southern france tours
The south of France in summer is hot. Like, really hot. Not "grab a light jacket just in case" hot… reliably, relentlessly, gloriously hot from late June through to early September.
It is also considerably more casual than most visitors expect. This is not Paris. Nobody is wearing a blazer to dinner. The dress code at almost every restaurant we take people to is: clean, comfortable, and not a swimsuit. That's genuinely it.
The two biggest packing mistakes we see are bringing too much and bringing the wrong shoes. This guide will help you avoid both.
One bag. Or at minimum, one bag you can carry yourself up a flight of stairs without help, because a significant number of the best places to stay in the south...or in fact Europe... involve a flight of stairs without a lift and a landlord who is not going to carry your suitcase.
Summer in the south of France is not the occasion for a 30kg checked bag. It's the occasion for a medium suitcase or a large carry-on and a personal item. Everything on this list fits in that.
The South is “casual”. Pack accordingly.
Three or four lightweight dresses or linen trousers and loose shirts. The kind of thing you can wear to lunch at a vineyard and dinner at a restaurant without changing. Linen is your friend. Breathable cotton works. Anything that needs ironing, leave it at home.
Swimwear. Two pieces. You will use both.
One or two evening options that are slightly more put-together than a beach cover-up, not formal, not dressy, just the version of yourself that made an effort. A linen shirt in a nice colour. A summer dress that isn't the one you've been wearing all day. This is all that's required.
Comfortable walking shoes that aren't trainers. This is the critical one. The historic centres of Nîmes, Montpellier, and every village in the garrigue are built on cobblestones. Not decorative cobblestones... ancient, uneven, ankle-testing cobblestones that will destroy your feet in flip flops and make you regret every fashion choice involving a wedge heel. What works: leather sandals with a proper sole and a back strap, comfortable loafers, or well-worn flat shoes with grip. What doesn't: anything new (break shoes in before you travel), anything with a stiletto heel or a heel over 3cm, anything that relies on your foot not moving around inside it.
Flip flops or sandals for the beach and the pool. Not for cobblestones. Unless you're a pro.
A light scarf or wrap. In summer, this is less about warmth and more about being able to cover your shoulders when you go into a church or a cool cave, and having something to throw over yourself on an air-conditioned train. Takes up no space. Earns its place every time.
A sun hat. Not optional. Buy one here if you don't own one. The markets are full of them, and you'll be glad to have it by day two.
High-factor SPF, generously packed. The Mediterranean summer sun is significantly stronger than what most British visitors are used to and moderately stronger than Australian visitors expect, given the latitude. SPF 50 for face, SPF 30 minimum for body. Bring more than you think you need. French pharmacy sun cream is excellent but expensive.
After-sun. You'll use it.
Insect repellent. Particularly if you're spending any time near the Camargue in July and August, the mosquitoes there are not subtle. A decent DEET-based spray takes up minimal space and saves a lot of misery.
Lip balm with SPF. Gets forgotten, deeply regretted.
Everything else, shampoo, conditioner, and any standard toiletries are available in every French supermarket and pharmacy. Don't dedicate a third of your bag to bottles of things you can buy on arrival.
A reusable water bottle. You will drink a lot of water in the south of France in summer. The tap water is fine to drink. Carry something you can refill throughout the day rather than buying plastic every time.
A small day bag. Something you can take to a market or a vineyard visit without it feeling like an expedition a tote, a small backpack, a crossbody bag. Not your main luggage bag.
A portable phone charger. A hot day of navigating, photographing, and using Google Maps depletes a phone battery faster than you'd expect.
Adapter. France uses Type E plugs. If you're coming from the UK or Australia, you'll need one. One is enough for most devices.
A small first aid kit. Plasters specifically new shoes on cobblestones is a combination that reliably produces blisters, and French pharmacies stock everything but are not always on the corner when you need them.
Jeans. Unless you run cold, you will not wear them. They're heavy, slow to dry, and too hot for most of July and August.
A blazer or a suit jacket. Unless you have a specific formal occasion, this takes up more space than its use justifies. The south of France in summer doesn't require it.
Multiple pairs of heeled shoes. One pair of sandals that you can walk in, one pair of flat shoes. That's the full footwear complement for summer in Languedoc.
Your entire bathroom cabinet. French pharmacies and supermarkets stock everything. Arrive with the essentials, buy the rest there if you need it.
Anything you haven't worn in the last year. The "maybe I'll wear this" principle is responsible for most overweight luggage. If you haven't reached for it at home, you won't reach for it here.
Clothing
3–4 lightweight day outfits (linen, cotton)
2 swimsuits
1–2 slightly smarter evening options
Comfortable walking shoes with grip and a back strap
Beach flip flops / sandals
Light scarf or wrap
Sun hat
Sun & toiletries
SPF 50 face / SPF 30+ body
After-sun
Insect repellent (especially for Camargue)
Lip balm with SPF
Standard toiletries (minimal buy there)
Practical
Reusable water bottle
Small day bag
Portable phone charger
Plug adapter (Type E)
Small first aid kit / blister plasters
The single best thing you can do before you pack is accept that you will probably buy something while you're here. A bottle of wine. A jar of something from a market. A piece of something from an antique stall in Sommières. Leave room for it. Pack slightly less than you think you need. The journey home is always heavier than the journey out, and that is a good sign.
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