It had been on my bucket list for many years to visit the South of France. I had been to France before but never ventured into the beauty of the south. It was a spontaneous girl’s trip with my housemate last July that finally saw my French dreams come true. The best part of the South of France is the proximity. Once you’re down there, you’re close to so many other iconic tourist attractions and places that there is no chance to ever feel bored.  

For any first timers, your central point should be always Nice. It’s where all flights to that area of France land into and it gives you access to so many other places to visit. Upon arrival at the airport you may decide that you want to take the metro to your hotel, but what many will find is how much of a tourist trap this is. When purchasing your metro card, it costs €10 for one return trip, but your return must be to the airport. Locals in Nice must laugh at tourists for paying this extortionate price when regular trips cost no more than €2. It was only towards the end of our trip that I realised what a scam the airport was running. The best way to get around this, is booking yourself a taxi. You’ll find that you can pay less than €10 for one and if you’re travelling with friends, it’s even cheaper. 

What I loved about Nice was the trains. As your centre-point, you can grab a train from Nice Ville and explore the south. On my trip, I ventured to Monaco. As the richest country and one of the smallest in the world, it was something that you could only dream of. With Lamborghini’s driving past every few seconds, it’s a country that you should experience at least once when in the South of France. You can grab a coffee at the Cafe du Paris, whilst sitting in Casino Square and taking in the true opulence Monaco has to offer. For Formula One fans, you can head around the circuit and end your trip by the harbour to explore Prince Albert’s car collection.  

Other trains will take you to Cannes, Antibes, Menton and Villefranche-sur-mer. All beautiful, these places are a great way of getting out of the hustle and bustle of Nice to get some peace on a sandy beach and explore the quaint villages of the south.  

When in Nice, one of the best areas to head for is Old Nice. This was one of my favourite parts of my trip as you really get to see Nice for what it truly is. With a stunning cathedral in the square, you’ll find yourself surrounded by cafes and restaurants. Here you can immerse your diet in the traditional French dishes of Moules Frites, Boeuf Bourguignon and Tartiflette.  

My main piece of advice would be to enjoy the south as much as possible. There’s so much to explore and the days can all blend into one. But find time to relax. Enjoy the expanse of the beach- as rocky as it is! Take a dip in the Mediterranean and soak in the sun.  

Photo Credits: Unsplash