The Best Day Trips in the South of France: Antibes, Pampelonne, Tourtour, Saint-Tropez & Nice

By Holly Folkard-Smith·1 July 2026·8 min read·Côte d'Azur & Provence, France

Holly walking toward a sunlit fountain and flower gardens in a grand Provençal town square, with pastel buildings and mountains rising in the distance.

I have just returned from the French Riviera with a notes app full of names and a camera roll that could rival a travel brochure. Over the course of the two weeks, where I was based on the coast in Sainte Maxime, I kept asking myself the same question: if someone had only a handful of days in the South of France, where should they actually go? The Côte d'Azur can feel overwhelming — everyone has an opinion on Cannes, Monaco and the 'must-see' stops — but these five day trips cut through the noise. From the superyacht-lined ramparts of Antibes to the silent panoramas of Tourtour, the timeless glamour of Saint-Tropez to the reliable buzz of Nice and the legendary beach clubs of Pampelonne, this is the itinerary I would send any first-timer (and any returning visitor looking to go deeper).

1. Antibes & Cap d'Antibes

This was my favourite spot on this trip. I've always skipped doing a day trip here because everyone tells you to prioritise Cannes, Monaco and Nice, but genuinely, if you go to one place on your trip, let it be here. It's home to one of the largest superyacht marinas in the French Riviera and its picturesque Old Town is the perfect place to wander cobblestoned streets, cute coffee spots and charming boutiques.

My top recommendations:

Antibes Cathedral
Provencal Market (every morning Sept–May)
Spot superyachts from Plage de la Gravette
Swim at Plage de la Garoupe
The coastal walk at Cap d'Antibes
Coffee houses: Nomads & Good Mate

Discover my full day itinerary here.

View from the ramparts of Antibes Old Town looking out over the superyacht marina, with the Mediterranean, distant mountains and Mediterranean garden planting in the foreground.

2. Tourtour

This is such an underrated day trip, I think because it's inland and people tend to favour staying by the coast for the beaches and coastline views. But the 360-degree view from the peak of Tourtour is simply stunning. Perched as the 'Village dans le Ciel' (Village in the Sky), this medieval gem pairs its vertigo-inducing panoramas with a maze of sun-drenched stone alleys and ancient fountains that have stood watch over the Var department for centuries. It is a place where Romanesque architecture meets the horizon, offering a timeless glimpse into the rugged, fortified soul of high Provence. If you're looking for a guide on what to do here and why it's so special, read the full article here.

3. Saint-Tropez

No trip to the South of France is complete without a day trip to this iconic fishing village. Since its boom in popularity in the 1950s — specifically following the 1956 release of And God Created Woman starring Brigitte Bardot — this small town now attracts over 6 million visitors a year and harbours some of the most incredible superyachts in the world during summer. While the glitz of the port is undeniable, I've found that the true magic of Saint-Tropez lies in those quiet, sun-drenched corners where the old-world Provençal charm still lingers.

My top recommendations:

Fantastic lunch or dinner
Coffee: Saddle & Roll's Cafe
A quick swim at Plage de la Plonche
Citadelle de Saint-Tropez (the view of the Gulf from here is stunning)
Cédric Grolet (unmissable)
Saint Tropez markets (Sundays & Tuesdays — bring cash!)

You can see how I would spend a day here in this video.

Holly wandering the sun-drenched cobblestone streets of Saint-Tropez Old Town, with pastel buildings and colourful pennant flags overhead.

4. Nice

Many people may disagree with this as it is a big tourist hotspot, but for good reason. I make a point of visiting every time I'm here on holiday so I feel I have a reliable set of recommendations to give. Nice is a fabulous Mediterranean hub with unforgettable seaside charm and lively social buzz — you can spend the evening strolling the Old Town, taking in the stunning architecture and the days relaxing on the beach.

My top spots:

Food at Bocca Nissa (the BEST dinner we had)
Drinks & people watch in Place Masséna
Morning/sunset walk along the Promenade des Anglais
Nice Old Town & Flower Market
Vibes bar for pre-dinner drinks
Pastries: Maison de la Celine
Coffee: Josephine's, Goji Goji

For a full day itinerary see here.

5. Pampelonne Beach

Although I think there are more beautiful beaches and swim spots in France, there really is no better place for beach clubs than the infamous Pampelonne beach, made famous by Brigitte Bardot on the set of And God Created Woman. Along this 4.5km stretch of beach you'll find some of the most extravagant, luxurious and glamorous beach clubs in the French Riviera. But it's important to choose a club correctly depending on what vibe you're looking for. Here's my breakdown on a few:

Relaxed day club

SALTO — my personal favourite, laid-back loungers and a long Mediterranean lunch
Club 55 — the original (since 1955), Brigitte Bardot heritage, lunch-only
Les Palmiers — Club 55-affiliated, luxury loungers, calm daytime vibe, no evening parties
Loulou — stylish daytime Mediterranean dining by the Nammos team, no evening events

Best for music & DJs

Nikki Beach — resident DJs, weekly 'White' parties
Moorea — the classic 'relax by day, party by night' spot; house/electronic
Indie Beach — underground/bohemian, sunset DJ sets nightly (indie, folk, electro; Peggy Gou has played here)
Bagatelle — lively music and chic Mediterranean scene

Super Luxury

Nikki Beach — flagship ultra-premium venue, pool/lounge by day, VIP dinner service, dress code enforced
Byblos Beach Ramatuelle — affiliated with Hôtel Byblos
Tahiti Beach Club — private hotel beach, historic VIP escape

Dining-focused

Cabane Bambou — Thu–Sun BBQ nights, private garden setting, sophisticated but relaxed
Verde Beach — Moroccan shisha lounge, boho party atmosphere
Tropicana — Italian-Provençal menu, opens April, low-key, no evening parties

My favourite spot is SALTO, and this is what a day looks like here.

Rows of terracotta fringed parasols and wooden sun loungers on the sand at Pampelonne Beach, looking out to the turquoise Mediterranean.

A few extra spots

If you have more time, I would also recommend visiting Eze for its exotic garden and panoramic coastal views, Menton for its pastel-hued old town and famous lemon festival, and Gassin for another beautiful hilltop village with incredible views over the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

The Practical Bit

What you need to know before you go

Region: Côte d'Azur & Var, France
Best base: [To confirm — e.g. Sainte-Maxime / Antibes]
Best time to visit: May–June and September–October
Getting around: Car essential for Tourtour and Pampelonne; train works for Nice ↔ Antibes

Frequently asked

What are the best day trips in the south of France?

My five favourites are Antibes and Cap d'Antibes, Pampelonne Beach, the medieval hilltop village of Tourtour, Saint-Tropez and Nice — a mix of coast, old town and inland Provence.

How many days do you need for the French Riviera?

Although a city in the South of France is perfect for a weekend getaway, I would recommend at least 5–7 days to cover all these day trips comfortably.

Plan the rest of your trip