Discover the Art of Provençal Living
Private Villas, Sunset Picnics, and the Scent of Summer in Provence
From the Eiffel Tower to a Hidden Alley: The FrizeMedia Compass
International Travel Destinations Paris Travel Tips Europe Travel Avignon Brussels Krakow Burgundy Amsterdam Zermatt Cambodia Ghana Tourism Toronto New England Phuket London Costa Rica Beijing Bordeaux Florence Alice Springs Los Angeles Portugal Taiwan Machu Picchu Kakum National Park Ghana Africa Travel
The Complete Tourist’s Guide to Provence: Tips, Sights, and Local Secrets
Provence is a sun-drenched region along France’s Mediterranean coast, stretching from the lower Rhône River to the Italian border.
Beloved by both international visitors and French holidaymakers, it offers a rare blend of Roman history, papal grandeur, and quintessential village charm.
Its proximity to the French Riviera adds coastal allure, but Provence itself is a world of lavender fields, hilltop forts, bustling markets, and timeless stone villages. This guide will help you navigate, stay, eat, and explore like an insider.
Getting to Provence
By air
The region’s own Avignon Airport handles domestic and select European flights. For intercontinental travelers, the closest major airports are in Lyon (about 2.5–3 hours by road), Marseille (under an hour to Aix-en-Provence), and Nice (roughly 2.5 hours). All three have excellent transfer links, by shuttle, train, or rental car, directly into the heart of Provence.
By train
France’s high-speed TGV network makes train travel a breeze. From Paris’s Gare de Lyon, direct TGV services reach Avignon in just under three hours. Aix-en-Provence TGV station is similarly well connected, with shuttle buses running into the city center.
By car
Driving from northern France or neighboring countries (Switzerland, Italy, Spain) is straightforward via the A7 and A8 autoroutes. A car is also the most flexible way to explore Provence’s rural villages, but be aware that summer traffic can be heavy, and parking in old towns is often limited.
Where to Stay: Bases vs. Roaming
Many visitors prefer to move between historic towns rather than anchor in one spot. That said, both approaches work beautifully.
- Base yourself in a central town – Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, or Arles gives you daily access to restaurants, markets, and transport links. From there, you can take day trips to the countryside.
- Roam from village to village – Staying two nights in a hilltop village like Gordes or Roussillon, then two in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, lets you experience different atmospheres without long drives.
Accommodation options are plentiful and rich in Provençal character: family-run hotels in converted convents, chambres d’hôtes (bed & breakfasts) with garden pools, self-catering mas (farmhouses), and budget-friendly hostels in larger towns. Book well ahead for July and August, lavender season brings crowds.
A Brief History: From Romans to Popes
Provence’s name comes from the Latin Provincia Romana, the first Roman province beyond the Alps. Roman influence is still etched into the landscape: look for the Arena of Arles, the Pont du Gard aqueduct, and the Triumphal Arch of Orange.
In the 14th century, the region took on a different kind of power. The papacy moved from Rome to Avignon, where seven popes resided. This “Babylonian Captivity” turned Avignon into a second Vatican, leaving behind the magnificent Palais des Papes.
Later centuries brought prosperity through silk, olives, and wine. Today, Provence is one of France’s most prosperous and culturally rich regions, balancing tradition with a lively contemporary art scene (the Fondation Maeght and Carrières de Lumières are modern must-sees).
Dining: Where and What to Eat
French cuisine shines everywhere, but Provence adds its own sun-soaked identity.
Local specialties to try
- Bouillabaisse – The legendary fish stew from Marseille, served with rouille (spicy garlic mayonnaise) and toasted bread.
- Soupe au pistou – A vegetable and bean soup enriched with basil-garlic paste (Provence’s answer to pesto).
- Anchoïade – Anchovy, garlic, and olive oil dip, eaten with raw vegetables.
- Tapenade – Olive, caper, and anchovy spread.
- Calissons d’Aix – Almond-shaped candies made from melon and almond paste.
Where to eat
Restaurants, bistros, and café terraces line almost every street. For local, affordable meals, follow these tips:
- Look for the “Menu du Jour” – A fixed-price lunch menu (often €15–25) that includes starter, main, and dessert. This is almost always better value than ordering à la carte.
- Read menus before sitting down – Tourist-heavy squares can be pricey. Step one street back and you’ll often find the same quality for half the price.
- Classy looks = classy prices – A beautifully decorated restaurant with white linen will deliver excellent food, but expect a €40–60+ dinner.
- Boulangerie picnics – Grab a baguette, cheese, pâté, and a punnet of cherries from a market. There are countless scenic picnic spots beside Roman ruins or lavender fields.
Sights and Attractions: Beyond the Big Three
Everyone knows Avignon (Palais des Papes, Pont Saint-Bénézet), Aix-en-Provence (Cours Mirabeau, Cézanne’s studio), and Arles (Roman arena, Van Gogh’s café). They are magnificent, no doubt. But don’t miss these gems:
- The Luberon villages – Gordes, Roussillon (ochre cliffs), Ménerbes, and Bonnieux. Rent a scooter or car for a day of winding roads and postcard views.
- The Camargue – A wild wetland of white horses, pink flamingos, and salt flats. Take a guided 4×4 tour or simply drive the D570.
- Les Baux-de-Provence – A clifftop village with a ruined castle and the immersive Carrières de Lumières art show.
- Lavender routes – From mid-June to late July, the Plateau de Valensole and Abbaye de Sénanque deliver the dreamy purple blooms that define Provence.
If you enjoy walking, the Calanques (fjord-like inlets near Marseille) offer spectacular coastal hikes. For history lovers, the Pont du Gard (Roman aqueduct) is unforgettable, bring a swimsuit to dip in the river below.
Shopping in Provence
Provence is a shopper’s delight, especially for handmade, home-focused goods.
- Fabrics and linens – Look for santonniers (hand-painted nativity figures) and printed Provençal cottons (olive branches, cicadas, lavender sprigs). Village markets are best for tablecloths, napkins, and tea towels.
- Olive oil and tapenade – Small producers sell directly at markets or at moulins à huile (oil mills). Taste before you buy.
- Ceramics – The villages of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and Apt are famous for hand-painted faience pottery.
- Lavender products – Real lavender (lavande fine) grows at altitude; lower fields often sell lavandin (a hybrid) which is cheaper but less fragrant. Look for “AOC” or “AOP” labels for authenticity.
Marseille is the closest big city for department stores, designer boutiques, and the iconic Savon de Marseille (cube soaps in green or beige). But don’t skip the weekly markets in smaller towns: L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on Sunday morning is a paradise for antiques and brocante.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Trip
- Best time to visit – May, June, and September offer warm sun, fewer crowds, and lower prices. July–August is peak season (and very hot, often 30–35°C). Lavender blooms mid-June to late July.
- Getting around – A car is ideal for villages, but trains serve Avignon, Arles, Aix, and Marseille well. For short hops, regional buses (LER and Zou!) are cheap and reliable.
- Packing essentials – Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestones everywhere), a sunhat, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle (fountains are common). Evenings can be cool, especially in spring.
- Language – English is spoken in tourist hubs, but learning a few French phrases (bonjour, merci, s’il vous plaît) will earn you warmer service.
- Market etiquette – Do not touch produce without the vendor’s nod. Bring small change. Most markets run from morning until early afternoon (8am–1pm).
- Reservations – For popular restaurants and hotels from June to September, book at least a week ahead. The Palais des Papes and Carrières de Lumières also sell out.
Provence rewards those who slow down. Spend an hour at a café just watching the light shift on a Roman arch. Stop for a roadside fig seller’s stand. Take the small road that looks like it leads nowhere, often, that’s where the real Provence begins.
Tweet
