There are such a lot of gorgeous areas in France to go to; with Provence being no exception. Not solely is it one of many extra iconic places in France to go to, nevertheless it additionally has a heap of the most effective locations in Provence to go to year-round.
Truthfully, Provence has slightly one thing for each sort of traveller. From beautiful little communes; like Gordes, centuries of historical past and probably the most lovely vistas and mountain ranges; Provence is completely superb to go to.
So, to make your journey run easily, we’ve jotted down a number of the prime locations in Provence you must see and discover when in France. This fashion, you possibly can deal with travelling round Provence, with none of the added stress of researching on the go!
Anyway, ramble over! Check out a number of the finest locations in Provence to go to when in France. Have probably the most fantastic time!
1.) Avignon
The very first thing it is advisable to go to in Avignon is the Palais de Papes, a UNESCO Heritage and Europe’s largest Gothic palace.
It’s actually gorgeous and the frescos are lovely. Plus, Palais de Papes has been the house of 9 Popes between 1309 and 1403. It’s nicely price a gander when you arrive.
Apart from the Palais de Papes, different beautiful spots in Avignon are Musée du Petit Palais, the place you possibly can see well-known works of Giovanni Bellini Sandro Botticelli, amongst others, and non secular landmarks just like the Provençal Romanesque Eglise Saint-Didier and the Twelfth-century Cathédrale Notre-Dame-des-Doms.
In fact, you’ve acquired to walk throughout the Medieval bridge of Pont d’Avignon and take a gander at Jardin des Doms on a sunny summer season day.
Afterwards, head to Grand Café Baretta which we cherished! Simply you should definitely ebook a desk in the event you’re heading right here on a weekend; it does replenish quick.
Oh yeah, and in the event you fancy slightly gander away from the town streets of Avignon, you possibly can try the medieval village Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Villeneuve-lez-Avignon. The previous is one among our favorite wine areas in all of France.
Heading additional away from Avignon? Be sure to take a look at the city of Orange. Right here, you’ll discover the traditional 1st-century AD Théâtre Vintage, which is among the finest locations in Provence to go to.
Right here, you’ll get to observe performances, comedies, and acrobatics throughout the Roman period. Within the current time, the theatre is used for cultural occasions like Les Chorégies d’Orange.
Different must-see spots in Orange are the Arc de Triomphe, the Hémicycle, and the Musée d’Artwork et d’Histoire, the place it is advisable to try the Mosaique des Centaures.
Read more: Best places in Avignon to visit
2.) Les Baux de Provence
Les Baux de Provence is sort of a heading again in time. It completely appears unimaginable and is well the most effective locations in Provence to go to as you head across the area.
Right here, you’ll get to expertise a glimpse of the Center Ages by visiting Les Baux-de-Provence by strolling its streets. It’s so picturesque, particularly with all its stone buildings, flower-filled terraces, quaint galleries, and cobblestone streets.
After arriving, you need to head over to Château des Baux. It’s a surprising fortress, albeit, in ruins that’s nicely price taking a gander at. Then, pop over to Eglise Saint-Vincent and the Musée Yves, too. The latter is nice if the climate takes a flip and also you’re searching for some epic locations indoors.
Getting peckish? Seize a yummy lunch at Le Bouchon Rouge. Their crepes and pates are so good.
3.) Cassis
As soon as thought of a hidden gem, Cassis has develop into far more well-known over the previous few many years. Although, that isn’t a damaging. Actually, it’s nonetheless the most effective locations in Provence to go to that’s proper on the coast and a stone’s throw from the close by metropolis of Marseille.
With its white cliffs, Cassis is a completely beautiful spot to go to in Summer season, particularly when the climate is scorching. We love the little coves and bays round this space, particularly; Calanque de Port Pin and Calanque d’En-vau which aren’t too far-off.
Not solely that, Cassis is world-renowned for its winemaking and also you’ll be capable of strive a tipple (or two) in a great deal of the little bars and eating places that line its shorefront.
We popped into Le Grand Giant and cherished it. They serve up heaps of recent seafood and their scallops are all the things. Plus, you possibly can often discover bouillabaisse (a form of fish stew) that’s so tasty.
4.) Gordes
Okay, for me, Gordes is idyllic and simply the most effective locations in Provence to go to. Truthfully, it’s a spot you possibly can’t miss.
Perched within the area round Luberon Pure Regional Park, Gordes and its environment have been an inspiration to well-known artists for his or her work for hundreds of years (Marc Chagall and Victor Vasarély, to call a number of). Belief me, you’ll see why whenever you go to.
After arriving, you should definitely cease off at Château de Gordes and head contained in the Les Caves du Palais Saint-Firmin that are nicely price seeing. Oh, and for some nice views of Gordes, head to Point de vue sur Gordes. It’s simple to cease within the automotive and take within the views from right here.
Close by, you’ll be capable of drive to Village des Bories to see a number of the UNESCO-protected stone ruins surrounding the realm. There’s additionally a beautiful property to remain at, Les Bories & Spa, that’s not too far-off in any respect.
Lastly, a fantastic place to remain within the centre of Gordes is Airelles Gordes. The rooms are beautiful they usually simply make the most effective scorching chocolate drinks I’ve ever had!
Since Gordes is round a 17-kilometre drive from Cavaillon and 40 kilometres away from Avignon, you possibly can have some stopovers like within the Abbaye de Sénanque all alongside the way in which.
It’s a completely scenic abbey and a spot to stretch your legs the place you’ll see all that lovely (seasonally blooming) lavender. Simply an FYI, the height occasions for lavender blooms are mid-July.
Read more: Best places to see in Gordes
5.) Uzes
For an genuine gem in Provence, don’t forget to discover the village of Uzes. It’s completely beautiful to go to and is a small commune that’s steeped in historical past.
You see, Uzes has gone by a number of durations, being a former Jewish enclave, a dukedom, a settlement of Romans, and a hamlet. Due to this combine, you possibly can see an enormous array of cultures and architectural influences, that make Uzes so particular.
As soon as right here, try Pont du Gard and a fortress within the city centre the place a duke nonetheless resides and go to the Uzès Medieval Backyard that’s completely quaint.
Oh, and don’t neglect the Sunday market whenever you go to. You’ll depart with luggage of native treats.
6.) Venasque
Not solely identified for its cherries and grapes which can be seasonally grown on this area of Provence, Venasque can also be house to the pre-Romanesque Baptistère de Venasque. It’s one among France’s oldest shrines and the most effective locations in Provence to go to in the event you love historical past.
Perched within the Venasque, you’ll solely spend a number of hours in Venasque because it’s fairly small. This makes it an ideal stopping level as a part of a wider Provence highway journey.
As soon as right here, you’ll get to see the Roman partitions, historical ramparts, and the Baptistery that are lovely to see. Plus, you’ll see probably the most notable gadgets in Venasque, the Crucifixion portray. One can find it in Notre Dame de Venasque and is nicely price seeing while within the city.
For a tasty chew to eat in summer season, try Plein Air that’s not too far-off by automotive. It’s an natural restaurant set on a farm which is so beautiful. Plus, you get to eat outdoors and luxuriate in this lovely area within the sunshine. We find it irresistible.
7.) L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
A paradise for Vintage hunters and market lovers, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is among the finest locations in Provence to go to. A little bit greater than spots like Gordes, you possibly can simply spend a number of days wandering the realm and testing this Provence island city that’s completely distinctive.
Speaking about stalls, there are greater than 300 stalls you possibly can discover throughout the Sunday market. Plus, in the event you occur to have your journey on the primary Sunday of August, you should definitely try the gloating market the place wines and wares are offered by the locals.
The historic watermills, boats and riverbank cafés give L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue that charming environment that makes Provence so particular.
8.) Saint-Rémy de Provence
Present in Alpilles Mountains’ northern foothills, Saint-Rémy de Provence is a peaceable place you need to go to.
Kown by some because the spot the place Vincent van Gogh spent a yr in The Monastère Saint-Paul de Mausole. These days, you possibly can go to his room and have a look at the copies of work he created while within the space.
Plus, if you wish to know extra about Van Gogh, you possibly can head to the Musée Estrine the place Van Gogh was given the Middle of Interpretation.
Haven’t seen an open market but?
Then, Saint-Rémy de Provence is the place for you. It’s the most effective locations in Provence for markets and we find it irresistible. As soon as right here, you possibly can take pleasure in mingling with the locals on Wednesday mornings, when the Grand Marché Provençal, which is a big market, spreads all through the outdated city’s foremost squares.
Lastly, you may as well go to the Collégiale Saint-Martin or the Glanum Excavation Website.
In terms of meals, strive the specialities of the area in La Roma (33 Boulevard Marceau), Chocolaterie Joël Durand (3 Boulevard Victor Hugo), Le Petit Duc, and a well-known spot amongst locals, Le Bistro du Paradou. There’s a heap of yummy spots and also you’ll be spoilt for selection.
9.) Arles
One other place the place Van Gogh resided in Provence is Arles. Actually, you possibly can stroll the Van Gogh Circuit and see a number of the spots the place Van Gogh painted some 300 work round Arles.
To this present day, you possibly can go to Langlois Bridge is one among his well-known portray spots that also stands proudly.
Van Gogh apart, Arles can also be a UNESCO-protected website and has heaps of historic spots you possibly can’t miss. In fact, you need to discover the Roman Arles Amphitheatre which dates again millennia.
Additionally, try Alyscamps which leads over to a historic Roman cemetery in Arles.
10.) Aix-en-Provence
Having Southern France’s heat and Paris’ class, Aix-en-Provence is a must-see within the Provence Area. It’s acquired that metropolis really feel that’s excellent in the event you’re preferring extra of a metropolis break in Provence.
All through this space, you’ll see heaps of historic spots and iconic locations you possibly can’t miss. Actually, it’s the most effective locations in Provence to go to for its tradition and historical past.
You’ll want to stroll by the boulevard of Cours Mirabeau the place you possibly can then meander by the smaller streets that be a part of it.
After taking a stroll, you should definitely e Musée Granet, the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, the Atelier de Cézanne (studio), and marketplaces like Place des Prêcheurs for farmers’ merchandise and Place de la Mairie for flowers. It’s a completely walkable metropolis they usually’re all simple to identify alongside your meander by Aix-en-Provence.
11.) Menton
Nestled proper on the border with Italy, Menton is among the finest locations in Provence to go to as you comply with the shoreline. Now, you possibly can simply spend a number of days in Menton, so ensure you plan your time properly.
As soon as right here, you should definitely try the completely beautiful Jardins Biovès that are proper within the coronary heart of Menton. The gardens are gorgeous and completely price seeing in your stroll across the space.
Additionally, don’t neglect about Marché des Halles for its historic market which you can’t miss. You’ll simply seize a number of treats while you’re right here.
Lastly, though it’s not Provence, you possibly can simply go to the tiny nation of Monaco while you’re right here. It’s solely round quarter-hour away and is the second-smallest nation in the entire world.
12.) Roussillon
Not too removed from Gordes, Roussillon is among the finest locations in Provence to go to while you drive additional east from Avignon.
Though small, Roussillon has heaps of little artwork galleries and the most lovely vineyard that’s simply outdoors the commune itself.
Now, though you received’t spend days in Roussillon, it’s nicely price visiting for a number of hours in your wider Provence itinerary. We cherished it.
Read more: What to do in Gordes and Roussillon
13.) Séguret
Though small, Séguret is nicely price slightly gander to discover. As soon as right here, you should definitely stroll across the space of Le Sentier des Ocres. Full of yellow and purple cliffs, there are marked hikes and walkways the place you possibly can discover this lovely space.
Better of all, Séguret is on the footings of Dentelles de Montmirail, an excellent mountain vary that’s excellent for climbing. This makes it simple to accomplice up a keep in Séguret with a wider exploration of the nice outdoor.
Additionally, not too far-off from Séguret is Les Gorges du Toulourenc. It’s a fantastic climbing and kayaking spot that’s completely lovely in summer season.
14.) Dentelles de Montmirail
The mountain ranges in Provence are iconic and might’t be missed as you head across the bigger area. Actually, I’d say that the Dentelles de Montmirail chain is among the finest locations in Provence to go to in the event you love the nice outdoor.
Fashioned thousands and thousands of years in the past, throughout the Jurassic Interval, the spiked and jagged towering mountains are so unimaginable to see. Better of all, there are a whole lot of climbing trails that run throughout the Dentelles de Montmirail that swimsuit all various kinds of skills.
Simply you should definitely pack loads of water and put on some good climbing footwear. Belief me, you’ll positively want each of those as a naked minimal.
That being stated, in the event you don’t fancy climbing, drive to the highest of Mont Ventoux. It’s the best mountain in Provence and is usually referred to as the Big of Provence by locals!
The views are breathtaking, however you should definitely take heat garments with you – the peak makes it actually chilly whenever you’re on the prime.
Read more: Best cities in France to visit
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