Best places to enjoy spring in the south of France

The sun comes early to the south of France, ahead of the summer crowds, making this area a favourite destination when you crave blue skies, warm sunshine and a break to blow the winter blues away.

Take a look at some of the best places to enjoy spring in the south of France.

Where to spend spring in southern France

The clink of glasses, the aroma of a fine wine, the faint plink of Champagne bubbles bursting. The smell of fresh baked bread, croissants, real chocolate or French coffee at a terraced café. The sight of cheeses on a stall at the market and the view from a hilltop town in the sun. There’s always a good reason to visit France.

Spring is especially lovely though, so, fling off your cardigan, grab your camera and head off to some of the prettiest towns in France to have your fill of spring fun and make memories you’ll cherish.

Sunny Avignon in Provence is known as the city of the popes thanks to its monumental Palace that popes once called home. It’s a lively all year round city with plenty to do and see.

Nice is always nice – whatever the time of the year. In spring it’s warm enough to dine al fresco, sunbathe on the beach and enjoy the outdoor life. Combined with the most delicious restaurants and welcoming bars to sit and watch the world go by, cultural venues galore and the captivating Cours Saleya market, it’s one of the most popular cities in the south.

Aix-en-Provence is a great place to be when the spring leaves make an appearance on the plane trees. The Cours Mirabeau is bathed in sunshine, fountains sparkle and cafés open their doors and pavement tables are filled with people keen to enjoy the spring air. At dusk, head to the top of Mont Sainte-Victoire, loved by Cezanne who lived and worked here. It, blushes pink as the sun sets.

Get out of the city and head for the hills

Fields full of wildflowers, poppies and irises, the spring sun lighting up stone buildings in medieval hilltop villages. Markets bursting into life and terraced cafés bustling with customers sitting outside in the spring sun. It’s a wonderful time to discover the countryside of southern France…

What we love:

Hiking at the Calanques National park in with its cliffs and limestones creeks known as the French Fjords. Or take a boat ride from Marseille or Cassis to see the sites from the water.

Getting lost in a maze of cobbled streets and admiring blue shuttered stone houses in gorgeous villages like Lourmarin, Ménerbes, Vaison la Romaine and Oppède le Vieux.

Watching the vines coming to life and visit boutique vineyards to enjoy a glass of rosé, the drink of Provence.

Wandering the pretty village and hillside botanical gardens at Eze overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

When it comes to sight-seeing, you’ll have museums and chateaux to yourself, no crowds standing in front of the glorious paintings and sculptures or queuing to traipse through gorgeous rooms. Some of the busiest places in the south of France become so much more accessible out of season, and if you like to roam cobbled streets and ogle stunning buildings in peace – now’s the time to do it.