France: From the Beaches of the Côte d’Azur to the Summit of Mont Blanc

Aug 3

Written By: Travel Advisor, Megan Clark

For this summer adventure, we wanted to slow down and truly savor the best of France—coastal towns, countryside charm, and the majesty of the Alps. Over the course of our trip, we explored Marseille, Provence, Annecy, and Chamonix, and each stop brought something unique and unforgettable.

We kicked things off in Marseille, a vibrant port city with Mediterranean soul. The Old Port buzzes with energy, and the city is steeped in maritime history and multicultural flavor. Just a short drive away is the seaside village of Cassis and Calanques National Park, a great spot to hike coastal trails, kayak, or take a boat ride to admire the dramatic limestone cliffs rising out of the turquoise sea.

Next stop: Provence, and it was every bit as dreamy as we imagined. Rolling hills, lavender fields in bloom, and picture-perfect villages around every bend. We spent a day exploring the hilltop towns of the Luberon, and had incredible stays at Château de Fonscolombe—an impeccably restored 18th-century estate nestled in the vineyards—and Domaine de Manville, tucked beneath the medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence.

From there, we made our way north to Annecy, the “Venice of the Alps.” We rented bikes and cruised the lakeside greenway, stopping for a dip in the crystal-clear water—pure summer bliss.

Finally, we wrapped things up in Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. Wildflowers were in full bloom, and the high-alpine hikes delivered one breathtaking view after another. Standing beneath Europe’s highest peak truly felt like being on top of the world.