French Riviera OR French Riviera & Provence

As for what I’m looking for, I’d love a mix of seeing a larger city while also exploring some quieter towns. I am active, a big foodie, love wine, and love to visit both bigger cities and quieter small towns. I’m sure we’ll see some crowds wherever we go, but I’m hoping with diversifying where we’re staying we can get a mix of the larger city Nice and some smaller towns.

I think it’d be great to diversify the vacation, but my bigger concern is is that too much travel or doable in our time frame? Doing both Provence and the Riviera would add some driving and a 3 hour train within our 9 day trip. Is this too much?

If we should stick to the Riviera, will it be extremely crowded wherever we go? And how do these coastal towns really differ?

Thank you!

It is possible to do both, but I don't think it is too productive to try to all of western Provence in five days (and outside, technically Uzes isn't Provence). I'd possibly narrow down to seeing just the northern portion or the the southwestern portion and not try to stretch from Aix to Uzes to GIgondas to Arles to Cassis. We love the southern Rhone area, and it is less touristy, but if you are not into wine then you might be able to trim that branch and save it for another trip (and add Chateauneuf du Pape).

The F1 in Monaco will create some crowds in that direction, as will the days that overlap with the Cannes Film Festival. Your first itinerary doesn't really make sense as Cannes is just beyond Antibes, and Monaco is east of Nice (swap them). Really, you could stay in Nice and take the train or bus to any of the places listed and then head to Saint Tropez. However, Saint Tropez and the famed beaches of Pampelonne are best visited with a car. The ferry is definitely nice, but getting from the old town to the beach area requires taking the bus. You'll get a lot more it, and be able to visit great rose domaines and small villages, with a car.

Thank you all for the feedback!

Would this be a better itinerary to get the most of the village markets and to do more doing rather than more driving (compared to my last itinerary)? Any feedback is greatly appreciated!:

2 nights in Aix:

Day 1 (Saturday): friend arrives to Aix station after flight, explore and sleep in Aix (think I may pick up car at this point for ease and early departure for Luberon on Day 3)

Day 2 (Sunday): explore Aix and the Sunday flower market, sleep in Aix

3 nights in Gordes:

Day 3 (Monday): depart in the morning to Pont du Gard and explore Nimes, maybe grab lunch/snack at the all-day market, head to Gordes when we're ready and spend the night in Gordes

Day 4 (Tuesday): explore Gordes and the market, drive through Menerbes, Lacoste, Bonnieux, Roussillon (stop as we feel), sleep in Gordes

Day 5 (Wednesday): Abbay Notre-Dame in morning, Beaucastle tasting or CdP group tour, sleep in Gordes

4 nights in Nice:

Day 6 (Thursday): Drop off car at Aix and take 3 hr train to Nice, explore Nice, sleep in Nice

Day 7 (Friday): day in Monaco, sleep in Nice

Day 8 (Saturday): Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat day trip, sleep in Nice

Day 9 (Sunday): Menton and Eze OR Antibes OR just stay in Nice for day, sleep in Nice

Day 10 (Monday): friend travels home

travelingtulip,
Your newest itinerary sounds great...doable and enjoyable!

The French Riviera is a beautiful coastal region with weather like Southern California. There are lovely beach sites in Nice, Menton, and Antibes in particular. The area attracts foreign high rollers from royalty to celebrities.

But most of this fame has happened over the last century, so there is not the rich historical remnants like most of France.

Other areas like Dordogne, Alsace, or Normandy are teaming with castles, half timbered homes, and ancient cathedrals. These other areas have a more developed cuisine as well.

Places like Avignon, Nimes, Aix en Provence have better food, more history, culture and events. They are easily reached by train. And allow you to experience more of France and less sand and waves.

But most of this fame has happened over the last century, so there is not the rich historical remnants like most of France.

While I see where you are coming from, as the area's "golden age" was really during the belle epoque, but there is much more to the Riviera.

The riviera is dotted with excellent roman ruins (Trophee, Pardigon Villa, Cimiez...)

There is also an abundance of historic palaces( Grimaldi Palace (Cagnes s/Mer), the medieval Grimaud castle, Chateau de Rocquebrune, Chateau de Saint Agnes, Chateau de Vallauris, Picasso Museum antibes...)

Don't just make comments like that based on your impressions, while understandable, they can be misleading.