Wine Regions of Southern France: 7-Day Itinerary
Wineries, History, and Food
Are you trying to plan a fantastic trip around Southern France? If you're not sure where to start, where to go, how much it will cost, or how much time you need, then we've got the answers. This route will let you experience the delicious food, small town charm, museums, and beautiful locations of the region. This itinerary can be used as a guide and an outline for your next trip, because here you'll find all of the information you need to put together an amazing seven-day trip.
The reasons to visit Southern France are plentiful. You'll find local wineries, colorful towns, historical sights, and beautiful countryside. Below we'll start with some of the highlights of the area before working through the specifics of the route, budget, things to do, where to stay, and more.
This itinerary will take you through the following destinations:
- Bordeaux (2 days)
- Carcassonne (2 days)
- Avignon (2 days)
- Aix-en-Provence (1 day)
Carcassone, France
Itinerary Highlights
- Great for couples
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Small Town Charm
- Delicious Food
- Historic Sites
- Beautiful Locations
The beautiful and charming small towns of the region are a must-see. They provide an excellent chance to dive into the local culture, history, food, and more. You'll find plenty of small town charm in Avignon.
Delicious food is one of the main reasons why many people travel, and a trip to Southern France is no exception. You'll find so many amazing restaurants and local dishes worth tasting on this trip, so throw that diet plan away when you come. The food in Bordeaux, Carcassonne, and Avignon is especially delicious.
So much history is to be found in Southern France. Don't miss the historic architecture, museums, and charming vibe of the area.
The stunning scenery of Southern France is one of the main reasons visitors come to this region. Bring your camera, as it's even better in person. You don't want to miss Aix-en-Provence and Bordeaux for the beautiful scenery.
Bordeaux
When is the best time to visit?
Autumn is quite nice in the area. The weather is a little cooler, the natural scenery is stunning, and the tourist crowds are usually gone by this time of year.
Summer is a great time to visit Southern France. It's a peak travel season here that draws plenty of visitors for a good reason. Although you might encounter bustling crowds, the upside is that everything will be wide open and within easy reach.
Who is this itinerary for?
Let's get into the romantic side of Southern France. This region has a well-deserved reputation as the perfect spot for couples. If you're exploring with your special someone, get ready for a truly delightful experience. For romantic charm, Bordeaux, Aix-en-Provence, and Avignon especially should not be missed.
Plenty of budget-friendly and backpacker-friendly travel options are available in the area, too. From affordable hostels and budget-friendly hotels, to free activities, affordable food options, and a great social vibe, you can have a great trip if you're on a shoestring budget. For example, the range of hostels and low-cost activities in Carcassonne tend to favor budget travelers.
Pont d'Avignon, France
Transportation
Getting around between these destinations in Southern France isn't too difficult. Most of these places are around 2 hours apart.
We've planned this as a one-way journey from Bordeaux to Aix-en-Provence because it covers a lot of distance and the transportation options are good in both places. However, you could always loop back to the beginning if it's easier. Also, you can do this route in the opposite direction if you find better tickets into Aix-en-Provence instead of Bordeaux. To get to Bordeaux, you can see flight prices and schedules here.
A great way to get around with this itinerary is by car. If you don't bring your own, you'll definitely want to rent a car to get from place to place. This will give you the most freedom and flexibility on your trip through Southern France, as you'll be able to set your own schedule and stop when you want.
Traveling by train through Southern France is not only easy, but also affordable and efficient. While trains connect major cities very quickly, getting to smaller destinations can sometimes take a little more time. Some smaller towns may even require connecting to local buses. But generally, it's easy to get around if you stick to the main routes, and you'll be able to sit back and admire the views out the window. Check out the ticket prices and schedules ahead of time, too.
Is seven days enough time in Southern France?
Yes, seven days is generally enough time to see the major destinations of Southern France. We have planned out this itinerary in such a way so that you can take in these destinations in seven days while having a relaxing and enjoyable trip. You could always spend more time in the area if you want to visit more of the local sights, or spend even more time in each destination. Plenty of day trip options are available, after all. On the other hand, if you have less time, you can modify this suggested itinerary to make it shorter. Cutting out a few places would save you time, although we don't recommended it as you really need around seven days to see everything.
Aix en Provence
How much does a seven-day trip to Southern France cost?
The estimated budget breakdown for this seven-day trip through Southern France is shown below. This budget is based on our daily average travel costs which come from the spending habits of actual travelers along with cost data from major companies. The daily average costs are per person and do not include the transportation between destinations. These estimated costs are meant to be a guide. You can stay close to thse costs by staying at mid-level hotels, eating at normal restaurants, and paying for some of the main attractions in each location. It's possible to stay on a cheaper budget if you stay in hostels or budget hotels and eat at less expensive restaurants. It's also very easy to go over this budget by staying at high-end luxury hotels, eating at fancy restaurants, and taking private tours.
| City | Daily Average | Days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux | $127 | 2 | $253 |
| Carcassonne | $115 | 2 | $231 |
| Avignon | $763 | 2 | $1,525 |
| Aix-en-Provence | $151 | 1 | $151 |
| Total per Person | $2,160 | ||
| for 2 People | $4,320 | ||
From these calculations, the estimated cost for this seven-day itinerary of Southern France costs $2,160 per person. This does not include the transportation between destinations, as that cost will vary depending on your chosen option.
Accommodation Costs
Trying to figure out how much you'll pay for hotels on this trip? Below is the expected cost for accommodations for this trip through Southern France based on calculated averages.
Hotel Prices
For your accommodation costs, the average hotel room price for each destination is shown below. This hotel cost data is calculated from the prices of hotels provided by Kayak, and do not include taxes and fees. The average prices represent typical mid-range hotel rooms, but it's always possible to spend more or less than this average if you stay in budget-friendly or high-end luxury hotels, respectively. Also, during peak travel season, these prices will usually be higher.
| City | Average Hotel Room Price | Days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux | $112 | 2 | $224 |
| Carcassonne | $110 | 2 | $220 |
| Avignon | $114 | 2 | $228 |
| Aix-en-Provence | $118 | 1 | $118 |
| Total Expected Hotel Cost | $790 | ||
Hostel Prices
If you're all about smart spending on your adventure, hostels are an enticing option, especially for younger or solo travelers. The prices outlined below show the average expenses for a dorm bed in a hostel at each destination. Despite sacrificing a bit of privacy in a hostel dorm, the lively atmosphere often cultivates a social setting, creating fantastic opportunities to build new connections. It's worth noting that many hostels also offer private rooms at a slightly higher cost than dorms, along with additional perks like kitchens, social activities, and prime locations. These average prices are computed from available hostel data shared by HostelWorld.
| City | Average Hostel Dorm Price (per person) |
|---|---|
| Bordeaux | $28 |
| Carcassonne | $33 |
| Aix-en-Provence | $28 |
Southern France Itinerary
1. Bordeaux
2 Days
Bordeaux is a the heart of France's winegrowing district. It's also a port city that's filled with a lot of history and architecture. The surrounding countryside is filled with vineyards and the city has many great restaurants where you can sample traditional cuisine and local wine.
Bordeaux offers big city activities, museums, nightlife, delicious food, and beautiful locations. It's also a great place for families and backpackers due to all of the activities.
Eat your way through Bordeaux, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from.
What to See in Bordeaux
How to Spend 2 Days in Bordeaux
Day 1:
Don't miss Cathédrale Saint-André during your trip to Bordeaux, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The culinary scene in Bordeaux is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.
Bordeaux is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.
Day 2:
Shopping in Bordeaux is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.
Bordeaux is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city is filled with beautiful architecture, parks, and gardens.
The public transit in Bordeaux is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.
More Activities
You'll find a wide array of activities, attractions, tours, and things to do in Bordeaux. Here are a few of the best options for you to compare prices and book ahead.
For more activities and things to do, check out The Best Wine Tours in Bordeaux, The Best Cheap Walking Tours in Bordeaux, The Best Affordable Food Tours in Bordeaux, and The Best Cheap Airport Transfers in Bordeaux.
Bordeaux Costs
Calculated from the travel expenses of previous visitors, the average daily travel cost in Bordeaux is $127 per person. Your individual expenses can stay close to this amount if you stay in a mid-range hotel and eat at normal restaurants. Below is a typical price breakdown of what you might expect to spend each day, per person, if you travel on a lower budget, mid-range budget, or luxury budget on your trip. For more details, see the travel costs for Bordeaux here.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Transportation1 | $7 | $17 | $32 |
| Food2 | $21 | $49 | $96 |
| Entertainment1 | $4 | $8 | $16 |
| Alcohol2 | $12 | $28 | $54 |
Accommodation
Hotels
The average hotel room price in Bordeaux is $112 based on the average from 134 hotels provided by Kayak. For more details, you can see our analysis of hotel costs in Bordeaux here.
Suggested Hotels
Hostels
If you're traveling on a backpacker's budget, hostels are a great way to save some money and meet other travelers, too. In Bordeaux, the average price for a bed in a dorm at a hostel is $28. For more information on hostels, you can see our overview of hostel costs in Bordeaux here.
Transportation
If you have a car for this trip, here are driving directions from Bordeaux to Carcassonne.
Trains are a great way to get from Bordeaux to Carcassonne, and you can see the train schedules and prices here.
2. Carcassonne
2 Days
Carcassonne is a medieval town that sits beautifully on the top of a hill in Southern France. The town is filled with walled fortifications and a well-preserved castle. It has a fairytale quality that is enhanced by the fact that cars are not allowed in the walled city. Many people visit Carcassonne as a day trip.
Carcassonne offers museums and beautiful locations. It's also a great place for families and backpackers due to all of the activities.
What to See in Carcassonne
How to Spend 2 Days in Carcassonne
Day 1:
Don't miss La Cité de Carcassonne during your trip to Carcassonne, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.
Carcassonne is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.
Day 2:
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Carcassonne a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.
Carcassonne is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The town is filled with history and well preserved medieval sights.
Public transit in Carcassonne is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the town quite easily. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.
More Activities
You'll find a wide array of activities, attractions, tours, and things to do in Carcassonne. Here are a few of the best options for you to compare prices and book ahead.
For more activities and things to do, check out The Best Walking Tours in Carcassonne, The Best Wine Tours in Carcassonne, The Carcassonne Ramparts, and The Museum of the Inquisition.
Carcassonne Costs
Calculated from the travel expenses of previous visitors, the average daily travel cost in Carcassonne is $115 per person. Your individual expenses can stay close to this amount if you stay in a mid-range hotel and eat at normal restaurants. Below is a typical price breakdown of what you might expect to spend each day, per person, if you travel on a lower budget, mid-range budget, or luxury budget on your trip. For more details, see the travel costs for Carcassonne here.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Transportation1 | $3 | $8 | $15 |
| Food2 | $18 | $42 | $80 |
| Entertainment1 | $7 | $15 | $30 |
| Alcohol2 | $6 | $14 | $27 |
Accommodation
Hotels
The average hotel room price in Carcassonne is $110 based on the average from 91 hotels provided by Kayak. For more details, you can see our analysis of hotel costs in Carcassonne here.
Suggested Hotels
Hostels
If you're traveling on a backpacker's budget, hostels are a great way to save some money and meet other travelers, too. In Carcassonne, the average price for a bed in a dorm at a hostel is $33. For more information on hostels, you can see our overview of hostel costs in Carcassonne here.
Transportation
If you have a car for this trip, here are driving directions from Carcassonne to Avignon.
Trains are a great way to get from Carcassonne to Avignon, and you can see the train schedules and prices here.
3. Avignon
2 Days
Avignon is a town in the region of Provence that dates back to the 1300s. It sits along the Rhône River and is filled with history and beautiful landmarks.
Avignon offers small town charm, museums, and delicious food. It's also a great place for families and backpackers due to all of the activities.
Travelers visit Avignon from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. You'll probably have trouble prioritizing what to see with so many options, so it's best to make a plan.
Eat your way through Avignon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from.
Avignon has one of the best historic old towns in the country, so you should absolutely spend some time exploring the streets and shops.
What to See in Avignon
How to Spend 2 Days in Avignon
Day 1:
Avignon is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.
The delicious food of Avignon is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this town's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.
Avignon is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.
Day 2:
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.
Public transit in Avignon is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the town quite easily. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.
More Activities
You'll find a wide array of activities, attractions, tours, and things to do in Avignon. Here are a few of the best options for you to compare prices and book ahead.
For more activities and things to do, check out The Best Luberon Villages Tours from Avignon, The Best Wine Tours in Avignon, The Best Ancient Roman Tours Around Avignon, and The Best Chateauneuf du Pape Tours from Avignon.
Avignon Costs
Calculated from the travel expenses of previous visitors, the average daily travel cost in Avignon is $763 per person. Your individual expenses can stay close to this amount if you stay in a mid-range hotel and eat at normal restaurants. Below is a typical price breakdown of what you might expect to spend each day, per person, if you travel on a lower budget, mid-range budget, or luxury budget on your trip. For more details, see the travel costs for Avignon here.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Transportation1 | $9 | $23 | $58 |
| Food2 | $16 | $36 | $74 |
| Entertainment1 | $7 | $17 | $37 |
| Alcohol2 | $7 | $18 | $40 |
Accommodation
Hotels
The average hotel room price in Avignon is $114 based on the average from 90 hotels provided by Kayak. For more details, you can see our analysis of hotel costs in Avignon here.
Suggested Hotels
Transportation
If you have a car for this trip, here are driving directions from Avignon to Aix-en-Provence.
Trains are a great way to get from Avignon to Aix-en-Provence, and you can see the train schedules and prices here.
4. Aix-en-Provence
1 Day
Aix-en-Provence is a charming university town in southern France that is perfect for exploring on foot. It's a popular study abroad destination for American university students, but it's also a great couples getaway.
Aix-en-Provence offers museums, delicious food, and beautiful locations. It's also a great place for backpackers due to all of the activities.
Eat your way through Aix-en-Provence, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from.
Since Aix-en-Provence is one of the premier shopping cities in the world, make sure you spend some time perusing the local shops.
What to See in Aix-en-Provence
How to Spend 1 Day in Aix-en-Provence
Shopping in Aix-en-Provence is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.
The delicious food of Aix-en-Provence is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this town's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.
Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.
More Activities
You'll find a wide array of activities, attractions, tours, and things to do in Aix-en-Provence. Here are a few of the best options for you to compare prices and book ahead.
For more activities and things to do, check out The Best Wine Tours around Aix-en-Provence, The Best Luberon Village Tours from Aix-en-Provence, The Best Lavender Fields Tours from Aix-en-Provence, and The Best Walking Tours in Aix-en-Provence.
Aix-en-Provence Costs
Calculated from the travel expenses of previous visitors, the average daily travel cost in Aix-en-Provence is $151 per person. Your individual expenses can stay close to this amount if you stay in a mid-range hotel and eat at normal restaurants. Below is a typical price breakdown of what you might expect to spend each day, per person, if you travel on a lower budget, mid-range budget, or luxury budget on your trip. For more details, see the travel costs for Aix-en-Provence here.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Transportation1 | $16 | $36 | $68 |
| Food2 | $16 | $36 | $68 |
| Entertainment1 | $11 | $24 | $46 |
| Alcohol2 | $6 | $15 | $28 |
Accommodation
Hotels
The average hotel room price in Aix-en-Provence is $118 based on the average from 71 hotels provided by Kayak. For more details, you can see our analysis of hotel costs in Aix-en-Provence here.
Suggested Hotels
Hostels
If you're traveling on a backpacker's budget, hostels are a great way to save some money and meet other travelers, too. In Aix-en-Provence, the average price for a bed in a dorm at a hostel is $28. For more information on hostels, you can see our overview of hostel costs in Aix-en-Provence here.
Final Transportation
As the last destination in this itinerary, you'll want to find the best price home from here. Check flight prices here.
Next Steps
So now that you have all of the information you need to plan your seven-day trip in Southern France, it's time to get started. Make your bookings ahead of time not just to find the cheapest prices, but also before the best hotels and tours fill up. We also have plenty of other resources to help you plan you trip, or another trip, too. Happy travels!
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