lalecture

We plan to travel along the coast by car at the end of June . The guidebook suggested staying in Arles for 2 days and then in nice or villefranche-sur-mer. But these places seem more like Waikiki beach! Very built up and touristy. Not really the feel we are going for. Any other suggestions of where to stay in the area? We have a couple days.
Thanks for your input

cigalechanta

All the coastal areas are touristy.St Tropez especially.
I like Cassis, I imagine St Tropez was like that before Bridget Bardo moved in.

StCirq

I've driven the entire Med coastline of France many times and can't think of a single place that is like Waikiki; at the same time I can't think of a single place that isn't touristy. Nice is a wonderful city. I don't know Villefranche all that well, so can't comment on that. Maybe you should look at some of the smaller towns near Montpellier, like Bouzigues. In general, I would say to avoid tourist congestion, head west along the Med instead of east.

tom18

Try Frejus - it has history (going back to the Romans), sandy beaches, and lots of stuff to do. Not as touristy as some of the other places. Here's the link to the tourism office: http://www.frejus.fr/?p_idref=926

kraines

My vote is Cassis, I thought St Tropez was very, very touristy but now I can say that I have been there.