South of France | A Considered Route Through the Region
A trip to the South of France can be one of the most memorable and standout trips, however it can also be daunting, especially when considering location. In order to best enjoy the trip, a well-planned, multi-destination route can be one of the best ways to experience the region and get the most out of it.
For this Edit, we are taking a different approach. We are putting together a suggested route that will help you plan a trip that is worth taking. This Edit is a precursor to our next guide release, which will feature the South of France in its finest form and help you book the best trip possible.
Over the last month, we have featured various destinations, hotels, restaurants and travel experiences across the region. Now we want to bring them together into the most appropriate and coherent route for planning. From Aix-en-Provence and the unforgettable Château de la Gaude, to Cannes and La Palme d’Or at Hôtel Martinez, there will be something for everyone along the way.
Who this is for
This Edit is for those who want to experience the best of the region without both over-complicating the journey and compromising on the quality and grandeur of what is on offer. It is not about doing everything, but about ensuring what is done is done right.
You will discover how starting inland before arriving on the Riviera coast can be the most rewarding experience. Most readers try to book what is considered to be the most popular or recognisable, however what is important is that it is worth it and deserves the booking.
This Edit will help you decide how to approach this in the most meaningful way, without compromising. Knowing when to visit and why is more important than anything.
The standard
Every stop in this considered route is shaped around the same five points: service, design, food and drink, atmosphere and value. Value is not about cheap or expensive. It is whether each experience earns the time, effort and price invested.
Image: Cannes coastline. © 2026 Palates & Miles
The route at a glance
This route is one that provides enough space for the region to be explored over 7 days, without ever feeling rushed. Travel days are clearly labelled as such.
Day 1–3: Aix-en-Provence / Château de la Gaude
Day 4: Travel east along the Riviera by rail
Day 4–6: Cannes / Grasse / Riviera dining
Day 7: Departure from Nice
Why this route works
This particular route is planned so that you start inland before moving to the coast. This takes advantage of the geographic position of each destination, the convenience of transport options and what flows most naturally.
Marseille works well as an arrival point due to flight options and proximity to Aix-en-Provence. Staying at Château de la Gaude, in particular, provides a fully rounded experience that doubles as a base for exploring the city and wider area. TGV INOUI service along the Riviera coast then makes the journey east practical and worthwhile. Cannes provides the best of both an established Riviera town and a well-located, connected base for exploring. It is also within easy reach of Nice Airport, which is a natural departure point to bring the trip to a close.
For full details on planning your arrival into the region, consider our London to the South of France, Considered Edit.
Days 1 to 3 | Provence arrival and Aix-en-Provence
Image: Aix-en-Provence street. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Arrive into Marseille Airport and take either the train or a private transfer to Aix-en-Provence. Depending on the time of day and how much luggage you are travelling with, you may wish to go directly to Château de la Gaude first. The first day is not about exploring, but more about settling in. The aim, moving through any destination, but especially in the region, should be to arrive calmly and without fuss.
Day two and day three are best used for a gentle itinerary, balancing galleries, markets and walking through the historic streets and shops, with one or two well-planned experiences to define the stay. Breaking your day in two can be the most rewarding, with a morning spent in the hotel, followed by the afternoon in the city or surrounding region, allowing the experience to feel complete without being rushed.
For more practical guidance on how to approach Aix-en-Provence, read our Aix-en-Provence | Two Days in the Heart of Provence and Château de la Gaude, Provence | A Vineyard Stay Paired With Refined Dining Edits.
Day 4 | Travel east by rail
Image: Riviera Views from train. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Treating the rail travel day as a transition day, as opposed to a day of multiple activities, will allow space for relaxing, enjoying the sights of the journey and arriving on the Riviera refreshed and ready for the next phase of the trip.
TGV INOUI offers services from Marseille to Nice multiple times a day as part of its wider Paris to Nice schedule. Numerous stops along the way include the Riviera destinations of Cannes, Saint-Raphaël and Nice. From Aix-en-Provence to Nice, however, these can be limited, so it is important to research this in advance.
The easiest way to travel from Château de la Gaude to Marseille train station is by private transfer. This can be done in around 40 minutes, depending on traffic and time of day, and ensures you arrive at the station with enough time to board at ease. Taking too much luggage can be a distraction, so this should be factored into your planning in advance.
To understand more about the journey refer to London to the South of France, Considered.
Day 4 to 6 | Cannes as a Riviera base
Image: Balcony view from Hôtel Martinez. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Arrival into Cannes is an immediate reset as the coast becomes the key feature of the destination. The atmosphere shifts from inland Provence almost immediately to the busy glamorous and coastal seafront.
Checking into Hôtel Martinez is one option for those who want something world renowned on their trip, with both strong history and quality. The hotel is located on La Croisette, offering an excellent base location for exploring the city and accessing beach clubs, restaurants and key points of interest in the region.
Within a two-night stay, the hotel and some of the other famed hotels, beach clubs and restaurants can be explored over the course of two or three days. Read our Edit, Cannes, French Riviera | Beyond the Festival.
Cannes is also well placed for exploring other Riviera destinations, including Antibes, Nice and Monaco, which can all be accessed via direct train from Cannes. Another easily accessible inland option is the hilltop town of Grasse, famed for its perfume production.
Day 6 | Grasse as a cultural stop
Image: Grasse street. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Grasse is a destination that should feature in any itinerary where Cannes is used due to its proximity. It can be accessed by train from Cannes or by car, which is the best option should time allow. Located at the perfect vantage point overlooking the Riviera and wider region, it provides something far from the ordinary.
Known globally for its perfume production and historic perfumeries, it provides a cultural experience that is unique and not often replicated. The town is historic and colourful and can be explored on foot, with the pedestrian streets, shops and perfumery experiences all benefiting from this style of day.
Spending half a day allows enough time to complete an atelier or visit one of the historic houses. This can be difficult to combine with a full day of exploration, however planning for this visit is key to ensuring you can balance the visit with everything else available.
For further insight, read our Edit Grasse | The Art of Scent.
Day 7 | Departure from Nice
Nice Airport is the natural gateway to depart the region following your trip. Located around 25km from Cannes, there are several ways to reach the airport, including direct train or private transfer.
For flights back to the UK, British Airways offers the most considered and adaptable option, with departures from Nice to Heathrow, Gatwick and London City during the summer season. This provides useful flexibility, particularly if building a trip around a specific return time or preferred London airport.
Depending on the flight time, it is worth leaving the final morning relatively light. A calm breakfast, final walk or private transfer to the airport will allow the trip to end without unnecessary pressure. For those flying Club Europe, Nice Terminal 1 offers a lounge in the non-Schengen area, which helps make the final stage of the journey more comfortable.
Our Full South of France Guide
Palates & Miles will release our South of France guide in early June 2026 and this will complement and enhance our Edits series on the region.
The full guide will go further, bringing together practical route planning, hotel recommendations, dining options, transport notes and the details that help turn an idea for a trip into something that can be adapted.
This Edit provides a starting point. The guide will provide the fuller picture, with additional options for how to shape your stay, where to prioritise your time and how to make the region work around the type of trip you want to take.
To receive 20% off the guide when it launches, and to be among the first to know when it is released, sign up to the Palates & Miles mailing list here.
Final thoughts
No matter how you wish to experience the South of France, it is an adaptable region that can provide a different experience depending on preference and timing. For those who prefer the quieter and relaxed charm of the countryside, Aix and its surrounding areas provide a unique experience far removed from the busiest tourist areas. Whilst for those who prefer to be next to the sea, with great dining and energetic coastal towns, Cannes is the place to be.
Even if this trip takes place in summer 2026, early autumn or spring 2027, the approach remains the same. With the right structure, appropriate planning and an understanding of what is worth prioritising, the South of France becomes one of the most rewarding regions to explore properly.