24 Ideas for Holiday Destinations in the South of France

Famous cities, heavenly beaches or unusual places… here is a guide to the best holiday destinations in the South of France. Sporting activities, hiking, leisure on the beach, etc., there is enough to give you inspiration for your next holidays.

 

Cannes

Cannes, known to all (or almost) for one of the most famous film festivals in the world, is also one of the must-see holiday destinations in the South of France.

Whether you are a movie fan or not, the famous Palais des Festivals is one of the must-sees of the city. However do not expect to see its stairs dressed in red; that carpet is only out during the Festival.

Stop by the Chemin des Étoiles (star-studded floor), which gathers handprints and signatures of more than 300 personalities, from Catherine Deneuve to Meryl Streep, not to mention Johnny Hallyday.

To admire the sunny landscapes of the south, visit the Promenade de la Croisette, a long seaside promenade from where you can admire at once beaches, hotels and luxury shops.

Then, take the opportunity to take a lunch break at the C Beach restaurant which offers a seasonal menu with fresh products. On Sundays, do not hesitate to taste their bouillabaisse (a French Mediterranean dish made with several kinds of fish).

By the sea, visit the old port and take a boat trip to admire the Calanque of Maubois in the Esterel massif. Go there early enough to avoid the tourists.

Do you want to spend the evening at a beach bar or dance all night long? L’Ecrin Plage (French website) will be the perfect place to savour cocktails with music in a pleasant setting, out of sight, on the beach.

As for the Baoli, it will welcome the party-goers. As a nightclub with a tropical appearance, it is one of the most popular in the city.

 

Biarritz

Biarritz, a seaside city known for its beaches and surfers, is also appreciated for its gastronomy.

Pintxo, small tapas, piperade, a vegetable sauce, muxu, a basque pastry that looks like a macaroon… so many specialities that you must taste.

As the emblem of the city, the Rocher de la Vierge (Rock of the Virgin Mary) is an unmissable place to visit. Since Napoleon III, the rock is linked to the coast by a footbridge, designed by the famous Gustave Eiffel.

Go there when the weather is good to enjoy the view because if the sky is overcast you will not be able to admire the Basque Coasts and the Pyrenees.

Not far from there, you can visit the Biarritz Aquarium, which gathers almost a hundred species.

If you like nature, go on a hike to the Col d’Ibardin (Ibardin pass). This will keep you busy most of the day.

 

Nice

If you go to Nice, you must not miss the Promenade des Anglais. This famous promenade follows the city’s seafront, and you can enjoy it on foot as well as by bike or on a guided Segway tour (French website).

Enjoy the sun by visiting the old Nice where the city market is open almost every day. You can also visit the hill of the Castle, from which you can see the mountains, an artificial cascade or the Bay of Angels.

You can go there on foot or by lift, or take the local tourist train, which starts from the promenade des Anglais.

If you have the opportunity to come in February, make sure to attend the famous two-week Nice Carnival, famous for its impressive floats.

Apart from this period, the city is also festive. Have fun in the city’s bar, such as the Puzzle Bar (French website), the perfect bar for cocktail lovers.

You can also try Le Plongeoir, a must-see lounge bar which is appreciated for its view of the sea.

As for the Calypso Club, it will make you dance on Latin tunes. It will make you travel to the Caribbean for a night.

 

Saint-Tropez

Famous all over the world, frequented by millionaires and stars, Saint-Tropez is nevertheless a rather Provençal French city.

Enjoy its beaches, such as La Bouillabaisse or La Ponche, and if your childish soul has not left you, have fun at the Aqualand Sainte-Maxime (French website), an aquatic playground. Young or old, everyone can have fun there.

Visit the Saint-Tropez Citadel, built at the beginning of the 17th century, and its dungeon, classified as a historical monument. Do not forget to visit the Museum of Maritime History (English explanation at the bottom of the page) which is filled with objects and testimonies of the past.

Visit the wonderful Château de la Moutte and its incredible botanical garden. If you want to relax during the evening, the castle hosts the festival of the Nuits du Château de la Moutte (French Facebook page), in summer. There, you will enjoy classical and world music concerts.

If you are a wine lover or just curious, visit the Château de Pampelonne, a 50 hectares family property. Do not forget to book in advance.

 

Monaco

A principality located in the south of France, Monaco is known all over the world for its billionaires, its casino and its five-star hotels.

One of the first places that you can visit is Le Rocher. Contrary to other very modern parts of Monaco, Le Rocher is full of colourful houses and souvenir shops.

If you spend some time in the city, do not forget to visit the Prince’s Palace and the Saint-Nicolas Cathedral. The Prince’s Palace is located at the top of the Le Rocher district, but be careful, you can only visit it from April to October.

Only certain areas are accessible to visitors, like the Court of Honor, the State Apartments, and the Hercules gallery where you can observe frescoes.

The Saint-Nicholas Cathedral is also located in the district of Le Rocher. It is the place where Prince Rainier married the famous American Grace Kelly.

Finally, do not forget to go to the Monte-Carlo Casino, even if it is only to observe its exterior facade. You can visit the casino in the morning, and play there in the afternoon.

Enjoy a good meal in the Casino restaurant too. It is ideal to admire the view of Monaco and to eat before playing.

Expect to pay about twenty euros for the Poker menu (starter + main course) or about forty euros for a complete menu (starter, main course, dessert).

 

Hossegor

If you are a surf lover, go to Hossegor. Considered as a surf capital, Hossegor hosts every year a round of the World Surfing Championship.

For connoisseurs, Hossegor – La Nord is the ideal destination. It is one of the most famous spots on the Landes coast, with surfable waves reaching up to 6 meters in height.

If you are a novice, choose Hossegor – La Sud. At La Nord, the impressive waves can quickly become dangerous for inexperienced surfers. The waves of La Sud reach about 1.5 meters, which makes this spot much more accessible to novices.

If you are a water sports lover or if you are just curious, try the Stand-up paddle. You can take lessons or rent some equipment. The SurfTrip school offers its services.

Are you not a water sports enthusiast? Have fun at the Sporting Casino (French website), classified as a historical monument in 1991, another must-see of the city.

In addition to offering all the activities of a casino (slot machine, blackjack, roulette, etc), the Sporting Casino also offers access to a swimming pool, a mini-golf and sets up exhibitions such as the tattoo exhibition and the book exhibition.

If you are not an enthusiast of sporting activities or casinos, you can take a walk in the centre and explore its 150 shops. You can visit the caves of Bétharram too (French website), by boat or by touristic train. You also have the opportunity to follow pottery classes (French website) during your stay.

 

Bayonne

Located in the heart of the French Basque Country, Bayonne attracts many tourists every year.

If you like to party and crowds do not scare you, come to Bayonne in the summer to enjoy the famous fêtes de Bayonne. These are synonymous with parades, games, tastings, fireworks and concerts.

If you want to discover local products, go to the market (French website) on Saturday morning.

You can also discover the surrounding Basque villages, welcoming and unusually colourful, in the heart of the mountains. Take a walk on the city ramparts, once a fortified city.

Then, you can relax at the Ibai restaurant (French website) and taste basques specialities: pintxos, cider, etc.

 

Marseille

Another Provençal destination which is very appreciated by the French is Marseille. The first unmissable place to visit when arriving in the city is the Vieux Port.

If you are a morning person, you can attend the sunrise at the auction house, you will have the occasion to see the beautiful sunrise.

To have access to one of the most beautiful panoramas of the city, go to the basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde or the “Bonne Mère” as the locals call it. Admire the Frioul islands in the distance and the orange Provençal roofs stretching out in front of you.

You can go there on foot or by the tourist train if you do not want to walk.

Visit the Panier district, the oldest district in Marseille. Taste local dishes at the restaurant Le Refuge du Panier (French site): fresh fish, octopus salad, loup à la provençale.

You will enjoy a Mediterranean menu right in the heart of the city.

Finally, do not forget to visit the Calanques. You can get there by boat or on foot, with a little effort. Do not hesitate to leave early in the morning to avoid the intense heat of the afternoon in the summer.

 

Carcassonne

If you want to travel through time, stay in Carcassonne, a city known for its medieval city.

You will have the opportunity to visit various monuments like the Château Comtal, which will send you back into the medieval era of the City of Carcassonne, which has been at the heart of conflicts between the Cathar and French royal forces, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage, or the fortress bridge.

Then you can eat at the Auberge des Lices located in the medieval city to discover a place that combines modernity and tradition. Taste the cassoulet of Carcassonne (a French dish containing meats and white beans). Expect to pay between 20 and 40 euros for the meal.

If you are adventurous, visit the Chasm of Cabrespine, a 250-metres deep underground cavity, where you will discover glass bridges. If you are sensitive to the cold, do not forget to bring a sweater.

The cave of Limousis (website in French) houses two lakes and a suspended bridge. To avoid waiting, you can book in advance.

 

Collioure

Collioure is a small and peaceful city, near Perpignan. The landscapes are beautiful, the city is very colorful. It is very pleasant to walk around in the pedestrian alleys of the center.

Enjoy the tranquillity of the beach and continue with a walk on the port where you can admire very colorful small and medium boats.

Don’t you want to rest on the beach all day? Visit the Royal Castle, and the mill, a former grain mill transformed into an oil mill.

Collioure is also a town of gastronomy. Try a restaurant such as La Bodeguita or Côté Faubourg. There you will be able to taste tapas and gambas, far away from the tourist center.

Before leaving, do not forget to taste the city’s specialities, such as the famous anchovy of Collioure.

 

Port Grimaud

Are you looking for a quiet and peaceful place in the south? Do not hesitate, visit Port Grimaud.

Grimaud is a medieval village located in the hills, and further down, a little city has been set up by an architect, Port Grimaud.

It is a very charming place, on the waterfront, with colorful houses. it is perfect for strolling and resting.

Admire the landscape; sit a moment and savor the treats of the Lily’s, a waterside restaurant.

 

Saint-Jean-de-luz

A few kilometers away from the Spanish border and near Biarritz, Saint-jean-de-Luz is a rather quiet tourist city.

If you want to rest, you can try its thalassotherapy center. The establishment is located by the sea, so it is an ideal place to combine well-being and travel.

If you want to visit, there are plenty of places to discover in the city. You can visit the Fort of Soccoa (website in French), a symbol of the Franco-Spanish rivalry.

You can also visit the Joanoenia house, the house that welcomed Marie-Thérèse, Infanta of Spain for her marriage to Louis XIV.

Walk in the centre and savour the specialties of the French Basque Country. Taste the famous macaroon of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

Maison Adam or Pariès (website in French)? Why not taste both. While the first establishment offers the classic macaroon of the city, the second establishment offers several more varieties.

 

Hendaye

Are you Sportive? A Thrill-seeker? Hendaye is the perfect destination for you. The city offers many activities: surfing, fly-surf, paddle and jet-ski.

If you are comfortable underwater, you can try scuba diving (website in French). You will not get the chance to try it everywhere. If you are adventurous, you can also practice parasailing (website in French) or experience a first flight in a paramotor.

Enjoy the good weather and go to the Grande Plage of Hendaye, considered as one of the most beautiful beaches in the French Basque Country. It is several kilometers wide and supervised, so do not hesitate to relax there.

To discover a part of the country, you can take the little train of the Rhune. This little train brings you to an altitude of 905 meters, where the 360° view is beautiful.

You can go back down by train, or on foot; it takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. During certain periods, you can also participate in activities about train history, or about the fauna and flora.

Be careful, book your tickets in advance, at one day early at most.

 

La Grande-Motte

As a seaside resort built in the 1970s, La Grande-Motte, is known beyond French borders and attracts European tourists every year.

As a seaside resort, you can enjoy the beaches of La-Grande-Motte. You have several choices. The Couchant beach, close to the center and the marina, where you can rest after strolling in the shops.

If you want more calm, you can go to Grand Travers beach, which is further away from the center.

If you are comfortable in the water, have fun at the water park Le Grand Bleu. You can enjoy yourself in an interior area composed of 3 pools, a paddling pool, a large slide, a little slide and a pentagliss.

Outside, you can play in a 3 hectares ground including 3 slides for the more adventurous, a wave pool, a hot tub and a playground for children.

You can also have fun at the Ponant Aventure (website in French) adventure park with 142 tree climbing workshops. Some courses are reserved for children, starting from 2 years old. Others are reserved to the older, starting from 14 years old.

In the summer, you can participate in nocturnal, only through reservation, and from 20 registered people.

You can also participate in other activities such as the Golf of La-Grande-Motte (website in French), which covers a 100 hectares surface. You can practice aquatic sports (website in French) too, such as parasailing, fly board or tubing.

 

Porquerolles Islands

The Island of Porquerolles, the largest of the Hyères islands, welcomes you for an idyllic stay in the Mediterranean.

Discover its beautiful beaches, among which the Notre-Dame Beach, voted as the most beautiful European beach in 2015. Enjoy its translucent water and its fine sand. Located 3 kilometres away from the city, you can go there on foot or by bike. Count about 25 to 45 minutes to go there.

If you want more privacy, you can go to the Langoustier Beach, less known by the tourists.

Visit the historical Lighthouse (website in French) of Porquerolles, built in 1830. It is closed to the public but you can still approach it to observe and admire the view of the sea. You better come early in the morning or late in the afternoon to see the sky changing colours.

Take a walk along the forts. Some are closed to the public, such as the Alycastre fort (website in French), classified as a historical monument, or the Grand Langoustier fort (website in French) which is exceptionally opened during Heritage Days.

You can visit the Sainte Agathe fort (website in French) where you can observe a permanent exhibition, and seasonal exhibitions.

Discover the incredible Botanic Conservatory (website in French), whose aim is to make an inventory of the flora. You can visit the orchards freely, and participate in a guided tour. By reservation only.

Finally, you can visit vineyards such as the Domaine de la Courtade or the Domaine Perzinsky (website in French). You can visit the vineyards and the cave first, and enjoy a tasting later. Visit the second one and discover their wines and rosés. Do not forget to book your visit.

 

Aix-en-Provence

To enjoy a festive and cultural stay, go to Aix-en-Provence. With more than 150 historical monuments, you will find something to keep you busy during your stay.

Before visiting some monuments, explore the streets of the old city. As it is a fully pedestrian area, you can go into shops, restaurants and cafes. Taste a saffron mussel cassolette or a lamb mouse with truffle oil in the heart of the city at the Le Bidule restaurant (website in French).

Visit the painter Paul Cézanne’s studio, now transformed into a museum. Discover the life of the painter during a free visit or a guided tour. You can also experiment with a sensory tour during a creative workshop. You can go to the Jas de Bouffan Mansion too which was once the painter’s family house.

Visit the fully restored Hotel de Caumont, located in the luxurious Mazarin district. Choose one of the two routes: the “Permanent Collection” route to discover a few corners of the hotel for free, or the “Temporary Exhibition” route to discover great works, for 2.99 euros.

You can also explore the region’s landscapes by climbing the Sainte-Victoire Mountain. Famous due to the Paul Cézanne’s paintings and the stories of Marcel Pagnol, you can discover it through hiking paths. For a quick hike, walk around the Cézanne Mill and the Zola dam, for about 2 hours.

If you want to walk longer, you can go around the plateau of Cengle, for about 6 hours.

Before leaving, you must taste the calissons, the speciality of the city. Aix-en-Provence’s must-visit address is Maison Béchard (French website).

 

Nîmes

Discover Nîmes, a candidate city for UNESCO World Heritage status. There you will see many historical monuments.

Take advantage of the Nîmes Pass to visit the Arenas, the Maison Carrée and the Tours Magne, for 13 euros. The Amphitheatre, or Nîmes Arena, is one of the most preserved in the Roman world. The Arenas now host congresses and concerts.

The Maison Carrée is one of the only fully preserved temples in the world -founded at the beginning of the 1st century. You can watch the film “Nemausus, the birth of Nîmes”, thanks to which you will discover the history of the founding of the city.

The Tour Magnes is located on the highest point of the city, the Mont Cavalier. It used to play a military role and help protect the city.

Take a walk into the Halles de Nîmes where you will discover regional produce such as sea bream or picholine olives. Then you can go to the Ancien Théâtre (website in French) where you can taste cod brandade, a typical dish in Nîmes.

You can also have fun at the Ferias de Nîmes where you can attend parades of marching bands and horsemen floats.

 

Mercantour Park

Do you want to recharge your batteries in the heart of nature? Located 1 hour from Nice, the Mercantour Park (website in French) covers more than 1,000 km2 and is the shelter of many plants and animals. There, you can see chamois, ibexes, deers as well as wolves.

One of the places you should not miss and whose name will already make you dream is the Vallée des Merveilles (Valley of Wonders). Classified as a historical monument, you can observe the rock carvings.

If you are sportive and brave, you can enjoy water sports (French website) such as canyoning or whitewater rafting.

If you visit the park in winter you can hike in snowshoes or ski, and also go rock climbing.

Do not forget to bring some equipment. Shoes, a windbreaker and maps will be your friends.

 

The Calanques

To immerse yourself in a purely French landscape, visit the Calanques: they are cliffs made of limestone, a result of erosion.

It is the occasion to organize a road trip and, why not, to visit several Calanques. The calanque d’En-Vau is one of the most beautiful calanques. Located between Cassis and Marseille, the view is incredible, especially in the morning, and you can swim there.

Easily accessible, the Calanques around Marseille are also ideal for having lunch on the beach.

The Calanques of Cassis are distinguished by the presence of a marina and a restaurant.

 

The Camargue

If you do not want to stay in a noisy city full of tourists, you can go to Camargue. It is very appreciated for its wild nature.

Visit the National Reserve of Camargue, a land of 13,000 hectares with more than 270 bird species including the famous flamingos.

You can also visit the Ornithological Park of the Pont de Gau or the Natural Reserve of the Marais du Vigueirat.

Do not forget to bring along your mosquito repellent because you will be near the water.

If you want to rediscover a bit of civilization, do not hesitate to visit Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage City. This will be the opportunity for you to visit an ancient Roman amphitheater.

Typical of the Camargue, try the horse ride. With a half-day, a one-day or a two-day ride, La Marisma (website in French) offers several options to discover the landscapes on a horse.

 

Esterel Massif

As a mountain range of approximately 32,000 hectares, the Esterel is a perfect place to reconnect with nature. Here, you can discover many landscapes.

Take the road of the Corniche d’Or by car, to observe the landscapes. Remember to bring your swimsuit with you because you can stop to bathe in the coves of turquoise water.

The Esterel massif is the opportunity for you to go hiking, all hikes being different from one another.

Walk around the botanical trail for about 40 minutes, starting from the Rocher Saint-Barthélémy. Go see the Cap Dramont during a 2-hours hike, you will have a panoramic view of the Mediterranean coasts.

The more courageous can go on a hike to the lake of Saint-cassien. Do not leave too late in the day, this hike lasts 6 hours and 30 minutes on average.

Do not forget to bring caps and hats, sunscreen, water and snacks.

To rest between two hikes, take a walk in Saint-Raphaël. Eat at the Mamma Mia or Mariu’s restaurants. In these traditional restaurants, you will discover new flavours: fish soup, lentil cream from Provence and candied lemon from Menton.

 

The domain of the Château de Sainte-Roseline

To change from traditional stays, do not hesitate to visit vineyards. Located near Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Aix-en-Provence, the Château Sainte Roseline is one of the most visited vineyards of the region.

The Sainte Roseline Chapel and its Cloister were classified as historical monuments in 1980. The vineyard is classified as PDO and was rewarded as “Cru Classé” in 1955.

This vineyard stretches for almost 110 hectares and the domain produces almost 400,000 bottles per year, composed of 50 % of rosés, 35 % of red wine and 15 % of white wine.

The domain offers visits and tastings. You can choose among three different packs: the Perle Pack through which you can participate in a public visit of the garden and the cave and with which you can taste three wines; the Prestige Pack that offers a private and commented visit plus a tasting; and the Prieuré Pack that offers a private non commented visit and a tasting.

A few minutes away from this domain, you can also visit the second domain of the owners, the Château des Demoiselles.

This domain also proposes guest rooms, so that you can stay several days and discover the place.

If you like the visit, do not hesitate to visit the domain of the Château de Berne which is very active in wine tourism and events, near Fréjus.

 

Lourdes

Lourdes, a small city of 13,000 inhabitants, is yet known all over the world for being the fourth catholic pilgrimage site most visited.

Go and discover the city’s monuments. Visit the must-see Sanctuary of Lourdes, the main touristic attraction of the city. The Virgin Mary is said to have made an apparition there.

Discover the Crypt, the Basilica Notre-Dame de l’Immaculée Conception where you can observe stained-glass windows recounting the history of the apparitions, the Basilica Notre-Dame du Rosaire and the Basilica Saint-Pie X. You can even get some water from Lourdes for free.

Discover one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Pyrenees from the Pic du Jer. You can take the funicular railway to reach the top of the peak, which has an altitude of 900 metres. Be careful, its slopes can reach up to a 56% inclination.

Once you are at the top, you can go on a hike for about 3 hours for a complete itinerary. Then, you will have the opportunity to go down on mountain bikes through five different tracks: a blue one, two red ones and two black ones (corresponding to “easy”, “medium” and “hard”).

Visit the caves of Bétharram (French website), the most beautiful caves in Europe. For more than 1 hour, you can admire the different levels of the cave. Visit the Château fort de Lourdes, on a free tour or on a guided tour as well. Book at least one month in advance of your visit.

 

The Cirque de Gavarnie

The Cirque de Gavarnie, in the Pyrenees, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most beautiful in France. There, there is one of the largest waterfalls of Europe and the highest of France: 422 metres high.

In winter, observe the panorama of the cirque from the village of Gavarnie, the highest in the department.  Discover an accessible part of the cirque, cleared of the snow to access the ski resort, with a guide. Be careful, do not go in the heart of the cirque because there are many avalanche risks.

In spring and autumn, you can enjoy the calm of the site, as there are few hikers. However, pay attention to the weather conditions and get information before you go.

In summer, you can enjoy the site the most, as the weather conditions are pleasant, but you will see many visitors. If you are a morning person, leave early in the morning to enjoy the site away from the crowd.

You will have the opportunity to choose among many activities: canyoning, paragliding, via Ferrata or caving. Try some unusual activities such as the Mountain Luge, a rail sledge.

Go to the markets, such as the one of Luz Saint-Sauveur, 30 minutes away from the cirque, to discover local products: Barèges-Gavarnie mutton leg, garbure, spit cake, etc.

Concerning housing, try camping in a tent or in a mobile home, starting from 15 euros for a tent pitch or from 250 euros for a mobile home for a week.

You can also choose a refuge in the heart of nature such as the refuge of the Grange de Holle. You will have access to a bar, a library and a garden.

If you prefer to enjoy some comfort after your activities, rest at the three-star hotel La Brèche de Roland. You will have the chance to go to the jacuzzi, the sauna and a TV lounge.