Provence is one of the most beautiful and popular regions in France with mountainous areas, a Mediterranean coastline and a vast rural landscape. Provence has one of the most impressive coastlines in the country with cities like Nice, Marseille, Toulon and Cannes. The Maritime Alps on the border between France and Italy and several other smaller mountain ranges offer opportunities for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The Garriga landscape along the coast is covered in fragrant wild herbs, lavender, and thick forests. The Camargue River Delta is a bird watcher’s paradise with lagoons, sandbars and salt marshes that are home to more than 400 species of birds, including the greater flamingo. Provence is also crossed by several rivers, including the Rhone River, the Durance River, and the Verdon River, where visitors can enjoy boating, water sports, swimming, and fishing. Provence is famous for its delicious local cuisine and picturesque hilltop villages. So with so much to offer, how can a traveler plan a trip to Provence?
Driving through Provence:
Start in Marseille, where you can see the Roman docks, the Church of Saint Victor, and stroll along Boulevard La Canebiere. Enjoy the beautiful blue waters by taking a boat trip or spending time on the beach. Drive to Aix en Provence, a refined university town, admire the tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, the outdoor cafes, the city’s grand houses, the former studio of artist Paul Cezanne, and the old town. Follow country lanes through vineyards and olive groves to Haute Provence and visit any of the hilltop villages along the way. You can take a look at St. Cannat, Lignane, Silvacane on the Durance River, Cadenet or Loumarin. After a stop in Bonnieux, visit Apt, where you can feast on truffles and purchase a locally produced lavender perfume. Roussillon is a small town with a maze of narrow streets, the houses are painted in ocher tones and the town is really beautiful. Gordes is another picturesque village where you can see restored 17th century bories (traditional dry stone huts). Other nearby towns to visit are Senanque; Venasque surrounded by a dense forest; Crillon le Brave and Cavaillon. From here, head to Avignon, where highlights include the Palais des Papes, a former papal residence (1309-1377). Also see the city’s impressive churches and the Pont Saint Benezet bridge that crosses the Rover Rhone. If time permits, head to St. Remy de Provence and then to Arles and Nimes.
Based in Avignon
Alternatively, base in convenient Avignon and go on day trips to nearby towns and cities in the region. Travel to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on the banks of the river Sorgue and then to Roussillon. Further east is the hilltop town of Moustiers Sainte-Marie, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Les Baux-de-Provence is 2 hours from Avignon and offers magnificent views from the cliff-top fortress. St. Remy and Arles are nearby and from Avignon you can also visit Aix-en-Provence.
Only the highlights of Provence
If you are short on time, why not limit yourself to the more prominent regions such as the cities of Marseille, Avignon and Cassis, as well as the villages of Moustiers Sainte-Marie. Saint-Remy-de-Provence; Worthy surrounded by lavender fields; see a bullfight in Arles; shop at the markets of L’Isle Sur-la-Sorgue and enjoy the pristine natural beauty of the Gorges du Verdon and the wetlands of the Camargue.
Where to stay
Provence has a wide selection of places to choose from when it comes to places to stay during your visit. If you prefer five-star resorts, the Mediterranean cities of Nice, Saint Tropez, St. Raphael and Marseille offer the ultimate in luxury and beautiful accommodations that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. If spas and gourmet restaurants aren’t at the top of your to-do list while in Provence, you may find a more authentic experience by choosing to stay at a vacation rental property. These can range from studios or apartments in the cities to castles or cottages found in the countryside. Groups like families, reunions and friends will find vacation rentals an affordable and fun way to spend a vacation together. For those couples looking for a romantic getaway, what could be better than spending some quality one-on-one experiencing the beauty of France and its culture in a vacation rental property.