South of France Road Trip

Your South of France Road Trip will start in Nice. The French Riviera has been a mecca of glitz and glamor for centuries, and Nice remains its heart. Your Tourlane Travel Expert will organize a private walking tour of this elegant city for you, where your English-speaking guide will show you the very best that Nice has to offer. Stroll past the ornate stone balconies of the Promenade des Anglais, built by the English escaping their native weather by coming to Nice in the 19th century. End a day in front of the sparkling Mediterranean sea with a bottle of Picpoul de Pinet, watching the yachts anchoring in the harbor. 

Next, you will drive to Avignon, which was once one of the most important cities in the world. During the 14th century, the seat of the pope moved to Avignon, making it the center of the Catholic universe. On another private walking tour organized for you, you’ll visit the papal palace itself. Look down onto the Saint-Bénézet bridge—destroyed in 1226, it has never been rebuilt, making it the world’s most famous half-bridge. If you’re visiting during the hotter months, end the day by cooling off in your hotel pool.

Drive west through the Languedoc hills to Carcassonne, a UNESCO-protected fortified town whose 53 towers have dominated these hills for centuries. Jump back in time as you enter through the Narbonne Gate, designed to slow down invaders—although nowadays you don’t have to worry about them firing arrows at travelers. Head to the Place Carnot for a hearty cassoulet stew, just as they have done for centuries in this medieval sanctuary. Prepare to be enchanted! 

Head south to the foothills of the Pyrenees, where you’ll arrive at another place of great Catholic significance: the holy town of Lourdes. The waters in the spring here are said to have healing properties after a local teenager named Bernadette Soubirous saw the Virgin Mary appear in a grotto. Take part in the vigil held in front of the Basilica, where crowds sing Ave Maria by candlelight. Whatever your faith, you’ll be moved by this experience.

Next, you’ll visit Biarritz, which has attracted visitors with its delicious seafood, gorgeous sands, and the immense Atlantic waves for centuries. Wander the beautiful streets of this chic town, and try your hand at surfing on some of Europe’s best waves. If you prefer to relax, sit back and recline on the oceanfront, accompanied by oysters and champagne.

Wine lovers, rejoice: Bordeaux is the world’s capital of wine, and it’s the last stop on your South of France Road Trip—so park the car and enjoy! Enjoy another informative private walking tour with an English-speaking guide of this majestic city. Head to the Cité du Vin, a huge wine museum, for a comprehensive history of the subject and some very old bottles, sold in typically French fashion by tuxedo-clad sommeliers. Stroll past the palatial Place de la Bourse before settling into a cosy bistro for Pauillac lamb and Pomerol wine—and toast to your South of France Road Trip.