16 days in South of France Itinerary

Well-known for the beautiful views of its famous Promenade des Anglais waterfront, Nice is an ethnically-diverse coastal port city on the French Riviera and the fifth most populated city in France.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild and Le Sentier du Littoral, Cap d'Antibes. Let the collections at Musée Marc Chagall and Palais Lascaris capture your imagination. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Nice: Chapelle Saint-Bernardin (in Antibes) and Cannes (Le Suquet & Lérins Islands). There's still lots to do: take a stroll through Vieille Ville and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur.

For other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, read our Nice trip itinerary maker app .

Kansas City, USA to Nice is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Central European Time (CET), which is usually a 7 hour difference. When traveling from Kansas City in May, plan for slightly colder days in Nice, with highs around 69°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 57°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Marseille.

The 2013 European "Capital of Culture," Marseille is the largest port city on the breezy Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in France.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Tue): take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathédrale La Major, appreciate the extensive heritage of Vallon des Auffes, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, then contemplate the long history of Palais Longchamp, and finally admire the masterpieces at Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the galleries of Hotel de Caumont - Art Centre, take in the spiritual surroundings of Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur Aix-en-Provence, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Vieil Aix, and finally get engrossed in the history at Paul Cezanne’s Studio.

To see traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Marseille online itinerary planner .

You can drive from Nice to Marseille in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In May, plan for daily highs up to 73°F, and evening lows to 54°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) so you can catch the train to Avignon.

An ancient town center surrounded by medieval ramparts, Avignon is a major city of Provence and a Mediterranean city in the Vaucluse department on the left bank of the Rhône River.

On the 23rd (Thu), take in the spiritual surroundings of Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque, then contemplate the long history of Roman Theatre of Orange, and then step into the grandiose world of Palais des Papes. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 24th (Fri): explore the world behind art at Musee Departemental Arles Antique, explore the world behind art at Carrieres des Lumieres, then take an in-depth tour of Site Archeologique de Glanum, and finally steep yourself in history at Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Avignon day trip planning website .

Take a train from Marseille to Avignon in an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In May, daily temperatures in Avignon can reach 74°F, while at night they dip to 53°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Fri) so you can drive to Carcassonne Center.

On the 25th (Sat), steep yourself in history at Cathar Castles, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise Saint-Nazaire, then contemplate the long history of La cité médiévale, and finally wander the streets of Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne. Keep things going the next day: see the interesting displays at Le Moulin à Papier de Brousses, then explore the historical opulence of Chateaux de Lastours, then make a trip to Cité de Carcassonne, and finally step into the grandiose world of Chateau Comtal.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Carcassonne Center trip planner .

You can drive from Avignon to Carcassonne Center in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 70°F in May, and nighttime lows around 52°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Albi.

Albi is a commune in southern France. Start off your visit on the 27th (Mon): make a trip to Tour chateau Castelnau de Levis, explore the historical opulence of Forteresse de Najac, then take an in-depth tour of Musee Toulouse-Lautrec, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cloitre de la Collegiale Saint Salvy. On your second day here, get a taste of the local shopping with Galerie Nadine Granier, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Collegiale Saint-Remy, then pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Notre Dame d'Alban, then explore the historical opulence of Chateau de Brousse le Chateau, and finally examine the collection at Musee du Saut du Tarn.

To see where to stay, photos, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Albi trip itinerary planner .

You can drive from Carcassonne Center to Albi in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 69°F in May, and nighttime lows around 50°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Tue) early enough to go by car to La Rochelle.

Driving on the narrow streets can be difficult in La Rochelle so walking or biking will give you the best view of the pale stone buildings that give the Vieux Port, or old port, a distinctly Mediterranean quality.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Le phare de chassiron and Clocher Observatoire. Phare des Baleines and Phare de la Coubre will appeal to history buffs. You'll find plenty of places to visit near La Rochelle: Rochefort (Musee des Commerces d'Autrefois, Les Halles de Rochefort, & more), Fort Louvois (in Bourcefranc le Chapus) and Eglise Sainte-Radegonde de Talmont (in Talmont sur Gironde). The adventure continues: examine the collection at Le Bunker de La Rochelle and get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Aquarium La Rochelle.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our La Rochelle online trip itinerary maker .

Traveling by car from Albi to La Rochelle takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In May in La Rochelle, expect temperatures between 65°F during the day and 51°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Fri) early enough to travel back home.