Destination
Provence, France
Lavender fields, hilltop villages, Roman ruins and rosé under plane trees in the countryside that Cézanne and Van Gogh painted.
Trips to Provence from every city
No live trip to Provence right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | avoid |
| February | avoid |
| March | fine |
| April | best |
| May | best |
| June | best |
| July | best |
| August | fine |
| September | best |
| October | best |
| November | fine |
| December | avoid |
- June, July: Lavender blooms from mid-June to mid-July; the Avignon theatre festival runs through July
- September, October: Grape harvest and quieter villages
December, January, February: Cold mistral winds and many countryside hotels and restaurants closed
Where to stay in Provence
- Aix-en-Provence: Fountains, markets and Cézanne, the most elegant base.
- Avignon: The Papal Palace and a TGV station, easy without a car.
- Luberon villages (Gordes / Bonnieux): Hilltop stone villages and lavender fields.
- Saint-Rémy-de-Provence / Les Baux: Van Gogh country and the Alpilles hills.
- Marseille Vieux-Port: The port city's bouillabaisse and the calanques.
What to do in Provence
- Photograph the lavender fields at Sénanque Abbey and the Valensole plateau
- Shop the Saturday market in Aix or the Sunday market in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
- Visit the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct
- Kayak or hike the calanques near Cassis
- Taste rosé in the Côtes de Provence or Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Walk the Van Gogh trail in Saint-Rémy and Arles
Good to know
| Airports | Marseille Provence (MRS), Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | upscale |
| Time zone | Europe/Paris |
| Kind of trip | wine, food, road-trip, culture, romantic |
Questions about Provence
When is the best time to visit Provence?
April, May, June, July, September and October. December, January, February: Cold mistral winds and many countryside hotels and restaurants closed
Do US citizens need a passport for Provence?
Yes. Provence is in France; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Provence on the ground?
Provence is upscale by US standards: plan about $130 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.