Planning a trip to Provence? Get ready for a week filled with scenic landscapes, delicious food, and charming villages.
Provence is a beautiful jumble, all set under breathtaking translucent light. It’s both rustic and sophisticated.
The region is a melange of orchards, vineyard, lavender fields, Roman ruins … and even flamingos.
There are lively cities and sleepy medieval towns, each with a distinct character.
You can wander through local markets, soak up the sun in picturesque squares, and discover everything Provence has to offer.
You won’t be the first to experience the region’s joyful vibrance. A parade of artists passed through — Matisse, Renoir, Bonnard, Chagall, Picasso to name a few.
Perhaps the most famous was Vincent Van Gogh, who moved to Arles in 1888 and began frenetically paintings his most famous canvases.
Overview Of One Week In Provence Itinerary
Here’s a snapshot glance of what you can see in 7 days in Provence:
- Avignon
- Arles
- Camargue and Les Baux
- Venasque, Gordes and Roussillon
- Ménerbes, Lacoste, and Bonnieux
- Sault, Vaison-la-Romaine, and L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
- Aix-en-Provence
For one week, I would have either one or two bases and day trip from there. It makes sense to have Avignon (or the surrounding area) as one base and a Luberon town as another.
Personally, I like staying in the countryside with close access to towns for sightseeing and meals. On my last trip, I stayed at Hotel Crillon-le-Brave (outside Avignon) and La Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa (Luberon) and loved them both.
If you’re coming or leaving from Paris, high speed trains connect you with both Avignon and Aix-en-Provence.
One Week In Provence Itinerary
Day 1: Avignon
Avignon is a charming city in southeastern France, brimming with history and culture. Its stunning architecture, lively squares, and chic eateries make it a perfect spot to experience the urban side of Provence.
Once the seat of the papacy, Avignon has a rich cultural heritage with charming small museums and churches scattered throughout the city.
Begin your one day in Avignon with a visit to the Pope’s Palace, the Palais de Papes. It’s the largest Gothic palace in Europe.
The palace is an impressive example of Gothic architecture, featuring towering walls, fortified towers, soaring banquet halls, and vaulted chapels.
There are plenty of incredible rooms and spaces to explore in the palace. Among the most impressive are:
- Grande Audience Hall (the Pope’s Audience Chamber)
- Grand Tinel (the Pope’s banquet hall)
- Consistory (the council chamber)
- Chapels of St. Martial and St. Jean
- Pope’s Apartment (beautiful frescos)
I advise getting a skip the line ticket in high season and visiting at 9:00 am when it opens. It’s a vast complex, so you will likely want to dedicate a couple hours to it.
Art lovers can visit the Angaldon Museum or the Petit Palais.
>>> Click here to book a walking tour of Avignon
Day 2: Pont du Gard & Arles
Pont du Gard
Drive from Avignon to the Pont du Gard (about 30 minutes).
The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct, and is now a UNESCO site.
This engineering marvel once carried water from Uzès to Nimes, towering over the Gardon River and its dramatic gorge.
Despite its massive size, the aqueduct was built in just five years. It stands 48.8 meters high, stretches 275 meters long, and features 52 arches.
As the tallest aqueduct of the Roman Empire, the Pont du Gard has three tiers of arches stacked on top of each other. Access to the upper tier is available through guided tours in July and August.
In late June, temperatures can reach the mid-90s. After exploring, we cooled off by dipping our feet in the Gardon River, a popular swimming spot with stunning views of the aqueduct.
Take your time to walk along the structure, visit the museum, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
You’ll definitely want to pre-book a skip the line admission ticket to avoid a long line.
Arles
Continue your drive to the underrated town of Arles (about 45 minutes).
Visit some of the town’s Roman treasures. An amphitheater, public baths, and a cryptoporticus are some of the monuments still standing since the time of Emperor Augustus.
Arles is just as famous for its connection to Vincent Van Gogh. Many of his masterpieces were painted in Arles and this is where the artist chopped off his ear.
Start with the Roman Amphitheatre, Les Arene. The arena was specially built for gladiator contests.
Much of the walls of the two level structure remain, each with 60 arches.
Like the Arena, Arles’ Roman Theater, right next door, is of Augustian vintage from the 1st century AD.
With seating for 10,000+ spectators, it’s as large as the famous theater in Orange France. And is still used for performances.
Wander down the road to Les Alyscamps, the town’s necropolis.
It was founded by Romans. But, over time, miracles happened there. So then everyone wanted to be buried there.
Then, wind up your day with a stroll through the historic center.
Visit the beautiful Church of St. Trophime in the Place de la Republica.
Built between the 12th and 15th centuries, the church is an important example of medieval architecture. It made the UNESCO list in 1981.
The church has an elaborately carved Romanesque portal telling bible stories via sculpture. Inside, it’s austere, but not without adornment.
The church houses some of the world’s finest examples of Romanesque sculpture.
It’s named for a bishop of Arles and was renovated in the 11th through 15th centuries. Don’t miss the elaborate carvings on the tympanum of the west portal depicting The Last Judgment.
Those obsessed with Van Gogh can go on a Van Gogh themed tour or visit the Foundation Van Gogh.
The modern new complex hosts temporary exhibitions with some connection to Van Gogh. And they usually have one original you can see.
Day 3: The Camargue & Les Baux-de-Provence
Camargue
On day 3, head to the wild, wild Camargue National Park. It’s a river delta where the Rhône River meets the sea.
With its vast marshlands, white stallion, wild bulls, and real life cowboys — called guardien — this is about as close as France gets to the Wild West.
I saw wild bulls and white horses galloping in the countryside and pale pink flamingos flapping their wings in the salt flats. The flamingos would wade around and then take off in a cloud of pink and white.
Because of its biodiversity and natural splendor, the Camargue is on the tentative UNESCO list.
Visit the town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to grab some lunch.
>>> Click here to book a 4 x 4 guided tour
Les Baux
After you’re fueled up, drive to Les Baux-de-Provence and explore the medieval village and chateau.
The setting is grimly medieval, the remains of an enormous stone citadel rising out of a shadowy, windswept massive.
It’s an ancient stronghold ruled by the Lords of Les Baux in the Middle Ages.
There are two parts of the visit: the “living city” (pedestrian only village) and the “dead city” (the ruined castle complex).
The living city is in the lower town. It’s been beautifully restored. You’ll find artisan shops, art galleries, and ivy clad Renaissance facades.
The castle is on a plateau over the lower town.
With an audio guide in hand, follow the path through the dead city. At the entrance, the Musee d’Histoire des Baux gives you a historical primer.
There are reproductions of medieval weapons on display, including a battering ram and catapults.
The ruins include fragments of towers. The only intact part remaining is the donjon, the keep of the medieval castle.
Toward the exit, the Chapelle Saint-Blaise has a film describing the Baux of artists — Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Gauguin.
Day 4: Luberon Villages – Gordes, Roussillon & Venasque
Gordes
Drive to the Luberon region and visit Gordes.
It’s one of the most beautiful villages in France and the #1 attraction in Provence. Expect crowds!
The town’s houses are made from pale limestone hewn from local rock. They create a glowing appearance in the Provencal sunlight.
As you are driving into the city, you’ll come across a pullout viewpoint where you can park and snap the most iconic photo of the town. It’s on the right hand side.
You can visit the Castle of Gordes and wander the picture perfect cobblestone lanes.
Admire the beautiful limestone and caramel colored houses. Visit small boutiques and art galleries. And take plenty of photos of the picturesque scenes.
The Rue de Belvedere wraps around the outside of the town, giving you some great photo opps of the village and valley.
Grab some lunch at Ladurée. It’s a renowned French luxury bakery and sweets maker on the main square.
Roussillon
Roussillon is only 15-20 minutes from Gordes. The eye catching town is set on its ochre cliffs and the houses are dreamy corals and ochre colors.
Roussillon is one of the most picturesque towns in Provence, officially recognized as one of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.”
What sets Roussillon apart is its stunning orange-red ochre colors, creating a striking contrast against the green hills and dramatic canyon.
Roussillon’s unique palette comes from one of the world’s largest ochre deposits, offering 17 different shades of soil, from red and orange to yellow and violet.
The village itself is enchanting, with ancient buildings in pastel colors, adding to its timeless charm.
The old ochre quarries, the Sentier des Ocres, are an eye popping photographer’s dream.
It’s a mini canyon of fantastically shaped rock formation set against a pine background.
You have two options: a 30 minute tourist trail or a 60 minute visitor path through a mini canyon that was a former ochre mine.
If you stay in Roussillon for dinner, I recommend Le Piquebaure, just outside the town. It’s a country restaurant at the foot of the cliff and the perfect way to polish off your day.
Venasque
If you have any time left in your day, head to Venasque. It’s a quiet little hill town built on the rock spur of a forest.
Known for its picturesque setting, rich history, and well-preserved architecture, Venasque is also one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France.”
The village flourished during the medieval period.
It has retained much of its historical architecture and layout, with an impressive collection of early Christian and Medieval buildings.
As you stroll the medieval streets, be sure to seek out the Eglise de Notre-Dame in the north. It’s 6th century baptistery is one of France’s oldest religious buildings.
Day 5: Luberon Villages – Ménerbes, Lacoste, and Bonnieux
Menerbes
Start your day exploring charming village of Ménerbes. It’s another ridgetop fortress town known for its stunning views and historical buildings.
The town became famous thanks to author Peter Mayle, who wrote the bestselling novel A Year in Provence.
The fortified citadel at the top of the village offers stunning views of the surrounding Luberon Valley and Mont Ventoux.
The Church of Saint-Luc is a historic church, dating back to the 16th century.
You can even visit the Dora Maar House. Once the residence of Dora Maar, the famous photographer, and muse of Pablo Picasso, this house is now an artist’s retreat and cultural center.
You may want to visit the Maison de la Truffe et du Vin. It’s the go to place for sampling a truffle menu, sipping wine, and shopping for local products.
Lacoste
Your next village visit is to Lacoste, which is just 4 miles east of Menerbes.
It’s home to the ruins of the Marquis de Sade’s castle. The terms “sadist” and “sadism” are derived from his name.
The infamous marquis used to retreat to his castle and host wild parties. Pierre Cardin bought the place and converted it into an open air lyrical art center.
The town itself is beautifully restored, with cobbled lanes winding up to the castle.
Be sure to visit Cafe de France. It boasts sublime views over the nearby town of Bonnieux, your next stop.
Bonnieux
Bonnieux is just a 10 minute drive from Lacoste.
The town has a rich history dating back to Roman times. Evidence of its past includes Roman remains and ancient structures.
The village flourished in the Middle Ages and has retained much of its medieval architecture.
The village has sand colored buildings clinging to a pyramidal mound. There are pretty piazzas, fine old homes, and art galleries.
The cobbled lanes lead up to the Haute Eglise. You’ll have to climb 96 steps to get there.
But it’s worth it for the stunning panoramic views over lavender fields, vineyards, and fruit trees.
Tucked away on a quiet street is the Musee de la Boulangerie.
And nearby is the Pont Julien. It’s an ancient Roman bridge located near Bonnieux, still in remarkable condition.
Day 6: Sault, Lavender Fields, Sénanque Abbey, and L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Sault
Start day 6 with a drive to Sault.
Sault is renowned for its vast lavender fields, which are in full bloom during June and July.
Don’t miss the 12th century Romanesque church, a key landmark in the village. Visit local distilleries to learn about lavender production and buy high-quality lavender products.
Explore the charming village, visit lavender farms, and enjoy the stunning views. If you need a break, stop by one of the local creperies for a delicious brunch.
Senaque Abbey
Drive to Sénanque Abbey, which is about 1 hour from Sault.
The abbey is one of three great Cisterian monasteries in France. It took a 100 years to build the abbey, beginning in 1148.
Monks have come and gone over the years. Today, they cultivate lavender and honey products.
Stop by for iconic photos of the lavender in front of the historic monastery. You can only visit the interior on a guided tour, which are offered throughout the day.
Pro Tip: The best time to see the lavender here is in late June and early July. Off season, it’s skippable.
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Finally, head to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (about 45 minutes from Sénanque Abbey).
Water appears at every turn in this compact medieval village, built on island dotting the branches of the River Sorgue.
Today, the town hosts France’s second largest flea market spreading out along the picturesque streets on weekends.
Explore the town’s picturesque canals, antique shops, and vibrant market. Stroll through the charming streets and visit the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges.
Return to your Luberon base for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Aix-en-Provence
End your one week in Provence in the handsome town of Aix-en-Provence.
Native son Paul Cezanne immortalized Aix and nearby Mount Ste.-Victoire in more than a hundred paintings.
Aix is known for its vibrant outdoor markets, honey-hued buildings, cobbled pedestrian lanes, and residents who enjoy the good life.
The ancient town of aristocrats exemplifies l’art de vivre (the art of living) with style. Plus, it’s simply pretty and a great place to relax.
The city is free of obligatory sights or ancient ruins. But what it lacks for in major sites, the old capital makes up in culture and ambience.
The many squares, lined with cafés and fine shops, provide perfect spots to relax and people-watch.
>>> Click here to book a guided walking tour
Cours Mirabeau is Aix’s main artery.
It shines as one of France’s most elegant boulevards — with giant elms, venerable cafs, and 18th century fountains. The most famous cafe is Les Deux Garcons.
Just north of Cours Mirabeau is the neighborhood of St.-Sauver. You’ll want to check out the cathedral, which is a curious hybrid of styles and has intricately carved portals.
Just south of Cour Mirabeau is the Quartier Mazarin. It boasts a collection of aristocratic 17th century houses.
The prettiest streets to stroll are Rue Mazarin and Place des Quatre Dauphins.
In this neighborhood, you’ll find the Caumont Centre d’Art, which hosts music and dance performances in a beautifully restored 18th century building.
Don’t miss the film about Cezanne’s life in Aix.
If you’re pining for a museum, the best one to visit is the Musee Granet. It’s an art and archaeological museum housed in a 17th century priory of the Knights of Malta.
Among the highlights are Italian and Flemish works, including pieces by Rubens and Rembrandt.
Tips For One Week In Provence
If you’re flying into Provence, you’l land in neither Marseille or Nice. Or, you could fly into Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris and take the high speed train.
Once in the region, you’ll definitely want a car to have for the quintessential Provencal experience. That’s the only way you’ll be able to visit the tiny villages tucked away in the hills.
If you’re driving, know that some toll booths and gas station require a card with a microchip.
Some towns have blue zones where parking is free up to an hour. There is also on-street parking. Just don’t drive straight into the village!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my one week in Provence itinerary. You may find these other southern France travel guides useful:
- 10 day itinerary for southern France
- 1 week Dordogne itinerary
- Hidden gems in Provence
- Hilltop villages of the Luberon Valley
- Historic landmarks in southern France
- Beautiful villages in the Dordogne
- Beautiful villages in Occitanie
- One day in Avignon itinerary
- One day in Sarlat-la-Caneda
- One day in Toulouse itinerary
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