Roadtrip through France: 3 Days in Marseille, Cannes and Nice

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Hardly any country is as beautiful as France – no wonder, then, that we always seem to end up there with our road trips. Particularly the south of France has captured our hearts, so this one-way road trip will take you from Marseille to Cannes and finally to Nice.

If you ever feel like leaving your own car at home, take a look at our fleet! In addition to affordable compact cars and other vehicle types such as minibuses, station wagons, and SUVs, we also offer legendary sports cars like the Porsche 911 – the ideal ride for our road trip.

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Our France Road Trip: Bon Voyage!

If you follow our magazine, you know how much we love sending you to France – whether it's in our Europe road trip, Switzerland-France journey, or our Top Gear excursion, we've frequently taken you to Nice. This time, your drive will again end on the Côte d'Azur, but let's not rush things. After all, there are three unforgettable days ahead of you, starting from Marseille. Experience pure driving pleasure on the most beautiful roads along the Côte d'Azur and in Provence. Your journey takes you from Marseille through the Luberon National Park, the Gorges du Verdon, and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie to Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Nice.

How you get there is entirely up to you. You have several options: First, you can use your own car, second, you can rent one of our premium cars from one of our rental stations in Germany for the trip – make sure to plan at least one day for each leg of the journey. Third, you can comfortably fly, check into your hotel, and we'll deliver your rental car directly to your accommodation in Marseille.

Without considering travel time to and from your destination, you should expect a distance of about 650 kilometers. Depending on your accommodation, whether you take a detour, or simply want to explore, it could be a bit more. As of November 2024, the fastest route to Marseille takes almost 11 hours – that's over 1,000 kilometers. It would therefore be especially ideal to plan this road trip as part of a longer vacation – if you're driving via Liechtenstein, you could also make stops in Milan, Genoa, and Monaco over several days.

To make sure you’re always on the right track, we've linked the route sections to Google Maps in the text.

Arrived in Marseille? The Road Trip Through Southern France Begins

Before You Start: Marseille as Your Starting Point

Once overlooked by travelers along the French coast, Marseille has now become a popular hotspot for people from all over the world. The port city was founded in 600 BC, and its unique cityscape, especially with Le Vieux-Port at its center, is truly fascinating.

Ideally, you should arrive the day before so you can get completely rested and ready to take the wheel. If you wish, our Rental Agents will give you a quick briefing when you pick up your vehicle. This will allow us to clear up any last-minute questions so you can tackle the challenging routes ahead with ease. We’ve also linked today’s route for you here.

First Stops: Aix-en-Provence, Luberon & Notre-Dame de Sénanque

Your first stop isn’t too far from Marseille – Aix-en-Provence exudes Mediterranean charm like no other and is one of the most exclusive cities in France. Don’t spend too much time in the ateliers or shopping, as there are many more kilometers to cover on day 1, including a journey through the vast Luberon Regional Park.

Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, the park is especially known for its seemingly endless lavender fields. Let yourself be enchanted by the beautiful landscape, the gracefully winding roads, and the fantastic handling of your rental car – because this is what flying must feel like.

Your next stop is the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénanque, one of the most famous abbeys in France. Here, you may even have the opportunity to tour the monastery and get an insight into the life of the monks.

The Most Beautiful Villages of France: Roussillon & Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Continue your tour and head to one of the – officially – most beautiful villages in France: Roussillon. In the red village, named after the ochre mined in the area, make sure to visit the Tapiezo Art Gallery. Alternatively, you might want to consider a visit to the old town of Gordes.

In the afternoon, after many sharp hairpin turns, you will reach the Lac de Sainte-Croix. In the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, you can park your rental car and end the first leg of your French tour with a glass of wine. We highly recommend staying at Hotel La Bastide De Moustiers. Not only does it offer private, free parking, but it also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, where you’ll enjoy a fantastic French dinner.

Off to Saint-Tropez and Cannes: The Big Screen Experience

Highlight in Southern France: The Gorges du Verdon

First thing in the morning, after a delicious breakfast, you’ll hop behind the wheel of our sports car: there’s nothing worse than not being able to enjoy the world’s best curves just because you’re stuck in traffic. Just around the corner, the Gorges du Verdon are waiting to be discovered by you.

Head north along the lake on Route de Sainte-Croix until you reach the D952. The Route de Castellane will take you straight into the Gorges du Verdon. On the serpentine roads, you’ll really get to experience the true potential of a sports car – total control through each curve and unparalleled acceleration on the way out.

You can take a breather at the numerous viewpoints where you’ll be able to soak in the breathtaking views of the gorge. Important: Make sure to leave the D952 when you reach the Pont de Soleils. It’s easy to drive past this small bridge, but the D955 will lead you south again.

To ensure you arrive safely, we’ve linked the route for you here.

The City of the Rich and Famous: Saint-Tropez

If you’re driving one of our Porsche 911s or another, perhaps slightly understated classic car, don’t be surprised if you don’t stand out in Saint-Tropez. After all, this harbor town is one of the few places in the world where no one even notices your luxury car. So, park your sports car somewhere a bit further out to avoid the city traffic jams. Explore the old alleys and the harbor with its gigantic yachts on foot. The old town is full of fantastic restaurants where you can dive into Mediterranean cuisine. But be careful not to fall for tourist traps – unfortunately, there are many at such popular vacation spots.

Visit the Citadel, walk in the footsteps of stars from the 60s like Brigitte Bardot, or enjoy the beach, but don’t get too comfortable. After all, you’re not at your final destination yet.

One of the Most Beautiful Cities in France – Even Without the Film Festival: Cannes

While you’ve already covered the longest stretch, don’t expect us to send you straight to Cannes on the highway now. Instead, you’ll travel along one of the oldest roads in France, the Route Nationale 7. Before highways were built, the N7 ran from Paris to Cannes and all the way to Nice. It was known as the Route des Vacances (Vacation Road) and Route Bleue (Blue Road).

Today, you’ll enjoy peace and quiet though. Enjoy the curves. Gaze down into the valley on the straight stretches. Roll down your windows and breathe in the fresh forest air. If you’ve rented a convertible, make sure to stop briefly to lower the top. Because all too soon, you’ll be arriving in Cannes.

With so many hotels to choose from, it can be hard to decide. We recommend the Mondrian in Cannes – a 5-star hotel located directly in the old town, and with private parking costing under 30 euros per day, it’s a fraction of the price compared to other options.

In Cannes, be sure to take a stroll along the Boulevard de la Croisette – and bring your swimsuit, as the beach and sea are incredibly tempting. Just like in Saint-Tropez, Cannes boasts numerous excellent (and thus somewhat pricey) restaurants in the old town or along the promenade.

Final Destination: Nice via the Col de Turini

Grasse: The City of Perfume

It’s only 32 kilometers from Cannes to Nice, but on the direct route, you’d be stuck in traffic the whole way – and that would be a shame considering how much quality time you could be spending with your rental car, or even without it.

Instead, we suggest taking a slight detour north (check the route). There, Grasse awaits us – the world capital of perfume. This town also served as the setting for the book and movie Perfume by Patrick Süskind.

Be sure to visit the International Perfume Museum and the 12th-century Notre-Dame-du-Puy Cathedral. If you’re a fan of rally racing history, you’ll be intrigued to know that famous rally driver Michèle Mouton, who in the '70s and '80s even challenged Walter Röhrl, hails from this area.

Col de Turini: Drive Like in the Monte Carlo Rally

I wonder if Mouton discovered her love for motorsport on the Col de Turini? That's not unprobable. This centuries-old road isn’t far from Grasse, and thanks to its fantastic and unique layout, it’s still part of the Monte Carlo Rally today.

The road is challenging, so remember: It’s better to arrive a bit later than not at all. Take your time and respect the speed limits. Fasten your seatbelt, place your hands at quarter to three, and get ready for the ride of your life.

By now, you and your car should be a well-coordinated team, and you can truly enjoy the serpentine curves of the Col de Turini. As you speed past the villages of Gilettes, Utelle, and La Bollène-Vésubie, you’ll climb up into the mountains. From the top, you’ll be treated to fantastic views – the perfect opportunity for a short break and a hearty lunch.

Nice: Back on the Côte d’Azur

Before the melancholy of the homeward journey settles in, let your exhaust roar one last time. Let your engine scream as you conquer the winding mountain roads back down to the Côte d’Azur. Only when you reach Nice will your machine finally get a chance to cool down and tick slowly outside your hotel.

We’ve found some absolute highlights for Nice as well. The Hôtel du Couvent is a newly opened hotel in a renovated 400-year-old convent right in the heart of Nice’s old town. Unfortunately, there are no permanent private parking spaces, but with a little luck, you’ll find one nearby. If you want to feel like true aristocrats in Nice, the Hotel Le Negresco is the place to stay. They also offer private parking, so you don’t have to worry about your rental car or your own vehicle.

From Nice to Munich: How to Get Home

It takes about 10 hours to get back to Munich on a good day via the A13. It’s doable, but definitely not the most pleasant drive, no matter how much you love your car. At least it gives you a lot of time to reflect on your trip.

If you want to make the journey a bit more bearable, consider taking a small break in Liechtenstein. If you’d like to spend a night, we recommend the Park Hotel Sonnenhof in Vaduz – conveniently located right on your route. You can unwind in the spa area and recover a bit from the drive.

If you’re driving one of our cars, you can – after prior arrangement – simply leave the car in Nice and fly back home. Alternatively, you can drive the car back to Germany yourself if you’re not ready to let go just yet.

Whatever option you choose, we hope you had an amazing vacation and that the weather didn’t ruin your plans. And just on a side note: Be sure to check out our fleet! In addition to (super) sports cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS or Ferrari Roma, we also offer more practical cars like the Audi A1 or Abarth 695.