Are you ready to discover the amazing south of France? If you are thinking about a trip where you can explore new places, charming towns and unknown villages, a getaway in the south of France is the perfect option. France is not too far away and there are many cities which are easy to travel to from the UK. Most travellers agree that the most beautiful areas in France are in the south. For this reasons, we have put together all of our favourite places in the south of France including how to get there, the best food and the cheapest accommodation.
South of France tourism
France is a country full of contrasts with cities and beautiful villages where you can enjoy the sea, nature, historical monuments and the best gastronomy. Visiting the south of France is one of the best options for travelling alone, as a couple of with children.
Where to travel in the south of France
If you decide to spend your holiday in the south of France we must take into account the many ways to travel around and which places to visit. As the south of France is more difficult to travel to by boat, you can fly to one of the main airports such as Montpelier, Toulouse, Nice or Marseille. Otherwise you may prefer to travel by ferry and take your car to the south of France.
Whether you decide to travel by plane, boat or car, it’s recommended to rent a car once you’ve arrived as it’s the best way to see the sights. There are public transport options, but most of the prettiest villages and hidden coves are best accessed by car. It also works out cheaper in the long run.
Which cities to visit in the south of France
There are many famous cities in the south of France such as Nimes, Perpignan, Toulouse, Montpellier, Nice and Marseille. But don’t rush around these cities on your trip, you should take enough time to enjoy them properly. This area of France is full of beautiful architecture, monuments, buildings, medieval castles with a mixture of past and present.
Nimes
Nimes invites us to discover the Notre Dame Cathedral located in the old town, the Fountain Gardens, The Roman circus and the Maison Caree temple which is still perfectly preserved.
Montpellier
It’s very easy to find incredible buildings in Montpellier and you’ll be in awe on every street you walk down. Plaza de la Comedie is right in the centre and where you’ll find the Opera Comedie building and the Fountain of the Three Graces. You can also see the triumphal arch Porte du Peyrou, the Aqueduct of San Clemente and St Peter’s Cathedral.
Nice
Nice is located on the French Riviera and one of its best attractions is sitting and admiring the sea from the Castle Park. You can also wander around the wonderful colourful streets, sit in a terrace in Plaza de Massena and enjoy a croissant before visiting the Albert I Garden.
The most beautiful villages in France
A holiday in the south of France should involve many villages as well as the big cities. Along the coast and in the mountains are where you can get the wonderful views of the Midi Pyrenees.
These villages in the south of France bring us back to medieval times with the cobbled streets, flower covered houses, small shops and friendly locals.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is the largest medieval city in Europe, with its historic streets, ancient buildings, castles and fortresses where we can let ourselves get carried away with our imagination.
Arles
Arles is known for its amphitheatre and roman theatre. There are many other historical monuments to see such as the Cathedral of Sant Tropime located in the Place de la Republique and the Espace Van Gogh, which is an absolutely must on your trip!
Avingnon
Avignon is one of the towns in France with a great amount of architectural jewels like the Palace of the Popes, home to an ancient fortress. Inside you can visit the rooms and admire the ancient artworks from many generations.
Aigues Mortes
To finish, we recommend you spend a day in Aigues Mortes in Camargue Natural Park, this is a magical place where the essence of the medieval period hides between marshes and lagoons.
Accommodation in the south of France
We believe that when it comes to finding accommodation in the south of France, it depends on what kind of holiday you want to be able to pick your ideal place to stay. It depends on budget, time and who you travel with.
It’s not the same to check accommodation in Montpellier as it would be in one of the smaller towns like Carcassonne. Our advice would be to try and book a holiday rental in Nimes, Montpellier or Nice and travel to the other cities during the day.
You can rent an apartment in the south of France with Hundredrooms and compare prices from various websites.
