Pretty village deep in the hills of the Drome region
Buis les Baronnies is a sleepy little place surrounded by fertile land that produces lavender, olives, apricots and limes.
Lovely fragrances waft through the village, and medicinal plants are favoured here that are sold at the market on Wednesdays.
The town hosts a 'perfumed' jazz and arts festival in August and has several other fairs during the year dedicated to lavender, olives and apricots. Art and pottery classes are offered throughout the year.
The market is held on Wednesdays, with a small farmers market on Saturdays. A flea market (brocante) is held every Easter weekend.
Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
Exceptional locations around France, including Provence, will be open to visit on the Journées du Patrimoine - a European wide event inspired by by France’s Journées Portes Ouvertes which started in 1984.
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.
The village is part of the Ouveze Valley to the north of Provence in the Drome region. Buis is one of 21 villages in the area and features many historical buildings thanks to it's rich cultural past.
You'll find 15th century arcades, Romanesque bridges, a couple of convents (one of which, the Ursuline Convent shows art exhibitions), and an old olive mill open to the public.
One of the highlights of the village is the Maison des Plantes Aromatiques, which has exhibitions on the botanical world with an emphasis on medicinal and aromatic plants. There are guided tours of the garden (Garden of Flavour and Fragrances).
Building of this old mansion began back in 1715 when the first stone was laid. It was not fully complete until 1748, after all three stages of the building were finished.
The Muséum d'Aix was founded in 1838 by Henri Coquand, geologist ; it is one of the oldest in Provence.
Located not far from Aix centre, this museum and shop explains a little about the history of how this unusual sweet is made.
The Musee des Tapisseries houses a rich collection of 17th and 18th Century tapestries, including a collection called 'Grotesques' - theatrical taspestrie made in Beauvais cir. 1689, and also 'L'histoire de Don Quichotte' of 1735 unique in the world.
An old quarry, the Carrieres de Bibemus lies on the western slopes of Montagne St Victoire and is a place that inspired Paul Cezanne through out his life.
Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely established this foundation in 1966 with the aim of promoting 'art for all' where art blends beautifully with architecture in the 'city of tomorrow'.
This elegant restaurant is a must-visit for any lovers of modern cuisine and cooking methods. They embrace local produce and evolve their dishes according to the seasons.
Open daily, the Clos du Comptoir offers a sophisticated atmosphere for lunch and dinner in the same setting.
A quiet atmosphere, beautiful grounds and wonderful flavours can be found at Villa Gallici Restaurant. Part of the 5 star Villa Gallici hotel you can indulge in lunch or dinner at this top quality restaurant.
Located inside the luxury Chateau de la Gaude, this Michelin-starred restaurant serves the elaborate cuisine of chef Matthieu Dupuis-Baumal.
Classic French cuisine served in a modern style, Le Formal offers the best of both worlds.
Located in a street right off the main food market, La Bota is a small restaurant with about eight tables outside.
The Scat Club plays live music every night, and not just jazz the club plays pop, rock, funk and R'n'B.
The Mistral is Aix-en-Provence's answer to those looking for a trendy night out listening to the latest DJ's.
This small bar has a nice seating area outside next to one of Aix's many fountains and it catches the sun late into the evening.
The surrounding area is excellent for hiking, biking and horse riding, and the limestone hills are ideal for rock climbing. Head to the tourist office for maps and to find out more. There is an outdoor swimming pool open in summer (June to September) and there are a couple of local rivers that offer beautiful clear waters for swimming.
Just to the south of Aix is the town of Gardanne. They open an outdoor swimming pool in the summer, with a 50m pool, baby pool, slides, playgrounds and a relaxation area.
Plenty of clay tennis courts are available at the Aix Country Club. It provide lessons and coaching, and there is a pro shop too. Other facilities include a pool and a gym.
Just an hour long ride through the city of Aix, learning about its history and a good introduction to this beautiful area.
The Golf de la Cabre d'Or is only 20 minutes away from Aix-en-Provence et Marseille. This is a fairly new golf course which opened only in 2008.
The area is split into two areas - one for the 1-5 years age group, and the other for 6-12 year olds.
The Aix Yoga Center is a 150m2 studio yoga in the heart of Aix en Provence.
Located in the heart of the EcoQuartier Beaulieu, Lake Monteux is an open every day of the year. Ideal for the whole family, this area offers a multitude of activities.
This company offers an 8 kilometre canoe trip along the river near Fontaine de Vaucluse.
This company offers a 2 hour river descent from Isle sur la Sorgue to Fontain de Vaucluse in canoes.
Just to the north of Apt lies the Plan d'Eau de la Raille. You can practice all sorts of watersports here, with a sailing & windsurfing school. All equipment is available to rent - dinghies, windsurfs, pedal boats and kayaks.
This watersports centre is based on a 10 hectare lake with boxes and features in the water that you can practise your wakeboarding moves on.
This company offers all kinds of activities, from climbing and pot-holing to canyoning, canoeing, kayaking, hiking and via ferrata.
Superb 5 star rated property located in Bonnieux with swimming pool
A few minutes walk from the charming village of Bonnieux, on the heights towards Lourmarin, this charming stone house, freshly renovated by architects, is for rent for your holidays.
Elegant and pleasant Provencal holiday villa, located in a residential area a few minutes away from the picturesque village of Bonnieux with a beautiful view of the Luberon and Mont Ventoux.
A few kilometers from the charming village of Bonnieux, enjoying a superb view of the Luberon, this tastefully restored old farmhouse will amaze you as soon as you arrive.
18th century stone farmhouse on a landscaped park of approximately 1 hectare with panoramic views of the Luberon.
Former 17th century farmhouse in Bonnieux, fully restored by a renowned architect.
The five star Pigonnet hotel in Aix is an 18th-century mansion surrounded with stunning floral gardens, situated just outside the centre of Aix-en-Provence.
This hotel is a beautiful renovated house located on a quiet street, and walking distance to all the hustle and bustle of Aix.
Built in 2013 this modern, contemporary five star hotel in Provence combines art work in contemporary spaces, filled with uber stylish furniture and fittings.
Under the light Cézanne once knew, the Villa Gallici Hotel is an 18th century Provençal house and a member of Relais et Châteaux portfolio.
Located in one of the most beautiful villages in France, this former oil mill welcomes its guests in an enchanting setting surrounded by lime trees.
This large hotel is perfectly located in the heart of Aix that is committed to sustainable development. A number of actions have been implemented at the hotel, such as taps fitted with water flow regulators, to reduce the consumption of energy.
Events-Cars offer luxury taxi and transfer services across the South of France. They also cater for special events.
All taxi services 24/7 within a 60 mile radius.
Helitec caters for all your helicopter needs from passenger transport to aerial photography, filming, transport of heavy goods, leisure flights over Provence and the South of France. A great way to see the most beautiful spots from the air.
Created in 1976 this company has grown and has now transported well over 100,000 passengers. They have a fleet of 12 craft to meet client demands.
Chabe Transfers are a well known luxury transfer and taxi service operating in the South of France.
49 air-conditioned vehicles at your disposal for local transport, airport and rail station transfers, and touristic excursions.
Near Cotignac, in Fox-Amphoux, this elegant and spacious stone bastide is set within one hectare of beautifully landscaped gardens featuring 45 olive trees, lavender, a magnificent ancient chestnut tree, and recently planted maples among others.
Set in the prestigious Domaine de Terre Blanche, Villa Augusta is the epitome of contemporary luxury.
Nestled in the heart of the prestigious Terre Blanche estate, this superb property of approximately 428 m² of living space is set on one hectare of landscaped grounds, one of the largest on the estate, offering spectacular views of the surrounding hilltop villages and a rare living environment that is both luxurious and peaceful.
This contemporary property, inspired by neo-Provençal architecture, offers approximately 300 sqm of living space and is set within a beautifully landscaped 3,300 sqm garden, providing a private living environment.
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 Events
