South of France for 2 weeks

[Molowolo]

We have 2 weeks in S of France (flying in and out of Nice) in July.

we’d like to split it between two bases - maybe close to Aix for 1 week and closer to Nice for the second week.

does anyone have suggestions of nice villages/ towns to use as our base? We will have a car and will be staying in villas so don’t mind having to drive to get to things.

we loved St Remy a few years ago so looking for a similar sort of vibe …

thanks!

Very close to Aix you have the villages around the St. Victore. Le Tholonet, Vauvanenargue, Beaucreuil, small villages but close to Aix and good for walking. Or more into the Luberon and further away from Aix but probably 30 mins drive, Curcuron? Know area around Aix well less so the luberon, but happy to try and help.
Nice area I am not so familiar with but like Antibes, Juan les pins, villefrance sur mer,. Beaulieu sur mer.
Don’t like Cannes, Nice also not my cup of tea apart from a day trip.

I love Les Issambres. It's a lovely small seaside town in between St Maxime and Fregus.

Lovely beach and amenities.

Close to St Tropez and Port Grimauld. You can get a boat to both places or drive.

Also easy drive to Cannes.

I don't know Aix but the Luberon villages are beautiful. TheLuberon.com is a rental site that has great information about the villages although there won't be much left for the summer on that site I suspect. They are all beautiful and lovely to stay in one and explore the area if you have a car.

Èze and Grasse near Nice, and Martigues near Aix.
Uzès, Ménerbes and Gordes are lovely, but quite a trek from Nice.

I second Les Issambres. Also, close but more inland so possibly cheaper is Roquebrune sur Argens. Still only a few mins drive from the beach though.

Villefranche sur Mer is lovely, if £££. I would plan to use the train a lot, driving is a nuisance there in high summer, and the trains are fab.

I know the Nice area better, second the suggestion for Grasse or the villages surrounding as a possible base, it's a little way inland but a really nice small town in itself with things to do (the perfumery museums and tours are worth a look even if you aren't particularly into perfume, the process and history are interesting). Places I like around there are:

-Antibes (nice larger town with great galleries and museums)
-Juan Les Pins for the beach
-Valbonne (lovely village)
-Vence (for the Matisse chapel and another nice village)
-St Paul de Vence (not quite the same place as Vence but neighbouring)
-Cabris (cliffside village with stunning views and a hidden gem of a restaurant (Auberge De Vieux Chateau)

Cannes and St Tropez are OK but much more built up, Nice itself is worth a visit and there's things for kids there if you have them, a boat trip out is also nice or a wine tour, and you can hop across to Monaco for a day trip to see the super-yaucts and sports cars if that's of interest. If you were to stay in the city itself day trips out by train or bus become possible whereas inland you will need a car.

We have stayed in Hyeres, and Le Lavandou harbours, so always something to see. Train along the coastal area was good. St Tropez is hell with a car. Train and bus was very good. It is still worth going to visit once in your life.
As someone said all roads can be choked.

Uzes is lovely - pretty town with a very busy Saturday market. Lots of villages to explore close by, day trip to Nimes is worth a visit, Pont du Gard, Avignon, canoeing or swimming on/in the Gard or you can venture up to the Ardeche. Bit off the beaten track but a lovely area.

Just back from Villefranche. Lovely town, sheltered bay and we found everyone very friendly. Only 1.50E for the bus to Nice and the train serves Monaco.

Castillane for easy access to the Gorges du Verdon and Lake Castillon. Followed by Ramatuelle for the beautiful beaches around L'Escalet! Heaven.

I also second Villefranche.

Lovely beach and great transport links to Nice and Monaco

St Tropez, St Raphael.

However are you sure there are villas (affordable villas) free for July this year? Most places get booked up very quickly and July is a month most schools are off.

Thanks all for the advice. We have narrowed down our areas and found a few potentials! Plenty of villas are still available to rent but I’m sure I’ve missed the best / best priced by booking late. Still some lovely options to choose from although we inevitably had to raise the budget slightly 😂