Overlooked by towering cliffs and an old castle, Cassis is a quaint fishing port with historic quarters and a charming harbour. Life here is unhurried. Boats bob about, fathers and sons play pétanque on the town square, and lively chatter rises from the surrounding terraces.
The town on the French Riviera is lovely to visit on its own, but the real draw is the Calanques, a national park of breathtaking coastal inlets with rugged gorges and sparkling waters.
Pick up your campervan in Marseille and head to your first French Riviera road trip stop, Cassis. Here you can soak up the Côte d’Azur: stroll the sloping streets and lively marina, take on the locals in a 2v2 game of pétanque, and eat the day’s catch for dinner.
The next morning, explore the Calanques to find a secluded beach for two. You can either hike the park’s trails or hire a kayak and head out on the water — a great addition to a romantic itinerary!
A somewhat forgotten hillside city of palm trees and extravagant mansions, Hyères became the first resort on the French Riviera for the rich and famous in the 19th century. Its terraced blend of medieval houses and Renaissance mansions makes for an alluring sight.
And while the town lies 4 km inland, it can still lay claim to a most exquisite coastline: the Giens Peninsula, a lush green headland with 39 km of sandy beaches.
From the Calanques, take the Route des Crêtes between Cassis and La Ciotat for a breathtaking coastal campervan road trip in the south of France. Arrive in Hyères for a stroll through the old town and a climb up the Templar Tower. Visit the strikingly modernist Villa Noailles for a contemporary take on Hyères.
Next (or skip the town altogether), add Giens to your itinerary for a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean. Bring two snorkelling kits to catch a glimpse of the rich marine life. The peninsula also makes for a great hiking spot.
This chic city is the epitome of jet-set glamour, steadily attracting the rich and famous since before a scantily clad Brigitte Bardot made Saint-Tropez her playground. Here you’ll see yachts the size of cruise ships and cars worth as much as houses.
Needless to say, Saint-Tropez is a pricey stop on your South of France road trip itinerary — camping in a campervan keeps costs down and makes the city far more accessible! Another way to save a bit is to eat out at lunchtime, when set menus tend to be cheaper.
A good way to get your bearings on arrival is to head up to the citadel overlooking the city and the Mediterranean. Then wander down to the harbour to do some boat- and people-spotting. Or head to nearby Escalet Beach for seriously stunning sea views.
For relaxed couple time, pick a terrace for an apéritif. For a très exclusive dinner, La Vague d’Or is the cream of the crop in Saint-Tropez's already exclusive gastronomic scene.
Bordering Italy to the east and often overlooked, Menton is France’s finest frontier commune. The utterly charming town has an Italian look to match its French finesse, is as glamorous as Saint-Tropez but without the glitz, has gardens greener than Giens, overlooks a coastline dotted with secluded beaches, and is said to have a microclimate that raises local temperatures by around three degrees.
Heading to Menton on your French Riviera road trip itinerary, take one of three romantic Corniche Routes (and try another on your way back!). The Lower Basse Corniche hugs the coast, the Moyenne Corniche combines cliffside vistas with modern roads, and the Grande Corniche is a vertiginous ride for daredevils.
On arrival, soothe your nerves in a botanical garden. Or cool off with a glass of chilled lemon wine or the local limoncello, made from the fruits d’or that Menton is famous for.
Next, get to know the celebrated artist Jean Cocteau, who lavished Menton with his boundless creativity. Finally, wander Menton’s streets at sunset for a memory you’ll never forget!
