Southern France Town Rankings: Hits & Misses 🇫🇷✨

After exploring Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur last fall (thanks to direct flights to Marseille!), here’s my brutally honest take—ranked worst to best: 12. Monaco 🏎️ "Clean but soulless." ✓ Sparkling streets ✗ Feels like a European-themed mall. The palace? Cue fake medieval music. 🎭 🍦 Only highlight: Gelato at Casa del Gelato. 11. La Turbie ⚠️ "Skip unless you love bus adventures." 🚌 Hard to reach ✗ Closed Augustus Monument (why?!). The view of Monaco? Meh. 10. Menton 🍋 "Pretty stairs, bland beyond." 📸 Orange staircase = Insta-bait ✗ Overhyped bakery (Marseille’s train station croissants win). 9. Cannes 🎬 "Glitz with a side of cinema." 🌟 Fun for film buffs (Marilyn murals! Star handprints!) ✗ Still… where’s the charm? 8. Arles 🎨 "Van Gogh’s ghost & gritty streets." ✓ Roman arena ✗ Tourist overload (that “Starry Night” spot? Blocked by boats). 7. Èze 🌵 "Botanical heaven, kitsch hell." ✓ Exotic Garden views = 🤯 ✗ Streets scream “Made in Yiwu”. 6. Nice 🌊 "Postcard-perfect… and fake?" 💙 Azure waters ✗ Food = tragic (even the socca disappointed). 5. Les Baux-de-Provence 🏰 "Cliffside fairytale." ✓ Epic castle ruins ✗ Rocks so surreal they look plastic. 4. Aix-en-Provence 🖌️ "Cézanne’s muse." ✓ Lavender + plane trees ✗ Overrated madeleines (but that Apple Store? Art). 3. Antibes ⛵ "Coastal royalty." ✓ Alps views from Fort Carré ✗ Why is the gelato so bad?! 2. Marseille 🌍 "Gritty glamour." ✓ Multicultural buzz ✗ Underrated gems (Notre-Dame de la Garde = wow). 1. Cassis 🥇 "Pure magic." ✓ Calm turquoise coves ✗ Nothing. Perfect. #ProvenceRanked #TravelUnfiltered