France

France is on everyone’s bucket list, especially the beautiful city of Paris. This year, I challenged myself to go beyond the popular, and into the French countryside, Provence, Lyon (the epicenter of French gastronomy), and the old-school French Riviera. Next on my list is the wine region of Bordeaux, and I dream of hiking and eating my way through Normandy one day!

Above all, I love French gastronomy and how all the weird parts of an animal are somehow served as delicious delicacies – and are tasty!

What To Expect

  • Favorite Places: Provence, Lyon, Gordes, Gorge Du Verdon, La Madrague
  • Best Time To Visit: May, June, September, October
  • Language: French. English is not as common outside of Paris.
  • Capital: Paris
  • Credit Cards are accepted, but it’s best to have cash (€) on you for local bouchons.
  • Tipping is not expected but 5-10% is welcome. If you get good service, round up the bill.
This is Villefranche-sur-Mer, one of the prettier towns on the French Riviera itinerary.

French Riviera & Provence Itinerary

✔️ 4 Days – French Riviera: Nice, Eze, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, La Madrague Coast (local gem!)
✔️ 6 Days – Provence: Arles, Gordes, Isle-Sur-la-Sorgue, Loirmarin, Gorge du Verdon, Lavander Fields, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence

What the south of France looks like.

Cutest Villages In Provence

✔️ 11 Villages – what to see, do, and where to eat
✔️ How to get to each village & best way to explore
✔️ Best Places to stay as a home base
✔️ Practical tips & history of the region

I'm a boutique traveler, and my favorite place to stay in Provence for semi luxurious boutique experience is Arles.

Where to Stay in Provence

✔️ Cutest towns to stay that are authentically French
✔️ Boutique hotels that are well-located, cozy, and cute (more on the luxury side)
✔️ A Map of Provence & advice on home base locations
✔️ Practical tips on exploring Provence & getting around

Flower market in Aix.

Best Time to Visit the South Of France

✔️ Month-to-month weather and what to do (+ festivals & things happening)
✔️ Best Overall Time & Why – Summer (July)
✔️ My Favorite Time & Why – Fall (September)

Tolls in France are pretty straightforward.

Driving in France

✔️ What to know before renting a car in France
✔️ Types of roads & French driver craziness
✔️ Paying Tolls, Finding Parking, & Speed Limits
✔️ Special traffic laws in France – Yield to the Right!

Movie night especially for watching French movies on Amazon Prime.

French Movies To Inspire A Trip

✔️ 11 Best French Movies on Amazon Prime & Netflix
✔️ Plot synopsis, genre, year, and where to stream it
✔️ My favorite American films about France
✔️ Why travelers should watch more French films

Travel Planning Services