Today, the news broke that the UK government is working on plans for quarantine free travel for those who are double vaccinated.
And with France recently announcing it will allow fully vaccinated UK tourists to holiday in the country, many Brits desperate for a quick break in the sunshine, preferably with some beach time, superb food and culture, are turning their attention to potential city breaks in the South of France.
As if by magic, we’re here to recommend four of our favourites, each with something different to offer, for those keen for a weekend away in la République. So, whether you’re after beaches, bouillabaisse or boutique browsing, we’ve got you covered; here are 4 of the best weekend city breaks with a beach in the South of France.
*Before booking any holiday, please check the government’s latest France travel advice to avoid disappointment and prevent the potential for lost money caused by last minute cancellations*
NICE, ALPES-MARITIME
The capital of the glamorous, sometimes ostentatious French Riviera, Nice is reassuringly laid back, with an artistic soul and inclusive atmosphere a world away from its bling-obsessed neighbours.
Accordingly, a city break here needn’t be a rushed or stressful affair; flights from London to Nice in France take just two hours and can be found for as little as £86 for a return. What’s more, Nice Airport is just 5 miles from the Old Town. Either take a 20 minute taxi ride along the Promenade des Anglais or hop on the tram from Aéroport Terminal 2 to Durandy station, which takes around half an hour.
The Promenade des Anglais isn’t just the road that connects you from the airport to the Old Town; it also represents one of Nice’s key attractions, a strip superb for strolling, with views of the Baie des Anges on one side and striking art-deco architecture, the region’s iconic pastel-painted houses, and 19th Century regal palaces on the other. Alongside is a long stretch of pebble beach ideal for sprawling and sun lounging should the mood take you.
For an even more striking, panoramic view of the Riviera, head up to Parc de la Colline du Château, a historic park with a man made waterfall sitting atop Castle Hill, and accessible on foot.
Back at sea level, Nice boasts several world renowned art galleries. The city has been a haven for artists for centuries; Henri Matisse spent the latter half of his life in Nice and the city’s Musée Matisse contains one the world’s largest collections of his paintings, alongside objects and artefacts from his life as well as drawings, prints and sculptures.
ANTIBES, ALPES-MARITIME
An attractive hour’s drive south from Nice and you’ll arrive at Antibes. Visitors to this gorgeous coastal town should focus their attention on Antibes’ Old Town, which is an attractive tangle of cobbled streets, boutique shops and markets, and squares complete with continental coffee sipping and people watching. Heaven!
Before heading into the old town proper, though, first admire the ramparts which surround the town from the vantage point of one of the city’s urban beaches. Plage de Gravette is the closest, sitting just below the medieval centre. Or, a little further out is Plage du Plonteil, which boasts breathtaking views of both the old town’s walls and the Alps further afield. Yep, though you might be relaxing on a beach, skiing in the South of France is never far from reach!
A trip to Antibes is all about shopping, so after your recline on the sand, it’s time to hit the old town. To get a feel for the ebb and flow of this lovely place, make for Marché Provençal, open from sunrise until early afternoon each day in the high season, from June to September, with Mondays closed the rest of the year. Here you’ll find local charcuterie, cheese, and fresh fruit and vegetables, all of which are reliably high quality, and plenty of souvenirs, trinkets and clothes to buy, too.
After a pit stop at the Antibes’ main square, Place de Gaulle, for a pastry, coffee or perhaps even a glass of rosé (so popular in these parts), it’s time for a wander. Antibes old town is the perfect place to wander and get lost when shopping; you’ll chance upon some unique, one-of-a-kind finds, that we can guarantee!
MARSEILLE, BOUCHES-DU-RHÔNE
The late, great Anthony Bourdain described Marseille as ‘’a glorious stew of a city, smelling of Middle Eastern spices, garlic, saffron and the sea’’. And that certainly captures some of the vast appeal of this magnificent, much misunderstood city.
Let’s start with Marseille’s iconic fish stew, then. Beloved the world over, the aroma of the bubbling broth of bouillabaisse seems to permeate the city air, and if you’re to eat one thing while you’re here on your weekend city break, it has to be this. Traditionally made by Marseille fishermen to use up an excess of bony, hard to handle rockfish (those bones contributing to a deep, rich stock), the aromatic fish stew now adorns the tables of humble bistros and Michelin starred restaurants in the city and beyond.
If you’re after traditional, by-the-book versions of the saffron-infused stew, then try out Chez Fonfon, Le Rhul or Michelin-starred Chez Michel. For an ultra-refined, elaborate rendition of bouillabaisse, Marseille’s only three Michelin starred restaurant, Le Petit Nice, offers the soup in three parts – delicious, rather than deconstructed – whilst still retaining its soul.
With flights from London to Paris clocking in at just over an hour and the ultra fast TGV INOUI direct train from the capital to Marseille taking around 3, you can be elbows deep in broth by lunchtime if you set off in the early morning.
That said, and although we’d travel halfway across the world for this stew, Marseille has so much to offer beyond the food. For one thing, it’s surrounding by some seriously gorgeous scenery. For the best beaches close to the city centre, head south to Parc National des Calanques, a national park of outstanding beauty with plenty of options for sea swimming. A shuttle from downtown Marseille runs regularly and takes around 20 minutes.
A richly multicultural city, the MuCEM is Marseille’s best museum, exploring the history of the Mediterranean, including the huge diversity of movement and migration that has made it such a fascinating place today. There’s a particularly interesting exhibition regarding the various spice routes that have passed through Marseille (contributing to that delicious stew, of course).
And that brings us full circle and back to Bourdain. He said that Marseille is ’’a great city with great food and great views, sitting right on the edge of the blue Mediterranean, surrounded by freakin’ Provence. It’s got it all.’’ We couldn’t agree more.
MONTPELLIER, HÉRAULT
A few miles inland from the Med lies the medieval city of Montpellier, an easy going, eminently stylish kinda place with heaps of character and history, and some fantastic beaches just a grain of sand’s throw away.
Montpellier has its own airport just 15 minutes from the city centre, with regular direct flights from London taking under two hours. Once you’re installed and settled, head to L’Écusson – Montpellier’s Old Quarter – which is a charming tangle of narrow streets, boutique shops, cute cafes and restaurants.
Some of the city’s key attractions are found here, too, including Montpellier Cathedral, the basilica of Notre-Dame-des-Tables and Musée Fabre, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of European fine art.
While you’re in the old town, why not check out the Jardin des Plantes, France’s oldest botanical gardens, boasting 2500 species and a spectacular mid 19th century greenhouse. Just south of the garden is the superb restaurant Le Petit Jardin, serving up a seasonal menu of locally sourced ingredients, sensitively cooked with a real lightness of touch – do book in advance for a seat outside in the garden.
If you’re into modern architecture, then Montpellier is the place to come. Be sure to look out for architect Sou Fujimoto’s tree-like tower which is modelled on the shape of a tree with balconies fanning out like leaves.
Of course, you shouldn’t visit Montpellier without checking out some of its fantastic beaches – you are here for a weekend city break with a beach, after all. Fortunately, close to the city are several. Around 10 miles from the centre and accessible by tram is Carnon beach, which is serviceable though a little rugged.
Head a little further afield to Espiguette (a 45 minute drive) and you’ll be rewarded with one of the best beaches in the South of France.
Another popular choice is the old French resort town of Palavas Les Flots, twenty minutes south of the city and breathtakingly beautiful at sunset. Be warned, however, that in the summer months, the beach here gets busy.
If you’re looking for a holiday that takes in a little more of the country than reclining on the beach might allow, then check out these 5 fantastic travelling holidays in France, featuring everything from hikes to bikes and even barges.