Road trip to Provence especially in summer is a must if you plan to spend some time in France. Provence is one of the most well-known regions of France with many adorable villages and amazing views of lavender and vineyards fields. We visited Provence 2 times already. The first was in early July and the other was in September. In case you want to have the pleasure of smelling, walking or taking beautiful photos in the famous lavender fields of Provence, you must visit in late June or early July. We can assure you that you will love it. In this article, we’ll take you with us on our road trip to the old and wonderful villages of Provence.
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Things to know before starting your road trip in Provence
Getting to Provence is quite easy. Depending on which country you are coming from, you can either fly to Paris or Marseille and then take the bus or train ! You can alternatively fly to a nearby country such as Italy or Switzerland. However, while you may save some money on plane tickets, it will cost you a lot to go to France and then get to Provence ! That’s why we recommend you fly directly to France. Be sure to book your plane tickets in advance to give yourself plenty of time to plan your road trip through Provence.
Once you arrive in Provence and before starting the road trip, you must take all the necessary precautions not only for yourself, but also for the car. The security of yourself and your belongings always comes first on road trips. At this time, we would like to tell you that Provence is one of the safest regions in France and the locals are very friendly. You can start your road trip at any of the cities and just follow the GPS directions. The full road trip through Provence covers roughly 100 km. So it will be an easy road trip while you can enjoy your time admiring the outstanding views.
Best places to visit during the road trip in Provence
1-Gordes
Gordes is one of the hilltop villages of the Luberon, referred to as the most beautiful village in the world. At the top of the village, there are the church and the castle. The whole village consists of cobblestone streets and the characteristic white houses. The most famous spot is the viewpoint below which offers an amazing view of the village, the valley and the vineyards !
2-Roussillon
It is another hilltop village located just a few kilometres from Gordes (9km), in the heart of one of the biggest ochre deposits in the world. Strolling through its narrow alleys is a real treat, as you will have the chance to admire the dramatic, ochre-colored landscapes.
3-Sentier des Ocres
Just a few steps from the center of Roussillon’s village, you will find yourself directly at the entrance of the famous “Sentier des Ocres” (The Canyon). The canyon is the former ochre mine and is incredibly deep as it was mined for years ! The trail is short and will take you about 30 minutes to an hour to cross. It is a crowded spot in peak season. For this reason, it’s better to come as early as possible (opens at 9am) or just before closing (closes at 7.30pm), especially if you want to take beautiful photos without the crowds ! Do not forget to wear closed shoes as the red sand leaves dust everywhere.
4-Avignon
It is one of the most famous places in France and is known as the getaway of Provence. It is a center of culture, history and architecture, full of medieval streets and old, historic buildings. The surrounding area consists of vineyards and offers amazing views especially at sunrise or sunset with the soft glow. So, strolling around the narrow streets of Avignon is a real treat with all the historical places, vineyards and charming buildings ! You will love your time there.
Since Avignon is considered the main city near the previous villages of Provence, we highly recommend having it as the main base of your road trip ! You can easily stay a night or two in the villages of Gordes and Roussillon and then spend more nights in Avignon. Especially if you want to continue your road trip in the South of France, Avignon is the perfect place to stop between the villages of Luberon and the South of France.
5-Lavender Fields
As you maybe know, the lavender fields of Provence are a must-see. But, once again, you have to visit them by end of June or beginning July when the lavender is in full bloom. The fields are endless seas of deep purple with an amazing smell that is truly reminiscent of France. If you are coming by car (as a road trip), it’s easy to find some unspoiled, non touristic fields and most of them offers incredible views as well. One of the most beautiful places to admire the lavender fields is the “Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque”. It is close to the village of Gordes. Senanque is only open a few hours a day (entrance ticket cost 8€).
Other places to visit in Provence
1-Marseille
Do you want an extended road trip to the South of France ? Marseille is the capital of Provence and an amazing Mediterranean city with its old and busy harbour. It is the perfect destination if you want to immerse yourself in authentic French culture ! Marseille is one of our favorite French cities, simply because we can spend long days on the beach without even leaving the city. It also offers lots of interesting things to do and see. If you are looking for an authentic Mediterranean city, Marseille is for you. As a big city, it is the perfect place to stay, as you will find many accommodation options at better prices than other less visited places.
2-Calanques de Cassis
Just a few kilometers from the center of Marseille, you will find the famous Calanques de Cassis. It is one of the best places to visit in France in summer, especially for adventure and nature lovers. Turquoise waters, cliffs, stunning view are some of the reasons to add it to your Provence bucket list. Although accessible by car, we would recommend booking a sailing cruise for a more relaxing day ! Getting to the dreamy beaches of the Calanques de Cassis requires hours of hiking. So, you need to be relaxed and in good shape to visit them. Otherwise, it will be difficult and tiring to trek there. If your goal is to have a fun and relaxing trip, then skipping the hiking part is best for you !
Final Thoughts
Road trip to Provence is one of the most exciting things to do in France. It is the best way to enjoy the diverse landscapes and the historical sites of this wonderful French area. We would definitely return to Provence and explore it again. The inner peace that comes from connecting with nature is the best thing about this road trip. Do not miss it ! Just make sure to plan your road trip in advance and alloow enough time for each place.
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