FRANCE

France is one of the most traveled countries in the world, but the gap between a generic trip and an exceptional one is wider here than almost anywhere else. The right village, the right hotel, the right stretch of coastline — it all makes an enormous difference. Our France coverage focuses on where that actually matters most: the South.

We’ve traveled through Provence, the Côte d’Azur, and Paris with kids and without, and everything here is based on firsthand experience. No hotel paid to be featured. No restaurant review is sponsored.

Where we cover in France:

The South of France — The umbrella term that covers everything from the glamorous Côte d’Azur to the lavender fields of Provence. This is where most of our France coverage lives, because it’s where the most interesting travel decisions get made. See our guide to the best hotels in the South of France and the best boutique hotels in the South of France for where to stay. And read about our Best Beach Towns in the South of France and if traveling with kids, our Travel Guide to the South of France with Kids.

Provence — Inland from the coast, Provence is a different France entirely: medieval hilltop villages, lavender fields, extraordinary markets, and a pace of life that makes a week feel genuinely restorative. It’s one of the best regions in Europe for families. Our one perfect week in Provence with kids covers everything you need to plan it well.

Cassis — A small, beautiful harbor town between Marseille and the Calanques that consistently gets overlooked in favor of Saint-Tropez and Nice. It shouldn’t. Cassis has a charming old port, exceptional seafood, dramatic limestone cliffs, and a fraction of the crowds. See our Cassis travel guide and best restaurants in Cassis for the full picture.

The Côte d’Azur beach towns — From Saint-Tropez to Antibes to the quieter corners of the coast, the French Riviera’s beach towns range from wildly glamorous to genuinely relaxed. Our guide to the best beach towns in the South of France helps you figure out which one is right for your trip.

Paris — Covered separately but worth including here: Paris with kids is significantly better than most people expect. The city is walkable, endlessly interesting, and full of experiences that work just as well for children as for adults. See our full Paris with kids travel guide.

Best time to visit France: The South of France is ideal from late May through June and again in September — warm, sunny, and far less congested than July and August. Peak summer is beautiful but brings heavy crowds and high prices, especially along the Côte d’Azur. Provence’s lavender blooms in late June and July, which is worth timing a trip around if you can. Paris is lovely almost year-round, with April through June and September through October being the sweet spots.