Provence may not be the first place that comes to mind for wild nights out but along with many Mediterranean destinations, the hot climate forces people out onto the terraces late into the night creating a warm and friendly nightlife scene.
Fortunately the nightlife in Provence can be as wild or tranquil as you like, with a superb choice of laid back late night lounges or busy bustling bars. The coast is guaranteed for regular party nights but towns like Aix en Provence and Avignon always have something going in one of their various venues.
In Avignon head down to the place de l'Horloge or the place Pie for a choice of bars. Bars worth checking out include the rocking Pub Z or the more sophisticated Caves des Pas Sages. If you want to get your dancing shoes on then Bokao’s and Les Ambassadeurs are all worth a mention.
For live music, the Ajmi Jazz Club hosts live jazz every week and even attracts some international artists. Elswehere live music can be found at Le Bistroquest on Ile de la Berthelasse.
In Aix en Provence you are never more than few steps away from a cafe or a bar but the stand-out places are La Rotonde, a popular café and bar which stays open until midnight. The Olde Bulldogge is more pub style drinking hole, which fills up with a relaxed mix of tourists and locals.
Although not a bar the Cours Mirabeua Bakery is worth mentioning as it is a 24 hour bakery and attracts a crowd at the end of the night. Once the bars have shut and the desire to dance is on, there are number of centrally located clubs worth checking out. The trendy Mistral puts on regular electronic and house nights.
For some real music the local jazz club, Scat Club, has live music which normally starts up around midnight.
Whilst the Place des Cardeurs is frequently animated with live music so the surrounding restaurants and bars get free entertainment.
