Whether you’re jet-setting through the Cote d’Azur, or sipping wines while touring the countryside, Provence has mastered how to enjoy the simple life with plenty of luxuries. The area most popular with tourists is the Cote d’Azur, more commonly known as the French Riviera, which is the coastal strip of land in the south where enjoying the Mediterranean warmth and waters can happen all year long. Popular cities include Monaco, Marseille, Nice, St. Tropez, and most famous for its film festival, the city of Cannes.
Near Sault
Avignon Bridge
Places to Visit in Provence
Marseille
Nice
Cannes
St. Tropez
Monaco
Grasse
Luberon
Avignon
Unique Things to See and Do in Provence
Visit the birthplace of Nostradamus in Saint-Remy-de-Provence
Wander the streets of the Old Port in Marseille
Visit the Fragonard Perfume Factory in Grasse
Try socca in Nice, a tasty chickpea pancake!
Visit the Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in the world
Touring Provence Countryside
Aix-en-Provence
The university town of Aix-en-Provence is the perfect inspirational town for budding artists looking for that creative flair. This town was the birthplace for the late Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cezanee and claims this for its “tourist pull,” but the real beauty is in the narrow streets, public squares, weekday markets, and “French air.” Be sure to walk down the Cours Mirabeau. This tree-lined boulevard with beautiful fountains flowing in the middle is a perfect walk after dinner.
Saint-Remy-de-Provence
Anyone interested in Roman history will want to tour through the quiet town of Saint-Remy-de-Provence. Also known for being the city where Van Gogh was medically treated at the Monastery de Mausole, you’ll find many tributes to him.
Les Baux
Olive trees, rocky shores, and a village dating back to 6,000 BC is the perfect setting for some stunning photography. Located about 25km outside of Saint-Remy-de-Provence, the Chateau des Baux is a castle perched high above the village where you can feel the strong Mistral winds most days.
Digne-les-Bains
There are two main reasons to visit Digne-les-Bains: the lavender fields and the thermal springs! Seeing field upon field of purple-blue lavender plants is breathtaking and a perfect picture of Provence. The lavender is used in the perfumes created, however you can enjoy a lavender bath in the thermal springs!
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Hosting the largest outdoor market in the Luberon area, this village has beautiful plane trees, meandering streams, and the most famous antique market in all of France. With over 300 stalls, the market is also fantastic for cafes, pizzerias, and restaurants situated along canals.
Did you know…?
Located in Nimes, France, Maison Carrée is considered the best preserved Roman temple.
Did you ALSO know…?
The wild horses of Camargue are an ancient breed that still live in the wetlands of the Rhone Valley, France.
Don’t forget to take a picture of the water wheels that were previously used for the textile and fabrics industries in years past. It doesn’t sound pretty, but the old spoke wheels covered in moss with a backdrop of old stone houses makes for the perfect photograph. Really, the whole Luberon area has plenty of villages worth touring and is also great spot for those wanting to bicycle through the countryside.
Getting Around Provence
Travelling through France is easily done by train with access to cities, towns and villages. However many of the sights are usually just out of reach of the train stations. If you want to visit the wineries in Avignon, see the countryside in Luberon, or drive the winding roads along the coastline, renting a car is fairly inexpensive option and you can rent them just for a day which makes day trips out of the villages much easier. You’ll need a valid driver’s license and your passport, and a deposit on your credit card. Always fill up with gas when you can because the countryside has few gas stations.
Best Time of Year to Travel to Provence
Travelling through Provence has become really popular during the summer months (when it is the driest), yet in the past the French Riviera was a haven for the winter months. In the eastern part of Provence you can experience some strong Mistral winds from the north/northwest, and that can bring the temperature down quite a bit. Most of Provence experiences dry summers and mild winters. Temperatures range from 23C at the lowest and go as high as 35C in height of summer.
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