32 days in South of France Itinerary

With a long history of producing regional wines since the Romans brought grapevines here during the first century, so many people consider Bordeaux to be the wine capital of the world.

Explore Bordeaux's surroundings by going to Vertical T'air Parachutisme (in La Teste-de-Buch), La Grande Dune du Pilat (in Pyla-sur-Mer) and Saint-Emilion (Chateau Beaurang & Chateau Cantenac). And it doesn't end there: appreciate the extensive heritage of Place de la Bourse, don't miss a visit to The Water Mirror, and learn about winemaking at Chateau de Reignac.

To find ratings, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Bordeaux online attractions planner.

Durham, USA to Bordeaux is an approximately 15-hour flight. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Central European Standard Time, which is usually a 6 hour difference. In June, Bordeaux is a bit cooler than Durham - with highs of 77°F and lows of 58°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Wed) so you can drive to Sarlat-la-Caneda.

Sarlat-la-Caneda is the capital of the former Périgord Noir, now referred to as the Aquitaine region that is home to a historical area consisting of impeccably preserved 14th-century buildings and sites.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Sarlat-la-Caneda: Aquarium du Perigord Noir (in Le Bugue), Gouffre de Padirac (in Padirac) and Ville de Martel (in Martel). There's much more to do: don't miss a visit to Chateau des Milandes, walk around Les Jardins de Marqueyssac, Head underground at Le Gouffre de Proumeyssac, and step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Beynac.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Sarlat-la-Caneda trip builder tool.

Drive from Bordeaux to Sarlat-la-Caneda in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In June, plan for daily highs up to 80°F, and evening lows to 55°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Sun) 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.

Step out of Carcassonne to go to Port Leucate and see Leucate Jet Ski, which is approximately 1h 20 min away. And it doesn't end there: take a stroll through Cité de Carcassonne, pause for some serene contemplation at Carcassonne Cathedral, make a trip to La Porte D'aude, and explore the historical opulence of Chateau Comtal.

For photos, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Carcassonne trip builder app.

Traveling by car from Sarlat-la-Caneda to Carcassonne takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. In June in Carcassonne, expect temperatures between 79°F during the day and 59°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Wed) to allow time to 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.

Explore Avignon's surroundings by going to Pont du Gard (in Vers-Pont-du-Gard), Amphitheatre (les Arenes) (in Arles) and La Maison Carree (in Nimes). And it doesn't end there: explore the historical opulence of Palais des Papes, do a tasting at Bertrand Bosc, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedrale Des Images, and snap pictures at Pont d'Avignon.

To find ratings and tourist information, you can read our Avignon online day trip planner.

Traveling by car from Carcassonne to Avignon takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. June in Avignon sees daily highs of 83°F and lows of 60°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Sun) early enough to go by car 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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Marseille: Aix-en-Provence (Musee Granet, Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur Aix-en-Provence, &more) and Route des Cretes (in La Ciotat). And it doesn't end there: take in the spiritual surroundings of Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, explore the striking landscape of Parc National des Calanques, don't miss a visit to Randonnees theatrales Marcel Pagnol Cie Dans la cour des Grands, and take in the waterfront at Le Vieux Port.

For reviews and other tourist information, go to the Marseille online tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from Avignon to Marseille in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 88°F in July, and nighttime lows around 68°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Thu) so you can drive to Saint-Tropez.

Saint-Tropez is a town, 100km west of Nice, in the Var department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Get out of town with these interesting Saint-Tropez side-trips: Le Cap Lardier (in La Croix-Valmer), Hyeres (AirVertical & Parc St Bernard) and Vivier Gallo-Romain des Issambres (in Roquebrune-sur-Argens). The adventure continues: glide through the air with Marine Air Sport, learn about winemaking at Chateau Des Garcinieres, kick back and relax at Plage de Pampelonne, and don't miss a visit to Les Pipes de Cogolin - Courrieu.

For maps, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Saint-Tropez trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Marseille to Saint-Tropez takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 91°F in July, and nighttime lows around 64°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Mon) 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Nice: Lérins Islands (in Cannes), Parachute Ascensionnel Juan les Pins (in Juan-les-Pins) and Lesgeckos (in Vence). Spend the 16th (Fri) exploring the fascinating underwater world at Marineland. Next up on the itinerary: take a stroll through Vieille Ville, pause for some photo ops at La Chaise Bleue de SAB, make a trip to Place Massena, and take in nature's colorful creations at Le Jardin Exotique d'Eze.

For maps, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Nice online trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Saint-Tropez to Nice in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or do a combination of ferry and train. While traveling from Saint-Tropez, expect little chillier days and somewhat warmer nights in Nice, ranging from highs of 81°F to lows of 71°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Saint-Raphael.

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

Explore Saint-Raphael's surroundings by going to Seillans (Domaine Val d'Iris & La Ferme des Cairns), Etangs de Villepey (in Saint-Aygulf) and Route des Cretes La Palud (in La Palud sur Verdon). There's lots more to do: don't miss a visit to Massif de l'Esterel, glide through the air with Parachute Saint Raphael, test your problem-solving skills at Active Escape, and appreciate the history behind Notre Dame d‘Afrique.

To find where to stay, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read Saint-Raphael day trip planning tool.

Getting from Nice to Saint-Raphael by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Nice in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in Saint-Raphael, with lows of 66°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 21st (Wed) to allow time for the flight back home.