A Summer Voyage Perfect For You

A Summer Voyage Perfect For You

There is a reason your mom wants to visit New York and California and London and Tokyo. It’s because she wants to. But have you ever wondered about where you truly want to visit in the months that follow the end of a stressful school year? Have you ever wanted to explore a place that is beautiful, charming, and fits your own style, rather than your mom’s? Have you ever stopped in your tracks at the airport and thought, why am I even going here in the first place? In the following guide, you will discover numerous curated experiences that aren’t just handed to you by your mom but instead can be personalized to your own taste.

Un voyage dans le magnifique sud de la France

A journey to the beautiful South of France

France is home to some of the most beautiful sights, intricate museums, and graceful architecture The name “France” often invokes a vision of the crowded capital city of Paris—with petite cafés surrounding monuments you may have read in your history books like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. Yet there is also the South, as beautiful as the centre of France. The coastline cities and villages could offer an escape route out of the sometimes stressful Chadwick community and schoolwork and projects—into a world where beautiful nature meets fascinating places packed with stories.

“The whole future of art is to be found in the South of France.” - Van Gogh

Southern France is a tropical playground, a place to swim and surf and hike the cool green hills; or explore the beautiful vineyards (Mom will be happy if you want to go near her beloved wine). Taking photos of your trip there would definitely serve as something to remember and treasure with your family & friends, and any souvenirs you take home will be the coolest in your drawer.

Marseille, where history dawns on the Mediterranean

The Basilique Notre-Dame and the Fort Saint-Jean allow for a panoramic view of the rich French history, while MuCEM, a modern museum, brings light to a modern jem of architecture. There are also natural beauties, like the limestone cliffs of the Calanques, so famous for its beautiful hikes, the gentle waves of the Prado Beaches, and the peaceful escape of the Îles du Frioul. You could also tour the Marché Noailles for a dip into the lively, multicultural identity true Marseille is like.

Avignon, a historic tourist site buzzing with culture

Avignon is a bustling city that is still full of evidence of the Medieval Town you once learned in history class. Now you can see them for real! The magical aura the city surrounds itself in is one of the most amazing parts about the place—what was once the seat of the Catholic Popes now a fortified smaller city along the Rhône.

One of the many places to visit for lunch is Cuisine Centr’Halles, a market hall. You can savor fish, cheese, pastries, and more—with the additional option of taking a cooking class. After lunch, you can tour the Palais de Papes, where past popes used to dwell. Then you can head over to the Point d’Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the pilgrimage route between Italy and Spain during the Middle Ages. You can also visit Parc Rocher des Doms and cool off from the summer heat with a sorbet or glace (ice cream). Some of the other famous tourist places to go to include the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), the Pont d’Avignon, a famous medieval bridge, Rue des Teinturiers (Street of the Dyers), and many more.

Provence & Roussillon, where the rainbow of nature meets human civilization

Have you ever wanted to visit a mythical land like those found in fairy tales? Southern France is known for its beautiful lavender hills. Depending on your love of purple flowers, you can do a full-day or half-day tour of the lavender fields in Provence. Personally, I would recommend a full day in the countryside to see all the pretty lavender fields and charming villages. Any photo you snap here would definitely gain you up to dozens of followers; and a bonus: You can run through the fields in that maniac way your mom has never permitted inside the house and your teacher has never permitted at school hallways.

You could also visit the golden-colored village of Roussillon, 15 minutes away from Bonnieux by car. Not only are there lavender fields but there are also cliffs stained bright red called the Sentier des Ocres that you could hike through. Then, drive to the medieval village of Gordes, where you can tour the stunning Abbaye Notre Dame de Sénanque. Overall, the small village is considered to be one of the most beautiful in France—dating back to the era of the Romans in Gaul, where you walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans and the fallen soldiers of countless wars. Imagine yourself as a Roman soldier walking the streets full of crazy people.

Nice, a true star in the universe of Southern France

The city of Nice is a great spot to have dinner (the biggest and most famous city in South France has everything you could possibly want so you won't be forced to eat the stuff Dad normally cooks). Nice also has beautiful cathedrals and city architecture that mixes elegant French design with the medieval style of the 16th century, if you’re the kind of person interested in buildings and architecture. You could explore the marketplace, eat your famous dish at a famous restaurant, or climb the famous Castle Hill with your little sibling. The coastal towns of St. Tropez and Cannes are less known to tourists. They are famous for their luxury resorts, and renowned restaurants. Many celebrities go to St. Tropez, so don’t be surprised if you see your favorite TV star or football player! Somewhat later in the day (don’t stay in St. Tropez for the night unless you’re Taylor Swift—or are dying to have a minuscule chance to see Taylor Swift in the hotel—they are extremely expensive), head over to Cannes. Cannes is famous for the exuberant Cannes Film Festival, in May, as well as its sandy beaches and luxury hotels.

While rolling down the tracks on a 35-minute train ride away from Nice, you can experience the glittering metropolis disappearing under forests and lakes; to be replaced by red-brick walls and medieval-style architecture. These types of buildings can be commonly found in the Riviera, the coast near the Italian Border; and a trip to South France is incomplete without at least one of the towns there. Then, you can be off to Monaco, a separate mini country (the 2nd smallest in the world), where the richest people in Europe dwell or have summer homes.

Monaco, the place in the movies that’s outlined in gold and diamonds and fancy hotels—then ran through with a droid, Resistance fighters, and stormtroopers

Monaco is a whole other world located in the South of France—partly because it’s another country! It’s the second smallest country in the world, after Vatican City, but it’s also one of the most beautiful. If you get to see it at night, you can see the whole city lighting up like a firework—but it’s also filled with museum wonders. I know, museums are typically the things that you want to AVOID in a no-mom-advice trip, but a museum where you can touch small sharks with your own hand isn’t really a “typical” museum. Called the Oceanographic Museum, it’s one of the most popular places to go in Monaco; with special areas just for tourists. After going there, consider just going for a walk along the shore to end the day: The view can be really incredible, even if it’s not so action-packed.

Feel free to check out more links from Cote d’Azur France, NYT Travel, the Times Travel, and more, to figure out your best travel plan for more personalization on your visit to France! Hope you have lots of fun there, and your mom too!

From the 36 Hours collection in the New York Times Travel Magazine:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/25/travel/things-to-do-nice.html?unlocked_article_code=1.b04.FPsu.jiajOHfIr07p&smid=url-share

From a 2-day Itinerary in Nice, France, on browneyedflowerchild.com:

https://browneyedflowerchild.com/what-to-do-in-nice-for-2-days/

From The Times collection on Travel:

https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/france/nice/best-things-to-do-nice-x9v2qnmbr