4 Perfect Weekend Getaways in the South of France

It's no surprise that France is so popular among tourists. Unfortunately, when most people think of this beautiful country, the first image that pops to mind is Paris with its iconic Eiffel Tower, and their imagination often stops there. Yet, there's so much more to see than the admittedly alluring capital.

Have you been working hard for months, and feel like you need a break from it all? Do you enjoy stunning beaches, quaint villages, and delicious food? Who doesn't, right? Then southern France is the perfect destination for your much-deserved weekend getaway. Whether you're traveling with that special someone, a group of friends, or by yourself, this region offers endless possibilities for unforgettable weekends.

The Perched Villages of Côte d’Azur

Côte d'Azur or the French Riviera, is already famous for its Mediterranean coastline and glamourous beach resorts. But if you're looking for a long and restful weekend so you can wander through streets, enjoy the beautiful scenery and have a cup of coffee under a sunny terrace, you only need to go a few kilometers further to discover a world so close and yet so far.

These hilltop villages are one of the best-kept secrets of the region and also one of its most spectacular destinations. You can slow down and enjoy the kind of peace and silence that has become so rare.

If Vence and Saint Paul are already quite well-known, there are still many other elusive gems you can find. You can rent a car and go on two main itineraries: either you start exploring from Nice on the left bank of the River Var and visit Aspremont, Bellet, Levens ad Falicon; or you can start from Cannes, on the right bank and see Gattières, Broc and Carros. You'll get to admire the landscape from numerous viewpoints over the sea and the mountains, as well as try authentic dished from local produce.

Ardèche

Ardèche may not be the first name that springs to mind when you're planning a holiday in the south of France, but we're sure that once you visit, you'll fall in love with its wild landscape, country roads, and charming villages.

Ardèche just so happens to host one of France's most popular cycling events called L'Ardéchoise, which means this is the perfect place for a bicycle tour. You can also go to the Cévennes National Park and do some sports climbing or take your kayak or canoe on the many rivers and streams in the region.

If you're more of a history buff, book a visit to the Caverne du Pont-d'Arc, an impressive replica of the Chauvet Cave. As you may already know, in 1940, when the ancient cave paintings of Lascaux were discovered, many eager tourists flocked to see them. Sadly, over the decades, this resulted in a deterioration of the paintings, convincing the French government that it would be better to build a replica – Lascaux II, which is what people visit today. The paintings of the Chauvet Cave also date back more than 30,000 years, but they were discovered in 1995, when, having learned from past mistakes, the government decided that access would be restricted.

At Grotte Chauvet II you'll see expertly made replicas of not just the paintings, but of the entire cave. Moreover, the adjacent museum displays full-sized recreations of the same prehistoric animals you'll see depicted in the paintings, and the tour guide will take you through the cave's history.

Avignon

No trip to Provence can be complete without a visit to Avignon. Once the center of Christendom, it's one of the most fascinating destinations in this region. The Palace of the Popes (or Palais de Papes, as it's called here) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and among the most historically significant Gothic buildings in all of Europe. It was home to no fewer than nine popes, and on your tour, you can see their private apartments.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site is the Pont Saint-Bénézet, which you may know as Pont d'Avignon after the famous children's song. Its real name comes from a shepherd boy who God allegedly ordered to build a bridge over the river Rhône. According to this story, he was at first ridiculed, but he was able to show that his project had divine origin by miraculously lifting a huge block of stone.

If you visit in July, you'll also get to experience the Festival d'Avignon, one of the biggest cultural events in France which, for three weeks, transforms the city into a mesmerizing live theater with a full range of artistic performances.

Don't leave without trying a Papalines d'Avignon – a delicious chocolate truffle molded like a thistle and filled with liquor. The liquor is called Origan du Comtat, and it's made from oregano and 60 other plants found on Mont Ventoux. The sweetness comes from Provence honey. This liquor is rather famous in France, and it was first produced in 1870 at the A. Blachère distillery, one of the oldest in Provence.

Arles

Do you want to see some well-preserved Roman monuments without struggling through the massive crowds in Italy? Then Arles is the place for you! The Arles Amphitheater dates back to 90 A.D. and was built to have enough room to seat 20,00 spectators. You'll be walking through the same place where the masses were entertained with chariot races and gladiator fights.

On the southeastern edge of the old town, you'll find the Alyscamps, an extensive Roman necropolis, and another testimony of the Arles' rich history. Dante makes reference to this necropolis in his Inferno. The most ornate sarcophagi, as well as many other ancient artifacts discovered in the region, are displayed at the Musée de l'Arles et de la Provence Antiques. This is one of the most important archeological museums in the south of France and well worth a visit.

The building of the "Blue Museum" looks quite modern on the outside, but it has a 64,000 square foot Roman-inspired garden. Inside the museum, there's a restoration center and a vast exhibition space, which includes the artifacts we mentioned, an ancient 100-feet long barge discovered in 2004, and many other temporary collections. By the end of your tour, you'll gain a broad and insightful perspective on Roman culture.

Cynthia Madison is a young blogger and economics and marketing graduate. She writes about home, lifestyle and family topics and is a senior contributor to popular niche publications.