South France trip itinerary part 3 – Days 9-12

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South of France Travel Itinerary: 12 Days in Provence and the French Riviera 

Southern France Travel Itinerary – 5 Magical Days from Nice to the Verdon Canyon

South of France trip itinerary part 2 – Days 6-9

Aix-en-Provence

Known as the “City of Counts” and the “City of a Thousand Fountains“, Aix-en-Provence has an elegance that reflects its noble heritage. The relaxed lifestyle and sultry Provençal charm attract many visitors.

Former capital of Provence, 30 km from Marseille, Aix-en-Provence is a lively university center. Bathed in sunlight, the city of the famous impressionist Paul Cézanne fascinates with its historic center, with its beautiful buildings, bright squares, numerous cafes and restaurants, wide avenues and centuries-old plane trees.

How to get to Aix-en-Provence? 

• With rent-a-car
• By train or bus from Marseille
• By train or bus from Cassis
• By train or bus from Avignon
• By train or bus from Nice

Where to stay in Aix-en-Provence?

• Appart Aix sauna jacuzzi balneo spa – this apartment is located in the center of Aix-en-Provence and offers a sauna, jacuzzi and outdoor pool. Cozy furnished, the apartment also has a terrace and a garden. The rating is Excellent 9.2, and the price for a night for two is 153 EUR.
• Appartement exceptionnel avec parking Centre-ville Aix-en-Provence – the cozy apartment in the center of Aix-en-Provence has a fully equipped kitchen and offers its guests free parking. The rating is Excellent 9.1 and the price per night for two is 307 EUR.
• Hotel Cardinal – the hotel is located about 800 m from the Cours Mirabo and the cathedral. Extremely comfortably furnished, each room is decorated in a different style. The rating is Very good 8.6, and the price for a night for two is 112 EUR.
• Hôtel des Augustins – the hotel is located in the historic part of Aix-en-Provence behind the walls of a 12th century monastery. Furnished in a traditional style, the hotel combines the charm of the past with modern comforts. Paid parking is also available to guests. The rating is Very good 8.1, and the price for a night for two is 144 EUR.
• Hôtel Particulier le 28 – the hotel is centrally located 200 m from Cours Mirabeau. It has an indoor pool, a garden, two terraces, a restaurant and paid parking. Offers the “Babysitting” service. The rating is Exceptional 8.6, and the price for a night for two is 330 EUR.
• Château de la Gaude – The 5-star hotel is set in a château and offers a garden, an outdoor pool, a spa, 4 restaurants and free parking. The rating is Excellent 9.0 and the price per night for two is 813 EUR.
• Les Chambres Romantiques – JACUZZI Privatif, Domaine Aixois d’exception – the hotel offers its guests an outdoor pool, garden, spa, free parking. The rating is Excellent 9.8, and the price for a night for two is 456 EUR.

Sights in Aix-en-Provence?

• Course Mirabeau
• The old town Vieil Aix
• The Fountain of the Nine Cannons (Fontaine des Neuf-Canons)
• The Rotonda Fountain (Fontaine de la Rotonde)
• Place de la Rotonde
• Fountain of King Rene (Fontaine du Roi Rene)
• Place des Augustins in Vieil Aix
• The town hall building
• The Clock Tower (Tour de l’Horloge)
• The Augustine Fountain (Fontaine Des Augustins)
• Place d’Albertas
• Follow the signs In the footsteps of Cézanne and see where they take you
• The fountain on Rue de la Couronne (Fontaine – Rue de la Couronne)
• Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur
• Place des Prêcheurs
• Church of the Madeleine (Église de la Madeleine)
• Fontaine des Prêcheurs
• Musée Granet
• Museum of Tapestry (Musée des Tapisseries)
• Vasarely Foundation
• Cézanne’s studio

What to visit in the Aix-en-Provence area ?

• Black currant
• Marseille
• Calanques National Park

Cassis

Called in the not-too-distant past the St. Tropez of the poor, the fishing village of Cassis quickly gained popularity and became a favorite vacation spot for the French. Nestled between the picturesque limestone cliffs of the Calanque National Park and the mighty Cap Canaille, the highest sea cliff in Europe, Cassis is located only 20 km from Marseille.

How to get to Cassis?

• With rent-a-car
• By train or bus from Marseille
• By train or bus from Aix-en-Provence
• By train or bus from Avignon
• By train or bus from Nice

Important if you get to Cassis with a car!

If you are planning a visit to Cassis during the summer months, especially August, be prepared for kilometers of traffic jams entering and exiting the town. Finding a free parking space is also a challenge, so arm yourself with patience. Despite these inconveniences, a visit to Cassis is definitely worth it.

Where to stay in Cassis?

Recommendation:

If you plan to stay in Cassis in August, I advise you to book your nights at least a month in advance. The French love to spend their holiday in Cassis and when we visited there was not a single bed available in the town.

Here are some suggestions:

• Royal Cottage – the hotel is located in the middle of a tropical garden only 300 m from the beach and close to the port. It has a terrace and an outdoor pool, and undoubtedly the biggest convenience is the free on-site parking . The rating is Very good 8.3, and the price for a night for two is 195 EUR.
• Côté vignes cassis – Features a terrace, garden and outdoor pool. Free parking is available on site. The rating is Exceptional 9.9, and the price for a night for two is 662 EUR.
• Rêves de vie, appartement vue mer – the apartment has a sea view, a bedroom and an equipped kitchen, a bathroom with a jacuzzi. It offers a terrace, a spa center and an outdoor pool. Pets are welcome. Free parking is available on site. The rating is Exceptional 9.5, and the price for a night for two is 282 EUR.
• You will find more suggestions here .

Sights in Cassis

• The old town
• The Promenade
• The picturesque port
• The Castle of Cassis (Château de Cassis). Please note it is not open for visits.
• Corton Beach ( Plage du Corton )
• Arena Beach (La plage de l’Arène)
• Central Grande Mer Beach (Plage de la Grande Mer)
• Bestouan Beach (Plage du Bestouan)
• Cap Canaille ( Cap Canaille )
• Wine tourism

What to visit in the Cassis area?

• Calanque National Park – how to get there and what activities it offers in the next part of the post
• Marseille
• Aix-en-Provence

Calanques National Park

The fjords of Provence Calanques amaze with incredible beauty and magnificent nature. Limestone cliffs and rocky headlands plunging into the Mediterranean sea cut the French coast along 20 kilometers from Marseille to Cassis and La Ciotat.

The Calanques National Park extends over an area of ​​about 26,000 hectares from the southern border of Marseille to the border with the department of Var. The landscapes are fantastically beautiful, and among the steep cliffs hide small beaches where you can swim or dive in the turquoise waters.

How to get to Calanques?

The Calanque National Park can be reached by tourist boat from Marseille or Cassis. There are hiking routes from both places that give you the opportunity to enjoy the stunning views from above. You could also visit the Calanques by kayak or paddleboard and explore the hidden caves in the rocks.

Important information!

Before planning your visit to the National Park, inform yourself in advance about the rules of the visit and the risks of fire, especially if you will be visiting the Calanques on foot. Days marked in red are off limits.

Activities in the Calanques National Park

The Calanques National Park offers different types of activities – from visiting with a tourist ferry to climbing the vertical steep cliffs. What you choose is entirely up to you. Here are some suggestions:

• Visit by mountain bike
• See the Calanques from above. Trekking with a guide, discovering hidden places, swimming and lunch included.
• If you are fans of thrill and adrenaline and love rock climbing and zip line descent, then the Via Ferrata is the offer for you.
• Boat ride and stop on the island of Friuli
• To the Calanques by paddleboard from Cassis
• Calanques – hiking
• Calanques – kayaking
• Calanques – 4 hours boat ride , snorkeling, visit to hidden caves
• Visit the Calanques island of Friuli by sailing on a yacht

Marseille

In my childhood, when I was voraciously devouring the novels of Dumas, the name Marseilles was shrouded in an aura of mystery. I shuddered every time, transported centuries back in time to a place, a scene of historical events, romance , mysticism and violent passions.

Founded by the Phocaeans around 600 BC, France’s oldest city is now noisy, dirty and overcrowded. I discovered the charm of Marseille for myself through the streets of the Old Town , the old port and the cathedrals of Notre-Dame de la Garde and Santa Maria Major (Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure). 

How to get to Marseille?

• By plane
• With rent-a-car

Where to stay in Marseille?

• InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu, an IHG Hotel – 5-star hotel with restaurant, terrace, spa and indoor pool. It is located in an 18th century building in the historic part of Marseille. It has facilities for guests with disabilities . Pets are also allowed. It offers paid parking on site. The rating is Very good 8.5, and the price for a night for two is 293 EUR.
• Le Pytheas Vieux Port Marseille – self-contained, fully equipped apartment located on the old port and overlooking the sea. There is a public transport stop nearby, as well as numerous shops, restaurants and cafes. The rating is Excellent 9.4 , and the price for a night for two is 235 EUR.
• Appart hôtel Maison Montgrand-Vieux Port – the apart hotel has a fully equipped kitchen, restaurant, bar and garden. The rating is Very good 8.5, and the price for a night for two is 141 EUR.
• Les Appartements du Vieux Port – the apartment is located near the old port. It has a fully equipped kitchen and a balcony. Accepts pets . The rating is Excellent 9.4 , and the price for a night for two is 115 EUR.
• Les Appartements de Babel République – the apartment is spacious, bright, with an excellent location near the metro stop. The rating is Excellent 9.1 and the price for a night for two is 104 EUR.
• Villa 6 pers 5 min Marseille – the detached house has three bedrooms and is suitable if you are traveling as a family or with friends. It is located near Marseille. It has a garden, outdoor pool, barbecue, free parking. Accepts pets. The rating is Excellent 9.0 and the price per night for the whole house for 9 people is 365 EUR.
• Nuit insolite à bord d’un Yacht – spend the night on board a yacht . The rooms are well-equipped, and some of them also have a kitchen. The yacht offers its guests a bar as well as parking. The rating is Very good 8.0 , and the price for a night for two is 196 EUR.

Sights in Marseille

Recommendation:

Take advantage of the benefits of the Marseille City Pass . The 24-hour card gives you unlimited access to all types of public transport, use of the tourist train to the hill of Notre Dame de la Garde, a visit to the island of Friul and the castle of If, and much more.

The incredibly beautiful Notre-Dame de la Garde left me speechless. I stared in awe at the exquisite murals and for a long time I could not take my eyes off them.

• Cathedral of Santa Maria Major (Sainte-Marie-Majeure)
• The Old Town (Le Panier)
• Street art in the Old Town
• The Old Port (Vieux Port)
• The mirror awning of the old port
• Saint-Ferreol les Augustins Roman Catholic Church
• The building of the Chamber of Commerce
• The town hall
• The prefecture
• The savings bank
• Courthouse
• The fountains of Marseille
• The building of the Hotel Intercontinental , which for 800 years was the city hospital of Marseille
• The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations The MuCEM
• Fort Saint-Jean (Fort Saint-Jean)
• Fort Saint Nicholas
• The picturesque port of Vallon des Auffes
• Kennedy Bay (Corniche JF Kennedy)
• The Palais Longchamp (The Palais Longchamp)
• The Alcazar library
• The stadium Stade Velodrome (Stade Velodrome)

What to visit in the Marseille area?

The Marseille area offers endless possibilities, so give yourself more time. In addition to the Riviera, visit the nearby villages of Provence.

• Undoubtedly the most visited place in the Marseille region is the Calanque National Park . You can visit it by boat , the 4-hour duration includes snorkeling and a visit to hidden caves.
• Explore the Calanques from above , visit hidden caves and dive into the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea
• Kayak around the Calanques
• Visit the island of Friul and the Calanques by sailing on a yacht
• Diving on the island of Friuli
• Visit the fishing port of The Goudes district on your way to the Calanques
• Visit the charming town of Cassis
• Visit picturesque Aix-en-Provence

Saint Tropez

Every summer, pictures of movie stars, oligarchs and models enjoying champagne on yachts and dancing in nightclubs grace the pages of celebrity magazines, with the caption “spotted in St. Tropez“. Once a small fishing village, today Saint Tropez attracts the rich with its beautiful beaches, luxury yachts, boutiques, cafes and bars, offering a vacation with a touch of chic.

But in Saint Tropez you will not only see luxurious beaches. The city skillfully combines the charm of Provence and the French Riviera with its narrow streets, elegant restaurants, beautiful harbor with wooden masts and white sand beaches.

How to get to Saint Tropez?

• With rent-a-car
• By bus from Marseille
• By train from Marseille
• By bus , train or ferry from Nice.

Where to stay in Saint Tropez?

• RARE! Appartement – ​​the apartment with a size of 100 sq.m. is located in a prime location on the harbor in Saint Tropez. Cozy furnished, with attention to detail, the apartment has a bedroom, a living room and a fully equipped kitchen. The view is to the harbor and the sea. If you are driving,there is a paid parking lot nearby. The rating is Exceptional 9.7, and the price for a night for two is 1263 EUR.
• Saint Tropez Spacieux Appartement La Florida – a large and comfortably furnished apartment that offers its guests free on-site parking . It has a terrace and is located about 1.2 km from the sea. The rating is Excellent 9.1 and the price per night for two is 1307 EUR.
• New Cozy Flat Saint Tropez – located 13 minutes’ walk from La Ponche Beach. It has two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a balcony and free on-site parking . The rating is Excellent 9.1 and the price for four is 1348 EUR.
• Hôtel La Tartane Saint-Tropez – a 5-star hotel located between the center of Saint-Tropez and the beaches. It offers Mediterranean and Asian cuisine . It has an outdoor pool. Free parking on site and free shuttle to the beaches, especially if you have small children . It is also suitable for people with difficulty moving. The rating is Excellent 9.1 and the price of a family room is 1282 EUR.
• Airelles Pan Dei Palais – is a luxury hotel in the heart of Saint Tropez. It is located next to the port. It has a spa, garden, outdoor pool, private beach. Suitable for people with mobility difficulties . The rating is Excellent 9.1 and the price for a family room is 2883 EUR.
• Hôtel la Figuière – the hotel is located 3 km from Saint-Tropez and 650 m from the beach. It has a garden, outdoor pool and free parking . The rating is Incredible 8.6, and the price for a night for two is 326 EUR.
• Maison d’Orange La Pinede – located 10-15 minutes walking distance from the city center. It has an outdoor pool, garden , sea view, free parking . The rating is Very good 8.3 , and the price for a night for two is 341 EUR.

Sights in Saint Tropez 

Recommendation:

If you are with children or people with limited mobility, take a tour of Saint Tropez by train.

• Promenade of Saint Tropez
• The port of Saint Tropez
• The anchors of Saint Tropez
• La Ponche Beach
• the old Town
• Château de la Moutte
• The galleries in the old town
• The arches in the old town
• The Church of the Assumption (Notre Dame de l’Assomption)
• The chic boutiques in the old town
• The Cat (Le Chat) – the bronze statue of Felipe Geluk
• Paul Signac ‘s house
• Museum of Art (Musee de l’Annonciade)
• The National Gendarmerie of Saint-Tropez, made famous by the films of Louis de Fines
• Place des Lices
• Aqualand Sainte-Maxime , especially if you are with children (Aqualand Sainte-Maxime). Opens in June.
• Wine tasting

What to do and visit in the Saint Tropez area?

• Kayaking, snorkeling and jumping from three-meter cliffs
• Visit Cap Taillat
• Visit the infamous Pampelonne beach
• Kon Tiki, the so-called The Republic of Kon Tiki, which stretches along the Riviera around Pamplona Beach
• Wine tourism combined with mountain biking in the region

Antibes

Antibes is our last stop on the tour of Provence and the French Riviera .

In Gentle is the Night, Francis Scott Fitzgerald describes the view from the Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc in Antibes: “ Early in the morning the distant outlines of Cannes, the rose-cream walls of old fortresses, and the lilac Alps bordering the Italian coast, reflected in the water , trembled on the ripples of seaweed on the surface of the transparent shallow water. ” Romantic, right? Charming Antibes has become one of my favorite places in the South of France.

The second largest resort town after Nice, located on the Cote d’Azur in the Provence region, was founded by Greek sailors in the 6th century BC. The city derives its name from the ancient name Antipolis , meaning ” the city opposite “. Opposite is Nice /then Nicaea/.

Antibes was originally just a colony of today’s Marseille. But because it was the only fortified point from Marseilles to Italy, and thanks to its location on the important route from Rome to Gaul, Antibes became important and was for a long time the largest city in the region.

How to get to Antibes?

• With rent-a-car
• By train from Nice
• By train from Marseille
• By train from Aix-en-Provence
• By bus from Nice
• By bus from Aix-en-Provence

Where to stay in Antibes?

• Mas Djoliba is a comfortably furnished hotel, which is located in the middle of greenery in a park and offers its guests an outdoor pool and a terrace. Grimaldi Cathedral and Castle are about a kilometer away and the beach is 6 minutes away. Antibes train station is a 10-minute walk away, making the hotel an extremely convenient location if you travel by train. The rating is Excellent 9.3, and the price for a night for two is 200 EUR.
• BNB RENTING 2 bedrooms near the beach 300 meters is a self-contained apartment with two bedrooms and a kitchen, which is located 300 meters from the beach and offers its guests free on-site parking . The rating is Excellent 9.1 and the price for four people for the whole apartment is 2436 EUR per night.
• Hotel Le Ponteil combines the comfort of Provence and the French Riviera. It is located in a quiet and peaceful location 150 m from the beach and 10 minutes’ walk from the Picasso Museum. There is also a parking lot nearby. The rating is Exceptional 8.7, and the price for a night for two is 457 EUR.
• Hôtel La Villa Port d’Antibes & Spa is cosily furnished and located in the center of Antibes. It offers its guests family rooms, a spa, an outdoor pool and a bar. It is suitable for people with movement disorders. The rating is Exceptional 8.9, and the price for a night for two is 352 EUR.
• Backpackers is a budget proposition in Antibes, suitable for backpackers and public transport. It is located 150 meters from the beach, very close to the Picasso Museum, and the train station is 700 meters away . The rating is Very good 8.0, and the price per night per person is 61 EUR.

Sights in Antibes

Recommendation:

If you are with small children or people with difficulty moving , explore the sights of Antibes with a hop-on hop-off bus or train.

• The Old Town (Vieil Antibes)
• The Picasso Museum
• The sculptures of Miró, Paige, Armand and Rissier in front of the Picasso Museum
• Follow the signs for the Picasso Trail
• The art installation under the museum
• The coastal promenade , from which a magnificent view of the Mediterranean and the Alps is revealed.
• Cape Antibes (Cap d’Antibes)
• The picturesque port of Port Vauban (Port Vauban)
• The Nomad sculpture
• Fort Carre
• Antibes Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Platea)
• The old bell tower
• The fountains in front of the Grand Hotel before nightfall
• The galleries in the old town
• Musée Peynet
• Visit a local restaurant and bar with live music
• The marine park Marineland , if you are with children

What to visit in the Antibes area?

• Nice

• Kan
• More places and activities:

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