London to the South of France, Considered
Travelling to the South of France from the UK is both accessible and efficient, with flight times typically around one and a half hours. Multiple airports serve as gateways to the region, most notably Marseille and Nice, each offering a different starting point for exploring Provence and the Côte d’Azur.
This Edit focuses on how to approach that journey in a more considered and structured way.
The route begins with British Airways Club Europe from London Heathrow to Marseille. From there, the journey continues east by rail on TGV INOUI Optimum class to Cannes and the wider Riviera, before returning from Nice to London Heathrow, again in Club Europe.
Each stage offers a different perspective on the journey, but together they create a more coherent and refined way to reach the South of France.
Image: View from Grasse, Provence. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Who this is for
This Edit suits the discerning traveller who wants to explore the South of France at their own pace and cadence. It works particularly well for those who value the flexibility to build a multi-city itinerary rather than remain tied to a single base.
It is also well suited to those who prefer the journey itself to feel like part of the trip, rather than simply the means of getting there. By combining air and rail, the route creates a more measured and varied way to reach the region.
The standard
Every recommendation in this Edit is assessed against the same five points: service, design, food and drink, atmosphere and value. Value is not about cheap or expensive. It is whether the experience earns the time and price invested.
Why this route works
Marseille is a strong entry point into the Provence–Côte d’Azur region, allowing the trip to begin in a city with real culinary and cultural weight. Aix-en-Provence, which will be the focus of future Edits, is also within easy reach and adds another layer to the route from the outset.
From Marseille, TGV InOui opens up a sequence of destinations moving east towards the Riviera, including Toulon, Les Arcs and Cannes, before Nice at the far end. That rail link is what gives the route its flexibility, allowing the South of France to be experienced progressively rather than all at once.
Using Nice as the departure point for the return flight creates a more streamlined itinerary. It avoids retracing the same route and allows the journey to close cleanly, with British Airways offering a broader choice of flights back to London during the summer season.
BA Club Europe: Heathrow to Marseille
Image: British Airways A320 at Heathrow Terminal 3. © 2026 Palates & Miles
British Airways operates flights from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Marseille. We have previously featured the pre-departure experience at Heathrow Terminal 3 in a separate Edit, but for this journey the focus remains on the onboard Club Europe experience itself.
A British Airways Club Europe ticket provides a dedicated cabin at the front of the aircraft, with the middle seat left vacant between the window and aisle. This creates a greater sense of space on what is, ultimately, a relatively short sector.
On this occasion, the service on board was warm, professional and notably relaxed. British Airways crews can often be one of the airline’s strongest assets and that was certainly the case here. Complimentary drinks, including champagne, were offered from the bar, followed by a meal service consisting of a main dish and dessert. Catering from Heathrow is provided by Do & Co and is widely regarded as among the strongest in European short-haul premium cabins.
Image: Meal tray in Club Europe. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Service began shortly after take-off with a drink and a light snack of Belazu salted rosemary snack mix. Dinner followed promptly after this service was completed. On this flight, the cold main dish consisted of hot smoked salmon served with salad, followed by a light mousse for dessert. Tea or coffee was offered after the meal, though those preferring another beverage were equally well accommodated. Overall, for a flight of around one and a half hours, the service felt smooth and well paced, even with a moderately sized Club Europe cabin.
The Riviera by rail
Image: View from TGV INOUI service between Marseille & Nice. © 2026 Palates & Miles
No matter how you choose to spend your time in Marseille and the surrounding region, the most considered way to travel along the Riviera is by rail. TGV INOUI operates services from Marseille to Nice, often as a continuation of routes that originate in Paris Gare de Lyon, creating a seamless north-to-south connection into the South of France.
While the journey can be taken in either Standard (2ème Classe) or First Class (1ère Classe), the most refined experience is found in Optimum, which sits at the upper end of First Class. It is not a separate carriage, but a higher fare tier that offers greater flexibility and a more composed onboard environment.
Optimum provides a quieter cabin, with seating arranged in a 2+1 layout. There is a mix of table seating and individual airline-style seats, with a central pair of seats ideal for those travelling together. Luggage is self-managed, but generous allowances make this straightforward in practice. Up to two larger suitcases and one piece of hand luggage can be accommodated, with dedicated racks at the ends of the carriage and overhead storage for smaller items.
It is important to note that there is no complimentary food or drink service on board, even in Optimum. Instead, a central bar carriage offers a selection of hot and cold dishes, snacks and drinks, which can be purchased and returned to your seat. There is no trolley service through the cabin, so this remains a more self-directed experience.
The strength of the journey, however, lies in its progression. Departing Marseille, the route gradually shifts east, passing through Toulon, Les Arcs and Cannes before reaching Nice. The landscape changes subtly along the way, with glimpses of the Mediterranean appearing more frequently as the Riviera begins to reveal itself.
BA Club Europe: Nice to Heathrow
Image: Drink service on board Club Europe. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Flying British Airways from Nice back to London is one of the more considered and adaptable options for the return journey. With multiple daily departures to Heathrow, Gatwick and London City, it provides a level of flexibility that is particularly valuable, especially in the event of disruption.
British Airways operates from Terminal 1 at Nice Airport. While not the most modern or architecturally refined terminal, it is functional and easy to navigate. Of particular note is the lounge offering in the non-Schengen area, from which UK flights depart. The Canopy VIP Lounge is spacious and well laid out, with a combination of seating areas and a buffet offering both hot and cold options. There is a solid selection of soft and alcoholic drinks available, though champagne is not typically offered.
Boarding at Nice Terminal 1 is orderly, with group boarding clearly enforced. Club Europe passengers are therefore among the first to board, allowing for a smoother transition onto the aircraft.
On board, the service remained consistent with the outbound sector to Marseille. Despite a larger and busier Club Europe cabin, the crew maintained a composed and efficient service cadence. Drinks were offered shortly after take-off, followed by a prompt and well-managed meal service. A final round of drinks was offered before descent into Heathrow.
Overall, the return flight delivers a reliable and consistent experience that aligns with Club Europe expectations. It serves as a clean and uncomplicated close to the journey.
Practical notes before you book
It is important, before booking, to understand exactly what you are paying for. On the flights, Club Europe includes a generous checked luggage allowance of 2 x 32kg bags per passenger. While this is generous, it is worth planning ahead for the rail portion of the journey, as fully using that allowance may prove burdensome when continuing by train.
Booking rail in advance and researching the best departure times is also important, particularly if you want to reserve the most appropriate seats in the carriage. Done well, this helps the journey feel more consistent from one stage to the next.
While British Airways does offer a light meal on board, it is worth considering how the catering varies by time of day. Flights departing in the early afternoon, in particular, may offer something lighter and less substantial than travellers expect.
P&M tip: Arriving into Marseille and the surrounding region is best enjoyed over two to three days before travelling east along the coast towards Cannes or Nice, which is also best approached over a further two to three days. A morning arrival into Marseille and an evening departure from Nice work particularly well, allowing you to make the most of your time in Provence–Côte d’Azur without compressing the journey.
Final Thoughts
Reaching the South of France does not need to feel rushed or purely functional. When approached in a considered way, the journey itself becomes part of the experience rather than simply the means of arrival.
Flying into Marseille, moving east by rail and departing from Nice creates a more considered plan, allowing the region to unfold gradually. Each stage plays a role, from the consistency of Club Europe to the practicality and pace of the Riviera by train.
Taken together, it is a route that feels measured, flexible and aligned with how the South of France is best experienced.