16 days in South of France Itinerary

Best known as a fortified town, Carcassonne is a walled city that provided the inspiration for the castle in Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" and the location for many scenes in Kevin Costner's movie "Robin Hood." For a daily dose of excitement, medieval jousting tournaments are held twice per day between the two walls--while this may sound like a typical touristy show, it's actually an entertaining display of combative competition and horsemanship.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Sat): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Carcassonne Cathedral, walk around Place Gambetta, then explore the world behind art at Musee des Beaux-Arts, and finally do a tasting at O'Vineyards. On the next day, snap pictures at Le Pont Vieux (The Old Bridge), get to know the fascinating history of Cité de Carcassonne, then don't miss a visit to La Porte D'aude, then pause for some serene contemplation at Eglise Saint-Nazaire, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise Saint-Vincent de Carcassonne.

For maps, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Carcassonne trip itinerary builder site.

Boston, USA to Carcassonne is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train. You'll lose 6 hours traveling from Boston to Carcassonne due to the time zone difference. In September, daily temperatures in Carcassonne can reach 77°F, while at night they dip to 57°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Sun) so you can drive to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle.

On the 11th (Mon), make a trip to Chateau des Milandes, admire the natural beauty at Les Jardins de Marqueyssac, and then steep yourself in history at Chateau de Beynac. On the next day, step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Castelnaud and then see the interesting displays at Musee du Patrimoine Agricole et Automobile de Salviac.

Before you visit Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

You can drive from Carcassonne to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle in 3.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and taxi; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Carcassonne in September, Castelnaud-la-Chapelle is a bit cooler at night with lows of 51°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Tue) so you can catch the flight to Nice.

Well-known for the beautiful views of its famous Promenade des Anglais waterfront, Nice is an ethnically-diverse coastal port city on the French Riviera and the fifth most populated city in France.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Nice: Cannes (Lérins Islands, Vieux Port, &more), Galerie Lifetime Gallery (in Mougins) and Musee Picasso (in Antibes). There's lots more to do: take a stroll through Old Town, test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, pause for some serene contemplation at Cathedrale Saint-Nicolas a Nice, and stroll the grounds of Cimetiere du Chateau.

Make your Nice itinerary with Klarna Trips to find out what to see and where to go.

You can fly from Castelnaud-la-Chapelle to Nice in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. Traveling from Castelnaud-la-Chapelle in September, plan for a bit warmer nights in Nice, with lows around 65°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Porto.

On the 17th (Sun), get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, then take a memorable drive along D81, and then cruise along Torra d'Omigna. On your second day here, identify plant and animal life at Calanques de Piana, kick back and relax at Plage de Ficajola, then look for all kinds of wild species at Nature Reserve of Scandola, and finally make a trip to Les Calanche Cliffs.

For photos, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, use the Porto driving holiday planner.

You can fly from Nice to Porto in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry, train, and car. Traveling from Nice in September, expect a bit cooler with lows of 60°F in Porto. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Mon) so you can catch the flight to Avignon.

An ancient town center surrounded by medieval ramparts, Avignon is a major city of Provence and a Mediterranean city in the Vaucluse department on the left bank of the Rhône River.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Tue): trek along Le Sentier des Ocres, admire the masterpieces at Carrieres des Lumieres, and then see exotic creatures in open habitats at Wine Safari. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: step into the grandiose world of Palais des Papes, then snap pictures at Pont d'Avignon, and then awaken your taste buds at some of the top wineries in the area.

To find more things to do, photos, maps, and more tourist information, use the Avignon trip tool.

You can fly from Porto to Avignon in 2.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of car, train, ferry, and bus. In September, daily temperatures in Avignon can reach 79°F, while at night they dip to 57°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Wed) so you can go by car to Marseille.

The 2013 European "Capital of Culture," Marseille is the largest port city on the breezy Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in France.

Explore Marseille's surroundings by going to Route des Cretes (in La Ciotat) and Trolib (in Cassis). Spend the 22nd (Fri) exploring nature at Parc National des Calanques. There's lots more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, get engrossed in the history at Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, wander the streets of The Panier, and take a leisurely stroll along Le Vieux Port.

To see maps, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Marseille trip app.

Getting from Avignon to Marseille by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In September in Marseille, expect temperatures between 79°F during the day and 60°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sat) early enough to fly back home.