Provence

Provence is southern France with lavender fields, hilltop villages, Roman ruins, and markets. It’s slower paced than Paris with amazing food and wine. You need a car to see it properly because the best stuff is scattered across countryside. Summer is beautiful but hot and crowded.

Avignon is the main city with the Pope’s Palace and the famous bridge. The city walls are intact and impressive. It’s a good base for exploring the region. The festival in July brings theater and crowds. Aix-en-Provence is prettier and more upscale with fountains and tree-lined streets. The markets there are excellent.

The hilltop villages are the highlight. Gordes sits on a cliff with views over the valley. Roussillon has ochre cliffs and red houses. Bonnieux and Lacoste are quieter. Luberon valley has the best villages close together. Each one has narrow streets, stone buildings, and cafes. They get crowded midday so go early or late.

Lavender fields bloom June to August. Valensole plateau has the famous rows. It’s touristy but stunning. Go early morning for photos without tour buses. The smell is incredible. After mid-August the lavender is harvested so timing matters.

Arles has Roman ruins and Van Gogh history. The amphitheater still hosts events. Les Baux-de-Provence is a fortress village with dramatic views. The Camargue wetlands have wild horses and pink flamingos. Different landscape from the rest of Provence.

Markets are everywhere. Saturday in Aix, Wednesday in Saint-Rémy, Sunday in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Fresh produce, cheese, olives, lavender products. The markets are peak Provence experience.

Food is Mediterranean. Ratatouille, bouillabaisse, tapenade, goat cheese, rosé wine. Meals are long and leisurely. The pace is slow.

Rent a car to explore. Roads are scenic but narrow in villages. Parking is terrible so arrive early.