24 places to visit in the south of France beyond Nice and Cannes

Nice is the main city of the French Riviera and is famous for its vibrant energy. It sits along a giant bay with bright blue water and is home to the Promenade des Anglais, a famous 4-mile long walkway where people jog, skate, and sit on iconic blue chairs to watch the waves. The Old Town (Vieux Nice) is a maze of narrow streets filled with buildings painted in warm yellows and reds.

Best Time: Late spring or early fall for warm weather without the intense July heat.

Traveler Tip: The beach here is made of smooth pebbles, not sand. Bring a thick mat or rent a lounge chair if you want to be comfortable!

Must Know: Visit the Cours Saleya market in the morning to find fresh local snacks like socca (a delicious chickpea pancake).

Located right on the border of Italy, Menton is known as the "Pearl of France." It is famous for its bright yellow and orange houses that look beautiful in photos. Because it stays warm here all year, it is also world-famous for growing giant, sweet lemons.

Best Time: February, during the giant Lemon Festival, where they build massive statues out of citrus fruit.

Traveler Tip: Head to the Sablettes Beach area for a view of the colorful houses stacked up the hillside.

Must Know: Because it is so close to the border, the food here is a perfect mix of French and Italian styles.

Èze is a "perched" village, meaning it was built on top of a giant cliff to protect it from pirates hundreds of years ago. It looks like a fairy tale village with narrow stone tunnels and tiny art shops. At the very top, there is a Jardin Exotique full of giant cactus plants and ruins.

Best Time: Early morning (before 9:00 AM) before the big tour buses arrive.

Traveler Tip: The view from the top garden is one of the best in the world, you can see all the way to St. Tropez!

Must Know: The village is for pedestrians only, so you will be doing a lot of walking on steep, uneven stone paths.

Monaco is its own tiny country inside the South of France. It is where the wealthiest people in the world live and play. You can see the Prince's Palace, walk the same streets used for the famous Formula 1 car race, and look at yachts that are as big as houses in the harbor.

Best Time: September, when the weather is perfect for walking through the many public gardens.

Traveler Tip: You can walk into the lobby of the famous Monte Carlo Casino for free just to see the gold-covered ceilings.

Must Know: Prices for food and drinks are much higher here than in nearby French towns even a bottle of water can be pricey!

This is a very old village surrounded by a big stone wall. It is world-famous for art. Many famous painters lived here in the 1900s. Today, the streets are lined with galleries showing modern paintings and beautiful sculptures.

Best Time: Autumn, when the leaves on the stone walls turn bright red and gold.

Traveler Tip: Find the local pétanque court at the entrance to watch the locals play a traditional bowling game.

Must Know: It is a popular spot for celebrities, so keep your eyes peeled for famous faces at the cafes!

Antibes is a mix of a luxury port and a charming old town. It has a giant stone fortress called Fort Carré and a harbor filled with the world’s most expensive boats. It also has a wonderful Marché Provençal where you can buy fresh cheese, bread, and lavender.

Best Time: June, when the water is warm enough for swimming but the town isn't too crowded.

Traveler Tip: Visit the Picasso Museum, it is located inside a real castle where the artist once lived and worked.

Must Know: Antibes has sandier beaches than Nice, making it a much better spot for a relaxing beach day.

Cannes is famous for its international film festival. Every May, the world’s biggest movie stars come here to walk the red carpet. It has a beautiful palm-tree-lined street called the Croisette and many fancy designer shops and five-star hotels.

Best Time: July, for the massive international fireworks competitions held over the ocean.

Traveler Tip: Take a 15-minute boat ride to the Lérins Islands to find quiet forests and a monastery away from the city.

Must Know: During the film festival in May, the city is extremely crowded and many streets are closed off.

This used to be a quiet fishing village until a famous actress made it popular in the 1950s. Now, it is the place to go for fancy beach clubs and nightlife. However, the old backstreets called La Ponche are still very peaceful and beautiful.

Best Time: June or September to avoid the massive traffic jams that happen in July and August.

Traveler Tip: Walk up to the old Citadel at the top of the hill for a great view of the whole bay.

Must Know: There is only one main road into the town, so expect to sit in traffic for a long time during mid-summer.

Marseille is the oldest and biggest city in the South. It is busy, colorful, and full of life. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is the heart of the city, where you can watch fishermen sell their catch right off the boats every morning.

Best Time: Spring, when it is sunny and breezy but not too hot for walking the hills.

Traveler Tip: Take the small tourist train up to the big church on the hill (Notre-Dame de la Garde) for a 360-degree view.

Must Know: It is a big, gritty city, stay alert and keep your phone and wallet safe in crowded areas.

The Calanques are giant white limestone cliffs that form narrow, hidden bays with bright turquoise water. It looks like a Mediterranean version of the Grand Canyon. It is a perfect place for people who love hiking, rock climbing, and swimming in nature.

Best Time: May or June, before it gets too hot to hike the rocky trails.

Traveler Tip: If you don't want to hike for 2 hours, you can take a boat tour from the nearby town of Cassis.

Must Know: In the summer, the park sometimes closes to hikers if there is a high risk of forest fires.

Cassis is a small, high-end fishing port framed by one of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe. It is famous for its white wine and its cozy harbor filled with cafes. It feels much more authentic and relaxed than the bigger cities like Cannes.

Best Time: September, during the local festivals when they celebrate the grape harvest.

Traveler Tip: Order a glass of local Cassis white wine, it is rarely sold outside of this town!

Must Know: Parking is very difficult; use the "park and ride" shuttle buses located outside the town center.

Aix (pronounced "ex") is a very classy city full of fountains and trees. It is a university town, so it feels young and lively despite being very old. It is the perfect place to sit at a sidewalk cafe on the Cours Mirabeau and enjoy a coffee.

Best Time: June, when the weather is perfect for outdoor dining and the flowers are in bloom.

Traveler Tip: Visit the studio of the famous painter Paul Cézanne, which looks exactly as he left it with his brushes and fruit bowls.

Must Know: This is the best city for shopping for local soaps, perfumes, and high-quality French fabrics.

This is often called the "Grand Canyon of Europe." It is a massive river canyon with startlingly bright blue-green water. You can rent a pedal boat or a kayak and float between the giant rock walls that tower over you.

Best Time: July and August when the water is refreshing and all the boat rentals are open.

Traveler Tip: Rent your boat as early as possible in the morning (around 9:00 AM) before they all get taken.

Must Know: The roads around the canyon are very narrow and have many sharp "hairpin" turns. Drive carefully!

This is a tiny, beautiful village tucked at the base of a giant cliff. It is famous for a gold star that hangs on a chain between two mountains and for its high-quality pottery. It is considered one of the prettiest villages in all of France.

Best Time: Late spring, when the mountain waterfalls are full and rushing through the center of town.

Traveler Tip: Hike up the 262 stone steps to the small chapel above the town for an incredible view.

Must Know: The village is very small, so it’s a perfect place to visit for just a few hours.

Hundreds of years ago, the Popes lived here instead of in Rome. You can visit their massive stone palace, the Palais des Papes, which is the biggest Gothic palace in the world. The city is still surrounded by its original giant stone walls.

Best Time: July, for the famous theater festival that turns every street corner into a stage.

Traveler Tip: Walk across the famous Pont d'Avignon bridge, which is a famous landmark that ends halfway across the river.

Must Know: The palace is huge and has many stairs; make sure you have plenty of energy before you go inside!

Arles is a city of history and art. It has a giant Roman arena that is still used for events today. It is also the place where Vincent van Gogh lived and painted some of his most famous works, like the "Starry Night" over the river.

Best Time: Summer, when they hold international photography festivals in the old buildings.

Traveler Tip: Look for the yellow cafe (Café Van Gogh) in the town square, it looks exactly like it did in his famous painting.

Must Know: The city is very walkable, but it can get very hot in the summer because of all the stone buildings.

This is a wild, flat area of marshes and salt flats located where the river meets the sea. It is famous for its beautiful white horses, black bulls, and thousands of pink flamingos. It is a great place for nature lovers and people who enjoy horseback riding.

Best Time: Spring or Fall to see the most migratory birds and flamingos.

Traveler Tip: Bring plenty of bug spray! The mosquitoes in these wetlands are very active and hungry.

Must Know: The best way to see the area is by renting a bike or going on a guided jeep tour to find the horses.

Gordes is a stunning village built out of stone on the side of a hill in Provence. It has amazing views of the valley below. Nearby is the Sénanque Abbey, which is one of the most famous sights in France because it is surrounded by purple lavender.

Best Time: Late June to early July for the peak lavender season.

Traveler Tip: Stop at the "viewpoint" on the main road just before you reach the village for the best photo of the whole town.

Must Know: This is one of the most popular villages in the region, so it gets very crowded during the day.

While most villages in this area are grey stone, Roussillon is famous for its bright red and orange cliffs. The houses are all painted in these warm colors. You can walk on a trail through the old quarries that looks like a miniature version of the American West.

Best Time: Mid-day, when the bright sun makes the red and orange colors look even more intense.

Traveler Tip: Don't wear white shoes or clothes on the Ochre Trail, the red dust will stain them!

Must Know: The trail is fun and easy for kids, and there are several different paths you can choose.

This is the place to go if you want to see the famous endless fields of purple lavender. In the summer, the air smells like perfume, and the purple fields stretch as far as you can see. It is a dream spot for photographers.

Best Time: The last week of June and the first two weeks of July.

Traveler Tip: Most of the fields are on private farms. Be respectful, don't pick the flowers, and be careful of the bees!

Must Know: By the end of July, the lavender is usually harvested, so the purple fields will be gone until next year.

Montpellier is a very stylish city that mixes old history with very modern, cool buildings. It has a huge pedestrian square called the Place de la Comédie that is always full of people, street performers, and energy. It’s a great place to feel the "local" French vibe.

Best Time: Spring, for great weather and many outdoor city festivals.

Traveler Tip: Look for the "hidden" botanical garden, it is the oldest in France and is very peaceful.

Must Know: It is a university city, so there are many affordable places to eat and a lot of fun nightlife.

Biarritz is on the Atlantic coast (near Spain). It is famous for its big waves and is known as the surfing capital of Europe. It has a mix of fancy old hotels from the 1800s and a cool, laid-back surfer vibe. It’s quite different from the Mediterranean side.

Best Time: September, when the water is at its warmest and the surfing conditions are perfect.

Traveler Tip: Walk out to the Virgin of the Rock statue for a great view of the crashing Atlantic waves.

Must Know: The Atlantic Ocean is much colder and the waves are much stronger than the Mediterranean Sea.

Nîmes is often called the "Rome of France" because it contains some of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world. It has a Roman temple that is almost perfectly preserved and a giant arena where they still hold concerts and events.

Best Time: May, for the giant Roman history festivals where people dress up like gladiators.

Traveler Tip: Visit the nearby Pont du Gard, a massive ancient Roman bridge that is one of the most impressive things to see in France.

Must Know: Nîmes is where "denim" fabric was first created, the name comes from "de Nîmes" (from Nîmes).

This is a charming, small bay right next to Nice. It has bright pink and orange houses and a very deep harbor where giant cruise ships sometimes stop. It is a quiet, beautiful place for a swim or a nice dinner by the water.

Best Time: June or September for the best swimming conditions.

Traveler Tip: Look for the Rue Obscure (Dark Street), it’s an ancient tunnel-like street hidden under the houses that was used to hide from pirates.

Must Know: It is only a 5-minute train ride from Nice, making it one of the easiest and best day trips you can take.