Exploring the South of France by Car
Guest Blog Series – We’ve asked travel experts to create the best European road trips itineraries. This guest blog post is written by Janice Chung of the popular travel blog, France Travel Tips. Read on to find out where she recommends you visit along the south of France. The journey from Bordeaux to Marseille along the south of France covers just about 600 miles and takes you to a wide variety of sites and experiences. There are so many opportunities where you can discover the world of wine, fortresses, and châteaux, seaside towns with great seafood, and unspoiled hillside villages.
Looking for other things to do in France? Check out our other Drive to Discover guides where we explore the best road trips in France including a
Bordeaux Wine Tour, a
History Tour, and a
Golf France road trip route.
Print this Drive to Discover Guide
| Driving Itinerary |
Distance |
Driving Time |
| Bordeaux to Cordes sur Ciel |
174 miles |
2 hours 54 minutes |
| Cordes sur Ciel to Carcassonne |
109 miles |
1 hour 57 minutes |
| Carcassonne to Collioure |
92 miles |
1 hour 32 minutes |
| Collioure to Sete |
109 miles |
1 hour 46 minutes |
| Sete to Aigues-Mortes |
33 miles |
48 minutes |
| Aigues-Mortes to Marseille |
85 miles |
1 hour 33 minutes |
| To Marseille Provence Airport |
15 miles |
23 minutes |
| Total Distance Covered: |
615 miles |
Read on to Drive to Discover the adventures that await you in France!
1. Bordeaux: La Cité du Vin
Certainly the southwest area of France is renowned for its wine, and recently Bordeaux opened an interactive museum called
La Cité du Vin where one can discover everything there is to know about wine: history, culture, and the wine making process from around the world. The latest technology has been incorporated into the exhibits and visitors are provided with headphones and an electronic guide that syncs to the various displays. Adults and children will find the “Le Buffet Des 5 Sens” (Buffet Of The Five Senses) exhibit particularly interesting as it is very hands-on. When you're ready to depart, pick up your
car rental at Bordeaux and hit the road!
Next stop: 2 hours & 54 minutes
2. Cordes-sur-Ciel: One of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
Cordes-sur-Ciel is a town perched high on a hill just north of Toulouse and is so well preserved, you might think you were back in the 1200s when the town was built. There are many homes built in the 1300s still standing. For centuries the town was known as Cordes. In 1993 the town’s people decided to change the name to Cordes-sur-Ciel to indicate that it was high above in the clouds (“Cords in the sky”). It has been designated “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”, one of the most beautiful villages in France and it is one of the popular places to visit in the south of France too. Today it is a major arts and crafts center with the Cordes sur Ciel Music Festival running each July where concerts are held in the Église Saint-Michel. Travelers with less time could
rent a car in Toulouse and continue on to explore the south of France.
Next stop: 1 hour & 57 minutes
3. Carcassonne: Medieval Castle
If you were to imagine seeing a medieval castle, Carcassonne would be the perfect model. It has La Cité, the fortified walled town from the 1200s that became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. As you might expect from a castle, there’s a drawbridge, double walls, and stone towers that form the fortress. Enjoy exploring the ramparts and wandering through the network of cobblestone paths past local stores and restaurants.
Next stop: 1 hour & 32 minutes
4. Collioure: Seaside Relaxation and Hiking
Collioure is a seaside town in the south of France that is just 15 miles north of Spain and therefore has a strong Spanish (Catalan) influence. While not as flashy as some of the towns in the Côte d’Azur, Collioure is known to have one of the best beaches in Europe. It’s worth hiking up to Fort Saint-Elme to get a panoramic view of the harbor and 800-year-old fortress (Château Royal de Collioure) which overlooks the bay.
Next stop: 1 hour & 46 minutes
5. Sète: Little Venice of Languedoc
While Sète is a busy fishing port, it is also known as the Little Venice of Languedoc due to the network of canals. Visitors and locals enjoy relaxing at one of the bars, cafes and restaurants which overlook the Canal Royal. If you're interested in art, be sure to check out the Musée Paul Valéry. While pieces related to the sea is often highlighted, recently a major exposition of the work of Spanish painter, Joan Miro was featured. A long, steep hike (or drive) up to Mont Saint-Clair is also worth the journey for the magnificent views of Sète and the Mediterranean.
Next stop: 48 minutes
6. Aigues-Mortes: Medieval Festival
Aigues-Mortes is a medieval walled town located 20 miles east of Montpellier in the Gard department of France. You can walk around the entire perimeter of the town on the upper ramparts where there are video displays in some of the towers. At the end of August, the town holds a medieval festival to celebrate “La Fête de la Saint Louis”, named after the town’s founder.
Next stop: 1 hour & 33 minutes
7. Marseille's: Harbor
Marseille is the third largest city in France and in 2013, it was named the European Capital of Culture, by the European Union. The
Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM) focuses just on the Mediterranean and it has a large outdoor area giving you great views of the city and harbor. Be sure not to leave Marseille without sampling the seafood which is plentiful and incredibly fresh in this town.
Discover the South of France with A Car Rental From Auto Europe
If you’d like other things to do in France, check out our
Road Trips in France, and if you’d like to see how much you can save on your next trip by bundling your
hotel reservation and car rental, give our travel specialists a call toll-free at
1-888-223-5555. We look forward to helping you plan the ultimate trip to
France, or wherever your travels take you.
Janice Chung is a seasoned traveler who has journeyed to France more than 26 times and loves sharing unique experiences and insider tips on her blog,
France Travel Tips. Jan has a passion for authentic experiences that involve food, wine, fitness, learning, the outdoors, and the arts.
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