10 days in South of France Itinerary

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.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Sun): pause for some serene contemplation at Carcassonne Cathedral, then pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Saint-Nazaire, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Saint-Vincent de Carcassonne. Keep things going the next day: don't miss a visit to La Porte D'aude, then wander the streets of Cité de Carcassonne, and then take in the views from Le Pont Vieux (The Old Bridge).

For reviews, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, read Carcassonne trip tool.

Toronto, Canada to Carcassonne is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You'll lose 6 hours traveling from Toronto to Carcassonne due to the time zone difference. In September, daytime highs in Carcassonne are 29°C, while nighttime lows are 16°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Mon) so you can drive to Avignon.

An ancient town center surrounded by medieval ramparts, Avignon is a major city of Provence and a Mediterranean city in the Vaucluse department on the left bank of the Rhône River.

On the 6th (Tue), make a trip to Pont d'Avignon, steep yourself in history at Palais des Papes, then explore the world behind art at Musee Angladon, and finally hike along Le Sentier des Ocres. Keep things going the next day: explore the ancient world of Amphitheatre (les Arenes), explore the world behind art at Carrieres des Lumieres, and then learn about winemaking at Distillerie A. Blachere.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Avignon vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Drive from Carcassonne to Avignon in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In September, daytime highs in Avignon are 30°C, while nighttime lows are 16°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can drive to Marseille.

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

Start off your visit on the 8th (Thu): take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathédrale La Major, then take in the waterfront at Le Vieux Port, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, and finally wander the streets of The Panier. On your second day here, cruise along Route des Cretes, stop by Cours Mirabeau, and then take an in-depth tour of Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations.

To see ratings, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Marseille driving holiday planner.

Drive from Avignon to Marseille in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Fri) to allow time to drive 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.

Step out of Nice to go to Vence and see Azur Wine Tours, which is approximately 34 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: take a stroll through Old Town, make a trip to Promenade des Anglais, pause for some serene contemplation at Cathedrale Saint-Nicolas a Nice, and take some stellar pictures from Colline du Chateau overlook.

For maps, ratings, and tourist information, use the Nice trip planner.

Getting from Marseille to Nice by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. In September in Nice, expect temperatures between 28°C during the day and 21°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Mon) to allow enough time to fly back home.