: Viuex Nice, Right: Massena Place

Hike up to Castle Hill

You can’t miss Castle Hill. It dominates the landscape in Nice and will be one of the first things you notice. It divides Nice, separating the Old Town and the Old Port, offering gorgeous views over both. The steps up to Castle Hill will only take 10 minutes from the promenade, but there is also an elevator built into the rock that can take you up for free (you’ll see signs pointing you to where it is). From the top is where people take the most recognisable photos of Nice, absolute bliss at sunset!  

Explore Port Lympia

On the other side of Castle Hill is the old port where tours depart for Cannes and St Tropez, such as this one. Huge mega yachts line the harbour, alongside small colourful wooden boats that are called pointus. You can visit by descending Castle Hill from the opposite side to where you came up. 

During the summer there is a free historic boat ride called Lou Passagin, that takes you across Port Lympia. The attraction opens mid May and runs for 4 months between 10am and 7pm (no reservation needed). Just keep an eye out for signs directing you to the boats.     

Cathedral St Nicholas

This orthodox Russian church is located a little bit out of town. It is a 30 minute walk or 20 minute tram ride from the Old Town. However, the architecture alone is worth the effort. If you find that you have extra time this is definitely worth putting on your itinerary!  

Left: Castle Hill, Nice at sunset, Right: Port Lympia

10 day south of France itinerary: Day 2 Monaco + Menton

Destination: Monaco + Menton

  • Discover the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo
  • Explore the prettiest town in the south of France, right on the border of Italy

The best part about staying in Nice is its proximity to some of the best villages and beaches on the Cote d’Azur. We suggest you get an early(ish) start today and wait until you reach Monaco to get your morning coffee and pastry. You’ll spend the morning exploring the glitzy Monaco, and then in the afternoon you’ll go to what we consider the prettiest town in the south of France, Menton.  

Monaco 

How to get there

Monaco is a 20 minute train ride from Nice Ville. Take the train towards Ventimiglia (Ventimille), getting off at Monaco – Monte Carlo (€2-4 each way).

How much time you need

3 hours (more if you’re going to the casino).

What to do 

The glamorous world of Monaco is certainly worth visiting, even if you’re not interested in visiting the casino (we weren’t) or the insane cars (we weren’t).There are two main areas to visit, Monaco Ville where the Prince’s Palace is located, and Monte Carlo where to casino is located. Monaco is known to be quite expensive, but you can still very much do it on a budget by catching the train in and not staying for lunch or dinner.  

Get a coffee at Cafe de Paris

Start your day with a coffee and pastry from Cafe de Paris which sits in front of Monte Carlo casino. It’s a great spot to people watch and for those interested in cars you will see plenty coming and going from the hotel in front of the casino. Prices are high here, this was actually the only money we spent in Monaco and for the location we thought it was certainly worth a coffee stop!   

Walk around Monte Carlo

This glitzy neighbourhood is home to the casino, as well as high end stores and is the location of many films including Ocean’s Twelve and Iron Man 2. This is also where you’ll find the famous formula 1 hairpin. Just put Fairmont Hairpin Curve Formula 1 into Google maps. Behind the casino a lot of car owners park their cars for people to be able to get a closer look, it was a bit of a spontaneous car meet when we were there! We didn’t go into the casino, but if you want to be aware that the entry fee is €17, and you will need to be wearing appropriate clothes (smart attire). 

Stroll around the harbour

Once you’ve had your fix of Monte Carlo, walk down towards the habour to awe at the enormous yachts. More than just super yachts however, the harbour itself is very beautiful and it makes for a lovely walk to the Old Town. The Monte Carlo Harbour is one of the most famous harbours in the world. It’s best viewed from the Old Town (see point below).  

Visit the Old Town (Monaco-Ville)

For the best views over Monaco, take Rampe de la Major to get to Place du Palais. This is where you’ll find the viewpoints for typical shots of Monaco you’ll see on social media. The Old Town was way more beautiful than I expected! The orange and yellow hues of the buildings set against the Mediterranean in all directions is absolutely stunning. The Prince’s Palace is located here, the traditional Grimaldi Palace, where Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques currently live. Expect to spend most of your time here.  

Jardins de Saint-Martin

This free to visit garden is the perfect spot to find some shade and escape the crowds for a little while. Head to Port de Fontvieille viewpoint, near the palace of justice for the best views. You’ll also find the Oceanographic Museum here. 

Check out our detailed guide to Monaco here.

View of Monaco’s port from Place du Palais

Menton

How to get there

You will need to take the train to Menton from Monaco. Take the line towards Ventimiglia (Ventimille) and hop off at Mention station after about 20 minutes (€2-4 each way).You’ll need to walk 15 minutes into town from here.

On your way back, you can take the train back to Nice which will take you 40 minutes and cost €3-5 each way. Factor in that you need to walk to the train station.  

How much time you need

2-3 hours (aim for sunset!) 

What do do 
Wander around the Old Town 

You can wander through the streets of this beautiful pastel town for hours and you will mostly have it to yourself. There are small pockets that are busy, but the majority of the area is very quiet and calm. There’s not too much happening in the old town. We had hoped to get some lunch once we arrived but struggled to really find much open. It’s a sleepy town, but we thought that made it extra special!  

Basilica of Saint Michael Archangel

If you google Menton, you’ll probably see a photo of this stunning church! The geometric staircase leading up to the basilica is very photogenic. Head to Ramp Saint-Michel for the best angle to capture it. 

Quai Impératrice Eugénie for the best photo spot

Walk down to the port and along the port walls at Quai Impératrice Eugénie for a fantastic viewpoint back towards the pastel skyline. If you can plan your trip to coincide with sunset we highly recommend this. Menton is famed to have one of the most beautiful harbours in all of Cote d’Azur. 

Go for a swim at Plage des Sablettes

If you’re looking for a beach day, definitely consider Menton. Plage des Sablettes is very large, sandy, and there are even bathrooms here! There are of course a few beach clubs if you prefer but either way you’ll have stunning views of the colourful buildings in Menton set against the backdrop of the vast Italian mountains.   

Pick up some lemon products 

Bordered by Italy, Menton is famous for its citrus. You’ll find citrus products such as jams, preserves and limoncello in boutique stores all around the old town. There’s even a lemon festival (La Fête du Citron) in February-March every year.

Check out our detailed guide to Menton here.

10 day south of France itinerary: Day 3 Èze Village + Villefranche-sur-mer

Destination: Èze Village + Villefranche-sur-Mer

  • Wander around an exotic garden with the best views in the south of France
  • Spend some time on a wide sandy beach with a picturesque backdrop

Today you’ll explore the hilltop town of Èze that looks straight out of a fairytale. Then in the afternoon you’ll visit picturesque beaches before heading back to Nice for the evening.   

Èze

How to get there

You need to be careful about getting to Èze. There is Èze village and then the beach at Èze-sur-Mer. Most people visit the village, which is a hilltop town. The best way to reach the village is by bus. The train will take you to the beach which is then a 45+ minute steep hike to the village. We personally took the bus to Èze village, then hiked down to Èze-sur-Mer and took the train back. This is what you will want to do today as you will stop at Villefranche-sur-Mer on your way back to Nice.  

Bus 82 leaves from Vauban bus station (€1.50 each way) and will take you straight to Èze village in about 20 minutes. The train will cost €2-3 each way and will take you to Èze-sur-Mer in 13 minutes, but you will then need to hike for over 45 minutes to reach the village. 

How much time you need

Give yourself half a day if you’re going to walk down to the beach, or 2 hours if you’re only visiting the village. 

What to do
Wander the old town 

Èze may be the most pretty and photogenic village in all of Cote d’Azur. Take some time to wander through the maze of alleys that are full of boutique stores, art galleries and traditional cafes, restaurants and hotels. For a particularly pretty corner, head to 30 Rue Principale. Even in the middle of summer, we had no trouble finding plenty of spots all throughout the old town where there wasn’t a single other person. 

Le Jardin Exotique garden

This is the reason most people visit Èze village. This beautiful botanical garden sits at the very top of town with panoramic views over the Mediterranean. Entry costs €3.50 – €6 (depending on whether you’re a student or adult). There are incredible viewpoints all throughout the gardens. Beware that the entire garden is very exposed, so in the heat of the day it won’t be very pleasant. Try to aim for early morning or later in the afternoon to visit.    

Hike Nietzsche Path

The famous Nietzsche Path is the hike between Èze village and Èze-sur-Mer that the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche apparently climbed every day when he was living on the French Riviera in the late nineteenth century. It is steep in parts, but there are stone steps in all of the areas that need them. Walking down is absolutely fine, but if you plan to walk up make sure you’re prepared with proper walking shoes and water and avoid the middle of the day. We encountered a few groups walking uphill in the middle of the day in bathing suits and none of them were having a good time! 

Swim at Plage d’Èze-sur-Mer

If you start or end your visit in Èze-sur-Mer it’s definitely worth stopping at Plage d’Èze-sur-Mer for a quick swim. This picturesque beach is right in front of the train station. It’s pretty small and does get completely shaded in the afternoon. 

Left: Èze’s Old Town, Right: View from Le Jardin Exotique garden

Villefranche-sur-Mer 

How to get there

After your hike down to Èze-sur-Mer, take the train back towards Nice for 7 minutes and get off at Villefranche-sur-Mer (€1-3 each way). 

If you’re not visiting Èze and are going straight from Nice Ville, take the train towards Ventimiglia (Ventimille) for 10 minutes and get off at Villefranche-sur-Mer (€1-3 each way).

How much time you need

2 hours is plenty.

What to do 
Explore the Old Town 

Another colourful fishing village with incredible waterfront restaurants. There’s not so much to do here, and it’s quite a small town, so you won’t need too much time. Wander through the pretty alleyways admiring the playfully coloured houses and beautiful pots of flowers lining the streets. Then head down to the waterfront to sit at one of the many trendy cafes and restaurants that line the beach.  

Stroll along the harbour

This is one of the deepest harbours in the area so another great place to do some yacht-watching! Taking a stroll around the harbour and absorbing the atmosphere is a wonderful way to spend some time.  

Plage des Marinieres 

This is one of the best beaches in the French Riviera. It’s a sandy beach that stretches along a wide bay in front of the colorful old town. This is a very easily accessed beach with the train station only steps behind it so it does get busy. The shallow water extends about 10m into the beach making this a great family friendly beach. Showers and toilets are available onsite also.

Check out our detailed guide to Villefranche-sur-Mer here.

Left: Plage des Marinieres, Right: the Old Town

10 day south of France itinerary: Day 4 Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild + Beaulieu-sur-Mer

Destination: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild + Beaulieu-sur-Mer

  • Explore a pretty pink villa and its 9 incredible gardens 
  • Spend some time in a more ‘local’ town, away from crowds and souvenir shops

Today’s activities were some of my favourites on our recent trip! In the morning you’ll have the chance to visit one of the most beautiful villas in the South of France, then you’ll head to a nearby village that has a beach that consistently hits the lists for best beaches in the French Riviera. 

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

How to get there

Take Bus 15 from Promenade des Arts or your closest stop in Nice and ride for about 35 to 45 minutes to Passable / Rothschild (€1.50 each way). From there it’s only a 7 minute walk to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Note: right before Covid, Nice overhauled its public transport system. You will see that a lot of blogs reference Bus 81 to get to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, this bus no longer exists and you will need to take bus 15. 

How much time you need

2-3 hours

What to do 

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild opens at 10am and standard entry is €15. Tickets can be bought ahead online. Admission includes an audio guide which we highly recommend! Learning about the history of the villa and Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild who built and decorated it is incredibly interesting. She had taste! You will want to arrive as close to opening time as possible. We had about 15 minutes where we had the whole garden to ourselves which was very peaceful. 

Depending on the time of year, you may be able to visit the villa in the evenings on select days, pre-organise for picnics in the garden or attend a dinner at the villa. We really wish we had known that when we were visiting! Each of these events cost extra.   

The villa and gardens are typically open 10 am to 6 pm. Always check the website however, as the entire villa can be booked out for private events and can therefore be closed on some days. In summer it will be open until 7 pm and in winter there are reduced hours on weekdays. You will need to have a ticket to visit the Tea Room as well. 

Check out our detailed guide to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild here.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer

How to get there

From Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild it’s only a 30 minute walk to Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Otherwise take Bus 15 from Passable / Rothschild back the way you came and hop off at Kerylos (€1.50 each way). 

If you’re skipping Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (which you really shouldn’t, this was an absolute highlight of our trip!), from Nice Ville take the train towards Ventimiglia (Ventimille) for 14 minutes and get off at Beaulieu-sur-Mer (€1-3 each way). This is how you’ll get back at the end of the day also. 

How much time you need

2 hours (more if you want a beach day). 

What do to

If we go back to the Cote d’Azur and hire a car, we would try to stay in an Airbnb in Beaulieu-sur-Mer or somewhere close by in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

Get away from the crowds 

Often overlooked for more glitzy destinations like Antibes or Monaco, Beaulieu-sur-Mer provides a bit of a reprieve from the crowds. It feels a lot more authentic than most other villages along the coast and is free from souvenir shops and overpriced gelato stands even though it’s only a stones throw from Nice (you can literally walk here if you wanted to).  

Plage Petite Afrique

This beach frequently tops lists for one of the best beaches in the French Riviera. It’s a fine pebble beach (easy to walk and sit on), has all of the amenities you will need including showers, toilets and life guards, there are plenty of water sports available and there is even a line of pine trees to find some shade near the kids playground. But what makes this beach top most lists is its beauty. Plage Petite Afrique is located in an incredibly wide bay that is set against the backdrop of a dramatic mountain range, absolutely stunning! 

Have lunch along the harbour 

Along the waterfront is another pretty harbour that has a string of affordable restaurants sitting right on the water. You will need to walk through the harbour to reach Plage Petite Afrique from the train station so you may as well check it out while you’re there! If you’re visiting Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, we suggest going there in the morning and then walking into Beaulieu-sur-Mer for lunch and an afternoon soaking up the sun at the beach.

Plage Petite Afrique

10 day south of France itinerary: Day 5 Marseille

Destination: Marseille

  • Hop on a train and visit the ancient city of Marseille 
  • Visit quirky neighbourhoods and have dinner at a pretty local harbour 

Today you’ll head to Marseille for three days. As it’s a 3 hour train journey it’s worth spending a couple of days to make the most of it. Use the Trainline app to check times that suit you best and book ahead. Prices vary a lot between €25 and €45 each way. There are buses as well that are cheaper, however they leave from the airport and will add another half an hour at least to your journey each way. You’ll find options for the buses on the Trainline app too. 

Where to stay

Try and find accommodation in the 1st, 2nd, 6th or 7th arrondissement close to the Old Port. It’s the area around the Old Port that is the safest and it’s also where the majority of tourist sites are. As you’re only going to be here for a couple of days it’s worth being central!   

What to do
The Old Port and Fort Saint-Jean 

The Old Port is the central hub of activity in Marseille. This area is the starting point for many local excursions including walking tours, segway tours, or boat tours to nearby islands and the calanques. Take a stroll along the port towards Fort Saint-Jean where you will get beautiful views over the coast. It’s in the Old Port that you’ll find the highest concentration of restaurants as well, just avoid anything directly on the water as the food won’t be very good and it will be way more expensive. 

Marseille Cathedral 

After exploring Fort Saint-Jean, continue on foot to the Cathedral. This impressive Romano-Byzantine Cathedral Sainte-Marie-Majeure was strategically placed close to the port which was experiencing huge economic growth at the time. These days it’s quite trendy with many bars and cafes surrounding it. 

Walk around Le Panier

Le Panier (Marseille’s old town) is definitely the prettiest and funkiest neighbourhood we saw in Marseille. There are plenty of narrow laneways with murals everywhere, lots of terrace restaurants and bars with a fun, young ambience. Le Panier is the only area in Marseille that really looks historic as a lot of the city was bombed in WWII.    

Vallon des Auffres 

In the evening head to Vallon des Auffres, a beautiful fishing port that makes for a great dinner location. It’s a 30 minute walk from the Old Port in Marseille, or a 15 minute bus (line 83, €1.70 each way). Try to arrive for sunset, it’s the perfect spot for a sundowner cocktail. There are a couple of bars right on the water (but beware they’re a little pricey).   

If you’d like a fancy dinner, eat at Michellin starred L’Epuisette famous for bouillabaisse. We ate at L’Avant Cour which is set back behind the port and absolutely loved it. It’s a little bit expensive but the food is absolutely incredible with great service and a festive atmosphere.  

Check out our detailed guide to Marseille here. 

Left: Vallon des Auffres, Right: Le Panier

10 day south of France itinerary: Day 6 Cassis and the calanques

Destination: Cassis and the calanques

  • Take a day trip from Marseille to a nearby village
  • Explore a national park with incredible views over azure water

A day trip to Cassis and the calanques was actually the reason we visited Marseille in the first place. The calanques are located within a national park but are surprisingly easy to access. A calanque is a natural inlet surrounded by steep rocky outcrops. The calanques at Cassis have impressive limestone jutting out over turquoise water, one of the most beautiful landscapes we saw while visiting the south of France.  

How to get there

You will need to take the train from Marseille St-Charles to Cassis which takes 24 minutes and will cost €6.50 for an adult each way. Once you arrive at Cassis station there are shuttle buses to the town centre which takes 15 minutes and will cost you €2 each way (you pay the driver when you hop on). You can walk if you want to but it will take you 45 minutes and will be along narrow windy roads. You will get a walk in later, so we suggest you take the bus!    

What to do
Walk around the town and port 

The bus will drop you off in town and it’s worth taking some time to look around this beautiful town. If you’re prepared to do the extra bit of travel from Marseille, we actually suggest you stay in Cassis instead of Marseille. For two nights we think it’s worth the extra travel. Cassis is so much more charming than Marseille. If you’re visiting on a Wednesday or a Friday there will be a quaint little market in the centre of town between 8.00am and 1:00pm. Be sure to pick up some lunch from a bakery here before you start to walk out towards the calanques.  

Go for a swim at Plage du Bestouan

This beach has the easiest access to the water in the area. Further up the calanques the coast is mostly rocky with no real beaches. We made the mistake of stopping at Same Same beach bar. This was without a doubt the most expensive Aperol Spritz of my life. We would suggest you skip it and just spend some time on the pretty little public beach. The tiny pebble beach here is very beautiful with a great atmosphere.  

Walk to Calanque de Port-Miou

It’s only a 25 minute walk from Cassis to the beginning of the calanque. From here you can hire kayaks or canoes from Destination Calanques Kayak Marseille Cassis from €40 for a half day trip (either 9am to 12pm or 1pm to 4pm). If you’re keen to keep walking, continue along the Sentier du Petit Prince, which will take you to the end of the calanque to where there is a nudist beach. If you would rather not do the walk then you can book a boat tour from Marseille (such as this one for €75). But be warned you will need to book in advance for this if you’re visiting in the summer! We left this decision to the last moment and missed out.

Check out our detailed guide to Cassis and the calanques here.

Left: Calanque de Port-Miou, Right: Plage du Bestouan

10 day south of France itinerary: Day 7 Marseille + Nice

Destination: Marseille + head back to Nice

  • Visit some of the prettiest historic locations in Marseille
  • Remember your train back to Nice in 3 hours

Today you’ll head back to Nice, but there are a couple of things you should try to see before leaving so try to book a train just after lunch. Remember it’s a 3 hour train journey and will cost between €25 and €45 each way. 

What to do 
Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde

The basilica is one of the most iconic landmarks in Marseille and offers panoramic views of the city that can’t be beat. Try to get there before 10am which is when the crowds start pouring in. It’s free to visit and open between 7am and 7pm year round. We have seen stunning photos from here at sunset as well, so if you have time on day 5 of this itinerary you can pop up here then too. You can walk from the old port in 20 minutes, or you can also take the tourist train, Petit train du Panier which costs €7 for an adult or €4 for children. 

Palais Longchamp 

On the opposite side of town is Palais Longchamp. There’s a restaurant called Longchamp Palace, and if you put this into maps it will direct you to the restaurant and not the palace. If you’re going to see anything in Marseille make sure it’s this. The palace and gardens are absolutely beautiful. It’s free to visit but there are a couple of exhibits on either side of the fountain that you will need to pay to enter. To get to the palace from the basilica, you can either catch a bus or walk back towards the port. From there you can take the metro to Cinq Avenues Longchamp. 

Left: Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, Right: Palais Longchamp

10 day south of France itinerary: Day 8 Cap d'Ail

Destination: Cap d’Ail

  • Visit a secluded beach that gives Peter Pan vibes
  • Get active and take a light hike along one of the most beautiful coastlines in France (if not Europe!)
How to get there

Take the train from Nice Ville towards Ventimiglia (Ventimille) for 17 minutes and get off at Cap d’Ail (€2-3 each way).  

How much time you need

3-4 hours (depending on whether you want to stop for a swim and a sit down lunch). 

What to do
Plage Mala 

If you’re planning a beach day while you’re in the French Riviera, we highly recommend Cap D’ail. The most picturesque beach in the area is Plage Mala, found at the end of Sentier du Littoral (more on that below). There is a small public beach here. It’s sandy (yay!), has a bit of shade in the morning and there are amenities on site. There is also a private beach club called La Réserve de la Mala.

Plage Mala is very family friendly. If you’re wanting a little more space and don’t mind being out in the sun, there are plenty of other places along Cap Mala where you can jump in the water. It’s a spectacularly beautiful area so it won’t matter where you stop! 

Sentier du Littoral

Strolling around Sentier du Littoral de Cap d’Ail was one of our favourite mornings while visiting the French Riviera. Start from Cap d’Ail and walk towards Mala beach. The trail will take you about an hour and is 3.5km long. It’s paved the entire way with stairs in parts. It does get closed in bad weather due to access.   

Breakfast or lunch on the water 

There’s not much of a town in Cap D’ail, and the town is actually quite far from the train station. Don’t make the same mistake we did and try to walk uphill from the station to the town expecting to find coffee and a pastry. Instead, we suggest heading to Le Cabanon which opens at 9.30am and makes a great coffee stop on your walk along Sentier du Littoral. 

We stopped for lunch at Restaurant La Pinède after going for a walk along Sentier du littoral and taking a dip at Plage Mala. It’s located on the waterfront, with incredible views across to Cap Mala. The staff were SO friendly and the food was fresh and modern. We had a wonderful time here. It’s only a few minutes walk back to the train station from here, making it a very convenient stop.

Left: Sentier du Littoral, Right: Plage Mala

10 day south of France itinerary: Day 9 Nice beach day

Destination: Nice beach day

  • Today is all about relaxing, pick your favourite beach club or find a spot on the public beach and stay awhile

No 10 days south of France itinerary would be complete without a beach day in Nice. A lot of beach clubs on the promenade are first in best dressed. You really need to be there by 10am to have your pick. A very popular option is Ruhl Plage (€30 per person), which has the iconic blue and white umbrellas. We arrived at about 10.30 and there was absolutely no availability! We ended up at Plage Beau Rivage which was priced exactly the same and had a wonderful atmosphere and food. 

You can opt for half day passes (if availability allows, usually in the afternoon) which is typically half the price. Note that there is an extra charge in a lot of places to have the umbrella up. Food and drinks are obviously quite expensive no matter which beach club you pick. Expect to pay between €15 and €20 for a starter, €20 to €40 for most mains and €40 to €60 for certain seafood.

We saw plenty of people leave their towels and books and leave the beach club for lunch. It’s not a far walk into the Old Town where you can find plenty of cheap options for takeaway lunches like baguettes or socca (a must try local dish). 

Sunset at the beach

Make sure you end your day with sunset at the beach. Pick up a pizza and a bottle of wine nearby (most corner stores near the promenade will be able to provide you with some paper cups, just make sure you don’t buy a wine bottle that needs a bottle opener). We bought a pizza a couple of times from Vabbuo and LOVED it both times. Doing this was one of our favourite evenings in Nice, just the two of us on a towel watching the candy coloured sky darken while people played in the water. 

Left: Private beach Ruhl Plage, Right: Public beach on Nice promenade

10 day south of France itinerary: Day 10 Nice (depart)

Destination: Nice (depart)

Today is your last chance to see anything you’ve missed so far in Nice. Depending on your flight time you might even have time to head to the beach in the morning or one last quick day trip like Villefranch-sur-Mer which is only a 10 minute train ride away. We detailed how to get back to the airport from Nice at the start of this blog, make sure you leave yourself just over half an hour to get there.

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10 days south of France itinerary

Other guides for South of France:

Thanks for stopping by!

We hope we’ve inspired you to go to visit the south of France this summer. Our 10 day itinerary takes you to what we think are the best destinations in the French Riviera, from pretty hilltop villages to pastel towns and the most picturesque beaches you will ever see. 

If you have any questions, please let us know, and please subscribe! 

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Kaitlin
Kaitlin
6 months ago

This was incredibly detailed and so helpful!!! Thanks for the thoughtful itinerary!

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travelforworkingpeople
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travelforworkingpeople
6 months ago
Reply to  Kaitlin

Thanks so much Kaitlin!

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