By air
Marseille (MRS), ~1 h
Europe · France
Provence, France
Lavender fields, markets and hill villages
Getting there
Best time to visit
Late June to July for lavender; April to October
Don't miss
Gordes
The Palais des Papes
The Pont du Gard
The Valensole plateau
Things to do
The lavender fields
The Luberon villages
Avignon's Palais des Papes
Market days
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Greudin · Public domain
What to pack
A sun hat, light clothes
A quieter corner
Roussillon's ochre trail
Questions travellers ask
When is lavender season in Provence?
Late June to July, though April to October is a good time to visit generally. Pack a sun hat and light clothes.
What is there to see in Provence?
Gordes, Avignon's Palais des Papes, the Pont du Gard and the Valensole plateau, plus the Luberon villages and the lavender fields. Walk Roussillon's ochre trail too.
What food and drink should I try in Provence?
Put together a market-day picnic with tapenade, and pour a glass of rosé.
Where do I land for a Provence trip?
Marseille (MRS), about an hour away.
About Provence
- Hills
Where it is
Provence is a historic region of south-east France stretching from the left bank of the lower Rhône east to the Italian border, with the Mediterranean to the south and the Alps to the north-east; it largely corresponds to today's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
History
Greek colonists from Phocaea founded Massalia, now Marseille, around 600 BC, and the Romans built towns such as Arles and Orange. From 1309 to 1377 seven popes reigned in Avignon, and the County of Provence passed to the French crown in 1481 and was formally joined to France in 1486. In the 19th century Cézanne painted Mont Sainte-Victoire near his native Aix, and Van Gogh worked in Arles.
People
Provençaux speak French, and Provençal, a dialect of Occitan, is still cherished in songs and festivals. Weekly markets sell olive oil, lavender and herbs, families set out painted clay nativity figures called santons at Christmas, and pétanque is played in village squares.
Known for
- Lavender fields of the Valensole plateau
- The Palais des Papes in Avignon
- The Roman theatre of Orange and the arena of Arles
- Hilltop villages such as Gordes and Roussillon
- Markets, olive oil and rosé wine
Did you know?
Provence takes its name from the Latin provincia: it was the first Roman province beyond the Alps, known as Provincia Romana.
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