Europe 07/24/24

The Only South of France Itinerary You’ll Ever Need

Is there anything dreamier than a South of France getaway? If you’re planning your own trip, trust me when I say that you’re in for a treat. There are few places as special as this region, and you can experience such a wide range of activities, foods, and overall feels in a short amount of time.

Brian and I recently went on a trip to celebrate our anniversary, and I already can’t wait to go back. If you’re planning a special vacation or you’re toasting to a big milestone, the South of France really is the perfect place to do so.

I know there are so many different places that are worthy of a visit in France, but I’m sharing all the details on our trip below. We spent 14 days traveling, and while it felt like a long time to be away from home, I’m glad we had that much time to thoroughly enjoy each destination.

Below, find my complete South of France itinerary, which highlights many of the activities we did, restaurants we enjoyed, and places we stayed. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section at the end of this post. Otherwise, lean into the fun of planning your trip and indulge in every second of your getaway!

South of France Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Paris

Check in at Hotel du Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées

I know Paris isn’t technically part of the South of France, but Hunny buns (Brian) had never been before, so we figured we would make this our first stop along the way. It’s also the most frequented first stop for travelers, so I figured I would recap our experience here as well.

We stayed at the Hotel du Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées and were so pleased with how comfortable we felt (especially after such a long day of travel!)

Dinner at Coco Paris

We had dinner the first night of our arrival at Coco Paris. I had been to this restaurant the previous fall when I was visiting for Fashion Week and was totally impressed. We sat inside and it was just as special of an experience as it was when I dined outside the first time around.

I’d highly suggest making reservations for 19:00 when they first open for dinner. This way, you’ll be one of the first to enter! For food, I could not recommend the Lobster Linguine more — so flavorful and pairs perfectly with a glass of white wine.

Day 2: Eiffel Tower day

Take an Eiffel Tower Tour

While I had been to Paris a handful of times before, this trip was the first time I actually went up the Eiffel Tower. We decided to walk there (30 minutes from our hotel) and climbed up all the steps. I know many people prefer to take the lift up, but we loved that we got to take in the view from multiple vantage points, as well as get in some exercise. It was raining the day we did this, but honestly, it’s such a lovely experience regardless of the weather.

If you want to skip the line or take the lift, you can book priority access tickets here.

Oh, and because we visited Paris just ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, the Eiffel Tower was all dressed up with the iconic Olympic rings. It was so fun to see it decked out in real life!

Visit Musee d’Orsay

I know there’s a plethora of museums to choose from when planning a visit to France (especially Paris!) but the Musee d’Orsay is definitely one of my favorites. It’s much smaller and less crowded than more well known options, like the Louvre.

Lunch at Le Saint Germain

After strolling through the museum, we walked around a bit more and ended up having lunch at Le Saint Germain. This spot is located in my favorite neighborhood in Paris and is unique in that it feels more like a local spot than a tourist hang out. The area boasts lots of old shops, cute patisseries, and little corner bistros.

Dinner on the Seine Cruise

So many people had recommended the Seine Dinner Cruise to me, and when I told Brian about it, we decided to make it happen on this trip. It had been raining all day but the sun came out just in time for us to set off — perfect timing!

The cruise kicked off with champagne and we totally soaked up the scenery (and people watching) throughout the night. We went right by the Eiffel Tower and it was so fun to see it from a different perspective.

Overall, the food, drinks, and experience was unique and totally worth doing. It felt very special yet wasn’t too pricey when you consider you get a full meal out of it as well.

Day 3: Explore Reims

Veuve Clicquot Tour

Just a bit over an hour and a half west of Paris you’ll hit the city of Reims. It’s the official capital of the champagne wine-growing region and had been on my bucket list for quite some time. We of course took a tour at Veuve Clicquot and learned so much about this highly coveted brand and the history of champagne. We even got to try two vintages — a rosé and brut!

The scenery here was absolutely to die for, and no, pictures don’t do it justice. It’s so lush and has such an untouched feel.

Dom Caudron Tour

After fueling up with some lunch (totally necessary when wine tasting!) we visited Dom Caudron. It’s a much smaller house that produces champagne for many other houses. We learned that there are over 5,000 champagne brands in just this little town.

Day 4: Stroll Around Paris

Since we had a jammed-packed day before, we decided to lay relatively low on day four of our trip. I always think it’s smart to pencil in some days that are dedicated to “down time” while you’re traveling. You might need some extra rest, and you likely will come across places you want to check out once you actually get there.

Lunch at Perruche Paris

Perruche Paris is a rooftop restaurant that has the prettiest views, a fun atmosphere, and excellent bites. The setting really is so magical and I just adore the yellow and white decor throughout the inside and outside. We enjoyed our time here so much that we started lunch at 12:30 and were still there at 5 pm!

p.s. If you like craft cocktails, they are always making something fun here.

Day 5: Arrive in Aix en Provence

Check in at Les Lodges Sainte-Victoire

The Les Lodges Sainte-Victoire property is everything I have ever dreamed of. After being there for just a few hours, I was convinced that we should extend our time there (hopefully we can on our next trip!) It offers the best French countryside feels and is so cozy and welcoming. It’s also quiet and really makes you feel like you have the entire place to yourself.

Upon arrival, we started strong with a charcuterie board and champagne on the terrace (when in France!) Next, a nap was in order, followed by dinner at the hotel — the ideal way to settle in slowly.

Day 6: Wine Tour

Being in the South of France calls for lots of wine tasting, and we had a great time on the Cotes de Provence Wine Tour from Aix-en-Provence. It’s a half day excursion that allows you to sample red varieties and rosés during two wine-tasting sessions. The transportation was convenient and you can choose from a morning or afternoon session.

Day 7: Our Anniversary Celebration

A week into our trip was our anniversary, which was inherently a memorable day. We spent time by the pool (and at one point I had the entire space to myself!) It was the R&R we so desperately needed.

Dinner at La Petite Ferme

Hunny Buns chose La Petite Ferme for our anniversary dinner and I was obsessed with it. From the pretty ambiance to the perfectly presented dishes, it was everything we hoped for and more. Prepare for a hearty, filling, and flavorful meal if you book a reservation here!

Day 8: Arrive in Cannes

Check in at Hotel Ermitage de L’Oasis

With just 36 rooms and suites, I liked the intimate feel at Hotel Ermitage de L’Oasis and appreciated the roomy space we got. We had a sweeping view of the hilltops and town from our room and loved having so many windows that we could open up for some fresh air. The hotel also offered very tasty breakfast options which was an added perk in my book!

Dinner at La Brocherie a Mandelieu

What do you get when you combine marina views with decadent seafood? A meal (and full night) that you won’t forget. La Brocherie a Mandelieu is a waterfront restaurant on the Port of La Napoule. There are a variety of seafood dishes you can choose from, each fresh and locally sourced.

We were lucky enough that this spot happened to be right by the hotel we were staying out — can’t beat that convenience! Be sure to order the crepe suzette for dessert and stroll through the marina after you dine.

Day 9: Relax and Sightsee

Lunch at Agnelli Cafe

Don’t get me wrong, you must indulge in all the seafood while you’re in Cannes, but after a lot of it you might crave something different. For me, it was a burger, and Agnelli Cafe delivered.

Walked up to Château de la Castre

After a glass of wine (yes, I was totally wined out after I got back from this trip) we walked up to Château de la Castre. This is an easy yet “worth it” activity to do in the French Riviera, and the views from the top are so stunning. I enjoyed all the architecture we saw, and loved that there were bougainvillea flowers everywhere along the walk!

Overall, if you have the time during your trip, Cannes is fully worth exploring (especially if you rent a car.) I can only imagine how much fun it is during the film festival!

Day 10: Visit St Tropez

Private Boat Tour

Of course we had to get into the water, so a private boat tour it was! We booked our excursion with Adventure Sports Saint Tropez and thought everyone was so kind. I decided to try wake surfing, and after a few fails, finally got up on the board and had the best time (talk about a life-long memory!)

I would consider this an absolute must if you’re in the area. Book a wake surf lesson and a tour of the St. Tropez area with Matt! He took us to Port Grimaud which is known as the “Venice of Provence.” You can get there by car or ferry but it was such a treat to see it by boat. We also got to drool over mega yachts, spot celebrity homes, and lust after every inch of St. Tropez.

Indulge at White 1921 Saint Tropez

If you’re looking for something really special to do in Saint Tropez, I’d suggest having a meal at
Restaurant Arnaud Donckele & Maxime Frédéric. It’s a Louis Vuitton gourmet concept located inside the charming White 1921 hotel. The feminine and polished atmosphere makes for such a gorgeous setting, and each dish was so unusual and delicious.

We had eight (yes, eight!) courses and scarfed down every single one of them. I never thought I’d see the day that Brian said he was full, but it happened here, and every bite was worth it. Make a reservation plenty in advance for the best chance of getting a table, otherwise you can join the waitlist (I did and we got in!)

Day 11: Arrive in Nice

Check in at Le Grimaldi

Our last stop on our South of France trip was to Nice, and it was the dreamiest place to end such a wonderful getaway. We booked a room at Le Grimaldi and adored the location, spacious room, and the view, which reminded us of Zurich.

Dinner at Bocca Mar

Speaking of location, there’s no better spot than Bocca Mar to have dinner while in Nice. Our table was right along the vibrant blue water and we got to listen to the crashing waves as the sun set. After a great meal, we walked along the pebbled beach and snapped a few pictures.

Day 12: Tour of Monaco, Monte Carlo, and Èze

Full Day Tour

Because we wanted to make the most out of the short time we had in Nice and the surrounding cities, we set up a full day tour to scope out Monaco, Monte Carlo, and Èze. It is a 7 hour ordeal but I was impressed by it all and thought it was a great way to see a lot without staying too many extra days.

Like I mentioned above, I think it’s important to balance out your days with some full days and some leisure days so you can explore and get to know each destination in a thoughtful way.

In Èze, we went to the Jardin Botanique d’Eze, and even though it was overcast, I’m glad we went up! In Monaco we got to see the change of the guards at the Palace (it happens daily at 11:55 am if you want to see it) and we drove along the iconic race tracks. We also had lunch at Le Pinocchio Monaco and it ended up being one of favorite meals from the entire tripe. And in Monte Carlo, we shopped and stopped at Cafe de Paris Monte-Carlo to refuel with coffee (this place is a total vibe!)

Dinner back in Nice

After a very full day, we decided to stay close to our hotel and have dinner at Miamici. They serve Italian food and I swear I had the best focaccia I’ve ever had in my life! It’s on a somewhat quiet street which we appreciated after such a social outing.

Day 13: Beach Day

Sur la Cote d’Azur

The weather certainly showed off on our last day in Nice, and boy am I grateful for that. We had full sunshine which boasted the Mediterranean Sea at its best! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I adored Nice and can’t wait to bring the whole family back in the future. Regardless of what you do in Nice, planning a beach day is an absolute must!

Drinks at Le Plongeoir

The last night called for a unique send off, so we headed to Le Plongeoir for cocktails. If you want to get dinner here, be sure to make reservations several months in advance — it’s super popular. Hot tip: You don’t need a reservation to get drinks in the lounge bar (which is what we did!) The drinks were so refreshing and it was a favorite stop of ours.

Dinner at Restaurant Du Club Nautique

Our Nice tour guide told us that Restaurant Du Club Nautique was where all the locals go, so of course we had to check it out for ourselves. The setting was of course gorgeous and I felt like the menu had a good variety. We celebrated with one last glass of wine (like I mentioned, I’m wine-d out for now!) and toasted to an amazing trip.

Day 14: Head Home

After the most memorable two-week vacay, we were sad to say goodbye to France while also feeling ready to get back to our roots. This was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and I hope you found some good tips and recommendations for your own getaway!