Starting in Nice by way of JFK, we roadside-napped our way through a beautiful drive up to Aix-en-Provence. From there, off to Marseilles (restaurant Baie des Singes is worth the rocky 10-minute walk), Cassis (the calanques are a must — and don’t forget decent walking shoes and a swimsuit), Cannes and then the finale, Tiara Yaktsa in Théoule-sur-Mer.
A car is highly recommended, as is a fearless attitude (and fingers crossed, an aptitude) for whipping around cliff side coastal roads.
Catherine Orchard is an illustrator and designer with a deep appreciation for all variations of the croissant. Oh yeah, and she’s Tumbling too.
© 2010-2011. TABLET TALK IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TEAM AT TABLET.
Dream trip!!!
we will be in that area in May, 2012.
Please send the itinerary
This is very similar to the trip my fiance and I took in early September. 2 nights in Maison d’Aix in Aix en Provence, 2 nights in Villa Belrose in Gassin in the hills above St. Tropez, and 2 nights in Tiara Yaktsa just south of Cannes. While in Aix we made 2 trips to Cassis, which was wonderful – the second day we rented a bot and anchored in Calanque en Vau, which was the highlight of the trip for me. An evening in St. Paul de Vence was also well worth it. All 3 hotels were magnificent, excellent locations, wonderful accommodations, fantastic service.
Love the artwork!
Spending way too much time dreaming when I could be waking uP and washing thOse dishes.
Bon voyage…
Gorgeous views, delicious wines, and a wonderful time!
hevean
Wonderful trip. Please, more details if available.
Ab-solutely love your dreamy quality of describing this paradise. Makes me want to be there. Thank you for sharing.
We are planning the trip as I write, I would love the itinerary as well
Inspiration ……….
Thank you for sharing this dreamy visual diary…MORE! And to echo others, please post itinerary!
Merci….
We just got back, spent a few days in Villefranche near Jean Cap Feret, 10 mins by train outside of Nice. Nice and quaint. We found we enjoyed little villages and old world part of most cities in the area. Then we spent a week in Cannes which was more our speed compared to villefranche. We had 3 solid beach days in Cannes and took a ferry to St Tropez for a day. Weather was perfect in September!
Everyone, thank you thank you for your wonderful comments! We were also lucky to have great September weather, despite some rainy mornings.
The itinerary details:
In Aix-en-Provence we stayed at Pavilion de Beauregard for 3 nights– a short drive outside the city, just amazing and low key. We ate at the farmer’s market on Cours Mirabeau, which is also a good spot for flea market junkies like me on Saturdays. There was also a antique book market that I sadly missed.
We took a day trip to Marseilles and hung out at Baie des Singes (you can actually swim and lounge in the private beach area).
Then to Cassis for one night. The calanques are my favorite spot, as is the little sandwich truck at the base of the park next to the (free!) parking. If you’re not up to hiking, there’s a boat ride, but I really recommend taking a long afternoon for swimming and wandering at your own pace. If you stay overnight in Cassis, try to plan ahead for parking.
One night over the border to Bordighera, Italy! The food there, even at the most basic of places, was just delicious. The old city is beautiful. Also, warm water as vivid and blue as Cassis.
Then, the Tiara Yaktsa, which was the most luxurious place we stayed. The concierge was incredibly helpful with places to go in Cannes. It was a incredibly nice ending to a trip that included a fair amount of car time.
Soundtrack tip: bring an iPod with a car adapter. We didn’t, and ended up buying two CDs at a roadside gas station: Elvis and Ray Charles at an unforgiving exchange rate.
Bon voyage!
Spent a wonderful second half of July on the coast. Flew into Nice then drove to Carcassone then back to an apartment in San Raphael. What wonderful days of mornings on the beach and afternoon trips to Grasse, Cannes, St. Tropez…absolutely beeautiful.
I loved the town of St. Raphael and the beaches but it was crowded. Does anyone have a recommendation for another town with great beaches andd access that is a little less hectic? Looking for something a bit quieter and simple and a parking place.
Thanks for the input. I am dreaming of a patisserie…a cafe…gelato…cote du rhone wine….
Aaaaahhh…
We just spent a few days in the area of Aix, after boating for a week on the Canal du Midi (highly recommend that, we went from Capestang past Carcassonne). We enjoyed the ultimate retreat outside of Aix in Saint Cannat, at Mas du Fauchon, PEACEFUL, beautiful rooms, amazing restaurant and service. Can’t wait to go back and spend a week or more someday.
Bon voyage tout le monde!