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 really do have to narrow your focus a little or you could end up spending all of your time in the car!
With this in mind, I’ve created the perfect Southern France itinerary that will allow you to see many of the highlights of the region while minimising driving time and allowing you to chop and change some aspects to suit your holiday style.
This South of France itinerary focuses on what I consider to be the most beautiful and authentic area of Southern France – Provence. I’m lucky enough to call Provence home, and I love sharing my knowledge of what makes this region of France so special. So let’s jump in and start planning your holiday to Provence!
Itinerary for a Week in Provence, France
Ideally, you’ll arrive on a Friday and leave on a Friday to take full advantage of the following Provence itinerary. It’s been designed to make the most of opening times, market days and other seasonal events.
But if that’s not possible, don’t despair! You’ll still have a brilliant time, and you can mix the days up as you choose.
The following itinerary also assumes you’ll have a car available to use during your visit. Although some people are nervous about driving in France, there really isn’t too much to be concerned about. I really believe the best way to explore Provence is by car, so you can go at your own pace, discover hidden gems and stop at breathtaking roadside scenes as you go.
Tips for Getting Around Provence
- The roads are narrow, so it’s best to hire a smaller car (book your car rental here).
- Directions are well signposted, or you can get around with the help of a map, GPS, or map on your phone.
- Stick to smaller road networks instead of the motorway to drive alongside vineyards and olive groves, and you’ll get to see some beautiful hamlets or smaller villages that you’d otherwise miss.
Best Time to Visit Provence
It’s hard to pinpoint the best time to travel to Provence, as it depends on what you want to do while you’re here! With that said, there are definitely pros and cons for each season, so I’ll go over these briefly below.
Visiting Provence in Winter
Winter is not a popular time to visit Provence unless you’re headed for the Alps! It’s therefore much quieter around the region, but as a consequence, you’ll find a lot of the attractions are closed during this period.
Pros
- Good deals on accommodation
- Experience the ‘real Provence’
- Visit beautiful Christmas markets and experience Provençal Xmas traditions
Cons
- Some tourist attractions closed
- Colder weather
Visiting Provence in Spring
I know I said it’s hard to pick the best time to visit Provence, but if I absolutely had to, I’d say Spring. The landscape is filled with wonderfully bright flowers, the sleepier villages start to come to life again and the weather is much more pleasant.
Pros
- The sun is out, and the weather is generally lovely by mid-late Spring
- Tourist attractions open their doors again
- Experience Easter celebrations around the region
Cons
- Spring is prime time for the Mistral to be blowing – a strong, cool wind that makes it almost impossible to enjoy outdoor activities in exposed areas. The good news is that it usually only lasts a day or so before dying off again.
Visiting Provence in Summer
Summer is, without a doubt, the most popular time to visit Provence. The days are hot and long, the lavender fields are in full bloom, and the beaches are perfect for sunning yourself. But there are also downsides to visiting in the busy period of June to September.
Pros
- Consistently hot, dry weather.
- Perfect time to enjoy swimming in the Mediterranean, or in your own pool
- Many festivals and events take place throughout July & August
Cons
- Crowds, especially on the beaches
- Some walking tracks (such as the Calanques walk) are closed due to the risk of wildfires
Visiting Provence in Autumn
Autumn is another good time to visit Provence. The weather remains hot throughout September and the crowds begin to thin. School is back, which means mid-week trips to the beach and attractions are much quieter.
Pros
- Weather at the beginning of Autumn is hot, and it remains fairly warm throughout the season
- School is back, meaning fewer holidaymakers are around
Cons
- You can expect more rain in Autumn than in Spring.
Looking for more Provence travel inspiration? Don’t forget to join our free Facebook group Provence Travel Planning!
Where to Stay in Provence
To choose the best place to stay in Provence, I’d advise you to have a read of our Provence Hotel Guide.
For the purposes of this itinerary, I’ve recommended the best location to stay for each day in order to reduce the number of accommodation changes throughout the week. No one likes to have to pack up and check-in/out of hotels every day!
I’m going to start the itinerary in the popular base of Avignon, but you could just as easily pick a base in many a place nearby. L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a good choice if you’d like a slower pace, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a popular spot too.
Alternatively, you could do this Provence itinerary backwards and start in Aix-en-Provence!
Day 1 (1/2 Day) Pont du Gard & Avignon
Stay: Avignon
Arrival day in Provence! Whether you’re driving, taking the train, or flying into Provence, it’s going to eat up a few hours of your first day, so I’ve started this itinerary with a half-day, and it’s ending with a half-day on day eight.
Once you’ve arrived and are ready to explore – set the tone of your tour around Provence with a visit to one of the finest sites in the South of France! The Pont du Gard is just a half-hour drive from Avignon and the perfect place to spend your first afternoon.
Before leaving Avignon, pop into Les Halles to pick up some picnic supplies. Les Halles is Avignon’s centrally-located covered farmers market that’s open every day except Monday and offers an authentic way to get acquainted with the fresh flavours of the region.
Tip – If you happen to be visiting Avignon on a Saturday, don’t miss the live cooking demonstration at Les Halles at 11 am!
Once you arrive at the Pont du Gard you can settle down for lunch with a view of the highest Roman aqueduct in the world. Depending on the weather, you may like to take a dip in the Gardon River before drying off and strolling across the bridge into the heavenly scented bush on the other side.
When you head back into Avignon, you can enjoy dinner in the old town, where you’ll find plenty of dining options – from Michelin Star restaurants to cheap and cheerful family-run bistros.
Day 2 – Avignon
Stay: Avignon
Leave the car parked today and explore the sights of Avignon by foot.
Start with a visit to the most famous attraction in Avignon, Palais des Papes. Once home to the Popes (hence its name), the well-preserved palace is an intriguing place to visit throughout the morning. Take a virtual tour of the palace and papal apartments before pausing for lunch.
For a fun lunch experience, you could try the open kitchen in Les Halles – Cuisine Centr’Halles. Or simply fill up on delicious treats from the boulangerie before heading to your next stop – the Pont d’Avignon.
If you’ve seen a photo of Avignon, you’ve most likely seen a picture of its most famous bridge. Once spanning the length of the Rhône, nowadays only 4 of its original 22 stone arches remain. Take a stroll to the end, pop inside the petite chapel, and visit the exhibition that includes a couple of short films about the history of the bridge.
Tip – A combined ticket to the Pope’s Palace and the Pont d’Avignon will save you money. Buy your tickets here.
In the afternoon, head to Avignon’s elevated garden, Rocher des Doms, for stunning views of the city. The shaded garden is a good place to seek respite from the afternoon heat, have a cool drink at the café, or relax by the pond as you watch the peacocks strutting by.
Day 3 – L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Fontaine de Vaucluse (plus Grottes Option)
Stay: Avignon
Head to the charming canalside town of L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Known as the antique capital of Provence, you’ll be spoiled for choice if you’re looking for a unique souvenir or memento of your time in France.
Even if you don’t visit on market day (Sunday), there are many brocantes and antique stores dotted throughout the town where you’ll find both expensive and inexpensive gems.
Enjoy lunch at one of the cafés positioned to make the most of the town’s unique situation. L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue translates to “the island on the (river) Sorgue” and you certainly feel as though you’re on an island as you explore the water framed streets. Wander past the moss-covered waterwheels that serve as a reminder of the town’s textile industry before heading to the nearby village of Fontaine de Vaucluse.
It’s in Fontaine de Vaucluse that you’ll find the source of the river Sorgue. A deep spring emerges from the craggy mountainside and flows down into the village of the same name.
As you enter the village you’ll find a small smattering of boutiques selling locally made wares, and restaurants strategically positioned to make the most of the stunning views. A short gently sloping walk will take you along a riverside path to the fountain. The fontaine always looks different – sometimes spilling over the rocks and through any stubborn trees that dare grow in its path, and at other times resting silently at the bottom of an orange-hued cave.
As an optional extra, if you have the time, the Grottes de Thouzon make for a fascinating side trip before heading back to Avignon for the night. A short walk through a grotto full of pencil-thin stalactites, cave pearls, and underground lakes will delight you, and the informative guides will make the experience a memorable one.
Day 4 – Les Baux de Provence and Glanum
Stay: Avignon
History buffs will be in their element today with not one but two ancient sites to discover. But even if history isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty of variety to keep everyone happy on day 4 of our 7-day South of France itinerary.
First up you’ll be heading to Les Baux de Provence, officially one of the most beautiful villages in Provence, and home to the magnificent Château des Baux. Although the castle is now in ruins, it remains one of the most impressive châteaux in Provence, and there’s plenty left to explore within the old walls and wider grounds.
Once you’ve taken the time to wander the charming village and explore the château, head 5 mins down the road to Carrières de Lumières. Unlike anything you’ve likely experienced before, Carrières de Lumières is an art-based multimedia show set within an abandoned underground stone quarry in the Alpilles.
The exhibit changes yearly and showcases some of the greatest artists in history. The 2020 exhibition brings works from Spanish artist Salvador Dali to life. The show, “The Endless Enigma” features works spanning the length of the artist’s career. It’s truly one of the most unforgettable things to do in Provence.
Tip РBuy a combined ticket to Ch̢teau des Baux and Carri̬res de Lumi̬res to save money.
A short drive back in the direction of Avignon will bring you to the fortified town of Glanum. A remarkable site not far from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Glanum is over 2,000 years old. It was destroyed by Germanic tribes in 260 AD and has remained abandoned ever since.
First rediscovered in the 16th century, it wasn’t until more recent times that serious excavation and preservation efforts have been carried out. Today you can walk among the ruins while imaging the grand structures that once stood in their place. Peek into the sacred well, rest your eyes on the remnants of the twin temples, and hear the water that flows beneath a deserted street.
Day 5 – The Villages of the Luberon
Stay: Avignon
An absolute must-do on your South of France itinerary is a tour of the Luberon Villages. It’s easy to spend an entire day (or several) exploring the hillside villages and incredible scenery of this unique part of France.
Start at the Sénanque Abbey and you’ll find a wonderful scene framed by fragrant lavender fields in the summer months. From here it’s a short drive to the most famous Luberon village, Gordes.
Tuesday is market day in Gordes, so sample the freshest flavours of the region as you wander around the ancient streets. Think about visiting the Village des Bories nearby before continuing on to the pastel-coloured town of Roussillon.
Built next to an ochre mine, the village lends itself as a haven for artists and the streets are awash with galleries and generous splashes of colour. The ochre mine next door is an attraction unlike any other. Take a short but stunning walk through the dusty red canyons and pine-fringed valleys of the ochre trail before continuing your Luberon tour.
Bonnieux and Lacoste are up next. Both lovely villages with a slower pace of life and enough differences to make them both worthy of a visit. Bonnieux is lovingly restored and has sweeping views over the fertile landscape of the Luberon. Walk the stone staircase to the church at the top of the village for the best views.
Next door, Lacoste is home to a semi-restored château that you can visit during the summer months. At other times, walk around the back of the castle to view the contemporary sculptures and views of surrounding hilltop villages.
A trip to Goult and Ménerbes will round the day off nicely. In Goult, follow the signs through rustic streets to take in all the best bits. Don’t miss the restored windmill and the terraced gardens showcasing the area’s agricultural history.
Ménerbes is best explored at leisure. Stroll the bucolic village before heading to the quirky corkscrew museum nearby and end the day with a wine tasting session at Domaine de la Citadelle.
Tip – full details of your Luberon driving tour and options to extend can be found here.
Day 6 РCamargue and Arles or N̨mes
Stay: Avignon, Cassis, or Aix-en-Provence
The sixth day of your Provence itinerary will see you heading south to one of the most intriguing places in Provence.
The Camargue is Western Europe’s largest river delta with around 930 sq km of marshes and wetlands to explore. Unsurprisingly this fertile land attracts a vast array of wildlife and it’s here you’ll find over 400 species of birds including the impressive pink greater flamingos.
The infamous black Camargue bulls also roam freely among the reeds and herds of snow-white horses – one of the oldest horse breeds in the world – live in harmony with nature.
The best way to discover this area when you’re short on time is to take a tour. Tours depart Arles and Avignon daily and will allow you to see the best of the Camargue while providing you with an interesting and informative commentary.
Alternatively, you can head directly to Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau where you’re almost guaranteed to see flamingos in the wild.
In the afternoon, you can choose to visit Arles nearby, or Nîmes a little further afield.
Arles has a small but perfectly formed old town with plenty to see and do in an afternoon. Take a free Van Gogh walking tour to see the exact spots depicted in the late artist’s work, visit the grand amphitheatre, or take a walk through the underground Cryptoportiques.
Nîmes is a larger town but is still very walkable. It’s notable for its many Roman monuments – many of which are among the most well-preserved in the world. Be sure to take a walk through the magnificent public gardens – the Jardins de la Fontaine.
One of the first-ever public gardens in Europe, they are a fascinating mix of open green spaces, large water features, intricate sculptures, and ancient ruins. Climb to the top of the gardens for unmatched views of the city!
Day 7 – Cassis and the Calanques
Stay: Aix-en-Provence
Cassis is a charming portside town tucked in between towering cliffs near Marseille on the Mediterranean coast. It’s by far one of the more popular places to visit in the South of France due to its recent reputation as the new St Tropez.
But while Cassis benefits from its stunning geographical location, beautiful beaches, and historically interesting sites, personally I think it’s better suited as a day trip destination than a long-term holiday base.
If you arrive early enough, you can stroll through the old town, browse the colourful boutiques, take in the historic buildings, and walk the pier – all in a morning. You then have the option of dining quayside, or grabbing lunch to-go and heading to the calanques.
The Calanques of Cassis are one of the most impressive natural attractions in Provence. The first time I laid eyes on these high-rise limestone cliffs I was absolutely blown away by their incredible size and stature as they jut out into the azure blue sea.
Hiking the calanques is an ideal way to appreciate the natural beauty of this national park, but if you’re short on time, or the track is closed (as it often is during the summer months when the risk of wildfires is higher), then taking a boat tour or hiring a kayak to explore the calanques from below is the way to go.
Whichever way you decide to explore the calanques, it’s sure to be one of the most memorable moments of your trip.
Day 8 – Aix-en-Provence
The last half-day of your one week in Provence itinerary is spent enjoying Aix-en-Provence. The cultural capital of Provence really deserves a longer stay, but perhaps after being immersed in the city for a morning, you’ll be convinced to come back!
Colourful produce and flower markets are held throughout the week filling the streets with the lively atmosphere synonymous with the South of France. After you’ve browsed the wares on offer, stop for a coffee at a corner café or head to one of the famed museums to witness the true heart of this historical city.
The old town is best explored without a plan of attack. You’ll thoroughly enjoy wandering around the curved streets and hidden alleyways, coming across an elaborate – or downright eccentric – fountain at every turn. The Pavillon Vendôme is perfect for a mid-morning repose, and the iconic Hôtel de Caumont arts centre shouldn’t be sidestepped!
Tip – If you’ve forgotten to pick up Provence souvenirs or gifts for those back home, pop into the gift shop in the centrally located tourist office. They stock a small but curated selection of the region’s finest products.
It’s impossible to see everything Provence has to offer in just one week, but this 7-day South of France itinerary is sure to give you an in-depth taster of this delectable part of France!
If you’re looking to extend your trip by a few extra days, I’d suggest checking out my posts on day trips from Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence to find inspiration for a few extra days touring.
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Loved your Itinerary of South of France. We will be traveling in mid October.
That’s great – so glad you found it helpful!
This sounds amazing! Travelling with an almost 1 year old – do you think it’s doable basing ourselves in Avignon?
Hi Sophie,
I think it’s doable with an almost 1-year-old! I remember at that age my son was easy enough to cart around with the help of a baby carrier (easier than prams on French streets!). I’ve deliberately not overloaded the days, as I don’t think rushing around does anyone any favours. So you should be fine 🙂
This is great! Thanks for sharing this one week itinerary to visit Southern France, it indeed is perfect! This will be our itinerary come this week. Appreciate much!
You’re most welcome Berna! I hope you enjoy your time in Provence 🙂
We will be visiting Southern France in Mid May 2019. Your information has been very helpful for our planning. Thank you!
You’re so welcome! Glad you found it helpful 🙂
This is an absolutely fantastic itinerary and so wonderfully well-explained; the best I’ve found anywhere on the Internet. It has helped us immensely to organise our own itinerary. Thank you so much!
This makes me so happy to hear! Thanks for your lovely comment and I hope you have a fantastic holiday in Provence 🙂
Thank you Nadine – terrific suggestions. WE will be heading there in early June 2019 and have almost 2 weeks to spend there. FRom Aix, any suggestions for adding 4 or 5 days?
Hi Beth, with an extra few days you’ll want to spend an extra day getting to know Aix itself. You could also head over to the Verdon Gorge which is breathtaking, as are the surrounding villages. You could spend longer getting to know the Luberon area, and around Sault. Head to St Remy for a stroll, Nimes is a fantastic city for history and gardens and Marseille waterfront area is great for a day trip too. It should be fairly warm by then, so the beaches south of Martigues are perfect and not too busy then!
Planning a spring or fall 2019 trip to Provence- your itinerary looks really good! any concerns about driving? For seniors?
Hi Dick, the advice I’d give you regarding driving, is to hire a small car, and take your time. Allow plenty of time to get around so you can stop and take in the view when it suits you. Try to avoid the main large roads as these can get very busy – especially during peak times. And have some kind of GPS on you. Hope you have a great time 🙂
Hi Nadine,
Your blog post is super helpful (and beautiful pictures as well!). I love that you provided highlights for each of the places mentioned. My husband and I have booked a 10 day trip to France for Feb 2019 and were wondering if you could provide some advice. Here is our tentative itinerary:
Feb. 10th – land in Paris at 10am
Feb 10th – 14th: stay in Paris (with a day trip to Versailles on Feb. 13th)
Feb 14th – take TVG to Nice (19Euros per person one-way direct)
Feb 14th – 17th – stay in Nice (and surrounding region)
Feb. 17th – rent car and drive to Aix-en-Provence
Feb 17th – 19th – stay in Aix-en-Provence (or somewhere else)
Feb 19th – take TVG back to Paris (19Euros per person one-way direct)
Feb. 19th – stay in Paris
Feb 20th – take flight back home in the morning
What are your thoughts? Do you think we are spending enough nights (or not enough) in each of these regions? Or would you recommend just spending 5 nights in Paris and 5 nights in Nice to keep it simple? Given that it will be winter, would you recommend other regions instead (Annecy? Chamonix (although we don’t ski). Thanks!!
Hi Nadia, so sorry for the delayed reply. Oh, it’s so hard when you only have ten days to explore! So I think you’ve done the right thing by choosing just two areas to explore this time around. I’m kind of biased, but I think Paris and Provence is a good place to start. And then you can plan another trip to France to see some more at a later date 🙂 To answer your question, I think it looks pretty much spot on. Again, I may be a bit biased but I’d cut one day off Nice and move it to Aix – to allow yourself time to explore this side of Provence more. You could even scrape one day off Paris at the beginning – but it depends whether you’re more into city attractions or cultural/countryside attractions. You can see a lot of Paris in 2/3 days. Hope that helps a little and apologies again for the delay!
Wonderful itinerary- thank you for sharing your advice. We are planning on traveling to France this May as a family of 5. The plan is to fly into Paris for a few nights before heading to Provence for 6 nights. I know you recommend driving in Provence, but do you have any suggestions regarding transportation from Paris to Provence? We don’t have any interest in going to Nice during this time, so we would prefer not to fly into that airport. Any advice is appreciated!
Hi Laura, your best bet is to take the TGV to Aix-en-Provence or Avignon – depending on where you’re intending on staying. You could fly into Marseille, but I find the train journey to be much more pleasant and straightforward! Hope that helps 🙂
Thank you, Nadine!
You’re most welcome 🙂
My wife and I are planning to spend 5 days based out of Aix-En-Provence (with hotel points so we are limited there).
Do your recommendations change at all if Aix is our home base? We are total wine freaks and love touring the little villages!
Hi Jonathan, with only 5 days, and based in Aix, I’d suggest spending at least two days in the Luberon (where you’ll find plenty of little villages and wineries). Have you read my post about touring the Luberon yet (find it here)? It has lots of suggestions for driving routes. Then a day maybe down by the coast, around Cassis and the Calanques, a day getting to know Aix, and maybe a day heading over towards Valensole and the Verdon Gorge. More lovely villages around the lake, and if it’s the lavender season (June/July) its the best place to find beautiful fields!
Hi Nadine,
This is really helpful. I’m planning my trip this first week of June 2019. I’m travelling alone though, will you still recommend the same places? Or can you suggest other places as well. I’m thinking of spending 10-15 days after Bordeaux &Lourdes. Thank you very much for your recommendations.
Hi John, yes absolutely! You could also add in the Verdon Gorge (and surrounding villages), the coast around Niolon/Martigues, Sault, or Marseille if you like the city vibe. And/or spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or the Luberon. So many options, sorry 😉
Hello Nadine, Can you give me your thoughts on this itinerary? Houston to Nice, stay in Eze two nights(possibly visit Antibes, Menton, And Vence) drive to St. Remy for three nights(traveling to area village) and Aix for two nights. Fly out of Marsielle. Love your blog!!!!
Hi Melissa, your itinerary looks good to me! By staying in all three areas you’ll get a really good ‘taster’ of these areas – which are all quite different. Have a great trip!
Hi Nadine
We will be going to South France in May 2019.
Arriving Avignon on 13May for 3 nights.
After then 1 night in Provence and 2 nights in Nice.
We have not plan much with our itinerary.
Will you be able to help.
Thanks and regards
Doreen
Hi Doreen, unfortunately, I can no longer offer personalised itineraries. However, I’d suggest starting by reading my Day Trips from Avignon and Day Trips from Aix-en-Provence articles and noting down which things interest you most and going from there. If you’re staying in Avignon you’ll most likely want to spend a day getting to know the city too – it’s lovely and there is plenty to do! Sorry, I don’t have much written about Nice as yet!
Hi Nadine,
My parents and I have just returned from a wonderful week in Provence. We largely followed your itinerary so I wanted to say thank you! It really saved me a job of researching and coming up with my own itinerary for which I was really grateful! We loved how every day was different (we added a St Tropez day too) and couldn’t actually pick a favourite day as each day offered so much. Unfortunately, though we bought tickets, we didn’t actually go to Carrières de Lumières as the queues were quite ridiculous – which was surprising as we experienced very few queues anywhere else. Instead, we continued straight to Glarnum and really enjoyed the site. In Cassis, we also drove the Corniche des Cretes (which I have visited before) to take in the wonderful view – it was just as impressive as I remembered.
I’m heading back to the South of France this summer to spend a month in Nice/Villefranche-sur-Mer – I cannot wait! I’m hoping for more of the same wonderful weather!
Anyway, thank you again!!
Sheralyn
Ah – you are so welcome Sheralyn! Thanks for telling me about your experience and for the lovely feedback. Much appreciated 🙂 Enjoy your time on the Côte d’Azur! Best, Nadine
Hi Nadine,
We have about 10 days in Provence this summer (July 26-August 9) after four to five days in Paris. Two of our three children have multiple food allergies, so we plan to rent a house as home base so we can pack and prepare some meals. We would like to do as much as possible on your itinerary. Is this doable staying in just one location? (We would rent a car). If so, where would you suggest we stay? I found a lovely home in Louramin and another in Villars. Are these too remote? The other possibility is finding two different houses to rent but that can get tricky with seven day minimums with most rentals. Thank you!
Laura
Hi Laura,
Yes renting houses normally comes with a one-week min rental in summer. But don’t worry, it’s totally doable staying at just one location. We often do all of these places as day trips from our home in Rognes. Villars would be good for visiting the Luberon, but Lourmarin is better located for exploring – I’d go with that. It’s a lovely village too. Otherwise, you could look at a village further south for good access routes, like Venelles or Puyricard but they don’t have the same feel as the villages in the Luberon. Hope you find something amazing! Best, Nadine
Sorry, I meant to type Lourmarin. Thank you!
We expect to be there mid to late February next year. I was wondering how the 7 day tour would stack up in winter. It sounds perfect to me and touches on most things we want to see and experience. Are there other places we should go instead. I suspect there will be some rainy days, and it really isn’t swim suit weather but there will be enough and more…. to just be there. So do you get snow there? Is Carnival celebrated there? What would be the best place to stay in winter? So glad I found your site.
Hi Nancy, it changes every year so hard to say specifically. Last February we had a tiny bit of snowfall in February and this year we’re seeing temperatures of up to 20 degrees (Celcius) already and beautiful blue skies – very little rainfall actually as that normally comes later. There are just a few attractions that won’t be open – Carrières de Lumières for example – and less frequent markets, but other than that it’s business as usual. Carnival is celebrated nearby, in Nice, mid-late Feb. For a winter stay I’d still recommend Avignon or Aix as a base for exploring the region. Hope that helps – feel free to pop over to our Provence Travel Planning Facebook group if you have more questions 🙂
Hi Nadine,
We are a kiwi family of 4 and will be arriving in Provence in mid Sept for 11 days. Your itinerary looks fantastic but I’ve seen your comments about driving, particularly the small roads. We have toured that area before in smallish hire cars but this time we were planning to do 1 week in a camper van because the kids love the idea but I’m worried that it will stop us seeing places due to its size / parking etc. As you live there I’d really appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks,
Duncan
Hi Duncan, yes I normally recommend smaller cars if you’re inexperienced driving on smaller roads. But as it sounds like you’ve done it before, and if you have experience with campers, you may find it’s ok. With the villages in the Luberon, you’ll need to park outside the villages anyway and there are often large carparks outside for this purpose. Some attractions also have dedicated camper parking – normally a little further away. For example, at the Village des Bories outside of Gordes, there is campervan parking, but quite far away, as the road to access the village is too narrow. Places like the Camargue and Pont du Gard, Avignon & Aix etc you’ll have no trouble I’d imagine. So, it won’t stop you – just be prepared to walk a little further in some cases! Have a fab trip 🙂
Thank you for this! We are a family of 5 who will be visiting the last week of September and basing ourselves in Alleins. Your blog is very helpful! We’d love to do do canoeing, hiking and biking. Do you think the weather at that time of year will be be warm enough to swim in the river or in the sea? Thanks!
Hi Julia, first of all, Alleins is a great village as a base! We used to live there and still have our Airbnb in the village. As for swimming, it’s typically still swimmable in September, as it has had all summer to warm up, but the temperature does taper off a bit by the end of the month. It depends how brave you are 😉 I don’t find our ‘part’ of the Med ever gets super warm… You might be better off going to Lac de Sainte Croix which is absolutely stunning and a must-do if you’re an outdoor loving family! Hope you have a fab time. Nadine
Hi Nadine,
Wonderful itinerary, thank you so much!! My husband and I are coming Oct 11-21 for our honeymoon! We fly into Barcelona and will be renting a car and driving up to Provence area.We get in mid afternoon to Barcelona so we are planning to rent our car and stay on the Costa Brava the night we get in. Then exploring that area for a bit on Sunday, then driving up to France. Wondering what you would recommend- here are our options we have been debating:
1. When driving up from Barcelona, veer off to Carcassone and Toulouse (probably would also visit Albi) for a few days. Then drive over to Provence area, probably Avignon to stay, and be in Provence for around 4-4.5 days. Then drive back to Barcelona.
2. After leaving Costa Brava, drive straight to France, probably stop in Narbonne for the night on the 13th. Head to Avignon and spend the entire time we are there in Provence- doing similar things to what your itinerary outlines. We would have about 6-6.5 days in Provence.
3. After leaving Costa Brava, drive straight to France, probably stop in Narbonne for the night on the 13th. Head to Avignon and spend whole time there. Do a day trip (or potentially a few days) in Lyon.
Which would you recommend? Or is there something we should do even differently? Thanks!!
Hi Melanie, apologies for the delay with my reply. With ten days up your sleeve, you certainly have a fair bit of time to look around. I loved Narbonne when I visited, but I’m not sure how lively it is in October. And I’ll admit I’m not familiar with Lyon yet. I guess it depends if you’re more city people, or village people! Avignon is a beautiful city, that feels more like a large village, especially if you stay in the centre. I would think 6-7 days is a good time to explore the best of what Provence has to offer. And my inclination would be that if you want to see somewhere a little different, to do the Carcassone option on the way. Rather than going all the way up to Lyon. Hope that helps a little!
Hi Nadine, we are travelling to France in january 2021 and depart on a cruise leaving Marseille on 16 january for 8 days. We arrive in Nice about 4/01/20 and would like advise on what to do after that as we want to hire a car and visit the Provence area and the south of Spain for the next 10 days.
Do we hire a car in Nice or travel by train to Marseilles or Avignon at where we will hire a car.
Because it is winter, we would like to visit Annecy from Lyon, by train or bus to Annecy.
Please suggest an itinerary from your experience.
Hi Geoffrey,
Seeing as your cruise is departing from Marseille, I’d recommend taking the train (or FlixBus) from Nice to Marseille and hiring a car there. This way you won’t get charged one-way fees that can be quite high. With ten days you could take in Marseille (& Cassis), Aix, Avignon, the Luberon & the Camargue area fairly easily before heading down to Spain. However, you won’t have time to drive to Southern Spain unless you want to spend a lot of time in the car! I’d recommend Catalonia instead. I’m not sure how the Lyon/Annecy trip fits in? Is it part of the ten days, or in addition?
Best,
Nadine
Thank you for writing this informative article .i have read twice a time
Hi, Nadine, your itinerary is just perfect for our trip that I’m planning for the fall of 2021 for our 30th anniversary. We’ve never been to France and want to fly into Paris, spend 2 days there and then take the train to follow your itinerary. After that we want to make our way down to the Val D’Orcia in Pienza and spend a week at our favorite agriturismo. Is it possible to take a train from Aix to Florence (that’s where we would transfer to get to our car rental in Terantola)?
Hi Judy. I do believe it would be possible. But train travel between the south of France and Italy isn’t normally fast, cost-effective, or straight forward from my experience! I think you may find it’s easier and cheaper to fly from Marseille to Florence. Or from Marseille to Rome and then take the high-speed train to Florence.
Can’t wait
I love your itinerary but I will be traveling with a group that does not want to “move around”. I would love your input on a 5 vs 6 night stay in St Remy. I will be bringing family (total of 4 couples) to Provence April 23-30, 2022. They do not like to “pack & unpack” so I will rent a luxury farmhouse in St. Remy for the either 5 or 6 nights. We will fly back to the US on April 30th. I cannot decide if we should spend 5 nights in St Remy then the last 2 nights at a waterfront hotel on the French Riviera (would have to be within 1 hr of the Nice airport OR the other option is to spend 6 nights in St Remy then just the last night close to the Nice airport.
Do you think it’s worth moving those last two nights?? Would it allow enough time to see a little of the French Riviera??
Thank you for any suggestions you might have!
Jane
If you have your heart set on seeing the seaside, I’d recommend a 5-night stay in St Remy and 2 nights on the Riviera. But keep in mind, April can be a mixed bag weather-wise and the mistral wind (frequent in spring) can make the seaside unenjoyable some days.