11 Common Mistakes to Avoid on a South of France Trip
Planning a trip to the French Riviera can be overwhelming. With so many towns, beaches, and scenic drives, it’s easy to overdo it or miss the best parts.
Here are the most common mistakes travelers make when visiting the South of France, and how to avoid them.
1. Packing the Itinerary With Long Drives
Many travelers try to squeeze in Cassis, the Verdon Gorge, and even parts of Italy while basing themselves in Nice. On the map, it looks doable.
In reality, Cassis is more than five hours of driving for a day trip, and the Verdon Gorge can take four hours each way. That means most of the day is spent in the car.
These places are worth visiting, but only if you plan an overnight stay. Otherwise, you’ll spend your vacation on the highway instead of by the sea.
2. Skipping Nice Itself
Nice is often treated as a hub for day trips, but the city has plenty to offer. The Matisse Museum, the Old Town, and the local churches are worth visiting.
Even a simple walk along the Promenade des Anglais at sunrise shows off a different side of the city. Early risers love watching the red moon dip below the water while the sun comes up behind them.
Add in the food scene, markets, and seaside views, and you’ll see why Nice deserves more than a quick overnight.
3. Driving When the Train Is Easier
For nearby towns like Èze, Villefranche, Monaco, or Menton, the train is faster and far less stressful than driving. Parking in hilltop villages is scarce, and navigating coastal roads can be slow.
The train hugs the coastline and drops you off close to town centers and beaches. For day trips within the Côte d’Azur, it’s usually the best option.
Save the rental car for inland excursions like Verdon or Provence.
4. Crossing Borders for a Quick Meal
It may sound romantic to dash over to Italy for dinner, but in practice it’s a long detour. With limited time, there are better ways to spend an evening than driving across the border and back.
The Riviera already has thousands of restaurants and historic villages worth exploring. Places like Antibes, Grasse, Vence, and Menton are nearby and rich in character without hours of travel.
5. Splurging on Private Beach Clubs
Beach clubs in Saint-Tropez or Cannes charge around €60 for a chair and €20 for a cocktail.
The promise is exclusivity, but often the public beach right next to it is just as beautiful and free. Staff rarely enforce any real sense of privacy. For most travelers, the value isn’t there.
Public beaches across the Riviera are lively, scenic, and a better way to experience the Mediterranean.
6. Spending Too Much on the Wrong Accommodation
Airbnb prices on the Riviera can be shocking. It’s easy to spend €3000 for five nights in a modest place. At that budget, many hotels provide more comfort and value.
Daily cleaning, included breakfast, and a central location make hotels a smart choice if you plan to be out exploring all day.
Save the Airbnb splurge for when you want extra space or a unique setting that you’ll actually enjoy for more than a few hours each night.
7. Eating Only at Fancy Restaurants
The Riviera is full of high-end dining, but some of the best food is simple and inexpensive.
Local specialties include socca, pissaladiere, pan bagnat, and barbajuans. These are sold in bakeries, small stands, and casual food halls.
A favorite routine is grabbing pastries at a different boulangerie each morning, then enjoying a light street-food lunch, and saving restaurants for the evening.
It’s the balance of casual and sit-down dining that gives you a true taste of the region.
8. Forgetting How Late Dinner Starts
Dinner in France is not early. Sitting down at 8:30 or 9 PM is common. If you’ve been out since early morning and spent hours in the sun or in transit, exhaustion can set in before you even get to the table.
Pacing your days with breaks on the beach or at your hotel makes the evenings more enjoyable. Without downtime, you risk burning out halfway through your trip.
9. Cramming Sightseeing Without Relaxation
The Côte d’Azur is about more than ticking places off a list. The charm is in the balance, e.g. touring a village in the morning, then heading back to the beach in the afternoon. S
ome visitors make the mistake of stacking up towns and sights until there’s no time left to breathe. A slower pace, with space to wander or swim, lets you enjoy the atmosphere that makes the region special.
10. Expecting Sandy Beaches Everywhere
Many beaches in Nice and along the coast are pebbled. First-time visitors are often caught off guard when they arrive without proper footwear.
Water shoes or thick sandals help with getting in and out of the sea. If you prefer sand, spots like Plage de l’Escalet near Ramatuelle or Garoupe Beach in Antibes are better bets. Knowing this ahead of time prevents disappointment.
11. Skipping the Scenic Coastal Walks
Some of the most rewarding parts of the Riviera aren’t big destinations but the walks that connect them.
The path from Cap d’Ail to Monaco runs along the water with incredible views, and the Cap Ferrat coastal trail leads you to quiet coves and hidden beaches.
Skipping these walks means missing a chance to slow down and see the coast the way locals do.