The Best Way to Tour South of France | 24 Hour Guide
There’s nothing better than a chilled aperol spritz, the sun shining on your skin, and a phone set to Do Not Disturb. All while surrounded by pastel-colored French homes. The South of France is one of those places you visit and realize social media didn’t lie. The ocean is a deep, crystal blue, and the buildings glow with orange, red, and pink hues. Everything feels like it’s straight out of a fairy tale, with cobblestoned windy pathways and spectacular views. Thankfully, I got to experience this bliss for 24 hours and I enjoyed every hour. If you’ve only got 24 hours (or more!) and want to see the highlights of the South of France, this travel guide is for you. Let’s get into my 24-hour itinerary exploring Nice, Villefranche Sur Mer, Eze!
Why You Should Make Nice Your Home Base
If you’re staying in the South of France for a short time and want to explore multiple cities, I recommend making Nice your home base. Nice is like the Capital of the French Riviera! Its international airport, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, is well-connected, so you won’t have to worry about a strenuous transit to and from the airport.
Best Times to Visit the South of France
The South of France has a Mediterranean climate, with the French Riviera being one of the warmest areas. As an avid traveler, I prefer to travel when it’s warm but not too hot (under 85 degrees fahrenheit). In the South of France, this means the months between March and May. During my spring visit the weather was perfect. I alternated my outfits between distressed jeans, mid-length skirts, cropped tops, and open toe sandals and never needed a jacket.
The peak summer season (June through August) brings an influx of tourists, making trips feel hotter, sweatier, making me (for some reason) feel cranky and overwhelmed. If you’re anything like me, spring is the best time to visit France for warm yet comfortable weather.
Hotels in Nice, France
I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Nice, France. This property provided affordability and proximity to transportation into the Nice City Centre. Note, this property isn’t the closest you could get to the center, but there is a train station nearby that was easy to navigate. I simply bought my ticket and boarded the commuter train into the city center. Check-in was a breeze and they offered breakfast for guests. While this wasn’t the most luxurious stay, it had the best quality for my budget.
This beachfront property is another great option if you want to explore Nice and the surrounding regions. Just a 15 minute walk to the center, Hotel Flots d’Azur offers proximity to the beach at half the price of nearby properties. It is a smoke-free establishment that offers daily continental breakfast (for purchase), and free wifi.
If you stay at Hotel Petit Palais during your next trip to Nice be sure to privilege the panorama suite! The balcony overlooks the rooftops of old Nice, a site to see. The marble decorated bathroom and brightly decorated room bring the lively vibe of Nice to life. This boutique hotel features an outdoor swimming pool and a gazebo nestled in the shade.
Located in the city center, Hotel Apollinaire Nice intersects luxury and proximity to the best things to do in Nice, France.The rooms have a chic design with a geometric area rug, wood paneling, and spacious bathrooms. If you want to enjoy a drink, the hotel offers a bar with an outdoor patio.
Situated in the center of Nice, Albert 1 er offers its guest access to Nice’s center and views of the Mediterranean Sea. The rooms are uniquely designed with bright and warm colors, funky wallpaper, and natural derived fixtures. I love that the rooms’ wardrobes have a full length mirror, an essential that’s missed in a lot of hotel rooms (all my ladies can relate).
South France Destinations to Explore
- Nice
Nice reminded me of a bustling city center. Filled with restaurants, markets, shopping centers, and natural parks. There’s lots to do in Nice if you want to spend most of your time here. Nice is also well-connected to neighboring cities, just a short ride away. You’ll still get to experience the colorful architecture that the French Rivera has to offer! - Villefranche Sur Mer
Enjoy a slower pace in Villefranche Sur Mer and enjoy its effortless elegance. The waterfront buildings offered a spectacular view of the crystal blue bay. Adults and children alike were sun bathing on the rocky beach and sailors drifted in the distance. This town has a more relaxed vibe from Nice, but maintained a Mediterranean vibe. - Èze
My absolute favorite town! When I visited the Èze old town, it felt like I was on set for the Romeo & Juliet play (I’ve never seen the play but you get my point.) The sand stone buildings, paired with green ivy and blossoming flowers made everything feel romantic. During my next visit, I’d love to stay in Èze!
The Best Way to Tour the South of France
The best and most affordable way to tour the South of France is by train. While Ubers are available, the long distance between cities makes them expensive, and Uber availability can be inconsistent. Renting a car is another great option, but if you’re staying for a short time, it’s not necessary. The train will get you to your destination faster without the hassle of finding parking (trust me the streets are very narrow), fueling up on gas, and navigating the windy roads.
Rail Europe offers train rides as low as 4 euro (one-way from Nice to Èze) and stops in various locations. However, during my trip, the trains were often crowded, with some carts having little to no standing room. People carrying large luggage or handbags had a hard time navigating the packed train, so I’d recommend traveling light. Also, ticket machines at each station may be limited, so it’s best to buy your mobile tickets in advance via the railways mobile app.
Here are some providers that sell tickets for South of France journeys:
- Rail Europe (the provider I used)
- Omio
- Kombo
- Trainline
- TravelPerk
Tip: Don’t buy your tickets too far in advance since they are for timed entry. If you miss your train due to poor timing, you may not be able to get a refund.
My Experience Solo Traveling in the South of France
One of the most important things I consider when choosing a destination is safety. Will I be safe in this country, city, or region? Next, I wonder how I’ll be received and treated by locals and other visitors. As a Black woman traveling in the South of France, I felt relatively safe and welcomed. I did not experience overt bias or discrimination because of my identity. I traveled from Nice to the neighboring country Monaco without any concerning experiences— with a small caveat.
When I arrived in Eze, I was walking towards the train station when a car pulled up next to me. An older gentleman cleared the front seat of his car and waved for me to come in without saying anything. Thankfully, he didn’t exit his car or physically persuade me to enter his vehicle—he just drove off. Despite this experience, I didn’t feel concerned about my safety, just confused with the interaction.
I’d love to visit the South of France again to explore more of the region. The colorful architecture, sparking blue ocean, and stunning attractions would be on my list of things to do again.