A 4-Day South of France Itinerary (From Someone Who's Been)

Summer in the south of France is everything it's cracked up to be: sun, beaches, and glamour around every corner. It's a trip I take nearly every year, as I find the French Riviera is a destination that perfectly balances plenty of relaxation time with some unique sightseeing activities (and shopping, of course!)

The weather in the summer season is always warm, and can get hot, especially if you’re doing a lot of walking. Light-colored clothes and linen are the must-pack items, as well as a stylish hat to protect you from the sun. If you travel during the shoulder seasons, you’ll encounter fewer crowds and cooler weather, but summer is really when this region shines in my opinion. 

Here's what I suggest as a sample 4-day South of France itinerary, but feel free to add beach days in between to balance out your trip.

Day 1: Fly into Nice

Nice is the easiest airport to fly into as your portal into the South of France. If it's your first time in the region, book a hotel here for the night to adjust to the jetlag and do some exploring. Spend some time wandering the Vieille Ville, the colorful, winding old town. Be sure to check out the Cours Saleya market, which showcases a rotating market of fresh produce, flowers, or antiques depending on the day of the week. Bring a bag and grab some fruits and cheese, or whatever else looks enticing to store for a picnic. 

Take your haul up the Colline du Château, a former fortress that now serves as an urban park with the best views of both the city and the sea. If your feet aren’t killing you yet, you can do a sunset stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, the seaside boulevard named for the 19th-century English nobility who came here for their health. 

Note the beaches here are mostly rocky, so the lounging life isn't as comfortable as other French beaches (or as kid-friendly), but still a beautiful place to peep the Mediterranean. 

DAY 2: Cruise into Cannes

For any itinerary in the South of France, I recommend making Cannes your home base. It's easily accessible either by train via Nice or via a ride share or rental car. It's centrally located, has plenty of hotel and lodging options, and is an easy jumping-off point for day trips. Plus, its film festival mystique makes it a worthwhile destination to explore all on its own — and the beaches are better than the ones you'll find in Nice. 

Cannes is a very walkable city, with the 2km Croisette being the main crescent-shaped drag that skirts its stunning coastline. This path will take you from the yacht-filled old port and the Palais de Festival (where the Cannes film festival has been held since 1983), past all the high-end shops like Dior and Valentino, to the row of iconic hotels and their associated beach clubs. A drink in the historic and recently renovated Carlton is a must, preferably on their sprawling patio, perfect for people watching. 

Snag a sunset dinner at one of the many outdoor dining options. You can’t go wrong with seafood here (and I always order escargot at least once!), bread with olive oil, and a bottle of rosé, which is this region’s speciality. Note that you’ll usually need to flag down your server to get the bill here — they never want you to feel rushed to pay and leave. 

Day 3: Ferry to the Lerins Islands 

If you want to get away from the bustle of downtown Cannes, a ferry trip to the nearby Lerins islands is not only affordable, but a beautiful nature escape. Departures leave about every hour during the summer, and cost less than 20€. 

Île Sainte-Marguerite is the larger of the two islands and usually the first go-to if you have to pick one. Here you can see the famous fort that once held the mysterious prisoner known as “The Man in the Iron Mask,” which inspired Alexandre Dumas’ novel by the same name. The walk around the island takes about 90 minutes to two hours, but you might want to take a quick dip in one of the many Mediterranean coves that dot the path (I know I did). 

If you plan ahead, you may be able to score a reservation at La Guertie, the seaside restaurant that most patrons sail up to on their boats. The later afternoon seating around 3:30 tends to have more of a party energy with DJs and champagne. Don’t expect a same-day seat; bookings tend to fill up one to two months in advance (ask me how I know). 

For an even more meditative experience, the smaller Île Saint-Honorat has been home to a community of monks since the 5th century. You’ll see monks in their robes coming and going throughout the Abbey. The gift store here is a must for the island-made wines and liquors, made with ancient recipes. My personal favorites are the Lérina Verte and the Lérina Jaune (similar to a green or yellow chartreuse), both made with 44 herbs grown on the island, but you can bring home a carry-on-approved sample pack to try a variety of the monk-made magic. 

Day 4: Helicopter to St Tropez

For a farewell experience you will never forget, book a helicopter ride from Cannes over to St. Tropez, another iconic French Riviera beach destination. The 15- to 20-minute ride will take you over dramatic cliffs and deliver you to the sandy shores of this destination made famous by Brigette Bardot in her film And God Created Woman in the 1950s. 

Make a reservation at one of the many beach clubs. Club 55 is the original and classiest of the set, making it an A-list go-to for its fresh Provencal food, its famous crudite basket, and sophisticated atmosphere. After enjoying a satisfying fresh lunch, make yourself comfortable on its sandy beach, and cool off with a dip in the Mediterranean Sea. Don’t be surprised if you see mega yachts cruising in the distance. If you can’t hitch a ride, the helicopter ride back to Cannes isn’t a bad consolation prize.

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