The Ultimate Southern France 3-Week Itinerary
Wine, Beaches, History, and Food
Thinking of mapping out an incredible journey around Southern France? If you're feeling a bit lost on the starting point, the must-visit spots, the budget, or the ideal timeframe, then this itinerary is for you. This trip will let you experience the nightlife, delicious food, beautiful locations, and couples along the way. Consider this guide your compass and roadmap for your upcoming adventure, providing all the details to craft an extraordinary 21-day trip in the region.
Along the way, you'll discover beautiful beaches, colorful wineries, historical cities, and delicious food. We'll start with some of the many reasons to visit this fantastic region. Then, we'll cover travel details such as the route, the estimated costs, things to do along the way, where to stay, and more.
This itinerary will take you through the following destinations:
- Nice (3 days)
- Saint-Tropez (2 days)
- Marseille (2 days)
- Aix-en-Provence (1 day)
- Arles (1 day)
- Avignon (3 days)
- Montpellier (2 days)
- Carcassonne (2 days)
- Toulouse (2 days)
- Bordeaux (3 days)
Toulouse, France
Itinerary Highlights
- Great for couples
- Family-friendly
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Delicious Food
- Small Town Charm
- Historic Sites
- Beautiful Locations
- Beaches
- Hiking
- Nightlife
- Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
It's no secret that amazing food is a major draw for travelers, and Southern France holds its own with fantastic cuisine. Your journey promises an abundance of remarkable restaurants and local dishes that deserve your attention. Dining opportunities in Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and Nice are particularly amazing, so plan ahead.
The beautiful and charming small towns of the region are a must-see. They provide an excellent chance to dive into the local culture, history, food, and more. In particular, make sure you visit Avignon for that quintessential small town charm.
Southern France is a treasure trove of history waiting to be discovered. Make sure to soak in the richness of the area through its historic architecture, museums, and charming atmosphere. It's an experience you can't miss.
The mesmerizing landscapes of Southern France are a major draw for visitors, defining the essence of the region. Grab your camera because the real-life view is far superior to anything you've seen in photos. You don't want to miss Marseille, Saint-Tropez, and Nice for the beautiful scenery.
Prepare to be captivated by the region's breathtaking beaches. You really can't miss spending some time indulging in the soothing waters for a fun and relaxing experience. You absolutely can't overlook the beaches surrounding Saint-Tropez, Montpellier, and Nice, as they're a must-see.
You can't pass up the stellar hiking opportunities in Southern France, so make it a priority. Ensure you carve out some time to explore the local trails for breathtaking views, crisp fresh air, and a healthy dose of exercise.
Brace yourself for a vibrant nightlife experience in Southern France, complete with numerous hotspots that are totally worth checking out. Specifically, don't miss the nightlife in Nice, Marseille, and Saint-Tropez.
You absolutely can't miss out on scuba diving and snorkeling when you're in Southern France. The crystal-clear waters teem with marine life, making it a must-do experience. Don't forget to carve out some time to get out on the water. Especially noteworthy are the fantastic diving opportunities in the vicinity of Saint-Tropez.
Vegetable Market in Marseille, France
When is the best time to visit?
Summer is a great time to visit Southern France. It's a peak travel season here that draws plenty of visitors for a good reason. Although you might encounter bustling crowds, the upside is that everything will be wide open and within easy reach.
Who is this itinerary for?
Let's get into the romantic side of Southern France. This region has a well-deserved reputation as the perfect spot for couples. If you're exploring with your special someone, get ready for a truly delightful experience. Especially visit Marseille, Saint-Tropez, and Nice for the enchanting atmosphere.
The region is a gem for families, offering plenty of kid-friendly activities that promise to turn your trip into an unforgettable and joy-filled experience. We'll get into some of the details later. In particular, make a point to visit Saint-Tropez and Toulouse.
Traveling on a shoestring budget or backpacking in the area? No worries, as there are abundant options for you. From budget-friendly hostels and economical hotels to cost-free activities, affordable dining, and an inviting social environment, your trip is sure to be fabulous without burning a hole in your pocket. Spending more time in Montpellier and Carcassonne can especially help your budget.
Bordeaux
Transportation
Traveling between these destinations in Southern France should be fairly easy for you, considering that most are around 2 hours apart on average.
We've planned this as a one-way journey from Nice to Bordeaux because it covers a lot of distance and the transportation options are good in both places. However, you could always loop back to the beginning if it's easier. Also, you can do this route in the opposite direction if you find better tickets into Bordeaux instead of Nice. To get to Nice, you can see flight prices and schedules here.
Traveling around with this itinerary is easy if you have a car. If you didn't bring your own wheels, go ahead and reserve a rental car. Having your own set of wheels gives you total freedom and flexibility in Southern France since you can roll on your own time and pull over whenever the mood strikes.
Efficient and budget-friendly, train travel through Southern France is a breeze, swiftly linking major cities while smaller destinations may require a bit more time, possibly involving transfers to local buses. Stick to the primary routes, and you'll find it easy to navigate, offering ample opportunities to sit back and appreciate the picturesque scenery outside your window. Don't forget to check ticket prices and schedules ahead of your trip.
As a general rule, buses present a highly effective way to navigate the area. Known for their affordability, efficiency, and comfort, it's an easy way to get around on a tight budget. Check out the prices and compare for yourself.
Is 21 days enough time in Southern France?
To see all of the highlights, 21 days will give you a comfortable amount of time to explore the highlights in Southern France. This detailed itinerary will make sure that you see the best parts of each place. You'll be able to plan a trip that's fun, relaxing, and efficient. If you find yourself wanting to see more, you can always extend your stay or schedule more time in a specific place, as it's entirely up to you. With an array of day trip possibilities, flexibility is key. However, if you're short on time, consider adjusting this schedule for a shorter yet fulfilling experience. While cutting out a few stops is feasible, we recommend aiming for around 21 days to truly take it all in.
Pont d'Avignon, France
How much does a 21-day trip to Southern France cost?
Below is a budget breakdown for this exciting 21-day journey across Southern France. Our cost estimates are based on the average daily expenses of real travelers, coupled with data from major companies. Keep in mind, these costs are per person and exclude transportation between destinations. Consider this a helpful guide, because opting for mid-level hotels, regular dining, and covering main attractions will keep you on par with these averages. For those on a tighter budget, hostels and budget hotels, along with more affordable dining options, can keep you below these estimates. Conversely, indulging in luxury accommodations, upscale dining, and private tours might push you well above this budget.
| City | Daily Average | Days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nice | $181 | 3 | $544 |
| Saint-Tropez | $191 | 2 | $383 |
| Marseille | $195 | 2 | $390 |
| Aix-en-Provence | $177 | 1 | $177 |
| Arles | $196 | 1 | $196 |
| Avignon | $790 | 3 | $2,370 |
| Montpellier | $153 | 2 | $306 |
| Carcassonne | $147 | 2 | $294 |
| Toulouse | $167 | 2 | $333 |
| Bordeaux | $170 | 3 | $509 |
| Total per person | $5,502 | ||
| for 2 People | $11,004 | ||
The anticipated expenses for this 21-day journey in Southern France tallies up to $5,502 per person. Keep in mind that this figure excludes the cost of moving between destinations, as that will depend on the transportation option you use.
Accommodation Costs
Trying to figure out how much you'll pay for hotels on this trip? Below is the expected cost for accommodations for this trip through Southern France based on calculated averages.
Hotel Prices
The average price for a hotel room in each destination is outlined below. Calculated from Kayak's hotel data, please note that taxes and fees are not factored into these figures. Consider these prices as a gauge for mid-range hotel experiences. Yet, keep in mind that it's easy to spend more or less, especially if you opt for budget-friendly stays or treat yourself to high-end luxury hotels. During peak travel season, these prices will also be higher.
| City | Average Hotel Room Price | Days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nice | $97 | 3 | $291 |
| Saint-Tropez | $469 | 2 | $938 |
| Marseille | $95 | 2 | $190 |
| Aix-en-Provence | $118 | 1 | $118 |
| Arles | $112 | 1 | $112 |
| Avignon | $114 | 3 | $342 |
| Montpellier | $78 | 2 | $156 |
| Carcassonne | $110 | 2 | $220 |
| Toulouse | $70 | 2 | $140 |
| Bordeaux | $112 | 3 | $336 |
| Total expected hotel cost* | $2,843 | ||
Hostel Prices
If you're all about smart spending on your adventure, hostels are an enticing option, especially for younger or solo travelers. The prices outlined below show the average expenses for a dorm bed in a hostel at each destination. Despite sacrificing a bit of privacy in a hostel dorm, the lively atmosphere often cultivates a social setting, creating fantastic opportunities to build new connections. It's worth noting that many hostels also offer private rooms at a slightly higher cost than dorms, along with additional perks like kitchens, social activities, and prime locations. These average prices are computed from available hostel data shared by HostelWorld.
| City | Average Hostel Dorm Price (per person) |
|---|---|
| Nice | $25 |
| Marseille | $24 |
| Aix-en-Provence | $27 |
| Arles | $31 |
| Avignon | $16 |
| Montpellier | $33 |
| Carcassonne | $32 |
| Toulouse | $25 |
| Bordeaux | $27 |
Southern France Itinerary
1. Nice
3 Days
Nice is a world famous destination along the French Riviera. It's lined with pebbly beaches and iconic shopping areas. The city is famous for its popularity amongst celebrities, but casual vacationers will also enjoy visiting the many cafes and and coastal views around town. Visitors can walk down the famous and historic promenade or pop in a local eatery to try some French cuisine.
With beaches, snorkeling and scuba diving, nightlife, delicious food, and beautiful locations, Nice offers so much to visitors. It's also a great destination for couples, families, and backpackers because of everything available.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nice is always at the top of any foodie's travel list.
After a day of exploring, you'll want to head out in the evening for a lively nightlife experience. After all, this is one of the most popular nightlife spots in the world.
Luxury resorts in the area are especially popular. If you can swing it, stay at one while you're here for relaxation, pampering, and fun.
Notice: Undefined index: beauty in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 206
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 207
Fatal error: Uncaught DivisionByZeroError: Modulo by zero in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php:207 Stack trace: #0 /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/itineraryarticle.php(1106): TemplateGenerator->getContent() #1 {main} thrown in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 207