South of France

Car holiday to the South of France - cheese or wine

Southern France, or 'Le Midi', refers to the areas of France bordering the Gironde in Spain, the Mediterranean Sea, and Italy and Switzerland south of the Jura Mountains. From the rolling and fragrant lavender fields of the high plains, to the fashionable port towns, and on to the more rolling mountain terrain is some of the draw, not to mention the delightful gastronomy. Golden olive oil, tasty tomatoes and delicious herbs reign supreme. Wine and cheese are, of course, two natural ingredients that will follow you wherever you go in the South of France. The wines of the Rhone Valley, Provence and the former Languedoc-Roussillon can boast famous names like Guigal's Côte-Rôtie, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Cornas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A drive holiday to the South of France can't fail to be a success, and it's easy to organise from home and with your own car. So pack the boot with all the essentials and set off to discover the South of France's storehouse of experiences.

At the foot of the French Pyrenees in Occitanie, formerly Languedoc-Roussillon, not far from Andorra and the border with Spain, lies Carcassonne. The famous medieval town simply must be experienced and there will be something to interest every member of the family. Try the exciting dishes inspired in medieval menus in one of the appealing medieval restaurants in the old fortress town. There's also plenty of history and ruins from the Cathars, who were wiped out as a religious denomination after the bloody battles of Montsegur at Rennes-le-Chateau in 1244. Not far from Carcassonne, Montpellier graces the entrance to Provençe. Steeped in Roman history, its gastronomy is exquisite, with lavender fields as far as the eye can see and oysters in every variety. The beautiful landscape has inspired countless famous artists, to name but a few, Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso and Van Gogh. In Provençe there is almost nothing but idyllic towns, but try starting with Gordes and its 16th century castle or feel the romantic and provincial atmosphere of L'Isle sur la Sorgue, known for its antique markets and fairs as well as cosy cafés and restaurants along the Sorgue river. Avignon is a classic, one of the pearls of the south of France, a cultural hub, the venue and the architectural masterpiece Palais des Papes, and should you have time, you can combine it with a trip to the famous Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard, while you're on your car holiday in south-west France.

The list of beautiful places is long, and further east is Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, bordering Italy to the east and the Mediterranean to the south. Famous and infamous cities adorn the French Riviera. Marseille, Saint Tropez, Canne and the small principality of Monaco with the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas where Grace Kelly is buried and the district of Monte Carlo and of course the 'Casino de Monte Carlo'. Here, it's the beautiful beaches, delicious restaurants and nightlife that are on the menu. Nice is also an exciting place to take a break. The city has had something of a turbulent history but a lush legacy in architecture and art and is particularly child-friendly with playgrounds, the Promenade de Paillon, fountains, Place Massena, and of course Parc Phoenix, which is a botanical garden and nature park with a focus on children. Explore the old town, where locally produced specialities such as wine and olive oil are sold, or visit the Château de Nice.

There's a wide range of options in the south of France, so take the whole family - at your own pace, as far as you like on your self-drive holiday.