7 AMAZING SOUTH OF FRANCE CITIES

South of France Cities / Image: Elise Goy

From its clear blue waters and coastal towns to the rolling mountains of the Pyrenees and the French Alps, the South of France has a lot to offer.

Not only does this magnificent region have the most sparkling coastline, it also has some of the best South of France cities within the whole country. If you’re looking for a dreamy escape from the working world, this is the place to be!

We have narrowed down our selection to 7 of the most amazing South of France cities, which showcase the best of the region’s beaches, museums, shopping and landscapes. Take a look below and read about these glorious cities……

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St Jean Cap Ferrat

St Jean Cap Ferrat is one of our favorite South of France cities! The small peninsula of St Jean Cap Ferrat protrudes from the land between Monaco and Nice, boasting beautiful, wild beaches against a backdrop of lush green forest. The former fishing village became a popular place for people holidaying on the French Riviera at the end of the 19th century. Now it has an interesting collection of museums and monuments to explore at a leisurely pace. Of particular interest is the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, where visitors can explore the lavish interiors and gardens that stretch out along the coastline. For those who prefer to enjoy nature at its wildest, a path studded with beaches hugs the rocky coastline of St Jean Cap Ferrat for 12 kilometres. If St Jean Cap Ferrat is one of your chosen South of France cities, join us on our French Escape Adventure where we will be exploring the amazing South of France region.

South of France Cities / Image: Gerti Gjuzi

Aix en Provence

Aix en Provence is a quaint university city with tree-lined avenues, sun-kissed terraces and an excellent market. Known as “The City of a Thousand Fountains”, Aix is also famous for being the birthplace of Paul Cezanne. This means that Provence is rich in art and culture, from the abstract architecture and collection at the Vasarely Foundation, to Cezanne’s very own studio, the Atelier Cezanne. Making Aix en Provence one of the most interesting South of France cities to visit.

We visit Provence on our magnificent French Escape Road Trip where we explore some of the best South of France cities and adventure the coastline.

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Marseille

The cosmopolitan city of Marseille is famous for being the gateway to the Mediterranean and one of the most visited South of France cities. You can find a taste of Morocco at the Marche de Noailles, fresh fish at the morning market by the Old Port, and pop-up stores and boutiques at Les Docks Village. Not far from the docks are the narrow lanes of the old town, named “Le Panier”. The neighbourhood houses art galleries, studios, and artisanal shops, and the streets are adorned with colourful street art and potted plants. Marseille is also home to numerous historical buildings, including the Palais Longchamp, built to bring water to the city after a Cholera epidemic, and Château d’If, a former prison. A little further afield, the Calanques National Park is an area of unique natural beauty, with steep limestone cliffs descending into the blue water of the Mediterranean. Marseille is definitely a must when visiting the South of France.

We do a whistle stop tour of Marseille on our French Escape Adventure and enjoy this destination as one of the most beautiful South of France cities.

South of France Cities / Image: Florian Wehde

Gordes

On your tour of the best South of France cities, you may want to visit Gordes. Nestled in the mountains above Marseille, Gordes is a picturesque town with cobbled streets and historic buildings. Breath-taking views of the surrounding countryside make it easy to imagine the impressive vantage point the town would have had during medieval invasions. One of the most unusual sights to see here are the Caves of the Palace of Saint Firmin, which are thought to have housed various workspaces for locksmiths and artisans, as well as an olive oil mill. The caves were dug into the rock under the palace, and also provided an escape route for the residents during the Revolution. Gordes is a unique and inviting location that is worth a visit if you are touring the South of France cities. We highly recommend it!

South of France Cities / Images: Renan Brun

Moustiers Sainte Marie

It is hardly surprising that the village of Moustiers Sainte Marie has been named one of the most beautiful villages in France, given that it is situated in both the Natural Regional Park of Verdon and the Haute Provence UNESCO Geopark. A golden star hangs between the two cliffs on either side of the village, and tales of where it came from only add to the magic and charm of the place. It is worth the climb up 262 steps not only to see the Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel, but also for the excellent views of the village and surrounding area. Visitors spend a few hours wandering through the quaint streets, before making their way down to the beautiful Verdon Gorge, an area popular for hiking, kayaking, and bird watching. Moustiers Sainte Marie is one of the most picturesque South of France cities and is a hidden treasure on any trip to the region.

We visit this beautiful gem on our French Escape Adventure, where we tour the beautiful South of France region on our classic road trip.

Valensole

Valensole is a local town where the main attraction is the lavender fields. In the months of June and July, vibrant fields of purple roll through the valley, and people flock to the town to photograph the flowers against the mountainous backdrop. Tours give visitors an insight into the distillation process of lavender and how it is used in perfumes and cooking. At the end of July, a festival is held to celebrate the final lavender harvest. On this day, visitors can pick their own lavender and enjoy a variety of lavender inspired products. Join us on our French Escape where we will visit these beautiful lavender fields.

South of France Cities / Image: Karen McLeod

Antibes

Antibes is a picturesque town sitting on the Mediterranean seafront. There is a great collection of sandy and stony beaches to choose from, as well as hidden coves with an array of underwater life to discover. The old ramparts offer excellent views of the sea, but for a more adventurous walk, take the Chemin des Douaniers (a panoramic pathway) along the seafront of Cap d'Antibes. For art lovers, a collection of works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro Nicolas de Staël, Hans Hartung, and Anna-Eva Bergman are housed in the Picasso Museum. The building, also known as Château Grimaldi, was where Picasso worked on numerous pieces during 1946. Antibes is a highly favored city that makes it one of the 7 amazing South of France cities to visit.