Marseilles

le vieux porte

The Old Port
Is France's largest and oldest port. The Vieux Porte mains the focus of the city with the old fort overlooking the fishing markets and expensive yachts. Marseille is well known for it’s seafood restaurants and famous “Bouillabaisse”. If you can't be talked into the fish stew, don't miss a glass of licorice flavored Pastis as you people watch before dinner. With the airport only 20 minutes from the town center, it's a wonderfully convenient starting and stopping point.

aix en Provence

boutiques & antiques

A Walled City Fortress
A beautiful old city enclosed by great stone walls. Aix is larger than most of the towns and an entire day can be spent wandering the streets and lovely boutiques. Reservations are highly recommended for the hotels. 

avignon

palais de popes

Sur La Pont
The French Rome was once secured within it’s great walls and was home to medieval popes. The Palais de Popes remains as a testament to their power. Wonderful wine can be purchased in the shops below the palais from the famed Chateauneuf de Pape vineyards once created for the pope. The bridge from children's song Sur La Pont D'Avigion is also here though don't expect to cross the bridge they sing about. A lovely view of the bridge can be seen from the gardens below the palais which also serves as a resting stop on your climb back down to the city below.

Roussillon

terra cotta color

Our Favorite Shopping Village
The typically provincial buildings of this town are tinted shades of pink and red by the local clay used to build them. You can't miss the stunning red clay cliffs on your drive up to the village. A charming town that is friendly to tourists, this is a wonderful place to shop.

Gordes

a place among the 
clouds

A Town With A View
The drive up through the Luberon mountains make Gordes well worth the visit. Gordes is a lovely and friendly town that also features a half day of great shopping. The Hotel Bastide is far and away our favorite local hotel and restaurant that should not be missed for a night of rest and relaxation. Spectacular views, fine dining and great shopping are all found within this small stone town. Don't miss the Abbey Senanque at the base of the mountain where the monks have grown fields of lavender for hundreds of years. Visit in late June for peak lavender and beautiful weather. 

Cassis &The Calanques

bluffs by the sea

The Hills Are Alive
An amazing drive along the white bluffs, or Calanques is on the way from St. Tropez and the coast back to Marseille. While the driving after dusk can be a bit daunting, the views at sunset are unreal. The town of Cassis will certainly not be noted for it's friendliness, but its a nice quick walk along the water for a crepe with Grand Marnier before continuing your driving journey.

ST Tropez

la côte d'azur

Azure Blue
Made famous by Brigette Bardot in 1956 while filming Et Dieu Crea la Femine (And God Created Women). Now celebrities moor their yachts and grace their villas, attracting crowds of visitors every summer. Many of the nude beaches are graced by the young and old alike. We loved the Hotel Sobe. Ask for one of the three rooms that overlooks the harbor with it's own balcony. Plan on having lunch on one of the private beaches where the chair and umbrella rentals are definitely worth the minimal extra cost and include wait service as well.