The French Riviera Road Trip: A Romantic Getaway Itinerary

Difficulty

+560 km

Distance

4 - 7

Recom. Days

Romantic

Trip type

Photo
Jeremy Sudibyo

Indie Campers’ travel writer and brand specialist. Hasn’t seen nearly as much of the world as his job title suggests. Surfer, stargazer, and the sea otter’s spirit animal.

French Riviera Road Trip Itinerary: Marseille Round-Trip

French Riviera Road Trip map itinerary

Google Maps

On a pastel coast, a colourful campervan turns down meandering roads, windows rolled down, Edith Piaf on high volume. Two bright-eyed darlings hum along while they take in the vertiginous views and enjoy each others company… ah, l’amour.

Few getaways are as romantic as the French Riviera. Dotted with cute towns and green capes, it’s easy to see why the Côte d’Azur in the South of France has long welcomed aristocrats and artists to its palm-lined boulevards. On this French Riviera road trip itinerary for two, explore the intimate nooks and crannies of a coast sure to stir up a flame.

Menton is a coastal town on the Cote d'Azur close to the French border with Italy
Pick-up in
Marseille Depot
1

Secluded paradise in the Calanques of Cassis

Overlooked by towering cliffs and an old castle, Cassis is a quaint fishing port with old quarters and a charming harbour. Life here is unhurried. Boats bob about, fathers and sons play petanque on the town square, lively chatter rises from the surrounding terraces.

The town on the French Riviera makes for a lovely visit by itself, but the real attraction is the Calanques, a national park of breathtaking sea inlets with overgrown canyons and sparkling waters. 

Calanques in France on a French Riviera Road Trip

Pick up your van in Marseille and make for your first French Riviera road trip destination, Cassis. Here you can adjust your senses to the Côte d’Azur: stroll the sloping streets and lively marina, challenge the locals in a 2v2 game of petanque, and have the day’s catch for dinner.

Next morning, explore the Calanques to find a secluded beach for two. Either hike along the trails this park has to offer, or rent a kayak and take to the water — a fun addition to your romantic itinerary!

Visiting

Cassis

1 - 2

Recom. Days

Main route

37 miles

from the Marseille depot

1h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Les Calanques de Cassis

Green canyons, creeks, and hidden bays

Signal

Eat at

Belle Roche

$$$$

Exceptional French cooking, romantic terrace

La Nonna d’Oro

$$$

Mediterranean, good fish, harbourside

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Parking

Street parking

$$$

Crowded, at 5-10 min walk from centre

Relais des Gorguettes

$

Free car park with cheap shuttle bus

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Stay at

Camping les Cigales

$$$

Cosy, close to center and Calanques

2

Hyères and the green Giens Peninsula

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 make for an alluring sight.

And while 4 km inland, the sloped city can lay claim to a most exquisite coastline, the Giens Peninsula, a lush green headland with 39 km worth of sandy beaches. 

Hyères view, a main point on the French Riviera Road Trip

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 Templar Tower. Visit the strikingly modernist Villa Noailles for a contemporary take on Hyères.

Next (or skip the city altogether), add Giens to your itinerary for a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean. Bring two snorkelling kits to catch a glimpse of the rich underwater life. The peninsula also makes for a great hiking spot.

Visiting

Hyères

1/2 - 1

Recom. Days

Main route

37 miles

from Cassis

1h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Giens Peninsula

Lush peninsula with beaches, salt marshes, and waterbirds (flamingos!)

Villa Noailles

Modernist art centre set in a 1920s mansion

Signal

Eat at

Le Pothuau

$$$

Quality seafood, try the bouillabaisse

RV icon

Parking

Salt Marshes

Free

Public parking space on Giens Peninsula

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Stay at

Parking Les Cabanes du Gapeau

Free

Motorhome parking at the beach, limited capacity

3

Lavish life in Saint-Tropez

This chic city is the epitome of jet-set glamour, steadily attracting the rich and famous since before a skimpily-clad Brigitte Bardot made Saint-Tropez her playground. Here you’ll spot yachts like cruise ships and cars worth houses.

Needless to say, Saint-Tropez is a pricey addition to your South of France road trip itinerary — camping out in a campervan avoids costs and makes the city far more accessible! Another way to save a little is by eating out during lunchtime when menus are cheaper.

Beautiful house by the water with a yatch on the right side, a cenary of the French Riviera Road Trip

A good way to get your bearings upon arrival in Saint-Tropez is by heading up to the citadel overlooking the city and the Mediterranean. Then head down to the harbour to both do boat and people spotting. Or to nearby Escalet Beach for a seriously stunning ocean vista.

For casual couple time, pick a terrace for apéritif. For a très exclusive dinner, La Vague d’Or is the crop of the cream of Saint-Tropez’ already exclusive gastronomic scene.

Visiting

Saint-Tropez

1

Recom. Days

Main route

37 miles

from Hyères

1h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Plage de l’Escalet

Idyllic beach in green bay with shallow azure waters

Chateau Colterra

Vineyards, winery, and wine tasting at this estate

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Eat at

Table du Marché

$$$

Modern bistro, affordable set courses

La Vague d’Or

$$$$$

Golden 3-star gastronomy, premium price

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Parking

Parking du Nouveau Port

$$

Big parking lot next to city centre

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Stay at

Plage de Pampelonne

$$

Motorhome parking, facilities, WiFi, shuttle

4

Menton, a French-Italian garden of Eden

Bordering Italy to the east and often overlooked, Menton is France’s finest frontier commune. The ultra-charming town sports Italian looks to go with its French finesse, is as glamorous as Saint-Tropez but without the glitter, has gardens greener than Giens, overlooks a coast strewn with secluded beaches, and supposedly has a microclimate that bumps up local thermometer-readings by three degrees. 

Sea view throught colorful buildings on the French Riviera Road Trip

Heading to Menton on your French Riviera road trip itinerary, pick one of three romantic Corniche Routes (and pick another on your way back!). The Lower Basse Corniche goes coastal, the Moyenne Corniche combines cliffside vistas with modern roads, and the Grande Corniche is a vertiginous ride reserved for daredevils.

On arrival, calm your nerves in a botanical garden. Or find refreshment in a glass of cold lemon wine or local limoncello, crafted from the fruits d’or Menton is famous for.

Next, acquaint yourself with the celebrated artist Jean Cocteau, who displayed his limitless creativity lavishly in Menton. Finally, stroll the streets of Menton during sunset for an everlasting shared memory — and photo!

Visiting

Menton

1 - 2

Recom. Days

Main route

96 miles

from Saint-Tropez

2h30min - 3h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Salle des Mariages

Wedding hall styled by Cocteau and decorated in his murals

Garden Serre de la Madone

Scenic garden perfect for romantic strolls

Signal

Eat at

Si Menton Savait

$$$

Cosy interior, friendly staff, great food

Le Bistrot des Jardins

$$$

Romantic patio, delicious traditional food

RV icon

Parking

Gare de Menton

$$

Parking at station, 10-min walk to centre

Boulevard de Garavan

$$$

Day and night parking overlooking old town

Signal

Stay at

Princiland Menton

$$

Public hillside campsite with facilities

Drop-off in
Marseille Depot

250 km

from Menton

2h45m

drive