Avignon

A Summer Adventure in the South of France

The last few weeks have felt like a bit of a dream if I’m honest.

A life-affirming, truly uplifting (très corny but true) sunny adventure in one of my favourite parts of the world: the South of France with surprisingly good as gold kids and my unsurprising sweetheart of a husband.

I’ve felt like a lucky, lucky lady after quite the busy year.

Let the good times roll (again)!

South of France

A place that feels like a home from home for me,  I’ve been lucky enough to holiday in Nice, Grasse, St Tropez, Monico and Cannes and the surrounding areas since my brother and I were small and now a chance to take my own babies, it proved the perfect pick for our recent vacay in the sun.

My bae!

Coast in Cannes

The South of France always feels so shiny and inviting (pristine streets with Hermes on every corner will do that to a region)-but most importantly our trip was a window of time where we all got to truly chill out, eat our body weight in carbs and walk more than we have in years!

We totted up 12 miles one day! And in my wedges too! What do I win?!

wedges and small trainers on a pebbly street

Check us out ‘pink wall-posing’ in this insta-ready shot! So many pretty walls, so little time!

holiday vibes as mum and son pose against a pink wall

And hello carbies!

patisserie in the South of France

a selection of pastries in bakery in France bread in a bread shop in Avignon, France

…Together, hand in hand, we explored cobbled back streets and new towns (Arles is a must-see for Roman architecture, the amphitheatre below is a beauty to behold), played in parks enveloped by postcard-pretty palm trees and swam in clear warm waters in the Cote d’Azur.

We couldn’t have asked for more!

Arles Ampitheatre

palm trees in a park in Cannes

kids playing in the park in France

beautiful portrait of a child

So pour yourself a strong espresso or a glass of fizz (my fave) and let me show you what we got up to!

Chanel sunglasses next to a drunk expresso

First off, huge thanks to Eurostar for inviting us to Avignon in the first place- and the Avignon Tourist Board for their generosity.

A fun super fast and relaxed journey on the speedy and oh-so comfortable Eurostar meant it felt more like 4 hours than 7 and the time honestly, flashed by.

kids playing computer games on the Eurostar

As kids, my Dad usually would usually drive us to the South of France and the journey was very much part of the actual holiday. We’d stop off and stay in towns on our way and this mode of transport reminded me of those fun times, a chance for quality time as we sat together and took in the pretty countryside as we went.

The boys also got to play on their beloved computer games and watch their favourite shows making it a real pleasure to take the train to the South of France.

playing the computer on the Eurostar

Before we knew it, we’d reached Avignon, an achingly beautiful Medieval city in Provence.

a row of motorbikes in Avignon as the sun streams through the trees

passageway in Avignon

Tranquillity washed over us as we wandered the streets of this historic city for the first time and took in the sights. I joked to my husband I felt I was on a wellness retreat because you can’t help but feel relaxed there. The vacay vibe dial was set to ‘chilled’ and stayed that way throughout our trip.

Me, as chilled as can be!

Honest Mum in Avignon-Louis Vuitton neverfull handbag

…We spent 6 leisurely days in total in the truly picturesque Avignon, 5 by the stunning coast in Cannes and then finished up with 4 days in London town- making it one of our most favourite holidays to date!

lady on the beach in Cannes looking happy

We’d spend our days in Avignon roaming the sun-streamed streets, catching the sweet riverboat over to the banks of the River Rhone so we could picnic under the trees, before eating under the stars and fun at the fair and listening to buskers outside the town hall, by night.

kids catching a river boat, flag waving in the breeze

centre of Avignon-lots of restaurants as people dine al fresco

black lamp against a blue sky

Avignon town hall Avignon by night

He loved it honest (he had 3 goes)!

child looking unsure on a fairground carousel

Magical is most definitely the word.

Look at this babe of a place! Avignon you stole my heart!

Avignon

The gilded Virgin Mary Statue at Avignon Cathedral is spectacular.

the gilded Virgin Mary Statue at Avignon Cathedral

Just look…I would move to this street tomorrow…

beautiful streets in Avignon with vine trees growing around the houses

UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avignon: Palais Des Papes

We adored the heart of Avignon:  the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site no less, where you’ll find the Palais des Papes (where seven successive popes took residence between 1309 and 1377,  the cathedral, the famous bridge: the Pont d’Avignon and not far off, a ceiling of umbrellas above a street of quaint shops- a blogger’s dream or what?!

Pont d'Avignon

a ceiling of umbrellas in Avignon

Now follow me as I take you round the Palace which moved me to tears.

street leading to the historical centre of AvignonThe Popes Palace in Avignon Palais Des Papes- Avignon Palais Des Papes- Avignon (the tombs) a stained glass window in the Palais Des Papes- Avignon beautiful ceilings in the Palais Des Papes- Avignon steps in the Palais Des Papes- Avignon Palais Des Papes- Avignon Little boys walks down the steps in the Palais Des Papes- Avignon beautiful flooring in the Palais Des Papes- Avignon wall in the Palais Des Papes- Avignon

And just look at the view from the top!

View of Avignon from the top of the Palais Des Papes

We often hung out in the square in Avignon too, for ice cream, a late lunch, to hit the playground in the shade and it doubled up as the perfect backdrop for a fun fashion shoot with the most vibrant of threads thanks to stunning Swedish brand Me&i.

me&i Swedish brand

Xander taking his shoes off! Standard!

Avignon square-boys sit on a bench

These pictures not only capture bold and beautiful clothes and carefree moments but a bond between two brothers that was cemented this summer. Kids who finally got to understand one another and gel. It was pretty special to witness.

two brothers play in the park together

‘Cheese’!

two brothers in hats smiling in the sunshine

My sweet boys!

boy wears me&i striped red and white top with a black anchor

little boy with long hair looking pensivehappy boyYoung boy in me&i whale print top

And Mama wasn’t left out either, look at this 70’s style beaut of a dress!

Me&i printed dress

After all that posing, we popped on the train to nearby Arles and grabbed some more shots in a park we picnicked in!

Arles
…Our sons were so well behaved this holiday my husband and I have questioned (several times) if, in fact, these were actually our kids.

Xander with two hats on, as you do!

3 year old wears two hats and stand near a slideChild holds up a twister ice lolly to the camera

There’s so much going on day to day, school and nursery to attend, homework to complete, food to eat, routines to follow, deadlines to meet, that holidays are a complete break from all of that, a chance to be a little freer, to feel that little bit more alive, to eat candy floss before bedtime and sleep in until 12……

And in between doing the tourist thang like hopping on to the bridge for snaps, strolling around the Palais and slurping ice cream in every flavour (dark choc for me), we got to breathe again, to release ourselves of the daily grind, we got to feel the sun on our cheeks and just ‘be’… eat watermelon on demand of course (without the worry of the mess)!

And eat watermelon on demand of course (without the worry of the mess)!

child eating watermelon

It was bliss.

After almost a week of joy in Avi- we took the TGV to Cannes on a 2 hour 20-minute journey that felt like minutes, the perfect place for sand and sea…

TGV

Cannes was all about the relaxation as with Avignon-I was there in the spring for the festival and felt excited to return, this time with babes in tow- and the days saw us divide our time between the pool and sea, mostly dining al fresco, with fair and playground visits too and a chance for the kids to make friends with others whilst lapping up that sweet sea air.

We hit the Old Town too and took shade in picturesque cafes and watched the world go by.

Cannesstreets in the Old Town of Cannesstreets in the Old Town of Cannesa beautiful old door in the Old Town of Cannesmint green shutters against pink walls in the old town of Cannesstreets in the Old Town of Cannesmurial in the Old Town of Cannes-Poterie Ceramique du Colombier

Cooling off, later in the day, we would head back to the Croisette at the bottom of the hill and fill up on our daily dose of vitamin sea!

beach in Cannes sea in Cannes sands in the sea in Cannespalm trees in Cannesflip flops in the sand

Often staying until sunset as the magic hour unfolded.

sunset in Cannes with a lighthouse and helicopter in the background. Pink skiespink sunset over the sea in Cannesa skyline with palm trees as the sun setssunset in the South of France

Lush…Playgrounds at every turn and most, sea-facing too, Cannes couldn’t be more suited to all the family’s needs.

playground overlooking the sea in Cannes

kid running in Spiderman swimsuit sweet childAnd the hotels in Cannes are world-renowned.

Je t’aime the Carlton!

The Carlton Hotel in CannesThe Carlton Hotel

#Cargoals can naturally, be found on every street corner. I can strap the kids to the roof right?!

supercar man looking at a super car on the croisette After all that lusting after supercars we needed to refuel!And boy did we eat, huh boys (!) and here are foodie shots snapped throughout the holiday!

And boy did we eat this holiday, huh boys (!) Here are foodie shots snapped throughout!

boys eating in Cannesfood enjoyed in a bistrochild eats spaghettithe perfect omelettepurple and green basil beautiful basil amazing tomatoessalmon and prawn salad tuna nicoise saladchild holds a huge cookiechild with a smoothie

We just had to pop into Ladurée my favourite patisserie in the world (you can also find them in Covent Garden) for a cake that was (almost) too pretty to eat!

Ladurée bagLaduréeLadurée cake-so prettyAll the yummy feels!

And here’s Cannes by night. It wasn’t dancing until dawn like my usual trips in the city but it was just as fun. Strolls down the Croisette and crepes most nights kept this mama and her brood content!

Miraculously I managed to fit into a UK size 8 skirt from Monoprix, my favourite store in the region I picked up there.  And whilst size does not matter a dot it was a nice surprise as I can be so hard on myself, especially in the summer!

The bag was bought on my last trip to Cannes so had to have an airing!

Honest MumCannes by night

So there you have it, a sweet, sweet holiday in the South of France. We’re so grateful for the memories, the special times we’ll treasure, not forgetting, arranging the troops (!) for pics below (insert crying with laughter emoji)!

Thanks to House of Fraser for my floral frock!

mum blogger trying to sort a photo out with her kids

Et voila!

Honest Mum and her boys

A mummy blogger’s life huh!

What a hol!

I love this Gif from our travels back!

eurstar gif

Have you been to the South of France?

I’d love to read your experiences there in the comments.

Pin it!

 

Buy my bestselling book in paperback or audio

My debut book is my guide to surviving and thriving at work and at home and offers insight into how to create a digital business or return to work with confidence.

Mumboss: The Honest Mum's Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
(UK 2nd Edition)

Available on Amazon or Audible

MUMBOSS by Vicki Psarias

The Working Mom: Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
(US/Canada Edition)

Available September 8th 2020. Order now on Amazon

The Working Mom by Vicki Psarias

Like what you've read? Then why not follow Vicki on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram

Never Miss A Post!

Subscribe to HonestMum for my weekly email newsletter where I share my new blog posts, blogging tips, event invitations, competitions and news about my new book. I never share your personal data with third parties.