There’s something about southern France that invites you to slow down. Maybe it’s the long lunches, the warm evenings that stretch on forever, or the way small villages seem to appear just when you’re ready for a coffee stop.
Whatever it is, this Southern France road trip is designed for travellers who don’t want to rush from highlight to highlight, but prefer to linger, wander, and explore at ground level.
We explore many of these historic centres using our self-guided France City Walks.
This itinerary follows a scenic route through Occitanie and Provence, linking Roman cities, medieval towns, dramatic landscapes, and coastal outposts. It’s a journey best done by car, best enjoyed slowly, and perfectly suited to travellers who value depth over distance.
For a broader overview of where to go, see our complete France Travel Guide.
Southern France Road Trip – At a Glance
This Southern France road trip itinerary starts in Montpellier and loops through some of the most rewarding places in the region:
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Cirque de Navacelles – one of France’s most dramatic natural landscapes
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Aix-en-Provence – refined, walkable, and effortlessly elegant
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Roman masterpieces, including Pont du Gard, Nîmes, and Arles
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Walled towns like Aigues-Mortes
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Canal-lined Narbonne
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Fairytale Carcassonne
It’s ideal for travellers exploring southern France by car, especially those who enjoy local food, historic centres, scenic back roads, and unhurried travel days.
Along the way, we detour through some of the most beautiful villages on the south coast of France.
How We Travel Longer in France Without Overspending
House-sitting has been one of the key ways we’ve been able to slow travel through France without constantly moving or blowing the budget. By caring for homes and pets, we reduce accommodation costs and can stay in one place long enough to really explore the region.
During this Southern France road trip, house-sitting allowed us to base ourselves in Montpellier, giving us the freedom to take relaxed day trips to Roman cities, villages, and coastal towns — and return “home” at the end of the day.
Staying longer means fewer packing days, more local routines, and the chance to discover places that rarely appear on fast-paced itineraries. It also pairs perfectly with exploring historic centres on foot.
If house-sitting isn’t for you, long-term Airbnb stays often offer discounted monthly rates, making them another practical option for slow travellers in France.
Why Hiring a Car Makes All the Difference
If you want to see the best of southern France, a rental car gives you the flexibility that trains simply can’t.
From Montpellier to inland villages like Cirque de Navacelles or historic towns such as Albi, you have two choices:
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Motorways with tolls (péage) – faster, but expensive
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Back roads through villages – slower, but far more rewarding
We almost always choose the second option. These roads lead you through vineyards, stone villages, roadside bakeries, and unexpected viewpoints. More than once, locals have pointed us towards places we’d never seen mentioned in a guidebook.
Road Trip Stops You Shouldn’t Miss
1. Cirque de Navacelles
The Cirque de Navacelles is one of those places where photos barely do justice to the scale.
Formed over millions of years by the River Vis, this vast limestone amphitheatre drops nearly 300 metres to a fertile valley below. What looks like an island is actually an ancient oxbow created when the river changed course, leaving behind rich soil that still supports farming today.
From the clifftop viewpoints, you can see two tiny villages tucked into the landscape. It’s quiet, dramatic, and unforgettable — exactly the kind of place a road trip makes possible.
2. Aix en Provence
Elegant, artistic, and wonderfully walkable, Aix-en-Provence has a relaxed sophistication that’s hard not to love.
Founded by the Romans in 123 BC, Aix is best explored on foot. The grand Cours Mirabeau, lined with plane trees and historic buildings, is the city’s social spine. Cafés spill onto the pavement, fountains murmur in the background, and the pace of life feels just right.
One of our favourite escapes is Parc Jourdan, a green haven with fountains, shaded paths, and glimpses of ancient ruins. Aix is also famous for its thermal springs, making it a popular place to unwind during the warmer months.
3. Beziers
Often overlooked, Béziers is worth a stop for its historic centre and views over the Orb River.
The climb up to the cathedral rewards you with panoramic vistas, and the Canal du Midi nearby offers gentle walking paths and classic southern French scenery.
4. Pont du Gard
Few sights in France stop you in your tracks like the Pont du Gard.
Built in the 1st century AD, this UNESCO-listed Roman aqueduct stands 49 metres high and stretches 275 metres across the Gardon River. It once carried water over 50 kilometres to the Roman city of Nîmes — an astonishing feat of engineering.
You can walk across it, swim beneath it in summer, or simply sit and admire how effortlessly it has endured for nearly 2,000 years.
5. Nimes
If you love Roman history, Nîmes delivers in spades.
The Arena of Nîmes, built around AD 70, is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, once holding up to 24,000 spectators. Nearby, the Maison Carrée, a perfectly proportioned Roman temple, is still standing almost intact.
Wander through the pedestrian streets, relax in the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, and stroll along the Quai de la Fontaine towards the serene Jardins de la Fontaine — one of Europe’s earliest public gardens.
And a fun aside: the word denim comes from serge de Nîmes. Levi Strauss famously used fabric stamped “501”, and history was made.
6. Arles
The city of Arles wears its history proudly.
The Roman arena here, also dating from AD 70, once hosted chariot races and gladiatorial contests. In the Middle Ages, it became a fortified village with over 200 houses built inside its walls.
Arles is also deeply connected to Vincent van Gogh, who lived here in 1888. Today, the city balances Roman grandeur, artistic heritage, and a lively café culture.
7. Aigues-Mortes
Just 30 minutes from Montpellier, Aigues-Mortes feels like stepping back into medieval France.
Founded in 1240 by King Louis IX, the town is completely encircled by 1.6 kilometres of defensive walls, all of which you can walk. From above, you look down into the compact old town or out across the surrounding salt flats.
The Constance Tower, with walls six metres thick, offers panoramic views after climbing its 137 steps — well worth the effort.
8. Narbonne
Compact, historic, and easy to explore, Narbonne was founded in 118 BC as Rome’s first colony outside Italy.
Known as Narbo Martius, it was once called “The First Daughter of Rome”. Today, remnants of that past appear unexpectedly, like the exposed Via Domitia outside the Archbishop’s Palace — the ancient Roman road linking Italy and Spain.
A walk along the Canal de la Robine reveals markets, quiet bridges, and the charming Pont des Marchands, where shops are built directly into the bridge itself.
9. Carcassonne
No southern France road trip feels complete without Carcassonne.
With its double walls, towers, and turrets, the medieval citadel looks almost unreal — especially at dusk when it’s softly lit. Inside, narrow streets wind past cafés, shops, and hidden corners, while the views from the ramparts stretch across the countryside.
Time to Say Goodbye
Eventually, every road trip ends. We found ourselves back at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, returning the car and saying farewell to southern France — at least for this chapter.
Our final days were filled with shared meals, laughter over board games, and one too many glasses of rosé. Like every good journey, it ended with plans to return — this time for Easter in Aix-en-Provence and a side trip to Marseille.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a car necessary for a Southern France road trip?
Yes. While trains connect major cities, a car is essential for visiting villages like Cirque de Navacelles and for enjoying scenic countryside routes.
How long do you need in Southern France?
Two weeks allows for a relaxed itinerary covering both inland villages and coastal towns. Slower travellers often prefer three to four weeks, especially when basing themselves in Montpellier or Aix-en-Provence.
What is the best base for day trips in Southern France?
Montpellier is an excellent base for Roman sites including Pont du Gard, Nîmes, Arles, Narbonne, and Aigues-Mortes.
If you’re planning a longer stay, this road trip pairs perfectly with our France Travel pillar page and our collection of France City Walks, designed to help you explore historic centres calmly, confidently, and entirely on foot.
Southern France rewards curiosity — and the slower you travel, the more it gives back.