Read reviews of the best Provence events
Enjoy historical monuments, places & museums near you
First launched in 1984 by the French Ministry of Culture, the third Sunday in September is the designated day for historical monuments, museums and even private areas across the country to open their doors and allow the public access to places they would not normally be able to experience.
July in Provence means festivals, music, and dancing
One of the busiest months in terms of things to do, as well as the number of visitors.
What to expect when you visit the markets
One of the great pleasures of spending time, even for a day, in Provence is to visit a local market. Practically every town or village has a weekly market - sometimes more often - where fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese and roasted chicken, herbs and olives, t-shirts and flip-flops are sold.
Our pick of the best events & things to do this month
With the Easter holidays fast approaching and a couple of public holidays to enjoy, a trip to Provence this April could be just what you need.
A renowned regatta on the Riviera
It's the beginning of October and the crazy summer crowds appear to have left the port of Saint-Tropez. The painters still display their art, but in a month they too will take their easels elsewhere, perhaps working on next year's supply.
Indie-Music festival in Nimes
The city of Nimes is well worth a visit in its own right; it’s got all the classic attractions like the amphitheatre, Maison Carrée, roman ruins and a fantastically huge park at the north of the city which is great for a stroll around with views spanning the entire city.
Read more about This is not a love song festival review 2016
7 days in & it's already produced some spectacular results
Le Tour de France 2016 kicked off last Saturday with stage one and the 'Grand Depart' being hosted by the stunning island community of Le Mont Saint Michel.
25 venues showcasing the work of over 250 artists
More than just an exhibition of photography, Les Recontres d'Arles is a three month long photography festival, with seminars and workshops that takes over the city of Arles each summer.
Read more about Les Recontres d'Arles 2017 programme announced
Traditional festivities unique to Provence
In many ways the Christmas holidays in Provence are not much different than those elsewhere. Towns and villages are decorated with lights and evergreens, shops do a brisk business with the sales of Christmas decorations, toys, perfumes, electronic gadgets and other thoughtful gifts. Mailboxes are stuffed with catalogs from supermarkets, encouraging people to add foie gras, langoustine, oysters or champagne to the holiday dinner tables. But there are details in the celebration that are unique to Provence.
Traditional herding of the flocks to the summer pastures
When driving through Provence you may stumble upon a large flock of sheep, guided by its shepherd and driven by a trio of smart dogs. Much less common than a hundred or even fifty years ago, these flocks nevertheless subsist in the same way as they did then. During the winter and spring months they remain in the lower regions, during the summer and autumn the return to higher altitudes. The long trek from low to high, and vice versa, is called La Transhumance.
Immerse yourself in French cuisine
One of the most pleasant ways to spend a vacation in Provence and learn something to boot is by signing up for one of the cooking schools in the south of France. There is a wide choice of schools and courses, some of which are booked a year or longer in advance.
Culture, music, markets and family fun!
As with most weekends in Provence, the May day holiday weekend this year begins with a fair few festivals and a good smattering of markets. Throw an Ironman competition into the mix and the month has truly begun.
Fall for autumn in Provence
There's a bit of a chill in the air and the leaves on the trees turn from green to red and orange.
The first blossoming of the Mimosa trees in Provence
After the dark month of December, the first sign of new life, a prelude to spring, is the blossoming of the mimosa trees. In southern Provence, you can see the flowers appear already in January. In February, the blossoms reach their peak. Against the backdrop of the still barren oak and chestnut trees, the mimosa stands out in its golden beauty.
Our pick of the best events in Provence this March
Winter is releasing its grip on Provence and spring is on its way. At this time of year there's still plenty going on, especially in the main cities of Avignon and Aix-en-Provence.
Yet more drama in the 2016 Tour as week three begins
So far we've seen not only some fantastic racing, stunning scenery and nail-biting sprints from the 2016 Tour de France, but we've witnessed several unusual crashes, the yellow jersey literally running up Mont Ventoux and more than one incident of an over-enthusiastic fan causing disruption.
More drama over the weekend in the World's biggest cycle race
As 15,000 people cycled the penultimate stage of the Tour de France 2016, from Megeve to Morzine in the Etape du Tour on Sunday, the drama of the actual race was unfolding in the Pyrenees.
Our pick of the best events & things to do this month
Summer is rapidly approaching and as the days start to get a little warmer and the hours of daylight get longer, it's a good time to get out and explore the best of what Provence has to offer.