15 days in South of France Itinerary

The 2013 European "Capital of Culture," Marseille is the largest port city on the breezy Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in France.

Change things up with these side-trips from Marseille: Palais des Papes (in Avignon) and Aix-en-Provence (Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur Aix-en-Provence & Cours Mirabeau). The adventure continues: take in the spiritual surroundings of Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, get your game on at Laser game Evolution, explore the striking landscape at Calanques, and take a stroll through The Panier.

Plan my trip to Marseille with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.

New York City, USA to Marseille is an approximately 13-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from New York City to Marseille is 6 hours. In May, daily temperatures in Marseille can reach 73°F, while at night they dip to 54°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Carcassonne.

Best known as a fortified town, Carcassonne is a walled city that provided the inspiration for the castle in Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" and the location for many scenes in Kevin Costner's movie "Robin Hood." For a daily dose of excitement, medieval jousting tournaments are held twice per day between the two walls--while this may sound like a typical touristy show, it's actually an entertaining display of combative competition and horsemanship.

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Fri): learn about winemaking at Winemaker Workshops, do a tasting at O'Vineyards, then steep yourself in history at Cathar Castles, and finally wander the streets of Cité de Carcassonne.

To find photos, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Carcassonne trip planner.

Drive from Marseille to Carcassonne in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or fly. Expect a daytime high around 69°F in May, and nighttime lows around 51°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Grimaud.

Change things up with these side-trips from Grimaud: La Croix-Valmer (Le Cap Lardier & Plage de Gigaro).

To see more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Grimaud trip maker site.

You can drive from Carcassonne to Grimaud in 4 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and taxi; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Carcassonne in May: highs in Grimaud hover around 75°F, while lows dip to 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Mon) early enough to drive to Saint-Raphael.

Saint-Raphael vacations have so much more to offer than an indulgent splurge on a beach.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Saint-Raphael: Seillans (Domaine Val d'Iris & La Ferme des Cairns). The adventure continues: don't miss a visit to Massif de l'Esterel, explore the stunning scenery at Les Gorges du Verdon, tee off at Golf de Cap Esterel, and look for gifts at Catalan Bougie.

To find maps, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Saint-Raphael road trip app.

Traveling by car from Grimaud to Saint-Raphael takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train. May in Saint-Raphael sees daily highs of 72°F and lows of 53°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Nice.

Well-known for the beautiful views of its famous Promenade des Anglais waterfront, Nice is an ethnically-diverse coastal port city on the French Riviera and the fifth most populated city in France.

Get out of town with these interesting Nice side-trips: Cannes (La Croisette & Kayaking & Canoeing). There's much more to do: wander the streets of Vieille Ville, get great views at Colline du Chateau overlook, expand your understanding of the military at Galerie des Bains-Douches, and don't miss a visit to Place Massena.

To find reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Nice online itinerary builder.

Drive from Saint-Raphael to Nice in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a daytime high around 69°F in May, and nighttime lows around 57°F. You will have some time to spend on the 24th (Mon) before leaving for home.