Romantic Getaways in the South of France

Provence, Côte d’Azur, French Riviera

Nothing says romance like a South of France honeymoon or romantic getaway. This truly charming part of the world makes the perfect backdrop for lingering over leisurely dinners in extraordinary restaurants, exploring picture-perfect villages and vibrant cities with surprises at every turn, and basking in the finest flavors and scents offered by the country that practically invented romance.

Tips for Planning a South of France Honeymoon

Thanks to major international airports in Nice and Marseilles, as well as convenient train service from Paris, a South of France honeymoon is easy to plan. Trains also travel throughout the region; however, some out-of-the-way villages can only be reached by car.

While the region’s Mediterranean climate makes it fairly temperate year-round, the best time to plan a South of France honeymoon is between May and October. Provence’s famed lavender fields are in bloom from late June through July, while sunflowers turn the landscape golden in August. September marks the harvest season at the vineyards.

Although visitors may find that English is not spoken as widely as in Paris, most waiters and other service individuals know enough of the language to communicate with visitors, making a South of France honeymoon relatively stress-free even for those who don’t speak French.

Almost every town has its own Tourist Information office that offers maps, brochures, and personalized advice, ensuring you can easily explore the region.

While many American hotel chains have branches in larger towns, both Provence and the Côte d’Azur are filled with charming inns and small hotels, some of which are hundreds of years old yet updated with modern amenities. Their friendly staff and cozy atmosphere make them the perfect hideaway for a romantic getaway.

Nice: Begin Your South of France Getaway Here

The sophisticated city of Nice is the ideal starting point for a South of France jaunt. Its international airport is only a short taxi ride from the Promenade des Anglais, the frequently-photographed beachside walkway that gently curves along the coast.

To the south of the wide promenade are pebbly white beaches dotted with blue umbrellas, ideal for sunning or taking a dip in the salty Mediterranean.

On the northern side, a vibrant city is filled with lavish hotels such as the glamorous, hundred-year-old Hotel Negresco, lush gardens, and small parks with fountains, offering a perfect backdrop for relaxation.

Explore Nice, admiring ornate buildings with red-tiled roofs and glowing facades in warm shades of yellow and orange. Browse in tiny shops featuring floral fabrics of Provence, and immerse yourself in the local culture.

Another must during your South of France honeymoon is lingering in a sidewalk café or bistro, observing the lively street life. Alternatively, take a stroll through the bustling market in Old Nice, discovering a variety of local produce including figs, olives, raspberries, and melons. Add a fresh baguette and some goat or ewe cheese, and you have a romantic pique-nique for two.

Cassis: A Distinctive Getaway for Two

The intimate resort town of Cassis, just a short drive from Marseilles, provides a truly romantic backdrop. Colorful cafés and restaurants line the harbor, creating a relaxed environment perfect for watching the boats or enjoying the sunset.

A small beach next to the port makes a dip in the Mediterranean another delightful addition to your romantic getaway.

Experience the scenic calanques, secret inlets most easily accessed by boats departing from Cassis every half hour. Step off to enjoy one of the small, private beaches with their turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs.

Cassis is just one of many charming beach towns along the South of France coastline. Famous spots like Cannes and St. Tropez, in addition to lesser-known havens like Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, feature beautiful beaches ideal for sunbathing by day and romantic strolls by night.

Monaco: A Sophisticated Stop on Your South of France Romantic Getaway

The ultimate Côte d’Azur destination is Monaco. This tiny, bustling, cosmopolitan country hosts the famous Grand Prix auto race every May and boasts sophisticated restaurants, clubs, and the iconic casinos of Monte Carlo.

The Monte Carlo Casino, housed in a lavish 18th-century building, has long been favored by the glamorous set.

For a more Las Vegas-style experience, explore other local casinos. Touring the palace that Princess Grace and Prince Rainier once called home is another experience not to be missed.

Medieval Wonders in the South of France

Plan to stop at the medieval towns scattered throughout Provence. These charming villages, with centuries-old stone buildings along winding cobblestone paths, are lively centers perfect for exploration.

For instance, the picturesque village of Eze, just a short drive from Nice, offers breathtaking views from the Jardin Exotique.

Les Baux appears to have emerged from the pages of a storybook; at the top of a hill, visitors can explore the remains of a medieval castle and enjoy captivating films about Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Cezanne, who all magnificently captured the surrounding landscapes.

Vaison la Romaine provides another chance to step back in time. Vast cobblestone paths lead you to discover charming squares and stunning fountains, while austere monasteries like the Abbey of Thoronet offer a glimpse into the simple lifestyle of medieval monks.

Avignon, renowned for its medieval walled city, was home to seven popes during the 14th century. The immense Palace of the Popes still stands, offering a taste of historical grandeur amidst a lively city packed with shops, cafés, and the colorful indoor market, Les Halles, featuring delectable selections of cheeses, breads, and fresh produce.

A Peek at France’s Roman Past

A South of France vacation invites couples to delve further into history. Over 2,000 years ago, the Romans ruled the region, leaving behind ruins of their advanced civilization.

Nîmes is home to a tremendous arena built around A.D. 100, once used for spectacles.

Vaison la Romaine contains remnants of two luxurious Roman residences and the ruins of a theater, alongside a fascinating antiquities museum. Orange boasts another Roman theater and an impressive arch.

The Pont du Gard, a massive aqueduct built by the Romans, originally spanned 30 miles, and its size, along with an interesting museum focused on the history of water, makes it a popular destination.

Art in the South of France

Many fine artists found inspiration in the beauty of Provence and the Côte d’Azur. The region is home to three notable art museums, each paying tribute to a genius who created some of his most impressive works in the area.

In addition to a port filled with luxurious yachts, the seaside city of Antibes features the Picasso Museum. Picasso resided in the Château Grimaldi in 1946, and today, the museum showcases his work alongside exhibitions from other renowned artists.

The Chagall Museum in Nice contains an impressive collection of the artist’s paintings, while the Matisse Museum, also in Nice, showcases famous Fauvist paintings and sculptures. The adjacent Franciscan monastery offers scenic gardens perfect for a romantic picnic, along with breathtaking city views.

Matisse’s artistry is further celebrated at the white-walled Chapel of the Rosary in Vence, designed to honor the Dominican sister who cared for him, featuring stained-glass windows that reflect his distinctive style.

Although there is no dedicated van Gogh museum in the region, the artist created hundreds of canvases in Arles, where you can explore the gardens he painted. Easels are set up throughout the quaint medieval town to show where he captured some of his most famous works.

Van Gogh also resided in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, known for its two Renaissance châteaux. The Centre d’Art Presence Vincent Van Gogh showcases documents from his life along with a fascinating film about the talented yet troubled artist.

Distinctive Regional Museums

Other towns feature museums that provide insight into local culture. In Grasse, renowned as the perfume capital of the world, visitors can learn about perfume production at Fragonard Parfumeur. The Musée de Lavande in St-Remese is dedicated to lavender and showcases tools used in perfume creation alongside a botanical garden.

Isle sur la Sorgue boasts a small Antique Toy and Doll Museum, while Romans features the Musée International de la Chaussure, covering the artistic and practical history of footwear.

A trip to Provence and the Côte d’Azur offers an unrivaled opportunity to indulge the senses, as France has mastered the arts of fine fragrance, excellent wines, and, of course, gourmet cuisine.

Every South of France trip should include a stop in Grasse, home to two perfumeries. Parfumerie Fragonard offers tours that demonstrate how flowers transform into perfumes, soaps, and other scented products.

This building houses a museum with antique labels and other relevant items. Parfumerie Molinard also describes the techniques used in perfume production and includes a collection of rare perfume bottles.

Intoxicating Sights and Scents

Even without a visit to a perfume factory, travelers can appreciate the fields of fragrant lavender stretching as far as the eye can see from late June through July.

Moreover, the surrounding sights highlight every aspect of a South of France trip; driving along country roads feels like stepping back into the 1800s, with farms and vineyards adorned with quaint stone farmhouses.

The Camargue, often referred to as the Everglades of France, provides a wetland habitat for breathtaking white horses gathered around ponds, bulls used in local bullfighting, and flocks of colorful flamingos. Meanwhile, the Gorges du Verdon, known as the Grand Canyon of France, presents stunning views of dramatic cliffs and rushing blue-green waters.

Foods and Wines of the South of France

France is celebrated globally for its culinary dedication, and the proximity to Italy has influenced this region’s cuisine extensively. Pasta, often served with the basil and pine nut sauce known as pistou or pesto, is a local specialty. Delight in the variety of gelato flavors available even in small towns.

Locally grown olives lend themselves to delightful tapenades, while the area produces flavorful tomatoes, figs, and honey, including lavender-infused varieties.

Regional specialties abound, like the salade niçoise of Nice, a delight for anchovy aficionados. Furthermore, the region offers the renowned French pastries, including croissants, brioches, and elaborate treats that taste as exquisite as they appear.

Every trip in the South of France should also feature a visit to a winery. Vineyards blanket the landscape, producing some of the world’s finest wines at remarkably affordable prices. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, known for its high alcohol content, boasts a town of the same name filled with boutiques selling local wines crafted by small wineries.

Cassis also produces its own local white wines, along with two popular aperitifs: almond-flavored amandine and anise-flavored pastis.

To Market You Go

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the region’s scents, flavors, sights, and sounds is by exploring the local outdoor markets.

Numerous towns host markets on different days of the week, making it easy to find one. Beginning early in the morning, local cheesemakers, bakers, farmers, and merchants set up colorful awnings beneath which they display a myriad of fruits, vegetables, sausages, fish, cheeses, soaps, fabrics, and flowers.

The countryside is not the only location to savor extraordinary gastronomic experiences during a South of France trip. The French are renowned for their culinary passion; consequently, nearly every restaurant, from casual bistros to celebrated four-star establishments, reflects the nation’s deep respect for food. Alternatively, stop in a small grocery store, such as the widely found Casino chain, to browse aisles filled with intriguing sausages, cheeses, and local specialties.

Your senses will uncover new textures and flavors, creating lasting memories of your enchanting trip to the South of France.

Author: Cynthia Blair