Planning a trip to the south of France? Spend 5 days in the south of France for a relaxing and rejuvenating adventure. Here is my South of France itinerary for five days.
Know before you go




Best Time To Go
As you may have noticed, I am a fan of travel any time of the year! But spending 5 days in the South of France has a special purpose. Lavender. The lavender season is typically from the end of June until early August. So, while summer may be the busy time to travel, it is the best if you want to catch the remarkable blooms. Summer is hot in Europe, particularly in the south, so be prepared for 80-95 degrees F (30-35 degrees C).

Where To Stay
I highly recommend staying in a vacation rental in the beautiful town of Aix En Provence. Aix is a perfectly central location in the south, approximately one hour drive to some of the best locations in France! And just five days in the south of France will give you an opportunity to see so much, so close to Aix. While Marseille is the famous port city in the south and the oldest city in France, it is a big city and has a reputation for a lot of crime. I suggest you stay in Aix and visit the water and port towns, but not stay in Marseille.

Food
The food and wine in and around Provence are remarkable, but I do recommend you shop for breakfast, snacks, and picnic items to save yourself some time and money. Maybe you’ll enjoy cooking in the rental one night for dinner? Always research restaurants before you head out for dinner each night. Have reservations if necessary or a clear plan so you are not wandering around after a long day, reading menus while everyone gets cranky. The restaurants on the main boulevard in Aix are fine for dinners, but definitely touristy, so you may want to be more selective.

Travel Tips
This is the time to rent a car. While walking in Aix is easy, you will be happy to have the car for grocery shopping if you are buying more than just your daily needs. And primarily, you will want the flexibility to take day trips at your own pace and not be reliant on train schedules. Consider finding a rental property with a parking spot when you book your stay.
While the threats of the quarantine wear on, Aix and its surroundings offer a host of outdoor activities, but of course check schedules in case some of these sites are closed or require reservations. 1 euro is currently $1.18 US. You can use your credit card everywhere, just make sure you aren’t paying foreign exchange fees!



Atelier de Cezanne, Paul Cezanne’s house and studio, is a must while in Aix. Cezanne was born in Aix in 1839 and he always considered Aix to be his home and a place of profound inspiration. The visit to the studio is perfect for a late afternoon excursion and doesn’t require much time at all. The Museé Granet in Aix has a vast collection of Cezanne and impressionists as well, if you have time.
Bibliotèque Mejanes is a wonderful library in Aix founded in 1810 with a facade made of giant books! The library holds a lot of interesting history and it makes for a perfect photo opp!
Cours Mirabeau is the iconic tree lined boulevard in Aix with shops, restaurants, open air markets, and beautiful fountains. Bring your wallet! This is the perfect place to find those lovely table cloths in the traditional floral prints of the Provence region.
Foundation Vasarely Museum is among the most fun you may have in Aix! Victor Vasarely was a Hungarian and French painter best known for starting the movement of Op Art. His optical illusions were often painted on extremely large surfaces and when given options of where to build the museum for his works, he chose the cultural center of Aix. He designed the structure in hexagone pods to mirror his paintings. The foundation opened in the mid 70’s and the building stands out as an Op Art structure itself. Wander through the spaces, sit down on couches, get close, back up, and basically play while you are there. The paintings are colorful, fun, and vibrate as you look at them. It is open during the quarantine with the usual precautions of masks and distancing.




is a unique and perfect choice for viewing lavender and finding sunflowers along the way! The Abbey is only one hour from Aix and is filled with a rich history and meditative vibe. This Abbey is a living/working farm for monks of the Cistercian order. This group of monks have lived and operated the Abbey since the 12th Century. Their lives are dedicated to prayer and labor. They actually pray seven times daily and tend to all of the lavender and olive groves. The sales from the oils and products, and use of the Abbey for monastic retreats help to support the Abbey and the monks. Arrive early in the day to roam the fields and surroundings freely. That way you can take photos without feeling disrespectful. Take time to sit in the chapel built in the 1100’s. Busloads of visitors may arrive later, so get your pics done early! This is a must during your 5 days in the south of France.












is an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD to carry water over 50 km to the Roman colony of Nemausus. It crosses the river Gardon near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard in southern France. For 7 euro, you can buy tickets to walk on top of the bridge and see the museum and exhibitions. Bring your bathing suit! Visitors are swimming and kayaking in the water below the aqueduct. It’s a breathtaking piece of history! Add this to your 5 days in the south of France.
Enjoy your time driving and exploring the Provence region. Every town you pass is more charming than the one before!
You may also enjoy The Best Food In Paris
Or Great Food In London
Are you looking for flights to Europe?
Are you looking for a vacation rental in Europe?
Rent a car in Paris and drive south!
xx,
Carrie
this article shows me how many things I missed while in the south! Now I NEED to go back! Your photos are breathtaking! Thank you for allowing me a little time to imagine a life beyond Covid.
Thanks for the tips and inspiration! You look gorgeous btw
OOO LaLa! This is the stuff that dreams are made of! Lavender, history, art, good food, Provence has it all!
Thank you Carrie for reminding me of this beautiful world we live in.