South of France honeymoon itinerary

It’s hard to think of a better honeymoon destination in Europe than the South of France. The sun-kissed plateaus in Provence and glitzy French Riviera shores are the very epitome of romance. Visiting quaint villages, basking on pristine beaches, and toasting to love while sipping local wines is part of the appeal. Add to that world-class hotels and breath-taking landscapes, (including lavender fields!) and you will quickly realize there’s no better place to enjoy the post-wedding bliss.

In this exclusive South of France honeymoon itinerary you’ll find the inspiration and tips you need to plan your dream honeymoon trip. Including curated recommendations on what to do, best time to visit and the most romantic hotels. Use the index below to guide you through the post and let’s dream away!

Best time to honeymoon in South of France

Nestled against the Mediterranean Sea, the South of France boasts warm temperatures during most seasons and averages an incredible mark of 300 sunny days a year. Although there’s hardly a wrong time to visit this sun-drenched region, it’s important to know that winter can bring cooler temperatures and even snow to the most elevated villages and peaks. Thus, I’d recommend skipping the months of December to March.

Between April and October the South of France makes for a perfect honeymoon destination. Long, sun-kissed days paired with a romantic aura make for a perfect honeymoon backdrop. Especially in the last half of June and the first half of July, when the lavender blooms usually occur in Provence. It’s the highest season in the region, so you should expect higher price tags and bigger crowds. But, it’s all worth it in my opinion, as seeing the lavender fields in full bloom is a dream come true!

How to get to South of France?

There are many practical options to get to South of France. Generally, flying to either Marseille, Nice or Cannes is among the best of them. These cities are connected to major European hubs and serve many international flights coming from all corners of the world. Nevertheless, there are also train stations in Aix en Provence and Nice, which means you can easily (although not quickly) get there by train coming from major cities in France or Europe.

How to best explore the South of France?

Renting a car (or bringing your own depending where you’re from) is definitely the best way to explore the South of France. It will provide you with the flexibility and convenience you need to explore at your own pace and to discover the most charming corners of Provence and French Riviera.

It may be a good idea to splurge on a nice convertible or an old school French car to cruise in style through the fields of lavender and vines. The roads are well-maintained and internet connection is quite reliable, which makes it easy to navigate with Waze or Google Maps. We’ve tagged the best villages, wineries and attractions in Provence in one map. You can have 200+ pins seamlessly integrated to you your Google Maps with one click!

Our Provence tips on your Google Maps

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Speaking of driving in the South of France, I recommend choosing the less traveled road whenever possible. This often means roads outside of the toll control areas. They will likely take you on longer routes, but I can assure you that driving through lavender fields and vineyards is totally worth the hassle and will connect you to the essence of South of France!

Honeymoon-worthy hotels in South of France

The South of France has 2 main regions: Provence and the French Riviera. Even though they are interconnected and pretty close to each other, it’s important to establish a division for the sake of planning and booking a coherent trip. Undoubtedly, both regions have the most beautiful and honeymoon-worthy hotels, which makes it hard to choose from the curated list we put together below.

Most romantic hotels in the French Riviera

If you decide to follow our curated 12 or 15 days itinerary, I recommend piking 2 different hotels in the French Riviera. The first one should be close to Nice and the second close to (or in) St. Tropez. Below you’ll find 2 hotel options for Nice and St. Tropez organized in 3 different budget ranges.

Most romantic hotels in Provence

If you decide to follow our itinerary suggestion, I’d recommend picking 2 or 3 different hotels in Provence. It all depends on how comfortable you feel with longer drives, but, the more you can change hotels the better. Having different home-bases will allow you to create coherent daily plans and shorten distances between hotel and destinations. The first stay should be close to Aix en Provence, the second in Luberon and the third in Valensole. Below you’ll find a selection of honeymoon-worthy hotels organized in 3 different budget ranges.

Most romantic things to do in South of France

There’s so much to see and do in the South of France. From visiting picturesque villages to swimming in the Mediterranean sea or wandering in picture-perfect lavender fields hand in hand with the love of your life. You’ll certainly never get bored while exploring the French Riviera and Provence together!

And want to know the best of all? Romance is at the heart of the region, which means you don’t even have to make an effort to create some of the most romantic memories of your lives. Every sight, sound, and sensation is an ode to love. So let’s dive into our curated list of the most romantic things to do in the South of France.

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Visit picturesque villages

The South of France is home to some of the most picturesque and romantic villages in the world. Wandering through the medieval cobbled stone streets surrounded by charming pastel color buildings and beautiful squares is a treat. Specially if you’re side by side with the love of your life!

Check our list of the 22 most beautiful villages in Provence here

Swim in Gorges du Verdon

Amidst towering limestone cliffs lies the Gorges du Verdon, one of the most mesmerizing place in France. Its waters, a shade of turquoise so vibrant it seems almost otherworldly, carve through the canyons creating a sight that’s nothing short of spectacular. While the view from Pont du Galetas offers an arresting first impression, you must navigate in its waters to really soak in the beauty of this place. Whether you choose to paddle or take a swim, immersing yourself in this magnificent canyon is a must do while in South of France.

It’s possible to rent kayaks, paddleboats or electric boats by the river bank close to Pont du Galetas. Exploring and swimming in the canyons will surely become some of your favorite memories from South of France!

Indulge in some local wine-tastings

Although South of France is traditionally known for their rosé labels, you’ll be surprised to discover an impressive array of both red and white wines. There’re hundreds of vineyards to be visited across Provence and the Riviera and you must ensure to plan a wine-taste visit to at least a couple of them.

We published an article with recommendations of the best vineyards we visited in Provence. I recommend checking this post if you are interested in wines like us. But to keep it simple here, let me share our top 3 vineyard recommendations in Provence: Domaine de la Vallongue, Domaine des Peyres and Domaine Perréal, where you can also dine.

It’s worth noting that most vineyards won’t charge for wine-tastings or require booking in advance. Once you’ve sipped their flagship wines, you may explore the shop and bring home some bottles or local products such as honey and olive oil. It’s totally discretionary, so don’t feel pressured.

Romantic picnic

Some of the most romantic experiences we had in Provence were of spontaneous picnics by lavender fields. We’d shop French cheeses and delicious pastries from the Provençal markets and wines from the vineyards we visited during the trip. With a blanket in the back of our rented car, we’d just pull over in the most stunning places and have a delightful moment of our own. It’s a simple, unplanned and super romantic thing to do if you’re honeymooning in the South of France!

Wander in lavender fields

What could be more romantic than wandering though endless rows of lavender with the love of your life? This isn’t just a scene from a romantic movie, but a real-life moment you can share in the South of France during your honeymoon. As long as you plan your visit between mid-June and mid-August, when the lavender full-bloom occurs in Provence.

There’re hundreds of lavender fields in the whole of Provence, but Valensole Plateau has the most special of them. Make sure to plan at least a whole day in the region if you’re visiting during summer. Our favorite fields are listed in this post, but if you prefer to have them easily integrated to your Google Maps, make sure to get our personalized map here.

Bathe in Mediterranean waters

There’s just something special about the Mediterranean Sea. Its crystal clear water and pleasant temperature turn into magic everything it touches. And the south coast of France couldn’t be different. There’s a myriad of amazing beaches in the French Riviera, but I’d say Paloma Beach and Plage de l’Escalet are the bests ones in the mainland. That’s not to mention the beautiful waters of Calanques d’En Veau, as well of Notre-dame beach at Île de Porquerolles, off the coast of Hyères.

Take part in Provençal markets

Going to Provence and not visiting (at least one) local market is a heresy. It’s a time and place where locals and travelers are brought together to browse and shop from the multiple stalls selling delicious local products and enticing merchandise. It’s a tradition since the 12th century and an experience you must try it for yourself.

We loved the markets in Lourmarin, which happens on Friday mornings, and Apt, which happens on Saturday mornings. We found everything from antiques to locally sourced onions in these markets, but the French cheeses and cherries were the highlight for us. Bring a bag and shop for a romantic picnic by a lavender field or vineyard!

Aren’t these perfect things to do on a honeymoon? I truly think it doesn’t get more romantic than exploring South of France as a marriage celebration.

How long to stay in South of France?

That’s a million dollar question, but the answer is actually pretty simple: it all depends on your interests and availability. Truth to be told, you can easily spend 20+ days between Provence and the French Riviera and never get bored. There’s just so many great things to see and do in this beautiful European region.

But, let’s get real. Not everyone’s got the luxury of vanishing into the French horizon for weeks on end. So, for those trying to strike a balance, I suggest a 12 to 15-day honeymoon itinerary. While it might not encompass everything, it gives you a delicious slice of the best that the South of France serves up. Plus, it’ll immerse you in that dreamy European vibe that’s perfect for lovebirds. Curious about what to prioritize and how to plan a perfect honeymoon itinerary? I’ve got you covered, so stick with me.

Perfect honeymoon itinerary in South of France

The South of France itinerary suggestions below were specifically designed for a honeymoon trip. That means I purposefully excluded big towns, where logistic is more complicated, and focused on romantic small villages with an easy-going atmosphere. I also planned the days in a way you could spend some quality time at the hotels of your choice. That’s especially advisable during peak summer, when temperatures are high enough to make you want to chill by the pool between 12 and 4pm.

12 days honeymoon itinerary

This 12 days honeymoon itinerary in the South of France may be better followed if you land and depart in/from Nice or Marseille. You can rent a car at the airport or train station and head right away to the most romantic villages in the French Riviera and Provence!

The day exploring Plateau de Valensole is better enjoyed between mid-June to end of July. That’s when lavender blooms and the area is filled with the most romantic landscapes you could dream of!

15 days honeymoon itinerary

Just like the 12 days suggestion, the 15 days honeymoon itinerary in the South of France may be better executed if you land and depart from either Nice or Marseille. You can rent a car at the airport or train station and head right away to the most romantic villages in the French Riviera and Provence. That’ll be a dream of a trip!

How to plan a honeymoon in the South of France?

Great, you have decided to spend your honeymoon in the South of France and want to know what are the next steps. To begin with, define the duration and budget available for your trip. Then, it’s time to book tickets and rent a car in advance to ensure best conditions. Once the basics of your honeymoon is organized, draft a dream itinerary inspired in our 12 to 15 days suggestion, customizing it if and when needed. With an itinerary in mind, book hotels accordingly, followed by eventual activity or restaurant that requires booking in advance. Ah, and don’t forget to leave time for romance and relaxation!

We can help you plan a honeymoon to South of France

Like many other, you may feel like you don’t have the time or expertise to plan an epic honeymoon trip to South of France in details. Especially when you’re already juggling the hard-work of wedding preparations. that’s exactly where we can help you!

Between the whirlwind of wedding prep and everyday life, planning a dream honeymoon to the South of France might feel like just another daunting task on your list. But guess what? You don’t have to be an expert or sift through countless travel blogs to craft the ultimate honeymoon trip. That’s where we can step in to help you!

We’ve created a semi-personalized itinerary which you can use to plan your honeymoon trip to South of France. The kit will not only steer you through flight bookings, car rentals, and fun activities. We also handpick the crème de la crème of hotels to match both your route and budget. And the cherry on top? You’ll receive an exclusive day-by-day plan featuring top-notch activities, eateries, boutiques, and so much more! Excited yet? Click here and let’s get your dream honeymoon trip on the go. Promise, it’s a breeze and you’ll be set in just a few hours!