Our self drive tour in the South of France was hosted by Atout France. The opinions expressed are solely ours based on our experience.
One way to enjoy the culture, scenery and cuisine of the South of France is to drive around the towns that appeal to you most. We went on a week-long driving trip, stopping in Occitanie and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Some stops only require a day, while others require a day or two to explore. Here are 5 of our top recommendations for great self-drive destinations in the South of France.
narbonne
narbonne Whether you're coming from Paris or like us from Barcelona, Spain, it's easily accessible by train. Once you arrive at the train station, you'll be greeted by a charming, vibrant city. We recommend spending a day exploring the city center.
paris halls is a bustling market with stalls filled with a variety of delicacies including pastries, sweets, prepared foods, wine, cheese, gourmet foods and more. Open daily from 7am to 2pm. If you go on a Thursday or Sunday, there's also a huge outdoor market selling clothing, accessories, toys and handmade goods.
In Narbonne, France, you can spend the night in the city center or splurge and head to the gorgeous Dugua Island Suites. Spacious and comfortable accommodation UNESCO World Heritage site Le Canal de la Robine has stunning gardens, duck ponds and delicious cuisine Moulin Rouge Bistro. The breakfast at the hotel was great so we enjoyed it and hit the road in the morning.
Marseille
large port city Marseille It is the second most populous city in France (after Paris). We spent a few days exploring this main center. Although it sounds very touristy, the ride small train Offers a panoramic view of the city. Tickets cost 8 euros or less and there are two routes to choose from. Line 1 passes through the old town of Marseille with picturesque scenery LepanierIt is Marseille's oldest neighborhood and is full of shops, art and restaurants. Route 2 from the Old Port to the highest summit is a longer and more impressive journey Notre Dame de Garde cathedral. We took Route 2 and enjoyed stunning views across the city. When you come back from the train there is a large staircase across the street that leads directly to Le Panier where we shopped, looked at street art and had a bite to eat.
Whimsical and modern Now hotel, Our beachfront room had stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea from the balcony. They have tons of amenities including pools, spas, restaurants, and cocktail bars. The buffet breakfast is very rich. We wandered around and admired interesting art pieces like a tall red giraffe, pink plastic flamingos, pop art paintings, and a fun neon tunnel.
this old port There are many shops in the Vieux Port area, some kitschy touristy but others classic Marseille. Check out the boutiques selling authentic products Marseille Savona traditional soap bar with a history of 600 years. Ultra modern Mu CEM Showcasing the diversity of Mediterranean culture through art, photography and artifacts. This is a redesigned part of the waterfront, connected to fort saint jeanbuilt by Louis XIV. One admission ticket gets you into both locations.
Marseille is a seafood lover’s dream and the birthplace of bouillabaisse. locals like it Hotel Miramar For this famous dish.
Aix-en-Provence
When you think of Provence, it’s hard not to think of lavender. Aix-en-Provence It is an elegant town closely related to lavender products. We made a quick stop in Aix on the way to Arles. We saw beautiful architecture, trendy shops, many cafes and of course lavender products.
While shopping is undoubtedly the most popular pastime here, Aix also has a wealth of art in its streets and museums. This was a favorite of Paul Cézanne, whose studio is now a museum. Atelier Cézanne. Granet Museum It houses major works by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Cézanne, Giacometti, Degas, Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh and others.
The Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, the town square and Le Cours Mirabeau, a scenic avenue lined with trees, cafés and shops, are all worth strolling. Le Chatelard 1802 Will help you get a lavender treatment before heading out on the town.
Arles
With its ancient ruins and picturesque landscapes, Arles provides inspiration for artists and travelers alike. We stayed in a very charming calendar The hotel is ideally located near the amphitheater, restaurants and shops. The breakfast buffet was great and there was a nice non-smoking garden to enjoy. They also sell delicious food for you to take with you on your daily tours.
Different locations showcase paintings they inspired. Museums worth visiting include Letu Museum and Vincent Van Gogh Foundation.
Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage SiteIt has ancient ruins such as the Arles Amphitheater, the Roman Theater, and Aliscan. You can walk near Roman and Romanesque monuments, or choose several times and trips for further exploration.
A highlight of our visit was Camargue National Regional Parka nature reserve and bird park about 20 minutes' drive from town. As we drove to the park we saw the few remaining wild white horses of the Camargue. Avid birdwatchers, we love Gaoqiao Bird Park There we saw many birds, including flocks of flamingos. The park is open all year round and admission costs €7. We walked a few trails and comfortable shoes are recommended for the slightly rural terrain.
We drove a few more miles to the charming seaside resort town saint mary of the sea. It can get pretty busy here on a nice day, so instead of fighting the crowds we headed back into town and had a special dinner at a restaurant. Lal Ratana gorgeous, eclectic Mediterranean restaurant located inside a boutique hotel. For something more understated, we love the fresh, local fare at Esperluete Restaurant. For one last glimpse of the starry night, have a drink at one of the many cafés.
Lebo de Provence
Departing from the large port city of Marseille, we drove to the small ancient town Lebo de Provence. It was a lovely change of pace; we finished it in half a day. The main reason we stopped here was carrier of light The exhibition is an immersive multimedia art display projected onto every surface in the quarry.
This extraordinary experience alone is worth a stop in Lebo. Programs change from time to time, but no matter what is playing, long waits can be avoided by ordering tickets online in advance. We recommend arriving before 9am to secure a space in the free parking lot. It fills up quickly and other parking options are challenging. You can go to the exhibition first and then visit the town, or vice versa. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket or sweater as it can be cool inside.
We wandered the town's narrow cobbled streets and saw the unique Thornton Museum Artistic statues showcasing Christmas and other traditions of the area. When we reached the top of the mountain, we saw a beautiful view Castle of Beau in Provencethe village's medieval fortress. The winding village streets feature specialty shops selling truffle delicacies, cheeses and charcuterie, lavender products, oils, soaps, cookies, hats, art and more. There were plenty of bistros for lunch but we bought some delicious salami, cheese, olives and bread to take with us.
montpellier
Our ultimate destination is a booming city montpellier In the Occitanie region. It’s a fast-growing city with a youthful energy, but there’s something about it that makes you feel like you’re back in Paris. this comedy square is a large pedestrian square sometimes called l'Oeuf (the egg) because of its unique oval shape. Montpellier also has a version of the Arc de Triomphe. Although shorter, it is familiar enough to provide a sense of tradition that contrasts with the newness of the ever-expanding city.
From a more modern perspective, “White Tree” It is an architecturally unique apartment building that, when viewed from a distance, looks just like its nickname. Our Golden Tulip Hotel is brand new and is ideally located for easy train travel. It's literally across the street from the station. They offer a unique breakfast which consists of a tiered tray similar to a tea tray but with breakfast, pastries and poached eggs.
There is a lot of art here, including unique street art. A street artist known as “BMX” has managed to embed a bicycle into the side of a building, making a mischievous social commentary on the city's rapid expansion. The Fabre Museum is Europe's most popular museum, with an impressive collection of art, sculpture and ceramics from the Renaissance to the present day. Open every day except Monday.
We visited the food court and market Halles Du Lez – Le Marché Du Lez It’s packed with stalls selling everything from seafood platters to pizza. bare Only fresh cocktails and egg dishes are sold. We tried their egg foam “cloud” which is a unique and popular treat. Outside is a food truck area with live music. The busy market area features musical performances and vendors selling clothing, crafts and other items. If you want to enjoy a delicious meal in a quiet garden setting, try the following restaurants: small garden Tavern.
We had the pleasure of discovering Montpellier’s hidden gems such as mikwea ritual bath used for purification by ancient Jewish communities. Some things can only be seen with a guided tour, so please inquire Tourism bureau If you are interested.
Driving in the South of France is a great way to explore this beautiful region. With a little planning, you can have a fun and memorable experience. These are just a few of what you'll find in this magnificent region of France.
If you want to explore more in France, be sure to read our post Toulouse.
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