Hi - we are 2 couples - one from USA and another from UK. We would be reaching Lyon on 3/10 and driving from Lyon on 6/10 to reach Nice on 9/10. We would like to drive through nice mountain villages and Provence. What route and stops would you recommend? We would like to stay in good hotels - any recommendations?
After reaching Nice one couple would spend 3 days in Nice, Cannes and Monaco - however the other couple has already seen those -where would you recommend they could drive to -and catch a flight back from Nice. Thanks
Posted by
16 posts
What an amazing trip you have planned!
For the drive, I'd suggest taking the Route des Grandes Alpes partially - maybe Lyon to Annecy first (gorgeous lake town), then down through Castellane and the Gorges du Verdon (one of Europe's most spectacular drives), then into Provence proper. Stop in places like Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Roussillon (amazing ochre cliffs), and Gordes.
Hotel wise - L'Oustau de Baumanière in Les Baux-de-Provence is incredible if you want to splurge, or Hotel Crillon le Brave near Mont Ventoux for something a bit more intimate.
For the couple who's already done the Riviera - they could drive up into the Alps Maritimes. Places like Entrevaux, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, or even up towards Barcelonnette if they want something really different. The mountain roads there are phenomenal but quite challenging.
Speaking of challenging drives - French mountain roads can be pretty intense, especially around the Gorges du Verdon area. The roads are narrow and the driving style is... let's say more aggressive than what most visitors expect! Tripiamo has some practice videos of these exact French routes so you can get comfortable with the turns and road styles before you're actually there.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Many Thanks - great advice. Do you think this is better than coming via Avignon - of course we do not have time to cover everything.
Posted by
Paris
24 posts
There are some lovely villages on the Côte d'Azur that your friends likely won't have visited previously.
Near Cannes there are Bar-sur-Loup, Tourettes-sur-Loup, and Gourdon. They could also make a visit to Biot.
On the Italian Riviera a stone's throw away is the Hanbury Botanical Garden which is very much worth the detour, as well as the villages of Dolceacqua , Pigna, Apricale and the beautiful seaside town of Bordighera.
Best of luck and enjoy your trip!
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you for the helpful suggestions.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Hi Everyone - thanks for your help earlier. We are now closer to finalising our trip and I will appreciate some more help.
We land in Lyon on 3rd October and the plan is to meet another couple in St Paul de Vence on 6th.
Between 3rd and 6th we have a dilemma - drive Route Napoleon or Grand Route des Alpes.
Route napoleon - 3rd drive to Annecy, 4th drive to Sisteron, 5th drive to Castellane, 6th drive to St Paul de Vence
Grand Route de Alpes - 3rd Annecy, 4th Val d Isere, 5th to Barcellonette, 6th to St Paul de Vence
This is a rough itinerary but we are having problem finding good hotels - how do you think we can alter out itinerary or which route we should take? Any suggestions on overnight stays?
On 6th we stay at St Paul de Vence
7th -along with friends we drive, via Aix, to Arles
8th -we drive to Gargas
10th we drive to Lyon
We need to go to St Paul de Vence to collect our friends , otherwise we could have cut through - any suggestions?
Many Thanks for your help