Avignon to Nice: Ten Days Through Lavender and Riviera Sun
This itinerary traces the sun-drenched arc from the medieval walls of Avignon to the turquoise shores of Nice, crossing Provence at its most spectacular. You’ll walk Roman bridges, get lost in ochre-splashed hilltop villages, cycle through lavender fields in full bloom, kayak the Grand Canyon of Europe, and end your journey on the Promenade des Anglais with a cocktail in hand. Provence is a feast for every sense — the scent of lavender and thyme, the glow of golden stone in the late afternoon, and food so fresh you’ll weep for it when you leave. Estimated budget: €1,200–1,700.
10-Day Itinerary Overview
Route: Avignon (2 days) → Saint-Rémy / Les Baux (1) → Luberon Villages (1) → Aix-en-Provence (1) → Lavender Route (1) → Arles (1) → Gorges du Verdon (1) → Grasse / Antibes (1) → Nice (1)
Best for: Slow travellers, food and wine lovers, photographers, couples, anyone who wants the classic Provencal experience and the Riviera in one trip
Budget: €1,200–1,700 per person (excluding flights)
Direction: One-way from Avignon (TGV hub) to Nice (international airport) — no backtracking
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Avignon — The City of Popes
Arrive in Avignon by TGV (2h40 from Paris). Settle into accommodation within the medieval ramparts and head straight for the Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace ever built, where seven popes held court in the 14th century. Climb the Tour Philippe-le-Bel for a panoramic view of the Rhône, the famous broken bridge (Pont Saint-Bénézet), and the rooftops of Avignon. Spend the evening exploring the narrow streets of the old town — ice cream from the legendary glacier on Place de l’Horloge, dinner at a restaurant on the tree-lined Rue de la République.
Accommodation: Avignon intramuros guesthouse (€60–90/night).
Entry: Palais des Papes (€14).
Day 2: Châteauneuf-du-Pape & the Rhône Valley Wine Route
A day trip into the famous Rhône wine country. Drive 20 minutes north to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, home of France’s most powerful red wines. The village is built around the ruins of a papal summer palace, and most of the 80+ wineries offer free tastings. Visit Château de Beaucastel or Domaine de la Charbonnière for proper tastings. In the afternoon, explore the ghostly medieval village of Les Bories (abandoned stone huts that look like a forgotten civilisation) or return to Avignon for the Festival d’Avignon if it’s July.
Transport: Car or wine tour bus (€25–40).
Activities: Wine tasting (free to €15 per domain).
Day 3: Saint-Rémy & Les Baux — Van Gogh Country
Drive 25 minutes south to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where Vincent van Gogh voluntarily admitted himself to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum and painted 150 of his most famous works in one year — including Starry Night and Irises. Walk the marked Van Gogh trail (free map at the tourist office). In the afternoon, drive 10 minutes to Les Baux-de-Provence, a clifftop fortress village with jaw-dropping views over the Alpilles mountains. Visit the Carrières des Lumières — an old limestone quarry turned into a spectacular multimedia art space with projections covering the 14-metre-high walls.
Accommodation: Saint-Rémy B&B (€70–110/night).
Entry: Saint-Paul-de-Mausole (€8), Carrières des Lumières (€16).
Day 4: Luberon Hilltop Villages — Gordes & Roussillon
Enter the Luberon, the heart of Peter Mayle’s Provence. Start at Gordes, arguably the most beautiful hilltop village in France — limestone houses cascading down a hillside like a geological formation. Visit the Abbaye de Sénanque just below, surrounded by lavender fields (peak bloom mid-June to mid-July). Then drive to Roussillon, built entirely from ochre stone, its cliffs glowing in shades of rust, amber, and burnt orange. Hike the Ochre Trail through the disused quarries — it’s like walking through a Zaha Hadid building that nature designed.
Accommodation: Luberon guesthouse or farm stay (€70–120/night).
Entry: Ochre Trail (€2.50), Abbaye de Sénanque (free).
Day 5: Aix-en-Provence — Markets & Cézanne’s Studio
Drive to Aix-en-Provence (1 hour). Aix is the most elegant of Provencal cities — broad tree-lined avenues, 17th-century mansions, and fountains on every corner. The morning market on Place Richelme is one of France’s best: olives, tapenades, goat cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, lavender honey, and the local Calissons (a marzipan-like confection). Visit Atelier Cézanne, the painter’s preserved studio where he created the Mont Sainte-Victoire series. The mountain itself dominates the landscape east of town and is best viewed from the Terrain des Peintres viewpoint.
Accommodation: Aix city centre hotel (€65–100/night).
Entry: Atelier Cézanne (€8).
Day 6: Lavender Route & Sault Plateau
Today is all about lavender. Drive north from Aix into the Plateau de Sault and the Valensole Plateau — the two most famous lavender-growing regions in Provence. The fields stretch to the horizon in regimented purple rows, particularly on the Route de la Lavande (D6 and D8 roads). Stop at the Lavender Museum in Coustellet, buy fresh lavender sachets from roadside farm stalls, and have lunch in the village of Sault — it’s perched on a hilltop with views across the entire plateau. If visiting in the second half of July, the lavender harvest is in full swing and the scent is overwhelming.
Transport: Car — follow D943 north then D6 east.
Entry: Lavender Museum (€8), fields are free.
Day 7: Arles & the Camargue — Roman Provence
Head south to Arles (1h30 drive). The city is a living UNESCO site — its Roman arena (still used for bullfights and concerts) and the ancient theatre are remarkably well-preserved. Van Gogh painted 300 works here in 15 months, and the Van Gogh Foundation museum traces his Arles period. In the afternoon, drive into the Camargue (20 minutes south), a unique wetland region of salt flats, pink flamingos, and wild white horses. Walk the Pont de Gau ornithological park for guaranteed flamingo sightings — the birds are less shy here than anywhere else in Europe.
Accommodation: Arles centre hotel (€55–85/night).
Entry: Roman Arena (€12), Pont de Gau (€7).
Day 8: Gorges du Verdon — Kayaking the Grand Canyon of Europe
Drive 2 hours northeast to the Gorges du Verdon, Europe’s deepest river canyon. The turquoise-green water carved through limestone cliffs up to 700 metres high creates a landscape that rivals the American Southwest. Rent a kayak from the Lac de Sainte-Croix (€25–35 for half-day) and paddle into the heart of the canyon — the water is startlingly clear, and the cliff walls rise sheer on both sides. The full circuit takes 2-3 hours, but the first hour into the gorge is the most dramatic. Hikers can also walk the Sentier Blanc-Martel trail along the rim for vertiginous views.
Accommodation: Moustiers-Sainte-Marie guesthouse (€65–100/night).
Entry: Lac de Sainte-Croix access (free), kayak rental (€25–35).
Day 9: Grasse & Antibes — Perfume & Picasso
Drive 2 hours south to Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. Visit the Fragonard perfume factory for a free guided tour of the production process (no booking needed). Then descend to the coast at Antibes — a charming port town with a wild contrast: the turquoise Mediterranean on one side, the snow-capped Alps visible on the horizon on clear winter days. Visit the Picasso Museum housed in the Château Grimaldi, where the artist painted many of his Antibes works in a single explosive summer. Walk the Cap d’Antibes coastal trail and swim at the calm Plage de la Garoupe.
Accommodation: Antibes or Juan-les-Pins (€70–120/night).
Entry: Fragonard factory (free), Picasso Museum (€10).
Day 10: Nice — Promenade & Departure
Spend your final day in Nice. Walk the Promenade des Anglais from the airport all the way to the old port (7km — doable as a morning stroll). Dive into the Cours Saleya market for socca (chickpea pancake, Nice’s signature street food), fresh figs, and flowers. Climb Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for THE panoramic view of the Baie des Anges — the gradient from turquoise to deep blue is the most photographed stretch of water in Provence. If time allows, take the 10-minute train to Villefranche-sur-Mer, a quieter seaside village with a perfect sandy beach steps from the train station.
Transport: Nice Airport tram (€10), train to Villefranche (€2.10).
Entry: Castle Hill (free), Musée Matisse (free).
Budget Summary: 10-Day Provence & Riviera Itinerary
Estimated Total: €1,200–1,700 per person
- Car rental (10 days, economy): €300–500
- Fuel: €100–130
- Tolls: €50–70
- Accommodation (9 nights): €540–900
- Attractions (Palais, Cézanne, Lavender Museum, Gorges): €100–130
- Kayak rental: €25–35
- Wine tasting: €15–30
- Meals: €180–260
Best Season: June–August for lavender and swimming; September for harvest season with fewer crowds; May for perfect hiking weather and spring flowers
Recommended For: Slow travellers who love food, wine, and art; photographers; couples; anyone wanting the full Provence-to-Riviera experience
Disclaimer: Prices are estimates and may vary by season. Lavender bloom is weather-dependent — call ahead to the Lavender Museum hotline for current conditions. Book kayak rentals at Gorges du Verdon in advance during July-August. This itinerary is for general reference only.