Southern France is just amazing.
I have a friend who is a huge Italophile. His comment on Southern France was that it doesn't have the highs of Italian Riviera but its floor is much higher (there are some shady/derelict places in Italy) and i kind of admired him saying that (again, an Italophile).
Depending on where in Southern France you are staying, there is just so much to see and vibe to.
If you are in the east, you have Nice, with surrounding towns such as Menton, Eze, Vence, Grasse, and further north, you start getting into the mountain villages along with Annecy and Lyon. Both beautiful cities and Lyon is a culinary capital.
I would recommend taking the ferry to Corsica, which had some great beaches, small towns, and just a generally less Americanized tourist scene.
West of Nice you have places like Cannes and St Tropez. In reality, these places are over-hyped and mostly filled with people pretending to be rich or big expensive yachts; however, north of this, is the Verdon National Park with the Verdon Gorge and lake. Great place to rent a paddle boat for a day. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is also a cool town right there and cheap.
Central coast, you have Marseille. I love/hate town that i suspect kids won't like, but definitely has a very international/African vibe due to immigration. I'm not the biggest fan.
Instead, stay south of Marseille in either Cassis or Les Goudes. Rent or charter a boat, and head to the Calanques in the area. In the heart of summer, the water is like 24 degrees.
North of that is Provence. Aix-ein-Provence is legit one of the most beautiful places and quintessential southern France. However, renting a car from here and exploring the Provence region is great - Roussilion, Saint Remy, Gordes - and the drive is great.
Just west you have Arles, Avignon, and Nimes. The Roman Triangle. Great day trips all around here and within to see some of the best preserved Roman ruins outside of Rome. Great wineries around here, including the famous Chateau-neuf-de-pape
As you shift west towards Montpellier and that coast, it really gets more "natural" along the shores. Less beach towns, but Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is a plus. I've been told Montpellier is quite beautiful.
Carcassonne castle is a must in the region.
As you get closer to the pyranese/spanish border is definitely less touristy but equally as beautiful for nature - i have only really driven through this area.
This is just a tip of the French iceburg as this is one of my favourite places in Europe. French Alps, Alsace, Normandy, Loire Valley, Burgandy and Bordeaux *chefs kiss*
|