7 Days in Southern France: The Ultimate Riviera & Provence Itinerary

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Summer is around the corner, and Southern France is officially a top bucket-list destination. Think sun-soaked Nice, the film-star glamour of Cannes, the dramatic cliffside Riviera and the dreamy lavender fields of Provence—this region truly sparkles at this time of year.

These spots connect effortlessly, so you can pack Mediterranean beach time and dreamy inland countryside into a roughly week-long itinerary. To make your summer escape smooth and stylish, here’s a city-by-city breakdown of what to see and what not to miss.

If you’re sketching out a Southern France route, start in Nice. It’s the region’s natural gateway and ideal base camp. As France’s fifth-largest city, Nice sits on the southern coast with great transport—international flights and strong rail links—making it easy to arrive and go. The iconic Promenade des Anglais runs about 7 km (4.3 miles) along the Mediterranean and is a must-stroll.

Behind the waterfront, Old Town’s narrow lanes are perfect for soaking up local life. Visit the Cours Saleya flower and fresh-produce market (open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.) to catch Nice buzzing with real, everyday charm.

About 30 km (18.6 miles) west of Nice, Cannes is synonymous with film-festival glamour. The Palais des Festivals anchors a glossy seaside promenade that attracts cinephiles and sun-seekers alike.

Unlike Nice’s pebble beaches, Cannes has soft sand—so if your vacation plan includes swimming or watersports, this is the more comfortable beach option.

Take a leisurely walk down La Croisette to window-shop luxury hotels and chic boutiques, then climb Le Suquet hill to the old clock tower for sweeping views of the city and harbor.

The coastline between Nice and Monaco—known as the Côte d’Azur or the Riviera—is a ribbon of cliffside roads and charming coastal towns. Perched like a fortress at 427 m (1,401 ft), Èze Village is a standout: climb its narrow stone steps to the cactus garden and take in the uninterrupted Mediterranean panorama.

Menton, near the Italian border, brings a pastel-hued, slightly Mediterranean-Italian vibe with orange-toned buildings that pop against the sea. Trains and buses along this coast make it easy to hop between towns—so you can visit several in a single day for a high-value mini-road trip.

Turn inland and you’ll find the sweeping landscapes of Provence. The region’s showstopper is the vast lavender bloom from mid-June through late July—think endless swaths of purple and that heady, dreamy scent. The Valensole plain is especially famous, and its lavender fields are a quintessential summer-photo moment.

Combine Avignon, with its well-preserved papal palace, Arles, where Roman ruins linger, and Aix-en-Provence, steeped in Cézanne’s legacy, for a curated cultural and arts-focused route that feels both rich and relaxed.

Because public-transport links can be a bit tricky, consider booking day tours that depart from Nice or Avignon to simplify logistics and maximize your time.