The 10 Best Free Things to do in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France

October 29, 2021 Terina Blouin

Discover the best top things to do in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France including Route des Cretes, Parc National des Calanques, Point Sublime - Mont Faron, La Croisette, Promenade des Anglais, Sentier Blanc-Martel, The Camargue, Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, Montagne Sainte Victoire, Castle Hill of Nice.
Restaurants in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur

1. Route des Cretes

13260 La Ciotat France +33 892 39 01 03 http://www.ot-cassis.com
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 721 reviews

Route des Cretes

Reviewed By tahnathos

A transverse road in the South of France, between Toulon and Marseille. Not the shortest one, especially compared to the close by highway. But hell (pun intended), the scenery is so incredible that it's a must go !

2. Parc National des Calanques

Route du Feu de la Calanque de Morgiou, 13009 Marseille France +33 4 20 10 50 00 http://www.calanques-parcnational.fr/
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,949 reviews

Parc National des Calanques

Reviewed By milgil24 - Sydney, Australia

The stunning natural beauty of the Calanques along the South Coast of France is a must do. We went on a boat tour which departed from Marseille (booked through Airbnb experience) which was amazing, but there are so many ways to visit this national park.

3. Point Sublime - Mont Faron

Sommet du Mont Faron, 83000 Toulon France
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 380 reviews

Point Sublime - Mont Faron

Reviewed By PDJLD123 - Watford, United Kingdom

I struggled to find any good information on a demanding day hike from the cruise port up to Point Sublime at the top of Mont Faron. I did read that you must not follow Google maps as it leaves you at the end of dead end path looking up at a sheer rock face! So we kind of followed the road and the following notes give you a safe tarmac road based route with a reasonable amount of shade as you wind up the Western side of the mountain. Cars do pass but not in any large numbers. It will get you to the viewing point in about 2.5hrs. We then came down on the cable car (€5 one way) and walked the 35mins back to the cruise port. The whole round trip took us 5.5 hours including a coffee stop (€2 each) at the cafe next to the cable car. Leave the cruise ship, put the “Zenith Omega” into your maps app. I think it’s a conference centre. It’s doesn’t matter how you walk there as it will take you though a tunnel under the railway. Once on the other side of the railway with the Zenith Omega in front of you, turn left and walk to Boulevard Bianchi, which is the start of a steep climbing road that changes name to Boulevard Emile Jacquemin. At the junction with Chenin du Fort Rouge turn right and then it’s all up hill on a one way road (cars going up only) into Route du Faron until you reach the cable car (Telepherique du Mont Faron). Staying on the road, keep walking past this to the zoo and then past that towards the Point Sublime. You will see a path with a barrier and no entry sign (for cars) on the right which you walk along for about 15 mins. The sign says 25 mins which is not true. The viewing point at the cross gives a wide open view of the harbour, the town and the mountain. It’s impressive. Then walk back to the cable car, take it down to the edge of town and it’s a 35 min stroll back to your ship through the old town. Overall 12 miles or 19 km and about 24,500 steps. Enjoy.

4. La Croisette

Promenade de la Croisette, 06150 Cannes France +33 4 92 99 84 22 http://www.cannes-destination.fr/culture-patrimoine-cannes/la-croisette-cannes
Excellent
53%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,099 reviews

La Croisette

This world-famous street, which runs along the shoreline of Cannes, is full of upscale shopping opportunities.

Reviewed By florinr814 - The Hague, The Netherlands

La Croisette is always an awesome place for summer holidays. Its sandy beaches, the great food restaurants and the luxury shops offer all the ingredients of a perfect stay, althought a bit too expensive.

5. Promenade des Anglais

06000 Nice France 0712345678 [email protected] http://en.nicetourisme.com/webcams
Excellent
61%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15,280 reviews

Promenade des Anglais

This famous street travels along Nice's Mediterranean waterfront.

Reviewed By mbc421 - Toronto, Canada

There is something to be said for a morning walk with a warm, salty summer breeze rolling off the Mediterranean. The Promenade des Anglais is a wide spot that is perfect for a morning jog, a hop down to the pebble beach, or simply stopping for a coffee or cocktail to people watch. I went in the morning and afternoon and found the experience more relaxed and less hot in the morning. The Promenade is close to the old town, so if you like long morning walks you can combine both. The Promenade is the best option for joggers, strollers, and slow-walking groups who want to stick together.

6. Sentier Blanc-Martel

route des Cretes, 04120 France +33 4 92 77 32 02 http://www.lapalud-verdontourisme.com/je-decouvre-tout-un-pays/bestof-verdon/le-sentier-blanc-martel
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 159 reviews

Sentier Blanc-Martel

7. The Camargue

France +33 4 66 73 40 24 http://www.visitesalinaiguesmortes.fr
Excellent
66%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 241 reviews

The Camargue

Reviewed By LindaE798 - Parrish, United States

My longtime friend invited me to visit her in Lyon, with a side trip to the Provence and the Camargue. It was an amazing trip. We stayed at her sea Flat in Port Camargue. From there we visited Aigues-Mortes. It is a medieval walled city, with working gates. The crusaders under the lead of St Louis, the French King Louis XI, started their crusades from there. The city is surrounded by salt flats, where the locals still get salt. The Camargue is worth a trip for history buffs, nature lovers, and beach goers. The cuisine is very palatable with many dishes from the region.

8. Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

Rue Fort-du-Sanctuaire, 13281 Marseille France +33 4 91 13 40 80 [email protected] http://www.notredamedelagarde.com/
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13,186 reviews

Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

Reviewed By JenLovesTrains - Bad Hindelang, Germany

It’s a steep climb up to the basilica with stations of the cross along the way. Well worth it for the views over all of Marseille. It looked as though a little tourist train goes though if you don’t want to do the walk. The basilica itself is beautifully decorated with mosaics and full of a variety of thankful donations, including ship and plane models hanging from the ceiling, medals, paintings and many many marble plaques. We enjoyed reading those! People’s thanks range from being saved from submarine bombardment in the war through being healed of an ulcer to passing an exam. There’s also a crypt, gift shop, restaurant and museum but we didn’t go to the restaurant or museum. They crypt is full of votive candles and the gift shop is crowded but has a good selection of postcards.

9. Montagne Sainte Victoire

13100 France
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,119 reviews

Montagne Sainte Victoire

This majestic mountain was the subject of several Paul Cézanne paintings.

10. Castle Hill of Nice

06300 Nice France
Excellent
66%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9,638 reviews

Castle Hill of Nice

Reviewed By sezzyloulou - Harlow, United Kingdom

Of all the places essential to see in Nice, this is one of them On the top of a hill overlooking the bay of Nice, originally built for military purposes Castle hill dominates the city, separating the eastern part - the port - and the western part - the old town Once at the top (you can climb up the stairs, or get in the free lift) it offers the most spectacular panoramic views of the bay, the ruins of an old cathedral, a view of the port, and has a lovely (though artificial) waterfall There are toilets and a small cafe too It is lovely to walk back down and visit the Jewish and catholic cemeteries, where you will find tombs of many aristocrats and famous people - apparently it costs 30k just to ‘reserve a plot’ with a substantial yearly upkeep fee

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