With its almost mythical charm, breathtaking natural diversity, and universal appeal, Provence is a region at the top of many travellers’ bucket lists. It’s a place where you can live the fairytale French life, immersed in its hilltop villages, sipping rosé on château terraces, and sunning yourself on its shimmering coastlines.
As Provence locals, it’s a region very close to our hearts. That’s why we’ve created this Provence travel guide to share our favourite things to do in the region. Discover the region’s cities, plan your itinerary, and find the best walks, villages, lavender fields, and castles in Provence, right here.
PROVENCE TRAVEL GUIDES
Each area in Provence has a very unique feel. Discover what makes each of them special with our Provence city guides.
WHERE TO STAY IN PROVENCE
From luxury châteaux to cozy guest houses tucked away among the lavender fields, we’ve rounded up the very best Provence accommodation options. Browse our Provence Hotel Guide, or read our city accommodation guides below.
CITY ACCOMMODATION GUIDES
Find the best places to stay in Provence’s main cities.
Where to Stay in Marseille – Your Marseille Hotels Guide
From ancient Greece to North Africa, different Mediterranean cultures have all left their mark on Marseille, and this dynamic melting…
The Best Hotels in Aix-en-Provence, France
Aix-en-Provence is Paris’ more relaxed, southern cousin; a sophisticated and affluent town, bursting with Provençal charm. Sometimes known as ‘the…
The Best Places to Stay in Avignon, France
Avignon, the jewel of Provence, has long attracted a high calibre of visitor. In the 14th century, Pope Clement V…
Best Places to Stay in Provence, France – The Ultimate Provence Guide!
Oh, Provence. This sun-soaked corner of France has lured visitors for centuries with its unique and captivating charm. I mean,…
PROVENCE ACTIVITIES
Whether you’re after a relaxing retreat, or an active break, you’ll find all the best things to do in Provence below.
PROVENCE TRAVEL INSPIRATION
Confused about where to start planning your travel to Provence? Browse the below articles for inspiration and suggested Provence itineraries.
Ultimate Sault Lavender Fields Tour
This post was first published in 2020 and has been updated every year since. Sitting high above the Luberon ranges…
Must-Read Books About Provence (& Beautiful Provence Coffee Table Books)
Provence has been the canvas for many a painting throughout the centuries – a place where Cézanne, Picasso and Van…
Visiting the Luberon Lavender Fields of Provence, France
This post was first published in 2020 and has been updated every year since. The lavender fields of Provence seduce…
Best Wineries in Provence, France (to Visit in 2023!)
In the Provence wine region of France, viticulture is an ancient pastime. The terroir and climate are perfect for growing…
Best Things to do in Cannes, France
Once known as “Canua”, the pretty seafront city of Cannes on the French Riviera was originally the site of an…
Best Day Trips from Nice, France
The French Riviera is often the subject of vacation dreams, and the region’s romantic capital is an ideal base. The…
Best Things to do in Nice, France
The mere mention of Nice is enough to evoke a sense of sun-soaked glamour and artistic brilliance. This UNESCO-listed Mediterranean…
Beautiful Movies Set in Provence, France
There are many movies about France (and set in France), and understandably so. The country’s vibrant cities, picturesque medieval villages,…
Best Things to Do in Saint-Tropez, France
Scintillating Saint-Tropez. Who doesn’t know the name of this beautiful and popular Mediterranean destination in the South of France? Over…
Best Things to Do in Èze, France
The exquisite Côte d’Azur, 115 kilometres (71 miles) of azure Mediterranean coast in the South of France, is a top…
The Best Things to Do in Menton, France
The idyllic French Riviera, the Cote-d’Azur, conjures glamorous images of sun-soaked, star-studded beaches, superyachts, Cannes, and majestic Monaco. This 115km…
Lavender Season in Provence, France – When is the Best Time to Visit?
The Provence lavender fields are a major attraction in the South of France. It’s one of the few places on…
How to Visit the Tulip Fields in Provence, France
When you think of the flower fields in Provence, tulips probably aren’t the first blooms that come to mind. But…
Boutique Provence Gift Guide + Exclusive Discounts!
It’s no secret I love my home. Living in Provence inspires me and awakens my senses in every way….
Hiking to Calanque d’En Vau – Best Routes & Insider Tips!
The Calanques National Park encompasses an immense natural area of land, sea and semi-urban areas between Marseille and Cassis in…
Discover Cap Taillat – An Easy Day Trip from St Tropez, France
At the southern end of the Gulf of St Tropez lies a sandy isthmus surrounded by nature. A place to…
Visiting the Calanques National Park in France – A Complete Guide
The Parc National des Calanques is an area of incredible beauty, diverse landscapes and unique cultural heritage. Located in the…
15 Best Vacation Rentals & Airbnbs in Marseille, France
The vibrant and edgy city of Marseille is often a visitor’s first port of call when arriving in the South…
15 Best Airbnbs in Avignon, France – From Floating Homes to Inner-City Sanctuaries
The Provençal city of Avignon was built to house kings and enlightened artists, when the popes made this their home…
Aix-en-Provence Market Days
Aix-en-Provence is a foodie’s haven, with entire streets devoted to small trattorias, delicatessens, cafés and bars. It’s no surprise then,…
Most Beautiful Beaches in Marseille & Surrounds
The beaches in France’s second city are just as beautiful as any on the French Riviera. Yet, they’re more reflective…
Valensole Lavender Fields – Driving the Lavender Route in Provence
Every year the anticipation builds as the lavender fields of Provence start to gain their telltale purple glow. From around…
The Best Lavender Fields of Provence, France – 2023 Guide
To some, there’s nothing that epitomises the appeal of Provence more than the purple rows of lavender that pepper the…
The Best Things to do in Aix-en-Provence, France
Aix-en-Provence is a city for culture lovers. A place to stroll the curving streets, flaky pastry in hand, as you…
The Best Things to do in Marseille, France
Marseille is often touted as the new Barcelona. But while it shares the same glistening Mediterranean shores, Marseille attractions, in…
A Local’s Guide to the Provence Wine Region
South of France vineyards – and the varieties of Provence wine they produce – are as loved as the local…
Hiking to Calanque de Sugiton in Marseille, France
Since moving to Provence some years ago, I’ve made it a new tradition to spend my birthday in nature, with…
The Most Beautiful Villages in Provence, France
The Provence region of France is one of the most alluring and culturally intriguing places in the world. It’s also…
Guide to Gordes, France – Hilltop Village in Provence
Gordes village is a must-see for travellers heading to the south of France. An ancient village perched high on a…
Most Beautiful Cities & Towns in Provence, France
Choosing where to spend time in Provence is a tall order, I know. It’s probably the most asked question in…
The Ultimate Guide to Cassis, France
A fishing village with humble roots, Cassis has previously been heralded as the ‘poor man’s’ Saint-Tropez. But times have changed,…
Where to Stay in Marseille – Your Marseille Hotels Guide
From ancient Greece to North Africa, different Mediterranean cultures have all left their mark on Marseille, and this dynamic melting…
The Best Hotels in Aix-en-Provence, France
Aix-en-Provence is Paris’ more relaxed, southern cousin; a sophisticated and affluent town, bursting with Provençal charm. Sometimes known as ‘the…
The Best Places to Stay in Avignon, France
Avignon, the jewel of Provence, has long attracted a high calibre of visitor. In the 14th century, Pope Clement V…
Top 10 Things to do in Avignon, France
Known as the gateway of Provence, Avignon is a popular base for exploring the wider region. It’s often chosen as…
Les Jardins de Baracane – A Home Away From Home in Avignon
Imagine waking up in a Provençal mansion; the sun is streaming through an open window, bathing the room in soft…
Experiencing the Magic of Les Goudes, Marseille
Like stepping into a photograph, Les Goudes is one of those places that almost look too good to be true….
Secret castles in Provence – 10 Hilltop Ruins to Discover in France
I once read somewhere that there were “no impressive castles in Provence”. And while I understand where the writer was…
Exploring the Village des Bories in Gordes, Provence
The poster child of Provence, Gordes does a brilliant job of attracting visitors into its heart every year. As one…
Luxury and Lavender: An Exclusive Tour to Le Château du Bois in Provence, France
Imagine walking through a manicured estate growing Europe’s finest lavender. Fields of purple flowers spread out into the horizon, like…
The Ultimate Luberon Valley Guide – The Heart of Provence, France
The Luberon valley is, in my experience, the most authentic and intriguing area of Provence. It’s a place where time…
The Perfect Southern France Itinerary – 7 Days in Provence
Creating a 7-day itinerary for the South of France is no easy task. With so much to see and do, you…
15 Best Day Trips From Avignon, France
A city of great history and intrigue, Avignon has lured visitors from around the globe for centuries. Follow in the…
The Best Day Trips From Aix-en-Provence, France
If you’re thinking about planning a holiday to Provence, deciding on the best place to stay to explore the greater region…
Driving the Luberon Villages of Provence – Ultimate Luberon Tour
The villages of the Luberon valley are some of the most spectacular in Provence, and indeed France! They’ve hosted artists…
Best Places to Stay in Provence, France – The Ultimate Provence Guide!
Oh, Provence. This sun-soaked corner of France has lured visitors for centuries with its unique and captivating charm. I mean,…
The Life Behind Lavender – Visiting the Lavender Museum in Provence
Flowering fields of lavender are an image synonymous with Provence. But the bucolic scenes created by neatly plotted rows of…
Hiking the Calanques de Cassis in Provence, France
Towering above the Mediterranean coast of France are les Calanques de Cassis. These three calanques are the deepest, and arguably…
The Provence Palette – Finding Lavender and Ochre Mines in Rustrel
It’s early July in Provence, France, and the lavender fields of the Luberon are at last in full bloom. The…
France’s Most Beautiful Villages: Roussillon en Provence
With a unique beauty that has inspired acclaimed French artists Jean Cocteau and Pierre Ambrogiani among others, Roussillon is a village…
Provence with Kids – Château des Baux de Provence
The school holidays are upon us here in France and I’m busy brainstorming ideas to keep my 4-year old son…
Walking the Ochre Trail – Breathtaking Natural Beauty in Provence
Walking the Ochre Trail in Roussillon was high on my must-do list while in Provence. I even included the family-friendly walk…
Discovering Provence’s Hidden Gems – Château de Cadenet
The southeastern region of Provence is hardly France’s best-kept secret. Popular with holidaymakers in search of sun-drenched beaches, fresh Mediterranean…
Perfectly Provençal – Top 8 Natural Provence Attractions
Before our move to Provence, I was preoccupied with visions of lavender laced plateaux and pink flamingos. But the southeastern corner of…