The ultimate south of France road trip

The south of France is utterly beautiful and a wonderful holiday destination. But don’t take our word for it, plan a road trip across Provence and the Côte d’Azur and explore from the comfort of your car.

This guide will help you plan the places you want to see and stop at on your road trip, with something for everyone’s taste. 

Driving to the south of France from Calais

Driving from Calais to the south of France is straightforward and can easily be split up into more manageable stages. The main route heads south past cities such as Reims, Dijon and Lyon, before reaching Provence.

Before setting off, we recommend having your breaks pre-planned, checking traffic, tolls and the weather forecast. When driving in France there are certain documents, equipment, and low-emission rules drivers must adhere to, so make sure to check these requirements.

If you’re thinking of taking the family on a road trip to the south of France and want first-hand advice from someone who’s tried and tested it, read our guide from Paul Trueman, who journeyed with his wife and two children from Devon to Fréjus.

How long does it take to drive from Calais to Provence?

The drive from Calais to Provence takes around 10 - 11 hours before rest breaks or delays, depending on your route, destination and traffic. Reaching Provence normally requires a full day on the road.

With so many stop-worthy destinations en route though, you might be tempted to plan a few detours along the way - especially when travelling with children or pets! The route takes you past key destinations like Arras, Reims, Dijon and Lyon.

Where should you stop between Calais and Provence?

Reims, Dijon, Beaune and Lyon are all great places to stop between Calais and Provence. 

If you want to get some sightseeing in, Reims works well as a break and a chance to stretch your legs. You’ll find plenty of places to eat here as well as world-famous Champagne houses where you can learn more about the region’s best-known export.

For families and drivers who would rather split the route more evenly, we recommend stopping at Dijon or nearby Beaune. Both offer historic surroundings, restaurants and provide an opportunity for a lovely overnight stay in Burgundy.

Alternatively, Lyon is a better choice for drivers who want to complete most of the journey on the first day. Known as the culinary capital of France, you’ll be able to enjoy some five-star food in the city before continuing to Marseille.

South of France holiday highlights: Provence, the French Riviera and must-see destinations

Two unmissable regions in the south of France include the French Riviera and Provence. Whatever else you do, these regions should be at the top of your itinerary. 

Provence is known for its Roman monuments, diverse landscapes, miles of vineyards, lavender fields, and crystal blue waters. Make sure you stop in Avignon, one of France’s most historic cities, and visit the gorgeous medieval Gothic Palais des Papes. 

If you are there in the warmer months, the Pont du Gard Aqueduct is perfect for a dip in the water and only a 30-minute drive from Avignon. Built nearly 2,000 years ago, the Pont du Gard is one of the best-preserved Roman constructions in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

For heavenly scents and photo opportunities, head to Valensole Plateau when the fields are in bloom to enjoy the stunning shows of lavender. It’s one of the best road trips in Europe.

The French Riviera is a famous part of the French coastline, banked by the Mediterranean Sea. It stretches from Marseille to Menton and includes Monaco, which is in fact a car-lover’s dream location thanks to nearby cliff-top roads.  

The region is known as ‘Côte d'Azur’ to the French and has restaurants, beaches, golf courses, plenty of shopping to entertain, the glamorous cities of Cannes and Nice and hilltop villages like Èze. Further east, the Verdon Gorge offers turquoise water, winding roads and limestone cliffs reaching up to around 700 metres.

Plan the ultimate south of France road trip

The route below takes around 10 days once you reach Provence. Add at least one travel day in each direction for a more comfortable 14-day holiday from the UK.

Please note: Driving times are approximate and will vary with traffic, roadworks, chosen routes, and seasonal congestion. Check every stage using a live route planner before travelling.

Start your south of France tour in Marseille

At one end of the French Riviera lies Marseille, an exciting city that is the south’s answer to Paris, with culture around every corner. You'll find fine dining, walks along the water’s edge, and the city’s excellent Museum of Contemporary Art.

Stay for one or two nights to rest up after travelling, before embarking on the rest of your road trip. 

Marseille to Arles

The Marseille to Arles drive takes around an hour and a half via the A7 and A54. Arles sits on the banks of the Rhône River and is famed for inspiring the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. 

If you want to combine art, history and a road trip this is perfect for you. Explore the historic centre, visit the Roman amphitheatre and complete the Van Gogh trail. Plus, Arles also makes a practical base for visiting the Camargue the following day.

Arles to Camargue and Avignon

Take a short drive south from Arles into the Camargue. Arles is one of the three towns that the Camargue Nature Park stretches over, alongside Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, offering a wealth of natural and cultural heritage, outstanding beauty, and of course, wildlife.

Look out for flamingos, Camargue horses and black bulls while exploring the wetlands. Afterwards continue north to Avignon for the evening – this will take you around an hour via the D570.

Avignon to Aix-en-Provence

As we mentioned, Avignon is full of history and a must-see city. If you can arrive in July, this city’s art festival is one of the best in France, spanning several weeks. 

After exploring Avignon’s medieval centre, drive south-east towards the coast via the A7 to reach Aix-en-Provence in just over an hour. 

Aix (meaning ‘watering place’) was established as the Roman settlement Aquae Sextiae in 122 BC. Today it’s filled with museums, wonderful architecture, and traditional markets, making it one of Provence’s most popular city stops.

Aix-en-Provence to Verdon Gorge

If you’ve had your fill of city culture and beaches on this road trip, travel inland via the A51 towards the Gorges du Verdon – it’s a real tonic. Allow for around a 2-hour 15 minute-drive, or longer when stopping at Valensole or Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. 

Devote at least a full day to this natural phenomenon of cliffs and valleys (some reach up to 700m tall). The roads in the gorge are winding, and the viewpoints make progress slower than the distance suggests. Depending on the season, drive a section of it then stretch your legs on a hike, hire a kayak, or stop beside Lac de Sainte-Croixand and take in the natural beauty.

The complete driving circuit around the gorge is almost 100 kilometres. However, the scenic Route des Crêtes adds a 24-kilometre loop with some of the best viewpoints across the gorge, so if you have time, it’s worth doing.

Hyères to Cannes

Hyères is on the Mediterranean coast. Its hillside old town has the remains of a medieval castle and centuries-old walls for you to enjoy, but most people come for the exquisite beaches and its three Îles d'Or (golden islands) which are all just off the coast. Porquerolles is the largest of the three.

The onward drive from Hyères to Cannes will take you around an hour and a half via the A57 and A8, just enough time to build up an appetite, which you’ll need for all the fabulous restaurants in Cannes.

Cannes to Saint-Paul-de-Vence

From Cannes we recommend travelling back inland towards Saint-Paul-de-Vence – a medieval hilltop village, famous for its galleries and residents like Marc Chagall and Picasso. This is an easy day trip to do from Nice too!

It’s been inhabited since 400 BC and looks like something out of a fairytale with its quaint stone buildings and abundance of flowers in spring and summer. Sit back and relax in any one of the sheltered courtyards with a coffee or something a little stronger. 

Parking can become busy, so arrive early or later in the afternoon. Allow half a day before continuing towards Nice. 

Nice to Èze

Base yourself in Nice for one or two nights and take the time to explore the city and Èze properly. Èze is only a 30 minute drive from Nice via the M6007 and it’s well worth every minute for the picturesque little town that awaits you. 

While Nice sits on the pebbly shores of the Baie des Anges and offers beaches, restaurants, and shopping experiences, Eze offers a quieter atmosphere and slower pace, with cobbled streets that are a joy to wander. Perched high above the Mediterranean on a hill, you get fantastic views out across the ocean.

Return to Marseille from Èze

From Èze, the quickest and most direct route back to Marseille is an easy drive, taking around 2 hours and 30 minutes via the A8. Although this most direct route avoids the coastline, the alternate route (which includes the coast) via the A50  would take you around 5 hours to drive. 

Choose the route which best suits you, after all that’s the beauty of a road trip.

South of France road trip route variations

Adapt your South of France road trip to suit your interests, ideal duration, and preferred pace. Extend the route to see more of the French Riviera and additional Provençal villages or simplify the itinerary for a shorter holiday.

Add Saint-Tropez and more of the French Riviera

If you want more time on the coast, add Saint-Tropez between Hyères and Cannes. Nearby Pampelonne Beach features 5 kilometres of sandy shoreline, crystal-clear waters and famous beach clubs, including the legendary Le Club 55.

It’s worth allowing an extra day or two, especially in summer when the roads and car parks can get busy. Try to arrive early and consider staying in Sainte-Maxime or Grimaud where accommodation and parking can be easier to find. You can then take a boat or bus straight into Saint-Tropez.

Discover more of Provence - Gordes, Valensole and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Gordes is around a 45-minute drive from Avignon and well worth the detour. Its narrow-cobbled streets, stone buildings and views across the Luberon make it one of Provence’s most picturesque villages.

Most visited for its lavender fields, Valensole sits neatly between Aix and the Verdon Gorge. For the best chance of seeing the lavender in bloom visit between late June and early August and go early morning to avoid traffic and crowds.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is another easy addition, just 35 minutes from Avignon. Visit Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole, the asylum where Van Gogh painted one of his most famous works, ‘The Starry Night’, explore the Roman ruins, and stop by the Wednesday market for local food and produce.

A shorter South of France road trip itinerary

If you only have a week, focus on Marseille, Arles and Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, the Verdon Gorge, Nice and Èze.

You could leave out Hyères, Cannes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence, or skip the gorge if you would rather prioritise time on the coast. 

It also helps to stay in fewer places. You’ll spend less time packing, checking in and looking for parking, which makes shorter trips feel a bit more relaxed.

Start your southern France road trip with LeShuttle

If you’re not quite ready for a longer road trip, we have some easy road trips for first timers you can try. However, we’re sure you’ll love being on the open road and we can get you from Folkestone, UK to Calais, France in just 35 minutes. From there, the south of France awaits.