The ultimate south of France road trip

Driving guides
France
5 min read

Explore the south of France from the comfort of your own car with our essential road trip guide.

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

Driving to the south of France from Calais

This guide will help you plan places to go and stop on your trip, with something for everyone’s taste.

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.

A winding cobbled street with trees and ornate buildings lining it

Avignon is quintessential south of France

What is the best road trip itinerary for the South of France?

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

Provence is known for its 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. 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 for the stunning lavender fields. 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, and plenty of shopping to entertain.

Start your south of France tour in Marseille

At one end of the French Riviera lies Marseille, an exciting city that’s the south’s answer to Paris, with culture around every corner.

Take a break from your road trip here for fine dining, walks along the water’s edge, and the city’s excellent Museum of Contemporary Art.

A panoramic view of a big colourful city with a harbour filled with boats on blue water

Soak up some culture in Marseille

Marseille to Arles

The drive to Arles from Marseille is around an hour and a half via the A7 and A54. This city sits on the banks of the Rhône River and is famed for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh. If you want to combine art and a road trip we know just the places you should stop at.

Arles to Camargue Avignon

Arles is also one of the three towns that the Camargue Nature Park stretches over, offering a wealth of natural and cultural heritage, outstanding beauty, and of course, wildlife.

A drive north from Arles to where the park sits in Avignon will take you around 50 minutes via the D57ON.

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.

Drive towards the coast for just over an hour via the A7 from Avignon to reach Aix-en-Provence. This spa town was founded in the 15th century (Aix means ‘watering place’) and is filled with museums, wonderful architecture, and traditional markets.

A fountain with the statue of a woman at the centre with a huge stone arched structure behind it in a park

Soak up the scenes that inspired artists in Arles

Aix-en-Provence to Verdon Gorge

If you’ve had your fill of city culture and beaches on this road trip, the Gorges du Verdon is a real tonic. Around 2 hours and 15 minutes-drive via the A51 from Aix lies this natural phenomenon of cliffs and valleys, some that reach 700m tall. Stretch your legs on a hike and take in the natural beauty.

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.

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 a drive to Saint Paul de Vence, (an easy day trip 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.

A pretty white stone building covered in green foliage with purple flowers with an alleyway leading up into the hills

Enjoy the beautiful architecture in Saint Paul de Vence in Provence

Nice to Eze

Nice to Eze is only a 30-minute-drive 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. Perched on a hill, you get fantastic sea views and the cobbled streets are a joy to wander.

Return to Marseille from Eze

From Eze it’s an easy drive back to Marseille of around 2 hours and 30 minutes via the A8. Although this most direct route avoids the coastline, which is via the A50 and 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.

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.

FAQs

Find all the essential information you need to plan a road trip around the south of France.

How many days do you need for a south of France road trip?

With the drive from Calais to the south of France taking somewhere between 8 to 10 hours, we’d recommend taking your time when you get there! Give yourself plenty of time to explore the region and everything it has to offer. To make the most of our road trip, from Marseille to Eze, we’d recommend you plan to travel for 14 days.

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

The drive from Calais to Provence takes just over 11 hours.

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

What's the best time of year to drive through the south of France?

While summer brings the best weather, it also brings the crowds! With this in mind, the best time of year to drive through the south of France is in late spring or early autumn - before or after the main tourist season. These periods bring fewer crowds and quieter roads while still being pleasant and warm.

Are the roads in the south of France easy to drive on?

Driving in the south of France doesn’t have to be difficult. Research French road rules and regulations to ensure you have a smooth and stress-free trip. The roads are well-maintained and well-signposted, and you’ll find parking in key areas across the region. As a popular tourist destination, the roads can get busy, particularly at peak times, so it is worth planning ahead when setting out for the day.