{"id":220,"date":"2021-07-15T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-15T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/?p=220"},"modified":"2026-04-14T13:53:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T13:53:20","slug":"suedfrankreich-roadtrip-cote-dazur-provence-camping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/south-france-road-trip-cote-zur-provence-camping\/","title":{"rendered":"Southern France Road Trip 2026: Route, Map & Provence"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Southern France Road Trip<\/strong> was the culinary highlight of our Van Life European Adventure<\/a> \u2014and a scenic firework display of lavender fields, sea cliffs, and Proven\u00e7al villages. From the French Riviera<\/strong> about the Provence<\/strong> We spent several weeks in our van traveling to the wild Verdon Gorge and discovered that France is the perfect van-life country.<\/p>\n

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Southern France Route: C\u00f4te d'Azur, Glamour & the most beautiful bays<\/h2>\n

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The French Riviera<\/strong> (Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Monaco) is glamorous, beautiful \u2013 and a challenge for campers. Parking is expensive (\u20ac15-30\/day), and wild camping on the coast is strictly controlled. My tip: Don't camp directly on the coast, but 5-10 km inland \u2013 there you'll find relaxed campsites with bus connections to the coastal towns.<\/p>\n

Nice<\/strong> What impressed us most was the old town with its market (Cours Saleya), the Promenade des Anglais, and the possibility of being in the city in the morning and in the mountains in the afternoon. Gorges du Verdon<\/strong> (2 hours from Nice) are the \u201eGrand Canyon of Europe\u201c \u2013 turquoise waters, 700m deep gorges, perfect for kayaking and drone photography.<\/p>\n

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Provence self-drive tour: Lavender, wine & most beautiful villages<\/h2>\n

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The Provence<\/strong> Inland, the opposite of the hectic coast is true: quiet, rural, fragrant. Lavender fields<\/strong> (June-August, peak season mid-July) around Valensole<\/strong> and S\u00e9nanque<\/strong> The drone shots are a dream \u2013 endless purple lines against the backdrop of medieval stone villages.<\/p>\n

The \u201ePlus Beaux Villages de France\u201c in Provence: Gordes<\/strong> (Picture-perfect mountain village), Roussillon<\/strong> (red ochre rocks), Les Baux-de-Provence<\/strong> (Rock fortress with light show in the quarries). All three can be done in one day.<\/p>\n

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Camping in Southern France: pitches, costs & map of the regions<\/h2>\n

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\u201e"France Passion"\u201c<\/strong> This is a hidden gem for campers: For \u20ac30\/year you get access to over 10,000 free parking spaces at wineries, farms and craft workshops. You park at the winery, taste the wines and buy a few bottles \u2013 everyone's happy.<\/p>\n

Cost overview:<\/strong><\/p>\n