September is the perfect time to go to the seaside, to some very pleasant places out of season! Head for the south of France to enjoy the last rays of sunshine and almost deserted beaches, where Indian summer is in full swing. From the Nice Riviera to the coves of Porquerolles...
Book a train ticket
Book a train ticket
The Nice Riviera
Do you have a few days left or are you leaving at short notice? Pack your bags and your swimming costume and set off to discover Nice and its surrounding area.
Nice
The city’s culinary and artistic scene is in a state of upheaval: discover the ‘food court’ opened in the former Gare du Sud station, treat yourself to a sunset drink at the trendy Plongeoir, overlooking the Grande Bleue, before ending your evening at Davia, the restaurant run by Pierre Altobelli, a Nice chef who has worked with some of the best, and try the typical Nice ravioli.
The former Gare du Sud station: 35, avenue Malaussena 06000 Nice
Le Plongeoir: 60, Boulevard Franck Pilatte, 06300 Nice
Davia: 11bis, Rue Grimaldi, 06000 Nice
Villefranche-sur-Mer
The next day, take the train to Villefranche-sur-Mer for a walk along the coast. From there, the beaches of Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat are not far away: Passable and Paloma Beach are almost deserted at this time of year, so make the most of it!
Paloma Beach : 1 chemin de Sainte-Hospice
By train: Nice station and Villefranche-sur-Mer TER station.
Autumn swimming in the Lac de Sainte-Croix
When you look out over Lac de Sainte-Croix in the distance, you would think that you are looking at the Mediterranean. Its turquoise waters are reminiscent of Corsica! And unlike the water in mountain lakes, the water in Sainte-Croix is fairly mild from spring to autumn. You'll find plenty of coves to swim in; just ask the locals and they’ll tell you where the best spots are.
In Sainte-Croix du Verdon, you'll find direct access to a landscaped beach with a watersports centre. This is a chance to rent a pedalo or if you are more sporting, to try your hand at catamaran sailing! If the wind is right, you can enjoy a great sailing session on the lake.
Train access: Les Arcs - Draguignan station.
A weekend in Porquerolles, jewel of the Levant islands
Fancy the Caribbean, lagoon-like coves and crystal-clear waters? There’s no need to get on a plane! Take the train to Hyères and continue by bus to the pier on the Presqu'île de Giens. Climb aboard the shuttle boat and watch the island of Porquerolles gradually take shape.
Enjoying nature
The jewel of the Isles of Levant lends itself perfectly to a three-day long weekend out of season. By bike or on foot, explore the sandy paths lined with pine trees, breathe in the heady scents, stop off at one of the many little beaches along the way to take a dip in the emerald Mediterranean, visit the Fondation Mérignac...
Staying the night
From 5pm onwards, the island becomes deserted as the last boats leave, taking tourists back to the mainland. Then it's off to the magnificent crescent-moon beach of Notre-Dame, before a leisurely return to the hotel. While there aren't many of them in Porquerolles, you should easily find a room at L’Auberge des Glycines or Mas des langoustiers at this time of year!
Auberge des Glycines : 22 Place d'Armes, Île des porquerolles, 83400 Hyères
Mas des langoustiers : 83 400 Île de Porquerolles
Visit the Fondation Carmignac
In the beautiful Villa Carmignac, surrounded by wild nature, you can visit an exhibition of contemporary art in the rooms before wandering around the garden to see some fifteen sculptures.
Fondation Carmignac : Piste de la Courtade
By train: Hyères station, then bus to the Presqu'île de Giens pier.
Nature and sea in Antibes
Antibes is well-known for the charm of its old town surrounded by ramparts, for its Picasso Museum, for its market... but it is also a protected area classified as a Natura 2000 Site “Baie et cap d’Antibes - îles de Lérins”: a walk along the coast turns into a dream in Mediterranean nature and a dive into a magical voyage.
Hiking at Cap d’Antibes
Famous for its villas hidden among the pine trees, the Cap d'Antibes can be explored on foot along the customs path. In steep areas, staircases have been built. Walk along listening to the sound of the sea, the wind, gulls and seagulls, between sea lavender (a protected species) and Jupiter’s beard (an endemic species). There is a lookout point where you can watch the whales, and from the path you can admire the Château de la Croë of 1927 or the 19th century Villa Eilenroc, with gardens and a rose garden that you can visit.
Allow 2 hours to walk around the cape, unless you stop off at each beach (Plage de la Garoupe and Plage de la Godille)!
Diving to see major biodiversity
The seabed around Cap d'Antibes is particularly rich in surprises: posidonia is a protected species that blooms between August and November in the water. The nudibranch is a carnivore that has lost its shell and merges with its environment. The Great Mother-of-Pearl is the second largest shellfish in the world, a protected species...
Sightseeing and cycling in Avignon
The city of Avignon was home to the Popes from 1309 to 1376, and has been awarded the “Ville et Pays d'art et d'histoire” label. It has two UNESCO-listed sites: the 14th century Palais des Papes and the 12th century Pont Saint-Bénézet, better known as the Pont d’Avignon bridge (where people dance). In Avignon, on the last fine days of autumn, we're enjoying the countryside by bike!
Sightseeing in Avignon
Built from 1335 onwards, the Palais des Papes in Avignon, the largest Gothic palace in the West, has the appearance of a medieval fortress and the interiors of a royal castle. The Saint-Bénézet bridge is worth a visit, and even if it doesn't allow you to cross the Rhône, you can still do a little dance.
The Musée Angladon houses masterpieces by Degas, Cézanne, Sisley, Picasso and Modigliani in a private mansion, part of which is still inhabited, with paintings, embossed furniture and objets d’art. The Lambert Collection is a museum of contemporary art featuring over 1,200 works. The Musée Calvet is the museum of fine arts, with its varied collections that include archaeology, fine arts, decorative arts and ethnology from Asia, Oceania and Africa.
Lastly, the Musée du Petit Palais houses 390 paintings, including the largest collection of Italian primitives, and 600 sculptures. The Musée Vouland is a museum of decorative arts and paintings by 19th century Provencal artists.
Cycling from Avignon
The Island of Barthelasse, opposite the Bridge of Avignon, is the largest river island in Europe. Here you can pedal along shady lanes on the banks of the Rhône.
On the way to Les Baux-de-Provence, 80km from Avignon, stroll through the Provençal countryside between garrigue and pine forest. You can stop off at the medieval village of Barbentane and Graveson, where there is a small museum dedicated to the fauvist Auguste Chabaud.
The Luberon, fantastic villages and landscapes
The Luberon is often very hot in summer, so that autumn is the ideal time to discover its treasures and fantastic landscapes.
Discovering Forcalquier
Every Monday, the Forcalquier market, one of the largest in Haute-Provence, immerses you in the smells of olives and spices from Provence and the yellow and blue colours of the fabrics. You can take to the skies in a hot-air balloon and/or explore the geological curiosities of Les Mourres, 2km from Forcalquier: large limestone boulders that form an unusual landscape.
The Luberon by bike
By bike, discover the landscapes, hilltop villages and lavender fields of the Lubéron Regional Nature Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Geopark.
- The walk along the banks of the Sorgue is a signposted 2 hour 12 minute loop that takes in Thor and L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
- An electric bike is the best way to complete the 1 hour 40 minute loop, which takes in the charming village of Apt, Villars in the ochre country, Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt and its beautiful old houses surrounded by ramparts, and Gargas, which is surrounded by vineyards.
- Departing from Manosque, the 21km loop can be completed in 1 hour 40 minutes, with an ascent of 441m. You can stop off at Montfuron, with its 350-year-old windmill, or at Pierrevert, a charming medieval village.