A Guide to the Best Cities in the South of France: Where to Go & How to Spend One Week
After taking three separate trips to the region, I’ve had the chance to experience some of the best cities in the South of France and see how different each one feels. Some are perfect for beach clubs and luxury, while others are better for food, wine, hiking, nightlife, or a slower coastal escape.
After three visits, I have a much better idea of which places I would prioritize, which ones make the best bases, and which destinations make sense to combine if you only have a week.
Nice feels completely different from Marseille.
Saint-Tropez is not Cassis.
Èze can feel like you walked into a medieval movie set, while Cannes is giving luxury hotels, shopping, and beach clubs.
And if you only have a week, trying to squeeze every single place into one itinerary is probably going to leave you spending more time checking in and out of hotels than actually enjoying France.
I have spent time traveling around the South of France, and my biggest advice is to choose the places that actually match the kind of trip you want.
Do you want beach clubs and dressing up for dinner?
Tiny medieval villages?
Hiking and turquoise coves?
Shopping?
Nightlife?
A slower coastal trip?
How to Choose Between the Best Cities in the South of France
Here is how I would compare Nice, Cannes, Èze, Marseille, Montpellier, Cassis, Saint-Tropez, Aix-en-Provence, Grasse, Étang de Thau, and Cap d’Agde, plus which ones I would personally prioritize if you only have one week.
The Quick Version: Which South of France Destination Is Right for You?
Nice: Best overall base and best for first time visitors
Cannes: Best for luxury, shopping, and beach clubs
Èze: Best for a romantic medieval village day trip
Marseille: Best for big city energy, culture, and a grittier side of southern France
Montpellier: Best for nightlife, a younger crowd, shopping, and a more local city experience.
Cassis: Best for beautiful scenery, the Calanques, and a slower coastal trip
Saint-Tropez: Best for beach clubs, nightlife, luxury, and seeing and being seen
Grasse: Best for perfume lovers and an easy cultural day trip
Étang de Thau: best for oysters, seafood, waterfront villages, and local wine.
Aix-en-Provence: Best for Markets, Cafes, and Classic Provence
Cap d’Agde: Best for sandy beaches and travelers specifically interested in its resort and naturist scene
If you only have one week, I would not try to do all eight.
More on exactly what I would choose later.
1. Nice: The Best All Around Base
If you asked me where I would tell someone to base themselves for their first South of France trip, Nice would probably win.
It gives you a little bit of everything.
You have the Mediterranean right in front of you, a beautiful Old Town, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, beaches, and extremely easy access to other destinations along the Côte d’Azur.
The famous Promenade des Anglais runs almost seven kilometers along the Baie des Anges, and this is one of those places where simply walking along the water feels like part of the trip.
Then you have Vieux Nice, with narrow colorful streets, markets, cafes, gelato, and that slightly chaotic European Old Town energy I love.
The Vibe
Nice feels like an actual city where people live, rather than somewhere built solely around tourists.
It can be elegant without feeling overly formal.
You can spend the morning wandering the Old Town, go to the beach in the afternoon, and still have plenty happening at night.
Go to Nice If You Want:
Beach + city
Restaurants and nightlife
Shopping
Easy day trips
A convenient home base
A first trip to the French Riviera
How Long Would I Stay?
2 to 4 nights, especially if you are using it as a base for Èze, Cannes, Monaco, or other nearby destinations.
2. Cannes: For Luxury, Shopping & Beach Clubs
Cannes feels noticeably more polished than Nice.
This is where I would go if your South of France fantasy involves:
Beautiful hotels
Designer shopping
Beach clubs
Champagne
Getting dressed up for dinner
Walking along the water pretending you are attending the Cannes Film Festival
The famous Croisette stretches for about three kilometers and has sandy beaches and beach restaurants on one side with luxury hotels and designer stores on the other.
That pretty much sums up the vibe.
But Cannes is not only luxury.
Walk into Le Suquet, the older part of town, and suddenly you have steep historic streets and a completely different atmosphere from the Croisette.
The Vibe
Glamorous, polished, beachy, and a little bougie.
Cannes is somewhere I would go if I wanted the trip itself to feel luxurious.
Go to Cannes If You Want:
Beach clubs
Luxury hotels
Designer shopping
Pretty sandy beaches
Nightlife
A romantic couples trip
How Long Would I Stay?
For most first time visitors, one day or one night is enough unless beach clubs and luxury are major priorities.
Personally, I think it makes an easy day trip from Nice.
3. Èze: The Fairytale Village
Èze is one of those places where you walk in and immediately understand why everyone photographs it.
The medieval village sits high above the Mediterranean on a rocky hilltop, with tiny stone streets, archways, art galleries, boutiques, and insane views over the coastline.
At the very top is the Jardin Exotique, which sits around 429 meters above the sea.
And honestly, that view is the reason I would go. I genuinely think it is one of the prettiest places I have ever been.
The Vibe
Tiny, romantic, medieval, beautiful, and very Pinterest.
This is not somewhere I would personally spend three days.
It is somewhere I would spend a few hours wandering very slowly.
Go to Èze If You Want:
Romantic views
Medieval streets
Photography
A slower afternoon
A day trip from Nice
How Long Would I Stay?
I would not stay overnight on a first trip unless you specifically want a splurge at one of the luxury hotels.
Otherwise, I would make Èze a half day trip from Nice.
4. Marseille: For Big City Energy and Culture
Marseille feels completely different from the polished Riviera towns.
And I actually think that is why you might love it.
It is bigger, busier, more diverse, more chaotic, and definitely has more of a real city feel.
The Vieux Port is the historic heart of Marseille, surrounded by restaurants, boats, markets, and access to excursions toward the Calanques.
Then walk into Le Panier, Marseille’s oldest neighborhood, and you get narrow streets, colorful buildings, street art, cafes, and little shops.
You also have Notre-Dame de la Garde, Mucem, beaches, markets, and a very different food culture than you will find farther east on the Riviera.
The Vibe
Lively, gritty, cultural, diverse, and much less “perfect French Riviera postcard.”
Marseille is the place on this list where I would tell you not to expect Saint-Tropez.
That is not the point.
Go to Marseille If You Want:
A real city
Culture and history
Nightlife
Markets and food
Easy access to the Calanques
Something less polished and more energetic
How Long Would I Stay?
1 to 2 nights. Personally, if I had only one week and it was my first South of France trip, I would choose Cassis over Marseille unless city culture is particularly important to you. That is exactly what Ryan and I did on our last trip to the South of France.
5. Cassis: Probably My Pick for the Prettiest Coastal Stop
Cassis feels like the version of the South of France you imagine when you are sitting at home planning the trip.
A colorful little harbor. Restaurants lining the water.
Wine.
Cliffs.
Turquoise Mediterranean coves.
And most importantly, the Calanques.
Cassis sits between vineyards, huge limestone cliffs, and the sea. The official tourism office highlights places like Calanque d’En-Vau, Port-Miou, Port-Pin, Cap Canaille, and the Route des Crêtes as some of the area's defining attractions.
This was one of those places where I genuinely enjoyed just walking along the water without feeling like I needed to constantly be doing something.
The Vibe
Small, charming, scenic, coastal, and much more relaxed.
Cassis is not where I would go for huge nightlife.
It is where I would go for a beautiful day outside.
Do Not Miss the Calanques. If you are physically able to hike, I would absolutely explore at least one Calanque.
You can also see them by boat or kayak, which is probably the better option if you do not want a strenuous hike. Personally, we kayaked to different parts of the Calanques, and it was certainly a highlight of our entire trip.
And yes, those beaches are rocky.
Very rocky.
Bring water shoes.
Go to Cassis If You Want:
Turquoise water
Hiking
Boat trips
Small town charm
Wine
Scenery
A slower romantic trip
How Long Would I Stay?
2 nights would be perfect.
You could technically day trip here from Marseille, but I personally think Cassis deserves at least one night so you can enjoy the harbor after the day trippers leave.
6. Saint-Tropez: For the Full French Riviera Fantasy
Saint-Tropez is exactly what you think it is.
Yachts.
Luxury boutiques.
Beach clubs.
Rosé.
People dressed like they have somewhere significantly more important to be than you do.
And honestly? That can be really fun.
The town itself still has a historic Provençal side behind all of the glamour, with small streets surrounding its famous harbor.
But if you are going in summer, the beach scene is a huge part of the experience.
Nearby Pampelonne Beach stretches about 4.5 kilometers and is lined with everything from relaxed beach restaurants to famous party-oriented clubs.
The Vibe
Rich vacation energy. Saint-Tropez is where you go when you want part of the trip to be about the scene itself.
Go to Saint-Tropez If You Want:
Beach clubs
Nightlife
Luxury shopping
Yachts
Beautiful people watching
A girls trip or couples trip
How Long Would I Stay?
Personally, 1 to 2 nights.
One thing to know is that Saint-Tropez is less convenient to reach than Nice, Cannes, or Èze because it does not sit directly on the main Riviera train line.
So I would only add it to a short trip if you genuinely care about going there.
7. Grasse: For Perfume Lovers
Grasse is the one I would choose if you want to break up the beach towns with something completely different.
It is known as the perfume capital of the world, with historic perfume houses, museums, flowers, gardens, and a hillside old town.
You can visit major perfume houses like Fragonard, Molinard, and Galimard, and some offer workshops where you can actually create your own fragrance.
I think that is the reason to come here.
The Vibe
Quiet, floral, artistic, historic, and very Provençal.
This is not another coastal party destination.
It is more of an experience day.
Go to Grasse If You Want:
Perfume
A fragrance making workshop
History
Old streets
Something different from the beaches
How Long Would I Stay?
I would make it a half day or day trip, probably from Cannes or Nice.
Unless you are really into perfume, I would not use precious nights of a one week trip staying here.
8. Montpellier: Best for a Lively, Younger City Feel
Montpellier feels very different from the polished beach towns farther east.
It is younger, more energetic, and has a huge student population, so there is a lot going on even when it is not peak tourist season. The historic center is extremely walkable, with little streets, cafes, shops, restaurants, plazas, and beautiful architecture. Place de la Comédie is basically the heart of the city and a good place to start wandering.
What I like about Montpellier is that it feels more like a place people actually live than a resort town.
You can spend the day exploring the old streets and shopping, grab dinner outside, and then stay out late because the nightlife here is genuinely good.
It is also a much better choice than some of the smaller Riviera towns if you want a mix of city life, food, shopping, and nightlife without the Saint-Tropez price tag.
The Vibe
Young, lively, walkable, social, and much more local feeling.
Go to Montpellier If You Want:
Nightlife
Restaurants and cafes
Shopping
A younger crowd
Historic streets
A less expensive alternative to the Riviera
Easy access to nearby beaches
How Long Would I Stay?
I think 1 to 2 nights is perfect.
9. Étang de Thau for Oysters and Wine
If you are staying in Montpellier and you love seafood and wine, do not skip a day trip to the Étang de Thau.
This ended up being one of those experiences that really made this part of the South of France stand out to me.
The Étang de Thau is a huge saltwater lagoon between Montpellier and the Mediterranean, surrounded by little fishing villages, vineyards, and oyster farms. The lagoon is actually one of the biggest shellfish-producing areas in France, producing thousands of tons of oysters and mussels each year.
And when I say oysters, I mean OYSTERS. Some of the ones we had were practically the size of my hand. These were huge, incredibly fresh, and tasted like they had basically gone from the water to our table.
Which, in some cases, is pretty much what is happening.
Around villages like Bouzigues and Mèze, you can eat at oyster farms and producers right along the lagoon. The oysters are grown in the water in front of you, and many of these family-run producers serve their own shellfish directly at their waterfront tasting areas.
It is one of those meals where you are looking out over rows and rows of oyster beds while someone brings out a giant platter of seafood that was harvested locally.
If you love seafood, I honestly cannot recommend it enough.
And Then There Is the Wine
This area also happens to sit within Languedoc, one of the most important wine regions in the world.
Languedoc-Roussillon is considered France's largest wine-producing region, with around 300,000 hectares of vineyards. At one point, it was estimated that roughly one out of every ten bottles of wine produced worldwide came from this region.
So driving around this part of southern France, there are vineyards everywhere.
The wine you especially need to try around the Étang de Thau is Picpoul de Pinet.
Picpoul is a crisp, dry white wine grown around the lagoon, and the appellation is actually the largest white-wine vineyard area in Languedoc. It is fresh, citrusy, mineral, and basically made to drink with seafood.
There is a reason you will constantly see people sitting by the water with a platter of oysters and a cold bottle of Picpoul.
Oysters + Picpoul de Pinet is the combination.
And because the vineyards and oyster farms exist practically side by side, the whole experience feels incredibly connected to the region.
You are not just ordering seafood and a random bottle of French wine. The oysters came from the lagoon sitting in front of you, and the wine was grown in vineyards surrounding that same lagoon.
Where to Go Around the Étang de Thau
If oysters are your priority, I would start with Bouzigues.
It is one of the best-known oyster villages on the lagoon, and oyster farming is basically part of the town's identity. You can visit producers, eat at waterfront tasting spots, and even learn about how the oysters are grown.
Mèze is another great option and has a really pretty harbor, oyster farms, and vineyards surrounding the town. It is also one of the main areas producing Picpoul de Pinet.
You could also continue toward Sète, which is a larger port city known for seafood and canals, or Marseillan, another beautiful town along the lagoon.
If I were planning the day, though, I would keep it pretty simple:
Montpellier → winery or vineyard → Bouzigues or Mèze → giant seafood lunch → more wine → back to Montpellier.
This is not the day I would try to cram five attractions into an itinerary.
Go hungry.
Take your time.
Order way too many oysters.
Drink the local wine.
And enjoy the fact that your lunch was probably swimming in the water in front of you not very long before it ended up on your plate.
Honestly, this is one of the experiences I would most recommend adding to a Montpellier trip.
10. Aix-en-Provence: Best for Markets, Cafes, and Classic Provence
Aix-en-Provence feels completely different from the beach towns.
Instead of yachts and beach clubs, think tree lined streets, outdoor cafes, fountains, markets, pastel buildings, little boutiques, and that slower Provençal lifestyle people picture when they think about the South of France.
The historic center is incredibly walkable, and this is one of those places where I would not overplan the day. Walk along Cours Mirabeau, wander through the smaller streets, stop at the markets, sit outside with a coffee or glass of wine, and just enjoy being there.
It also has a strong connection to Paul Cézanne, who was born in Aix, so art lovers can visit places associated with his life and work.
The Vibe
Elegant, relaxed, charming, and very traditionally Provençal.
It feels sophisticated without having the flashy luxury atmosphere of Cannes or Saint-Tropez.
Go to Aix-en-Provence If You Want:
Markets
Outdoor cafes
Boutique shopping
Beautiful old streets
Provençal food and wine
Art and Cézanne history
A break from the coast
How Long Would I Stay?
I think 1 to 2 nights is ideal.
You can technically visit Aix as a day trip from Marseille, but if you have enough time, I think staying overnight lets you enjoy the city at a much slower pace.
11. Cap d’Agde: For Beaches and Something Very Different
Cap d’Agde is the geographic outlier on this list.
It is much farther west than the Côte d’Azur destinations, so I would not casually tack it onto a Nice and Saint-Tropez itinerary.
The broader Cap d’Agde area has long sandy Mediterranean beaches, water sports, coastal activities, and resort-style tourism. The tourism office highlights about 25 kilometers of beaches across the destination.
And then, of course, there is the thing Cap d’Agde is particularly famous for:
the Naturist Village.
This is not just one little nude beach.
It is a regulated, self-contained naturist resort area with accommodations, shops, restaurants, bars, a marina, and around two kilometers of sandy beach.
So I would be very clear about why you are going.
The Vibe
The broader destination is casual, beachy, resort-like, and much less glamorous than Saint-Tropez.
The Naturist Village is obviously its own very specific experience. I personally would not go unless you're into the naturist lifestyle.
Go to Cap d’Agde If You Want:
Sandy beaches
Water activities
A resort atmosphere
Naturism
A very different type of South of France trip
How Long Would I Stay?
I personally would not include Cap d’Agde on my itinerary, especially not a one week first trip to the French Riviera.
It makes much more sense on a separate trip through Occitanie, Montpellier, or the western Mediterranean coast if you do choose to go.
Bonus: Take a Day Trip to Monaco
Monaco is not technically part of the South of France, or France at all. It is its own independent country.
But if you are staying in Nice, I absolutely would not miss a day trip.
It is incredibly easy to reach from Nice, and the whole experience feels very different from the surrounding French Riviera. Think superyachts, luxury cars, designer stores, Monte Carlo, the famous casino, dramatic coastal views, and some of the most expensive real estate in the world.
Even if you are not particularly interested in gambling or luxury shopping, I still think Monaco is worth seeing at least once.
Walk around Monte Carlo, see the Casino de Monte-Carlo, wander down toward the harbor, and explore the older part of Monaco around Monaco-Ville and the Prince’s Palace. The views alone make the trip worth it.
The Vibe
Extremely polished, wealthy, glamorous, and almost surreal.
It feels like someone took the luxury side of the French Riviera and concentrated it into one tiny country.
Go to Monaco If You Want:
Luxury and people watching
Superyachts and exotic cars
Beautiful coastal views
Monte Carlo and the casino
An easy international day trip from Nice
To casually add another country to your trip
How Long Would I Stay?
For a first trip, I think a day trip from Nice is perfect.
You could stay overnight if you really want the full Monaco experience, but hotels can be incredibly expensive, and Nice makes such an easy base that I personally would save the money and come back at the end of the day.
So even though Monaco does not technically belong on a list of South of France cities, I would 100% include it in a first French Riviera itinerary.
So, Which South of France Cities Should You Actually Visit?
If you have unlimited time? Go everywhere.
But if you are planning a normal vacation, I think the mistake is trying to collect cities.
I would rather spend two amazing nights in Cassis than arrive at noon, take three photos, and immediately drive somewhere else.
Here is how I would choose based on your trip.
For Your First South of France Trip
Nice + Èze + Cannes + Monaco + Saint-Tropez
This gives you:
City
Beach
Shopping
Medieval village
Luxury Riviera
Calanques
Small coastal town
Beach Clubs
If this is your first time in the South of France and you want the trip to feel like the French Riviera you have probably been picturing, this is the route I would choose.
You get a little bit of everything: Nice for the best all around base, Èze for one of the prettiest views I have ever seen, Cannes for shopping and beach clubs, Monaco for the glamour and yachts, and Saint-Tropez for the full luxury Riviera experience.
I would use Nice as your main base and visit Èze, Cannes, and Monaco as day trips rather than changing hotels constantly. Then I would finish with a couple of nights in Saint-Tropez so you actually have time to enjoy the beaches, restaurants, and nightlife instead of treating it like another quick stop.
For a one week trip, I’d probably do:
4 nights in Nice with a combined day trip to Èze and Monaco
1 night in Cannes
2 nights in Saint-Tropez
That would be my pick for someone who says, “I’ve never been to the South of France and I want the iconic experience.”
For Your Second South of France Trip
Cassis + Marseille + Aix-en-Provence + Montpellier + a day trip to the Étang de Thau
If your first trip is all about the polished French Riviera, I would make your second trip feel completely different.
Start with Cassis for the Calanques, turquoise water, cliffside scenery, and a much slower coastal vibe. Then spend time in Marseille for more culture, food, nightlife, and big city energy.
From there, head west to Montpellier, which feels younger, livelier, and much more local than places like Cannes or Saint-Tropez. I would also build in a day trip to the Étang de Thau, especially if you love seafood.
Spend the day around places like Bouzigues or Mèze eating fresh oysters by the lagoon and pairing them with local white wine.
This trip feels less like the stereotypical glamorous French Riviera and more like you are actually exploring different sides of southern France.
For one week, I’d probably do:
2-3 nights in Cassis
1 night in Marseille
1 night in Aix-en-Provence
2-3 nights in Montpellier, with one day dedicated to the Étang de Thau
That gives you enough variety without making the trip feel rushed.
Final Thoughts: Which South of France Destination Is Best?
If I could only choose one? Nice, because it is the easiest all around base.
If I wanted the prettiest small coastal destination? Cassis.
If I wanted luxury and beach clubs? Saint-Tropez.
If I wanted a romantic day trip? Èze.
If I wanted shopping and glamour without committing to Saint-Tropez? Cannes.
Ready to Plan Your South of France Trip?
Trying to decide between Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Cassis, or somewhere completely different?
Ryan and I are travel advisors, and we can help you figure out which destinations actually make sense together based on your travel style, budget, and how much time you have. Whether you need help choosing hotels, booking experiences, or building your entire South of France itinerary, we would love to take some of the research and logistics off your plate.
Reach out to us about travel planning and booking services to start planning your South of France trip.
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