we (a couple) are traveling to france in the first week of sep. we are spending 3 nights in paris (been to paris a few times). we are keen to travel to the south of france (cannes/monaco) . we have 5-6 days (other than paris). do you suggest to go straight (by air to nice) and spend the time there OR should we drive towards the south from paris and visit some interesting places on way. we can spend one or two nights on way and then spend 3-4 nights in cannes . have cannes as the base and drive to different nearby places. please advise.

With that short a timeframe, I'd either fly or take the TGV to the south of France. It's pretty much a long, boring, expensive drive. Rent a car when you get there. Book open-jaw tickets so you can fly home from a city in the south of France.

I made the drive from Paris to Provence once and would never do it again. If you're arriving and departing from Paris fly immediately to Nice and rent a car there. Return to Paris by plane or train and spend your last few days in Paris before heading home.

I would spend the entire time (other than Paris days) in one place on the Riviera. There are tons of interesting towns to visit from that location.

In May, we spent 2 weeks in the south of France.

Nice
Monaco
Cannes
St. Remy
St. Tropez
St. Paul de Vence

We met several people along the way who were doing what you are planning. Several days in Paris and then taking the train to the South. I would either fly in and out of Nice (one of our favorite cities) or a round trip train from Nice. While in Nice, rent a car and take day trips or boat trip along the coast.

Flying into Nice, one person rushes over to the car rental place. The other gets the luggage out to the curb. We get our cars from Europcar, through Autoeurope using the toll free number.

I agree that flying to Nice would be the best option. The Cote d'Azur has enough to offer for your timespan.

The last time we flew out of Nice to Paris, we spent the last night at a hotel near the airport with a shuttle service, dropping of the car at the airport in the afternoon.

The train takes about 5.5 hours.