Discover the South of France with Hilton, OverpackedSuitcase and LeShuttle

Open the car door, keys in the ignition, sit comfortably and take the open road from the UK to the stunning South of France. No airport queues, no baggage restrictions, drive at your own pace and stop whenever the view or the boulangerie deserves a stopover.

Flexiplus gets the trip off to the perfect start 

Cross the channel from Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes on a trip to France’s paradise with just a car, curiosity in the tank and a touch of wanderlust.  

If you’re feeling like spoiling yourself, LeShuttle Flexiplus offers complimentary food and drinks – plus, you can board any train on your booked travel day. Coffee, croissant, ice creams, macarons, pains au chocolat – you name it, it’s all there to start your trip with a touch of class.  

First stop, Lyon

We drive off LeShuttle, and we're already on Calais's A16 and A26 autoroutes towards the first stop, Lyon. 

The drive to the city is roughly 470 miles which means about 7 ¼ hours of driving, plus the stops that you’ll need to make. Don’t forget the tolls that will have to be paid at the regular toll booths. Once in Lyon, park your car and check in for a night or two at the Doubleree by Hilton Eurexpo & Spa with its peaceful lakeside setting with views of the Alps and Monts du Lyonnais, as well as its delicious menu at Le Cocon. Enjoy a day out in this vibrant city, leave your suitcases and head into the city. Go up the Escalier Mermet in Lyon’s 1st arrondissement, enjoy a refreshing drink at one of the many terraces and book your tickets to try out the funicular, the small railway going from Vieux Lyon up to Fourviere hill. 

Where to stay: DoubleTree by Hilton Eurexpo

Landscapes are changing – we’re heading south 

Things are about to get sunnier, slower and a lot more fun. 

We’re heading from Lyon to Saint Tropez – about a 5-hour drive. It’s a peninsula full of beaches, vineyards, hilltop villages and countryside experiences which makes it much easier to connect by car. You can explore the town, easily head towards Grimaud where we were invited for a stunning horseback ride through the countryside, followed by a wine tasting at Domaine les Clos Servien. 

The winery is close to the boutique Hotel Ventura by Hilton, a cosy and 70s retro chic getaway, perfect for winding down after a long drive. Saint Tropez is known to be a town better explored by foot, so leave the car at the hotel and enjoy it at your own pace. Whilst you’re there, enjoy a perfume workshop at Maison Saint-Tropez, stop for lunch by the sea at La Bouillabaisse and make time for a slice of the iconic Tarte Tropezienne. 

Back at the hotel, we get ready for our next stop – CANNES!  

Where to stay: Hotel Ventura Saint-Tropez, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Take the scenic route 

Resist the temptation to take the quick road, and instead take a scenic route, even if that adds more time on your clock. Winding roads around the Gulf of Saint Tropez, where umbrella pines and Mediterranean vegetation frame fleeting glimpses of blue water. Look right, then left, roll down the windows, put on a soundtrack worthy of the scenery and give yourself that French-film moment.  

Check in at Canopy by Hilton, a prime seafront hotel in Cannes located between the old town and La Croisette, with a contemporary design inspired by the town's culture and coastline. Freshen up at the hotel and for a lunch or an evening dinner, enjoy a delicious meal at Scalini located right on the beach or the hotel restaurant Marea with panoramic views.  

Where to stay: Canopy by Hilton Cannes

To Antibes and Villeneuve-Loubet

Follow the coastal drive towards Antibes, Villeneuve-Loubet and Nice for the final stretch of the Riviera. Once you reach Villeneuve-Loubet, check in at the Marina Baie des Anges Hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton located within the iconic Marina Baie des Anges waterfront development. All rooms and suites feature private balconies or with Mediterranean views.  

For your trip we recommend a drive to Les Casemates de la Creation, a cultural and artistic hub located along the historic ramparts of Antibes. Discover the spectacular art scene, the Picasso museum, market, picturesque alleyways and free commune of Le Safranier tucked within Antibes Old Town, with narrow cobbled lanes, colourful Provencal houses, flower-filled facades and a peaceful, authentic Mediterranean atmosphere.  

Leave the car at the hotel, take a taxi to Antibes and travel back to 19th-century France. The Absinthe Bar speakeasy welcomes you with its vaulted stone ceilings, vintage posters, eccentric collection of hats and traditional absinthe fountains. An underground bar that brings the Belle Epoque to life, with live piano music adding to its old-world charm on weekends. 

For outdoor excursions, the Garoupe Chapel and lighthouse with 360 degree views of the Cote d’Azur is a must try, or take a hike on Cap d’Antibes coastal trail. If you’re staying at the Marina by Hilton hotel, the NAPA restaurant offers Greek and Mediterranean food with a laid-back atmosphere. If you have the time and chance to go, Eze, an idyllic hilltop village with stunning views, is a must. Take a walk around the Jardin Exotique, a beautiful garden in Monaco perched 100 metres above the Mediterranean, one of the most stunning viewpoints of the Riviera.   

Where to stay: Hôtel Marina Baie des Anges, Curio Collection by Hilton

Whether you decide to go on a week-long trip with your loved one or family by car from the UK, or want to take your campervan across Europe, LeShuttle makes it possible. Simply drive on in the UK and drive off in France, ready to begin the trip of a lifetime. 

Overpackedsuitcase is a travel blogger and content creator based in London.