Morning: Arrive at Marseille‑Saint‑Charles station or airport and check into your hotel. Take a leisurely walk to the historic Vieux Port to soak in the bustling harbor atmosphere.
Afternoon: Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch at a waterfront café, then explore the iconic Basilique Notre‑Dame de la Garde for panoramic city views.
Evening: Dine on bouillabaisse at a traditional restaurant and wander the illuminated streets of Le Panier, Marseille’s oldest quarter.
Find HotelsMorning: Catch a short train to Cassis and begin a guided boat tour of the spectacular Calanques de Cassis, famous for turquoise waters and towering cliffs.
Afternoon: Hike one of the scenic trails to the hidden beach of Calanque d’En-Vau, then relax with a glass of rosé at a seaside terrace.
Evening: Return to Marseille, enjoy a casual dinner in the Cours Julien district, and sample local pastis.
Find HotelsMorning: Travel by train to Aix‑en‑Provence and check in. Stroll through the charming Cours Mirabeau, lined with plane trees and cafés.
Afternoon: Visit the Studio des Lumières for immersive art projections, then explore the markets selling Provençal herbs and lavender.
Evening: Savor Provençal cuisine at a bistro, followed by a nightcap at a local wine bar.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart for Avignon; upon arrival, check into your hotel and head straight to the majestic Palais des Papes, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Afternoon: Cross the historic Pont d’Avignon and explore the lively Rue de la République for boutique shopping.
Evening: Attend a sunset concert at the Place de l’Horloge and enjoy dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Rhône.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a guided day trip to the Luberon, visiting the picturesque hilltop village of Gordes and its stunning stone houses.
Afternoon: Continue to the fragrant lavender fields of Sensac‑d’Apt (in bloom May), and enjoy a light lunch featuring local goat cheese.
Evening: Return to Avignon for a relaxed dinner in the historic center, sampling regional wines.
Find HotelsMorning: Travel to Nîmes; explore the well‑preserved Roman Amphitheatre and the stunning Maison Carrée.
Afternoon: Take a short bus ride to the ancient aqueduct of Pont du Gard, where you can walk across the bridge and learn about Roman engineering.
Evening: Return to Nîmes, dine on southern specialties, and enjoy a stroll along the Jardins de la Fontaine.
Find HotelsMorning: Head to Montpellier; after checking in, explore the vibrant Place de la Comédie and the historic Église Saint‑Pierre.
Afternoon: Visit the contemporary Le Fabre Museum and wander the narrow medieval streets of the Écusson district.
Evening: Experience the lively nightlife of the Antigone district with dinner and a cocktail.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a train to Carcassonne; check in and begin exploring the fortified Cité de Carcassonne, a medieval citadel.
Afternoon: Climb the ramparts for sweeping views, then visit the Basilique Saint‑Nicolas within the walls.
Evening: Enjoy a dinner of cassoulet, the region’s signature dish, in a historic inn.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart for Toulouse; after arrival, stroll along the Canal du Midi and relax at a riverside café.
Afternoon: Discover the iconic Basilique Saint‑Sernin and the modern City of Space museum.
Evening: Dine in the vibrant Saint‑Cyprien district, sampling duck confit and local wines.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a day trip to Lourdes, visiting the Sanctuary and its famous grotto.
Afternoon: Continue to the breathtaking Cirque de Gavarnie for a short hike to the waterfall, surrounded by towering peaks.
Evening: Return to Toulouse for a relaxed dinner and early night.
Find HotelsMorning: Travel back to Montpellier for a quick stop at the Jardin des Plantes before catching a high‑speed train to Nice.
Afternoon: Check into your Nice hotel, then wander the famous Promenade des Anglais along the azure Mediterranean.
Evening: Enjoy a seaside dinner of socca and fresh fish in the Old Town (Vieux‑Nice).
Find HotelsMorning: Take a short train ride to the glamorous Monaco, tour the Prince’s Palace and the lavish Casino de Monte‑Carlo.
Afternoon: Return to the coast and visit the medieval perched village of Èze, exploring its exotic garden and perfumery.
Evening: Back in Nice, sip a cocktail at a rooftop bar with views of the Baie des Anges.
Find HotelsMorning: Head west to Cannes; stroll along the famous Croisette Boulevard and the Palais des Festivals.
Afternoon: Continue to Antibes to visit the historic Fort Carré and the impressive Musée Picasso housed in the Château Grimaldi.
Evening: Return to Nice for a farewell dinner at a Michelin‑starred restaurant, celebrating the trip.
Find HotelsMorning: Enjoy a relaxed breakfast on the terrace, then take a final walk through the colorful Cours Saleya Market for souvenirs.
Afternoon: Check out of the hotel and transfer to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport for your flight home.
Evening: Reflect on the memories of Southern France as you depart.
Find HotelsIf you have extra time, consider adding a day in the Côte d'Azur to explore the charming town of Saint‑Paul‑de‑Vence or a wine‑tasting tour in the Bandol region. To shorten the trip, you can combine Carcassonne and Toulouse into a single day and skip the Pyrenees excursion, focusing instead on the coastal cities for a more relaxed pace.