Discover and book the best of Provence with the local destination experts
Fields of lavender, sunflowers and olive trees. A slower pace of life – a Sunday lunch under the shade of plane trees in a village square, a café crème at a sidewalk café or a long walk through a forest of oak and chestnut trees. All of this is Provence.
However, this is a vast region of contrasts and connections. Of snow-topped mountains and delightful sea resorts, of shepherds and yacht captains, of cork oak and palm trees, of a simple beef stew and an elaborate bouillabaisse.
Provence hides its complexity under a veil of simple delights. It is home to the red colours of the Esterel mountains, the taste of tapenade, the scent of rosemary, the cadence of the Provençal accent and the mistral, the wind that blows down from the Alps.
Find out all about what is happening in Provence and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in this picturesque French region.
See allLatest News & ReviewsProvence has a busy calendar of events all year round featuring art exhibitions, charming markets, cultural festivals and concerts. Spring and autumn are the time to celebrate local produce while during the peak holiday times, in the summer months, you will find world-renowned music and cultural events like the Choregies d'Orange or the Avignon Festival.
See allUpcoming EventsWell-known as a wine region, there are numerous vineyards to explore as you wind your way through this part of the French countryside. Alongside the vineyards, you will find beautiful rivers and pathways that attract cyclists and hikers. For families, there is also plenty to do with a good choice of waterparks and outdoor swimming spots. Activity companies providing treetop adventures, horse riding and canoeing, golf courses and spas complete the offer.
A trip to Provence unveils an incredible amount of places to see. From majestic Roman ruins to a large range of museums covering everything from ancient times to the modern era, art galleries housing works by famous painters such as Van Gogh and Cezanne, historic houses and gardens, prehistoric caves, medieval castles, stunning religious buildings, picturesque villages, nature reserves to explore on foot or on two wheels and old vineyards.
The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The Greeks and the Romans settled here, their legacy still evident in many of the towns and cities. In modern days, lavender, herbs and wine helped the region flourish.
Provence is renowned for its incredible Roman ruins which you can find across the region. Since there's so much history here, you'll also find a large range of museums as well as a lot of art galleries.
From small rural restaurants in one of Provence's hilltop villages to the hustle and bustle of city restaurants in Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, there are plenty of choices for diners.
Going out in the evenings in Provence tends to be a more relaxed and cultural affair, with plenty of choices for nights at the theatre, ballet, jazz and classical music or simply soaking up the atmosphere in a streetside cafe or bar.
Whether you are looking to wind down or to add some exercise to your holiday, you can find exactly what you need in Provence, including vineyards to explore, pathways to walk or cyle and waterparks for families.
Provence is a vast part of France, divided up into six large regions from the quiet Luberon and Alpilles to the ever popular Riviera and its coastal destinations. All of them boast a great selection of hotels, villas and rural retreats.
Provence is served by two main airports, Nice and Marseille, as well as a small airport in Avignon which offers seasonal flights. There are also high-speed train connections to most of the Provencal towns.
