Tifffung

Hi all,

I've read countless threads and yet still don't know how I should organise my holiday, so I'm going to post it here to ask you guys for recommendations!

I'm planning to visit South of france from 7th July - 17th July. I will be travelling with my sister from 7th to 13th and then with my boyfriend from 14th and we need to out of France in the early morning of the 14th (hopefully from Nice airport) to Brussels for a music festival.

Some background
- none of us can drive so we will have to resort to public transport
- my sister and I have been to Nice and Monaco so we would not like to repeat that, but otherwise we're very flexible as to where to visit, my main concern is where is most interesting / convenient
- Also, I see that it is lavender season, so I would like to see it, I don't mind seeing it with my sister and then repeating it with my boyfriend so they can both enjoy the views. I've considered staying in Avignon with my sister for 2 days then with the boyfriend until we leave, however I'm concerned that since it's the theatre festival, it might be too packed and busy?
- Also, my boyfriend has expressed a wish to go to somewhere more relaxing, with a slight preference for beach, whereas my sister does not mind.
- Finally, on the 17th we would like to end on a destination near Nice so we can fly out of Nice.

Potential itineraries I've thought about:

7th to 13th
Marseille, cassis to see the rocks, avignon with my sister?
- would you recommend staying all 7 days in Marseille, and taking day trips, or moving? We wouldn't like to move more than once within 7 days probably.
- I've read that Antibes is nice too and probably closer to Cannes if that's my next destination, could we work that in instead of avignon if avignon is too busy in July for a visit?

14th - 17th
then avignon with my boyfriend, or maybe cannes with my boyfriend? I think the nearest from Cannes is Pays de Valensole, or Saint-Honorat island which is accessible by boat? I'm currently leaning towards Cannes as he can benefit the beach, we can take 1 day tour from there to see lavender, and it's near Nice where we'd like to fly out of.
Sorry about the length and complexity of this post! Thank you so much in advance for your time and looking forward to hearing your responses!

best,

Tiffanie

Tulips

All these places will be busy in July. Antibes is well located for taking the train to Cannes or other places along the coast, and is a nice small town. There's a sandy beach a short walk from the center of town.

If it is for this July, you better book your flights and accommodation now. It is a very busy time. Are you going to Tomorrowland in Belgium?

Tifffung

Hi Tulips,

Yes we're going to Tomorrowland in Belgium! So would you recommend Antibes instead of Cannes for the 14th to the 17th? Just checked, Antibes is even close to Nice! However, I had initially chosen Cannes as it seemed to have a boat ride to Saint Honorat Island where we can see some lavender. And also Cannes seemed to have day trips back to Pays de Valensole, not sure if Antibes would have them? What are your thoughts?

I agree with flights and accommodation, I'm already in France so I just need to book the trains, we're planning to finalise and book everything tonight!

Thanks! Tiff

Tulips

Both places will be very busy in July. 14th July is a national holiday with fireworks displays - especially big in Cannes.

No idea about day trips, but I wouldn't choose a base because of this. Antibes is an easy train ride from Cannes. Juan les Pins is nice as well, not as pretty as Antibes, but a lot more lively. That is where my kids would want to be in July.
The islands are just as easily reached from Juan les Pins.
I really don't know if you can see lavender there - probably better near Grasse I would think?

If you are of the age-group that enjoys Tomorrowland, I would think you will enjoy staying in Juan les Pins. It has lots of sandy beaches, and nightlife. And easy train links to Nice, Antibes, Cannes.

Cannes has nightlife, but much more expensive. And is not as 'young' as Juan.

Valensole would be a very long daytrip from Cannes - there's no way I would do that on a bus in July. Check how long that tour is; 3 hours by bus or so? There are plenty of things to do and see nearby. Visit Grasse instead.

Tulips

'Cannes has nightlife, but much more expensive. And is not as 'young' as Juan'

Actually there are plenty of young people in Cannes as well, but it has a totally different vibe compared to Juan les Pins. Stay in Juan les Pins and visit Cannes by train.