Itineraries

Essential Provence-Côte d'Azur

2 Weeks

All the classics in one easy itinerary: along the coast, into the hills and back again, via gorges, villages, vineyards, Roman ruins and lavender fields.

Fly to Nice. On day two, mooch around Vieux Nice and amble along the Promenade des Anglais. On day three, catch a bus to stunning Èze to feast on views; head to Monaco for lunch and enjoy the rest of the day in the principality. Catch a train back to Nice. On day four, pick up a rental car and drive to the medieval wonder of St-Paul de Vence and its art galleries. On day five, drive to Moustiers Ste-Marie along the scenic N85, stopping in Grasse on the way for an insight into the town's perfume industry. Spend the following day in Gorges du Verdon.

Explore the villages of the Luberon on days seven and eight, and on day nine head to Avignon. Enjoy the city for a day, and take a day trip to Orange or Nîmes on day 11. On days 12 and 13, head to the Haut-Var for hilltop villages and vineyards, before returning to Nice.

Itineraries

Cities & the Camargue

1 Week

A mix of city and countryside, starting in the bustling port city of Marseille and followed by some clifftop hiking, art appreciation, Roman history and flamingo spotting. This entire itinerary can be done by public transport.

Spend your first day exploring Marseille: the Vieux Port, the historic Le Panier quarter and the art scene. Go to cours Julien for a night out. On day two, take a boat trip to Les Calanques or visit Château d'If before heading up to Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde for panoramic views of the city and the sea. Go for dinner in the picturesque Vallon des Auffes. On day three, head to Aix-en-Provence to visit Cézanne's studio, his family house and the Bibemus quarries where he painted. Treat yourself to dinner at one of Aix' fine restaurants.

On day four, head to Arles and discover the places that inspired Van Gogh. Book a table for dinner at one of the city's Michelin-starred establishments. On day five, immerse yourself in the town's fine Roman heritage – the amphitheatre, theatre, baths and Musée Départemental Arles Antique – to learn about life in Roman times. Take a day trip to Camargue on day six: hire bikes if you're game, and don't forget your binoculars for birdwatching. Head back to Marseille.

Itineraries

Quintessential Provence

1 Week

This trip captures the essence of Provence, starting in bustling Avignon and ending in the mighty Gorges du Verdon, with stops at some of the area's dreamiest villages and most photogenic sights en route.

Spend day one in Avignon, exploring the old town and the Palais des Papes. On day two, drive down to St-Rémy-de-Provence in Les Alpilles and put your bags down for a couple of nights. Explore the town's stupendous Roman site Glanum and visit the asylum where Van Gogh spent the last – but most productive – year of his short life. On day three, take a day trip to Les Baux-de-Provence: visit the ruined castle and go olive-oil tasting around Maussane-les-Alpilles in the afternoon.

On day four, drive to the Luberon and spend the afternoon exploring a trio of lovely villages: Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes. On day five, visit Gordes and its Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque (of postcard fame) and the ochre-coloured village of Roussillon. On day six, pack a picnic and set off to explore the gorges, forests and lavender fields around Lourmarin, Vaugines and Cucuron. Treat yourself to dinner at the gastronomic Auberge La Fenière. On day seven, drive back to Avignon or carry on to Pays de Forcalquier and the Gorges du Verdon for another three days.

Itineraries

Classic Riviera

10 Days

This tour captures all the Côte d'Azur's unmissable sights. You can do the first part by bus and train, but for the full Riviera experience a car is preferable – and a convertible would be better still.

Dedicate your first couple of days to the belle of the Côte d'Azur: Nice. Stroll in Vieux Nice and browse the market stalls of cours Saleya; visit Cimiez' wonderful Musée National Marc Chagall and Musée Matisse; and party till dawn in Vieux Nice's numerous bars.

On day three, take a day trip along the Corniche Inférieure, stopping at Villefranche-sur-Mer and St-Jean-Cap Ferrat. On day four, head to hilltop Èze for sensational views of the Med; carry on to Monaco for the rest of the day. Spend the following day in Menton.

On day six, rent a car and head for the hills: stop in St-Paul de Vence and Vence, and spend day seven motoring around the beautiful Gorges du Loup. On day eight, visit Grasse, its museums and perfumeries; leave your last day for the pretty village of Mougins. Drive back to Nice on day 10, continue in Haute-Provence or head west along the coast.

Itineraries

Scenic Haute-Provence

10 Days

It's time to tear yourself away from the coast and explore the mighty, majestic Alps. Amazingly, just an hour's drive north of Nice, you'll find yourself surrounded by mountain scenery – perfect for hiking, biking and wildlife-spotting.

Start in Nice – enjoy a day of urban delight in Vieux Nice before hitting the road on day two. Drive to St-Martin-Vésubie and watch semiwild wolves in the Alpha wildlife reserve. On day three, organise a guided hike to see the amazing ancient rock art of the Vallée des Merveilles, then head west to explore the many hiking trails around Lac d'Allos on days four and five.

On day six, drive to Digne-les-Bains, stopping in Barles along the way for fossil hunting in the Réserve Géologique de Haute-Provence. Organise a lavender walk on day seven, and on day eight drive down to Castellane, and take a scenic tour of the Gorges du Verdon. Explore the canyon in a different way on day nine: go rafting, canyoning or just trekking. On day 10, drive back to Nice or carry on along the Riviera.