Provence

The Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is located 7 km outside Nice. Tram Line 2 links the airport terminals (both 1 and 2) with Nice's city centre and Port Lympia. Trams to the airport are available every 8 minutes on weekdays, and the journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the bus 12 – Palais des Expositions to reach various popular destinations such as Promenade des Anglais, Place Masséna, and Vieille Ville (Old Town). The "Aéroport / Promenade" stop is located in front of Terminal 1 on the southern carriageway closest to the airport. Taxis and car rental companies are also represented at the airport.

The best time to visit Provence is either April to May or September to October when the weather is pleasant and the tourist crowds have largely died down. Having said that, if you wish to witness the picturesque lavender fields in full bloom, you should plan a trip between mid-June and the start of August, with the peak bloom period around mid-July. The summertime is perfect for visiting the Côte d'Azur, with abundant Mediterranean sunshine and ideal conditions for beach activities. However, during the summer months, beaches are crowded, and snagging beach chairs and dinner reservations become more challenging. Therefore, the best time to visit the French Riviera is during May and September when there are fewer visitors, the weather is still mild and pleasant, and prices may be more reasonable. For winter sports enthusiasts, the best time to visit the French Alps is from December to March when the ski resorts are open. For those who enjoy extreme sports like hiking and trekking, the French Alps are best explored between June and September, as there are still avalanche risks before then.

France can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

Renting a car is, undoubtedly, the best way to travel around Provence. With a picturesque village every ten minutes by car, and interesting sights around every corner, Provence is one of those places where getting lost might actually work in your favour. Many towns and villages in the region boast compact city centres that are pedestrian-friendly and ideal for exploring on foot or by bike. For example, the historic centres of Aix-en-Provence and Avignon are small enough to be explored on foot, and Marseille's Vieux-Port and Le Panier neighbourhoods are great for walking around. Arles is also a relatively small city, and its Roman amphitheatre and other ancient ruins are within walking distance of each other. However, it's worth noting that many of the cities in Provence, such as Marseille and Nice, do have efficient public transportation systems, making it easy to get around even if you're not on foot. - Marseille: Despite being one of the largest cities in France, Marseille is relatively easy to navigate with its public transport network consisting of the metro, buses, trams, trains, and ferries. The best way to get around in Marseille is by using the very efficient metro system. It has only two lines that cover the city centre and some outer districts. The metro stops at popular sites and areas, including the Vieux Port, Notre Dame du Mont Basilica, Canebière shopping district, and Prado beaches district. The metro runs between 5am and 11pm, with extended service until 12:30am on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Ticket machines can be found at most subway and tramway stations. Bus tickets can be purchased onboard from drivers. You can also buy tickets at tourist information offices and tobacco dispensers. Make sure to validate your ticket before each ride. - Nice: Buses and trams are an efficient way to travel in Nice and along the Riviera. You can buy a ticket from a bus driver as you board or from the vending machine at the tram stop. With that said, Nice is a compact city and therefore very walkable. Trains are the most comfortable and fastest way to travel along the Riviera. The station in Nice is on Avenue Thier. From here, it takes around 30 minutes to reach Cannes and Monaco.

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