💜 Provence, Southern France
Things to do in Provence
Lavender fields, hilltop villages and Mediterranean light
A favourite for honeymoons
Provence is the south of France at its most idyllic — rows of purple lavender under the summer sun, honey-stone hilltop villages, Roman ruins and markets piled with olives and rosé. From the ochre cliffs of the Luberon to the turquoise Verdon Gorge, it’s a region made for slow, sun-soaked wandering.
Lavender fields, hilltop villages and long rosé lunches — the dreamiest corner of the south of France.
Time needed
3–5 days
Best time
Late June to mid-July for the lavender in full bloom; May and September for warm weather and thinner crowds
Region
Provence, Southern France
Don’t miss
The lavender fields and hilltop villages
In high summer the Valensole plateau and the rows outside Sénanque Abbey turn an unforgettable purple — the image of Provence. Pair the lavender with the perched ochre villages of Gordes and Roussillon and a long lunch, and you have the perfect Provençal day.
Check availability on GetYourGuideTop things to do in Provence
- The lavender of the Valensole plateau and Sénanque Abbey (late June–July).Find tours
- The perched villages of Gordes and Roussillon in the Luberon.Find tours
- Avignon and the great Palais des Papes.Find tours
- Aix-en-Provence — markets, fountains and Cézanne.Find tours
- The turquoise water of the Verdon Gorge.Find tours
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How to get to Provence
Take the TGV from Paris to Avignon or Aix-en-Provence (about 2h40–3h), or fly into Marseille or Nice. A hire car is by far the best way to reach the lavender fields and the hilltop villages, which public transport barely serves.
Hire a car in Paris
Compare rental deals — handy for reaching Provence at your own pace
Best time to visit
Late June to mid-July for the lavender in full bloom; May and September for warm weather and thinner crowds. The lavender is harvested through July, so timing matters if that’s your goal.
Provence tips
- For the lavender, come late June to mid-July — by August much of it has been cut.
- Hire a car: the villages, abbeys and fields are spread out and rewarding to drive between.
- Provence pairs naturally with the French Riviera (Nice is close by train).
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Opening hours, prices, transport and entry rules change — always verify before you go, and check your government’s current travel advice. Some links are affiliate links; Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.