Read reviews of the best Provence activities
After a stern winter, spring in Provence comes alive with a spontaneous display of colors.
Find loads of top tips and local insights in our Provence Sights Reviews.
The image we have of Provence is one of a small county house, probably surrounded by lavender fields in full bloom, flowers twisting their way over the door frame, someone in the yard stamping grapes in a wooden barrel with their bare feet, a picnic basket at the ready with a baguette, selection of cheese and a corked half bottle of wine...and probably some delicious Provencal style food on the wood stove...
Mont Ventoux for those who are not fans of the Tour de France or have not ventured inland past Avignon, is a mighty mountain which dominates the relatively flat surroundings north of the Luberon. With it's peak at 1912 metres, it is a mecca for cyclists (although it also appeals to hikers, mountain-bikers and skiers). Seen as I was passing by with my fold up bike in the boot I decided to find out what the fuss was about...
Afternoon on a boat? Yes please! There are lots of awesome cruising options if you feel like exploring the Rhone during your stay in Avignon. Taking a tour or even a dinner cruise on one of the Grand Boats of Provence is a great way to see the region. Plus, the views are spectacular and the wind on the water is refreshing.
Somedays you want it all, it was one of those days so we booked ourselves in for a day of golf, lunch and spa at the Terre Blanche in the foothills above the French Riviera.
It was a very hot day when we decided to set out for a hike from Digne les Bains, and after a three course lunch with a cheese course to finish, we weren't feeling like moving around too much.
In 1994 a limestone cave in the Ardeche was discovered that excited the archaeology world. Three caving enthusiasts discovered a cave richly decorated with charcoal drawings, hand prints and engravings that had been closed off by a rock fall for around 20,000 years keeping its contents in incredible condition. Named after one of the cavers, Chauvet Cave quickly became regarded as one of the greatest archaeological finds of our time.
Be welcomed as a guest into the studio in which Paul Cézanne created some of his most famous paintings; and immerse yourself in the life of the Aix-en-Provence artist.
With the many rivers around Avignon there are plenty of opportunities to kayak in gorgeous natural surroundings. We headed just 50 kilometres north-west to the village of Goudargues, near La Roque sur Ceze, to try Goud' Canoe’s “Nature” package; which is an 8km route with plenty of picnic areas, swimming spots and sun-bathing sites along the way.
With a long bank holiday weekend in store it made sense to venture to the outskirts of Provence to see what the Ardeche region and the famous Ardeche Gorge has to offer.
Needing something a little different to the views on the Riviera, a venture into the mountain landscape of Digne-les-Bains provided exactly that. It’s rare that the journey actually becomes part of the break itself, but on the Train de Pignes from Nice that’s exactly what it feels like.
Touring Provence by car is a must, exploring the scenic villages of the Luberon in a topdown vintage Citroen 2CV is a dream!
There are plenty of things to do and see in Avignon, and learning to cook local produce with a local chef is a great way to learn about Provençal cuisine.
November in Provence is a month of showers, overflowing riverbeds and muddy paths. But in between the rainy days, the sun comes out again in shining form, reaching the wet ground for a temporary warmth. It's the time to head for the forests in search of hidden treasures, the wild mushrooms that spring up from the heavy dampness of the soil.
On a sunny Tuesday morning in April I found myself getting quite lost in the maze of narrow streets and lanes in the stunning, and slightly quirky, hilltop town of Biot.
Interested in a lovely Provençal bike ride? Don't feel like going through the pain of climbing Mont Ventoux? That's OK! A perfectly peaceful bike route is waiting for you just across the river from Avignon. A spin around Île de la Barthelasse will take you past beautiful farm fields, orchards and views of Avignon – plus it's all flat.
A late night decision over a sublime "soupe au pistou" and a bottle of red, ended up with an early morning alarm call to make for a dash to the summit of the Mont Saint Victoire.
A small island in the middle of Provence, L’Ile-sur-la-Sorgue is famous for it’s markets, antiques, water wheels and canals. The name itself translates to Island on the Sorgue (the name of the river) and some have even dubbed it the ‘Venice of Provence’. Sounds cool right? I’m not sure about the whole ‘Venice’ thing, but this town is definitely worth a day trip.
If you've only got 24 hours, and lets face it, sometimes this happens when you're travelling, then we've prepared a jam packed schedule so that you can make the most of a flying visit to this inspiring city in Provence.