The beautiful beaches, scrumptious food and ideal location for families, the South of France has something for everyone. I fell in love when I first visited back 20 years ago, while I will try to list all of the best things to do in the South of France.
1) Avignon
This makes it onto any list, with its beautiful architecture making it a great alternative to simply heading to the beach. Pont d’Avignon is now a UNESCO World Heritage Sight, located along the Rhone river. It was also where the Pope lived during the 14th century (random pub quiz fact for you), while it was seen as the bedrock of the Roman catholic world.
The most popular time to visit is during the Avignon Festival in July, but this also means the prices of accommodation go through the roof. It’s also a popular destination in Winter as they have a great Christmas market.
2) Carcassonne
I’m still amazed how much this one is left off a number of illustrious French travel guides, with the stunning walls protecting this medieval citadel, fortified with watchtowers to spot enemy forces approaching. You well and truly feel like you have stepped back in time when walking through the cobbled lanes and aside the towers.
With only 50,000 people living here, there are plenty of nice little cafe’s where you can stop off for a coffee and a cake. You will need to purchase a ticket if you want to see the inner fortress, but if you just want to walk around and check out the city walls then this is free.
There is also a famous dish from this area, cassoulet, which you should try during your visit, consisting of duck confit and sausages.
3) Nice
I maybe feel a connection others won’t to Nice, as the beaches are covered in pebbles, just like Brighton where I live. This is why Nice isn’t as popular for beach holidays, but it also means you won’t be sharing the beach with quite so many people, which can be nice.
From the flower markets to the gorgeous hotels along the coast, Nice never ceases to amaze and delight. The 7km Promenade des Anglais is a popular spot for tourists as they walk along the boulevard, like a scene out of Miami.
If you prefer a bit of shopping then you might want to check out Old Town, which has some great quaint stores. You can easily visit Monaco by train if you’re staying in Nice, allowing you to tick off an extra location without having to change hotel.
4) Cannes
As soon as you hear the name, you think of the international film festival, which is obviously a great time to visit and to spot some big names, but Cannes is great all year round. Located on the French Riviera, Cannes can offer you stunning sandy beaches, great restaurants and a feeling of glamour.
Just like Saint Tropez, you will see some absolutely giant yacht’s, as Cannes plays home to some seriously rich people! If you want a great view of the Bay then you should head up to Le Suquet, but make sure to wear comfy shoes.
You should be aware that there are both private and public beaches, while the public ones are (as you can imagine) free to visit.
5) Dordogne Caves
This area has hundreds of caves, with plenty of them available to book tours at most times of the year. The main ones you might want to consider include Font de Gaume or the Abri du Cap Blanc.
You can expect to find prehistoric cave art, which really makes you marvel and think about how old the earth actually is. If you plan on visiting Font de Gaume, book your tickets a long way in advance as they’re very popular and tend to be sold out if you leave it until the week.
Also, if you do book this as a tour, check beforehand that they can speak your language, many will just offer this in French, which does catch people out.
6) Vineyards & Wine Tasting
I fell in love with vineyard hopping and wine tasting while in Argentina, but the South of France is probably the best place for wineries. The South of France is actually more known for its red wines, with areas above Burgundy being more well known for white wines.
Many people opt to get a bike and cycle along between vineyards, but be careful if you do decide to do this as it catches up with you really quickly and you could find yourself in an accident.
You could try the incredible reds at Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or if a rose is more your thing, then check out Provence. If you like both equally, then maybe Bandol is the one for you. There are so many vineyards in Provence and wine tasting tours in the South of France that you’ll love.
7) Aix en Provence
We straight away highlighted the hugely popular Avignon, which is known for its glorious sights, but Aix is seen as a great spot for people trying to find somewhere a bit more quiet. It’s also surrounded by beautiful lavender fields which make for a great photo.
The Provençal markets are one of the biggest attractions, with the most popular aspects being flowers, food and antiques. You should also check out Cours Mirabeau during your visit, which is a really nice area with cafes for you to relax in around lunch time.
8) Saint Tropez
Known for its millionaire yacht visitors, Saint Tropez is loved for its beach, the harbour, open air markets and cobblestone pavements. Of course, there are plenty of wineries around, which is a must for me.
The Old Port is one of the most popular areas, where you can relax at a cafe and stare at all the superyachts passing by, working out which one you’d buy if you win some money.
If you want to escape the celebrity part and see the real Saint Tropez then you should check out La Ponche.
9) Relaxing On The French Riviera Beaches
The Pampelonne Beach in Saint Tropez is an obvious highlight, especially if you’re looking for a more wild holiday, as they have some famous nightclubs along here. But if snorkelling is more your scene, then you might want to check out Paloma beach in Cap Ferrat.
If you’re heading for a family holiday to the South of France then Villefranche sur Mer is the one for you, with sandy beaches.
You have so many different options, including Gruissan, Cavalaire Sur Mer or Collioure, all of which are hugely popular options. I would base your decision on whether sand is important to you, whether you’d rather pay for a private beach or fine with a public one, plus what type of holiday it is (family/couples/friends).
10) Hot Air Balloon
Particularly popular during the summer months, a hot air balloon ride is a great option for people of all ages to see the South of France from a very different perspective. Just be careful everyone is ok with heights, as there is no turning back once you are up there!
Provence is a hugely popular area for hot air balloon rides, as you float above olive gtroves and alongside all the hills. You might also want to check out the Minervois wine regions as these are popular for rides, plus the Dordogne Valley.
11) Neo Bistros for Modern French Dining
These are smaller food venues, with a casual relaxed atmosphere, but headed up by famous French chef’s. These are becoming the hot topic in France, as many people are opting for these when heading out for dinner, with great food on offer and no obnoxious waiters giving you a hard time about appearance and a waiting list to reserve a table.
The reality is that it’s largely done by young chef’s who are still proving themselves and can experiment with their dishes, while charging a really decent price.
This isn’t in a set area, you will find them in Nice, Marseille, Toulouse and many other areas, but it’s a must while you’re in South of France if you want to dine properly without blowing the budget.
12) Canyoning in the South of France
The most popular option for canyoning is at the Gorges du Loup, with bookings possible from Nice. But don’t worry if you’re a bit nervous, there are different levels and routes for different ages and abilities, meaning you can pick the right one for you. Seriously, there are young children giving this a go, so don’t feel you can’t if travelling as a family. It’s like a giant assault course but with unbelievable views.
Clue d’Aiglun is another popular option, with beautiful emerald green pools at the base, with the waterfall crashing down, but this one is maybe a step-up if you’ve never tried canyoning before.
If you book this with a guide group, they will provide all the appropriate equipment and walk you through the whole process.
13) Kayaking
I’ve always been a big fan of kayaking, giving it a go a lot while at the University of Brighton, but the views were always of the beach. Whereas Southern France is amazing for its rivers, meaning you can float along and look at all the stunning views and beautiful scenery. The rapids are largely gentle, meaning you don’t need to expect anything too fast paced.
In regards to the most popular spots to give this a try, you could check out Ardèche Gorge, which tends to combine group bookings with camping here. Another alternative is Verdon Gorge and Lac de Sainte Croix, which is so picture-perfect, you often see it on travel guide books. If you’re near Avignon, you could also check out the Sorgue River which is ideal if you’re a starter and want something relatively easy.
14) Provençal Cooking Classes
Where ever you go in the South of France, there are plenty of cooking classes available, proving a hugely popular option for people booking villas with the family. There is no doubting France has an abundance of high quality chefs, so make the most of it and learn everything you can, so you can impress everyone back home.
You can learn Provençal dishes, which have all those heart-healthy ingredients like olive oil and garlic. I also like the fact that a lot of the classes start you at the market, so you can see them pick up the ingredients fresh that are locally sourced and grown (or caught if fish).
15) The Yellow Train – Le Petit Train Jaune
Le Petit Train Jaune goes across such an amazing route, offering views of stunning scenery including gorges and over viaducts. The views are a bit steep at times, so much like the hot air balloon, this might freak out a few with an extreme fear of heights. Some of the trips will take you along the border of Spain.
Running through the Pyrenees, the journey should take around 3 hours one way, so make sure you give yourself enough time if you plan on doing a circular route. Stopping at mountain villages along the way, as well as natural parks, this journey often gets listed in the best train journeys in the world, while it’s also ideal for hikers.
Your starting point is Villefranche de Conflent and it goes to Latour de Carol via a narrow gauge line and stretching 63km.
16) Reserve Africaine De Sigean
This huge zoo (about 300 hectares of land) holds over 4,000 animals, while I love it for its natural feel, rather than a typical zoo. It’s much more like going on an African safari than a zoo trip. Plus, you should check out the huge greenhouse, which resembles the rainforest.
The animals wander around relatively freely, creating that safari feel to your experience. You will of course be in a safari jeep, as you get to see lions, zebras, giraffe and bears up-close (well, not too close to those lions).
There are areas where you can walk around off the vehicle, allowing you to stroll by lemurs and flamingos.
17) Waterparks
Who doesn’t love a water park? They are so much fun! I’d take a water park over a theme park any day, but we don’t really get them in England, with our freezing cold weather. Well one benefit to being closer to the equator is the warmer weather you get in the South of France, meaning a waterpark is a great way to cool off.
Look out for Aqualand Fréjus in Côte d’Azur, which has a huge number of slides and is the most well-known in the area. But don’t worry if you’re not staying near, there are actually a good few Aqualands, not to mention a Wave Island in Monteaux and Speedwater Park in Marseille.
18) Sete
Nicknamed ‘Little Venice’ due to its large number of canals, this romantic city is certainly off the beaten path and is great if you want to avoid the crowds of tourists. It’s predominantly a fishing town, meaning many of the dishes will be fish based, so not so great if you’re a vegetarian.
This is a great place for vineyards, windmills, waterways and a cheeky walk up Mont St Clair. Many people look to visit in August for the jousting festival, which honestly looks hysterical, as instead of horses they have teams on boats and then a jouster on each boat battling to knock the other one off.
19) Chocolate Tasting at an Artisan Chocolatiers
From the chocolate factories located all over the South of France to the chocolatier stores seen in towns, I’d strongly recommend giving chocolate tasting a try. I’d also recommend trying the freshly made and brewed hot chocolate, which tastes more like melted chocolate than a drink.
Maison du Chocolat de Puyricard near Aix en Provence offers both adult and children chocolaterie workshops, while they also have a store so you can buy absolutely everything at the end.
DuRhone in Nice has been open since 1875 and follows Swiss traditions in their chocolate making, while they offer a wine and chocolate tasting session, as well as the traditional chocolate making workshops.
20) Wild Swimming
The Loup river is a popular option for families wanting to swim, not to mention a bit of waterfall jumping, plus you can admire the gorgeous mountain pools and lakes in Cote d’Azur. These all look like something out of a movie set, yet very few people actually go here in comparison to the key tourist spots, something of a hidden gem (well, until bloggers like me write about it, sorry). Look out for the Clue d’Aiglun.
You may want to purchase some water shoes to avoid the pebbles and rocks as you get in. Pont du Diable is another famous spot you might want to visit, with sand instead of rocks. Be careful to check the weather conditions beforehand, as if it’s been raining a lot then there can be strong currents.