Is an excuse really needed?
One of my beliefs in life is, ‘you can never have too much of a good thing’, and any trip to France, whether north, south, east, or west, is a good thing.
Gary and I have been visiting France together for about three decades; it’s such an intriguing country culturally and visually, we just can’t stop returning. Bearing in mind in the UK, we’re such close neighbours, and at times, we seem to be oceans apart and not just the short hop across the English Channel.
As you may know by now, we love our road trips, so there is no other option than jumping in the car, catching Le Shuttle, and heading south.
![The Pin image for our post - 'Why are we heading South through France again?'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Why-are-we-heading-South-through-France-again-Pin6.jpg)
![The viewpoint overlooking Villefranche-sur-Mer in the South of France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-view-over-villefranche-sur-mer-discover-france-explore-France-iconic-France-places-to-visit-in-France-a-french-road-trip-touring-france-V5.jpg)
We’re revisiting a couple of the towns we’ve chosen on a previous trip, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Villefranche-sur-Mer, as we found them perfect places to base ourselves and tour the surrounding regions in greater depth.
Okay, so there may have been another reason why I wanted to head back to Provence and the Côte d'Azur. A bit indulgent, I know; however, I love southern France, and I couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate our 30th anniversary. There I’ve said it, we really are that old!!!!!!
Where are we visiting in France?
Our chosen accommodation while touring FranceFrance’s beautiful landscape
Something for everyone![The lush rolling landscape of the Champagne region of France. The view is punctuated by a bright red tractor in the distance withing the vines.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Working-among-the-vines-visit-champagne-things-to-see-in-champagne-V5.jpg)
![A view of the rugged red rocks and the deep blue waters of the Cote d'Azur. Hugging the coastline is the road known as the Corniche d'Or.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-wonderful-corniche-dor-on-the-cote-dazur-explore-france-iconic-france-must-see-france-secret-france-visit-france-what-to-see-in-france-V5.jpg)
![Two rows of olives tree in the countryside of Provence, with a stone hut in the distance.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-olive-groves-of-provence-discover-provence-hidden-gems-in-france-hidden-gems-in-provence-iconic-france-pretty-towns-in-provence-visit-provence-V5.jpg)
![Two boats on a hazy Lake Annecy.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/where-annecy-meets-the-edge-of-the-alps-discover-france-explore-France-iconic-France-places-to-visit-in-France-a-french-road-trip-touring-france-V5.jpg)
The rich history in France
The Romans left their markWe love our history, and France has plenty of it; we’ve previously visited Avignon, Nîmes and Arles and the Roman feat of engineering of the Pont du Gard. This aqueduct truly is incredible to see and to stroll across. It’s hard to believe that this magnificent structure has survived for over 2,000 years.
Grab your Pont du Gard ticket before you go to skip the line.
![The historic Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard. Three levels of arches carrying water over the river Gardon.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/The-Pont-du-Gard-Provence-France-V5.jpg)
![A view through an archway to a narrow cobbled lane between rough stone provencal buildings in tourrettes sur loup in the provence region of france](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-narrow-lanes-of-tourrettes-sur-loup-explore-France-historic-provence-places-to-visit-in-provence-secret-provence-a-french-road-trip-touring-france-V5.jpg)
If you love Provence as much as we do, you'll want to start planning your visit now.
I so enjoy using the DK Eyewitness books, as they are extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our Provencal road trip, now you can grab the revised copy.
The Art and Culture in Southern France
Soak up the atmosphereOne of the destinations we’re heading to is Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. This charming town not only has the 2nd-century BC Roman city of Glanum, but it is also where Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night at the Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery.
This Provencal region of France has attracted so many great artists over the years.
![Columns that once formed part of the Roman temple at the Glanum site on the outskirts of Saint Remy de Provence](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Well-preserved-remains-at-Glanum-Saint-Remy-de-Provence-France-V5.jpg)
One city that we visited all too briefly when we were in Southern France in 2012 was Nice. I’m so looking forward to heading back and taking a stroll along the elegant promenade.
I remember there was an ice-cream parlour amongst the cobbled streets in Nice old town, so I’m definitely going to search it out again
![The beach and azure blue water of the Nice cosatline on the Cote d'Azur, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-shoreline-at-nice-cote-dazur-explore-France-places-to-visit-in-France-visit-france-where-to-visit-in-France-a-french-road-trip-touring-france-V5.jpg)
During this trip, we’re staying at the stunning coastal town of Villefranche-sur-Mer along the Côte d'Azur for a few nights. And as we’re Formula 1 fans, there is no way we will pass up the opportunity of heading to Monaco.
I can’t wait to cruise the streets around the casino and harbour, where the F1 circus comes alive every May; it’s going to be fun.
![A bronze statue of a facing driver standing next to his 1950's formula 1 car under a couple of trees in flower, in front of the famous Monaco harbour.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-fangio-monumnet-on-the-streets-of-monte-carlo-monaco-explore-France-a-french-road-trip-touring-france-visit-monaco-V5.jpg)
Tempted to?
Visiting Annecy
A new location for usHeading back north through France, we will be visiting Annecy, a first for Gary and me; it looks incredibly picturesque. Attractive canals winding their way between beautiful flower-decked houses and little bridges leading along cobbled lanes.
Ohh, and there’s a lovely lake, too; we must ensure we take a little tour around the shoreline.
![Looking back on the Chateaux d'Annecy from the opal-coloured waters of Quai Napoleon III in annecy in the haute-savoie region of france.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/looking-back-on-the-chateaux-dannecy-from-the-quai-napoleon-iii-explore-France-iconic-France-places-to-visit-in-France-a-french-road-trip-touring-france-V5.jpg)
In the past, Gary and I have briefly toured through the Jura region of France.
However, on this trip, we’ve decided to stay at Arbois in the heart of this wine province. Arbois looks to be a very verdant part of the country and another area rich in vineyards –that’s France for you.
![The fountain, acting as a roundabout in the centre of Arbois. Bunting leads from all corners of the square to meet at the fountain.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/place-de-la-liberte-arbois-explore-France-hidden-gems-in-france-places-to-visit-in-France-where-to-visit-in-France-a-french-road-trip-touring-france-V5.jpg)
We love the French cuisine
Don’t be shyOur philosophy is “When in Rome” when it comes to food and drink, and in France, this is always our weakness. Their regional specialities tempt us time and time again, delicious new dishes and some old favourites we love returning back to.
Although occasionally, some of the cuisine can be an acquired taste, and to be quite frank, I never want to smell Andouillette sausage again; that’s a story for another time.
![A bubbling pot of cheese fondue served in a cast-iron saucepan over a low heat.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/A-fondue-typical-of-the-Arbois-region-France-V5.jpg)
All restaurants in France have a ‘menu du jour’ and are usually excellent value. We often look out for the local bistros as these tend to offer something slightly different, and we enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
Fish is definitely going to be the order of the day along the French Riviera; however, who knows what we’ll find in Annecy and Arbois.
![The daily menu, on a chalk board, of the Cote Jardin restaurant in Villefranche-sur-Mer](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a-daily-menu-villefranche-sur-mer-discover-france-explore-France-iconic-France-places-to-visit-in-France-a-french-road-trip-touring-france-V5.jpg)
Discovering French Wine
You’re in France, after all!![Two glasses of rosé wine in front of the harbour of Villefranche-sur-Mer at night.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/An-evening-drink-at-Villefranche-sur-Mer-visiting-the-French-Riviera-Visit-France-R2.jpg)
After a little bit of research, I’ve also discovered that Arbois, in the Jura region, has a vin jaune (yellow wine); apparently, it is similar to a dry Fino Sherry.
Well, okay, for research purposes only, I’ll give it a try.
![A glass of the vin jaune next to a basket of bread in Arbois, France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Wine-bread-Arbois-flavours-of-france-visit-Normandy-a-taste-of-france-drinks-of-france-V5.jpg)
Have You?
How did the trip go?
Well, if you would like to know how this little road trip panned out, why not look at all the posts from the trip?
We had a ball, and we hope that we can inspire you to discover more of France.
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