Are you thinking of planning some solo travel to the South of France? If a vacation exploring places like the French Riviera or Provence is calling your name but you don’t have a travel buddy, that doesn’t mean you should skip this trip. In fact, it’s totally possible to enjoy cities like Nice or Cannes when traveling to the South of France on your own.

How would I know? I’ve visited the French Riviera by myself twice now, despite the fact that this romantic destination often draws many couples. I can’t help it – I’ve simply fallen in love with the region, from buying fresh products at markets to practicing French with kind locals.

This article breaks down the best types of activities for solo travelers to enjoy in the South of France, whether you seek solitude or hope to meet new people. Drawing on my own personal experiences in the French Riviera, I’ll provide ideas for memorable tours, safety advice, and plenty of other valuable insights. Let’s get into it!

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Solo Travel in the South of France: What You Need to Know

Why Travel Solo to the South of France

The South of France is the perfect destination for someone in search of gorgeous natural scenery, great wine, and high quality local cuisine. I personally traveled solo to the French Riviera to practice speaking French while soaking in coastal views. Another factor motivating this trip was my knowledge of a direct seasonal flight to Nice, France from Newark, New Jersey on United.

Good to Know: A new flight route from Washington, D.C. to Nice will be added on United starting in May 2025.

If I’m being honest, I was torn on where to travel solo in the South of France because the region is quite large. I initially assumed I would visit Provence, but ultimately felt drawn to the Riviera the more I read about it. Nice is loaded with hotels and public transportation options, making day tripping to a myriad of nearby towns quite doable.

I should note, I am married and travel with my husband often as well. However, he does not have as much flexibility to travel, a career in travel writing, nor the same motivation to learn French as I do. Therefore, I often travel to francophone destinations (as well as others) alone. While it is a balance that has worked quite well for us, every relationship and individual is different.

5 Top Attractions in the South of France

While there are way more than five amazing locations to visit in the South of France, this list makes a fine start. Each below place offers plenty of inspo for South of France solo travel.

1. Promenade des Anglais in Nice

Four-mile-long seaside path lined with pebbly beaches and fabulous beach clubs that overlook some of the world’s brightest blue waters.

2. Monaco

A sovereign country with its own monarchy, a day trip to glamorous Monaco provides an added bonus to your country count.

3. Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Easily one of the most picturesque villages in France, a wander through this hilltop medieval village is like entering a fairytale.

4. Provence

Picture lavender fields, wineries, and ancient architecture. This is the stuff of your South of France dreams.

5. Gorges du Verdon

France’s own “Grand Canyon”, the Gorges du Verdon feature amazing scenery and plentiful outdoor offerings.

South of France First Impressions

My first impression of the South of France was during my flight into Nice. From the plane, I was able to take in the entire coastline and my neck actually began to hurt because I couldn’t look away. That’s how beautiful the vibrant blue of the Mediterranean is against the lush hills of the Alpes-Maritimes region of France.

Upon getting off the plane, it didn’t take me long to find an ATM inside and a tram station right outside the airport. Let me tell you, the Mediterranean sun and breeze hitting my face felt amazing after a 7.5-hour plane ride.

On my initial trip, I encountered a long line at the ticket machine for the tram. However, for my next visit I already had a Lignes D’Azur Card that I could simply refill on this app before the trip. Once on the tram, I was in the Nice city center within 30 minutes.

The first time, I stayed at the Best Western Lakmi, which was an affordable hotel with cute balcony rooms in a convenient location. For the second visit, I stayed at the Hotel Le Grimaldi, which was a small upgrade. The location was even better, being near many great restaurants and even closer to the tram. Plus, my room was spacious and pretty.

Meeting Other Travelers

Fun fact: I’m an introvert and befriending other travelers does not come naturally to me. However, I’ve still managed to meet cool people while traveling alone abroad. In fact, it’s easier than it seems.

During my first trip to the South of France, I really didn’t meet anyone and figured it just wasn’t a big destination for solo female travelers. However, my second trip showed me that this was wrong. I actually ended meeting a couple women in Nice and dined with them for two nights in a row. Later in the trip, I met another friendly girl in Geneva, Switzerland and did some exploring with her.

Join a Tour

You may be wondering what had changed between the first and second trips (spoiler: it is not because I suddenly became more outgoing). The difference was that I did absolutely no tours on the first one but did several during the second one. This ranged from a simple wine tasting outside Nice to a three-hour chocolate tour in Geneva.

I believe this is because themed tours tend to draw like-minded people together. This isn’t surprising when I remember that during trips to other destinations I’ve met people this way too, even with my husband. If you are traveling solo to the South of France and hope to meet other travelers, I can’t recommend joining a tour enough!

Stay in a Hostel

The other obvious way to meet people when traveling solo is to stay in a youth hostel, which are easiest to find in city centers like Nice or Marseilles. Many such establishments even organize social events and offer vibrant common spaces for their guests.

In my thirties, I find this option doesn’t appeal to me so much since I like the quiet retreat of my own space. However, hostels tend to be cost effective and a great option for young people in search of travel buddies. Here are a couple top-rated options in the South of France:

• Hostel Ozz Nice by HappyCulture (Nice): Convenient to train station for easy day tripping. I have stayed at Hotel Le Grimaldi by HappyCulture (same ownership umbrella) and been quite pleased.
• The People (Marseille): Known for comfortable spaces with reliable wi-fi in a good location.

South of France Solo Travel Likes & Dislikes

Below is what I liked and disliked about traveling in the South of France solo.

What I Liked About the South of France:

• Being so close to the gorgeous beaches and harbors of the Mediterranean Sea while still in driving distance to charming hill villages.
• The amazing public transportation in the French Riviera, especially in Nice. It is an extra bonus that you can fly right into the city.
• The availability of fresh ingredients in the region. The local markets are not to be missed for wonderful cheeses, meats, fruits, olives, etc.
• Being able to practice my French every day. This was especially effective since I wasn’t traveling with English speakers.
• The availability of Uber. It really softens the blow of a missed or completely full bus or train.
• The wide array of tour options. From making perfume to tasting wine from Provence, there are seemingly unlimited ways to spend your time in the South of France.

What I Disliked About the South of France:

• So many great restaurants close on Sundays and Mondays, meaning you might miss out when traveling over a long weekend.
• Driving on roads that were sometimes one lane or cliffside. I didn’t realize until I was almost to Gourdon that the village sits at 760 meters high above a sweeping valley!
• The overall prices in the French Riviera. It’s not surprising that this is not the most affordable destination, being a haven for yachters and celebrities like Elton John.
• The #15 bus in Nice. It offers great connectivity to surrounding cities like Villefranche and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. However, if you’re headed out during midday, this bus might be so crowded that you can’t even board.
• The train also gets so crowded during rush hour times (4-6 pm) that you might not be able to get on. I especially noticed this when returning to Nice from the towns of Èze and Villefranche. I think A LOT of people board in Monaco.

Safety During South of France Solo Travel

I overall felt safe in the South of France as a solo traveler. While the region is overall not considered dangerous, crime rates tend to be higher in bigger cities like Nice and Marseille, as is true for most major cities.

The most prevalent offense tourists experience is theft, so it’s always good to be vigilant with your belongings. Sadly, you will probably also notice homeless people in cities like Nice, Marseille, and more rarely, even in smaller cities like Antibes.

A Numbeo report places Marseille as the most dangerous city in France, whereas Nice is 7th (behind Paris and Lyon). Please keep in mind that this information is all relative, as France is not an overall dangerous country to visit. If you wish to visit the historic port city of Marseille, as many people do, this article provides helpful perspective and advice.

Here are some of my first-hand perspectives regarding safety in the South of France:

Theft

I’ve been scolded so many times for leaving my cell phone on the table while dining. This is a great way to have it swiped by passerby (I promise I’m trying to change).

It’s also important to always be vigilant of your belongings and who’s around you at train stations and other busy places, as these can be hot spots for pickpockets. Ignore or move away from anyone suspiciously trying to get your attention, as this might be a distraction tactic.

I like wearing a small cross-body purse that I keep in front of me at all times. Also, don’t be low-hanging fruit for thieves – always bring a bag that zips.

Walking at Night

I typically avoid walking after dark when traveling alone, but this is hard to do in autumn when daylight is diminishing daily. However, in Nice I found the city remained quite lively in the evening and I didn’t even feel unsafe using the tram after dark.

One caveat – I strongly disliked walking in the neighborhoods closer to the Nice Ville train station after 10pm and would avoid doing so again. I don’t know if it helps, but I often call my husband and talk to him when I do take the occasional uncomfortable walk.

Driving

People are often surprised that I drive in France, but to be honest it’s pretty easy (as long as I can get an automatic transmission). Other drivers are generally courteous, navigating on the right-hand side like we do in the U.S., and traffic circles are not hard to decipher.

However, you do need to be prepared for one-lane roads in the hills and countryside. Also, heed any inclement weather warnings, as flooding during heavy rains is a real thing. There was nothing like watching a stream of water rushing down the road from the inside of a perfume factory in Grasse.

Hiking

There are some absolutely beautiful hiking trails in the South of France and I’ve enjoyed several of them solo. Many trails are popular and well-trodden, so you are unlikely to be completely alone on paths like the Cap d’Antibes and Nietzsche Path to Èze. Just know your physical limits, always bring plenty of water, and have your fully-charged cellphone on hand for emergencies.

Beaches

While I personally have not swam in the South of France because the weather was too chilly, it’s good to be cautious when considering swimming alone. The beaches in Nice are notorious for being rocky and most people won’t enter the sea without water shoes.

There can also be jellyfish as the water warms up in late summer. Model the locals: if they aren’t swimming, you probably shouldn’t either.

Should Solo Female Travelers Visit the South of France?

Yes, solo female travelers should absolutely visit the South of France. Seriously – don’t deny yourself the chance to visit this gorgeous part of the world because of not having a partner with you. From wine tastings, to fashionable boutiques, to wonderful nature, it’s easy to enjoy the treasures of the South of France independently.

Also, solo travelers should not shy away from dining out at top-rated restaurants for fear of being seated all alone. I’ll admit, sometimes I don’t get the most attentive service when I’m by myself, but I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by friendly and helpful waiters that make me feel welcomed. There’s no law that says you can’t eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant alone. It’s your trip and you deserve a good meal!

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Now you should have a good idea of what to expect when traveling solo to the South of France. I hope I’ve shown you that this sunny French region is a wonderful choice for a solo getaway. Whether you fly or take the train, you’ll be rewarded with dreamy views and you might even encounter other solo travelers like you along the way!

Planning a trip to the South of France? Then make sure to join my Facebook group for the best tips, places, and hotels on the French Riviera.