From the days of Queen Victoria to the present day, the Cote D'Azur has been the place to see and be seen. Even if that life doesn’t interest you, the region's fame is well deserved. It is stunningly beautiful and dotted with castles, villas, world-famous art, and drop-dead gorgeous sea views. This is not just a tour of popular places during high season. We shy away from traveling here in July & August to avoid the heat, the traffic, and the crowds. In late September, the weather is divine, and the crowds have gone home. We're venturing off the beaten track a bit, taking you to the picture-perfect seaside town of Cassis (on the entire coast, my personal favorite). We’ll stay in two amazing hotels, visit knowledgeable chefs, and get onto the water to view the shore from the best vantage point. We'll also venture north into Provence to some of France's most charming villages. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a veteran, this is the perfect trip.
Here's a day-by-day itinerary of the schedule
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Stare out at the Mediterranean Sea from your perch at the 4-Star Le Meridien Hotel situated directly on the famous Promenade des Anglais. Soak in the Cote d'Azur lifestyle here in the heart of Nice. Enjoy the spa, fitness room, and heated outdoor pool during your downtime.
Relax and unwind in your charming 4-star Hotel in a lovely village in Provence. Our hotel boasts a spa and a superb restaurant. Smell the lavender in the air - this is quintessential Provence.
Born and raised bilingual in Quebec, Nancy was naturally attracted to France. She seized a work opportunity that brought her to the south of France which led to a love story that's lasted ever since.
After a career in corporate and international event management for the United Nations and Coca-Cola, Nancy had a desire to share her passion of this beautiful area with others. She's now having fun using her creative skills and local knowledge leading trips to Provence and the Cote D'Azur.
Nancy lives in Sète with her papillon spaniel, Jewel.
Good climate, beaches, medieval villages and luxury appeal
The south of France…the land of beautiful coastal cities, glitzy beaches, vineyards, lavender, and one of the world’s best cuisines. This is where the rich and famous come to relax and party. It is a land of luxury, with yachts dotting the shorelines, fancy hotels in every city, and epic parties you read about in magazines.
All meals unless stated
2 glasses of wine or beer with included dinners
All entrance fees, visits, tastings and guided tours
All transport while your trip
A perfume tour
A premium wine tasting
Historic tour of Nice
Visit to the Maeght Foundation
Visit to the Picasso Museum
Boat ride
Guided stroll of Uzes with Deborah, the barefoot blogger
Visit to Pont Du Gard
Visit to the historic town of St. Remy de Provence
Visit to Van Gogh's Monastery
A Group Transfer to the Avignon Train Station for departure
International Airfare to/from France
Train or flights to/from Nice/Avignon
Arrival transfer to Nice hotel
Private departure transport to airport or train station
Additional wine or beer at meals beyond what’s offered
Any personal souvenirs
Any spa treatments desired
Travel and Medical Insurance (required)
There are two sensible options:
1) The most convenient is to fly direct to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE).
2) Or, you can also fly into Paris (Charles De Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY) airports and then connect to Nice.
Or, if you plan on spending some time in Paris before or after the trip, you can fly one-way to/from Paris or Nice. It's an easy train ride back to Paris from Avignon at the end of the trip if you do fly home from Paris.
The trip officially starts on the evening of September 26, but if you're flying overnight to get to France, consider arriving a day early so you have time to relax and adjust to the local time zone. (Or fly into Paris early and spend several days there)!
If you do decide to arrive early check out our Add On section to book your pre-trip night in Nice at the Le Meridien.
We will have a zoom call about 6 weeks before the trip starts to discuss all that information and give you a packing list. Here is a great website that we love that will help you with packing and travel trips.
The weather in the French Riviera in late September is typically warm and pleasant, with daytime temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s°F (24–28°C). Evenings are usually cool and can drop into the mid to low 60's at night. It can be a little wetter than previous months, so there's a chance of rain.