Provence: Lavender Fields, Hilltop Villages & Sun-Drenched Beauty
Provence is the south of France at its most dreamlike. Endless rows of purple lavender stretch to the horizon, medieval stone villages cling to rocky outcrops, and the sunlight has a quality that painters have chased for centuries. This is a region to be savoured slowly — long lunches under plane trees, rosé on a sun-warmed terrace, and hikes through landscapes that smell of thyme, rosemary, and wild herbs.
A Brief History of Provence
Provence has been inhabited for over 27,000 years, with some of the world’s most famous prehistoric art found in the region (the Chauvet and Cosquer caves). The Greeks founded Marseille around 600 BC, making it France’s oldest city. The Romans followed, leaving behind some of Europe’s best-preserved ancient monuments in Arles, Nîmes, and Orange. After the fall of Rome, Provence had its own independent identity — the Provençal language still survives today. It became part of France in 1481 but kept its distinct culture, cuisine, and character. The 19th and 20th centuries saw artists like Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Matisse fall in love with the Provençal light, creating some of the most celebrated works in modern art.
Cost Breakdown: Visiting Provence
Provence varies widely — the Luberon hilltop villages are pricey, while the rural interior is very affordable. Daily budget per person:
- Budget Traveller: €55–75
- Mid-Range: €90–140
- Comfort: €160–250
Sample Costs:
- Market picnic (bread, cheese, fruit, wine): €8–12
- Bistro lunch menu: €14–20
- Glass of local rosé: €3–5
- Lavender tour: €15–30
- Guesthouse in a village: €60–100 per night
- Car rental per day: €35–55
Top Attractions in Provence
1. Plateau de Valensole — The Lavender Heartland
The most iconic landscape in Provence. From mid-June to late July, the Plateau de Valensole transforms into an endless sea of purple lavender rows stretching across rolling hills as far as the eye can see. The air is thick with the scent of lavender and the hum of bees. This is the postcard image of Provence — and it’s real.
Location: Between Verdon and Durance rivers, about 1 hour from Aix-en-Provence.
Best time: Late June to mid-July for peak bloom. Harvest begins in late July.
Highlights:
- Endless lavender rows with mountain backdrops
- Family-run distilleries producing lavender essential oil
- Sunflower fields blooming alongside the lavender (July)
- Driving the D8 and D6 roads for the best views
- Village market in Valensole town on Wednesdays
2. Gordes & the Luberon Hilltop Villages
The Luberon is home to some of the most beautiful villages in France — Gordes, Roussillon, Ménerbes, and Lacoste, each perched on a hilltop with stone houses cascading down the slopes. Gordes is the most famous, with its château and sweeping valley views. Roussillon is built from ochre stone in shades of orange, red, and yellow.
Location: Luberon region, about 40 minutes east of Avignon.
Highlights:
- Gordes — listed as one of France’s “Plus Beaux Villages” (most beautiful villages)
- Roussillon — the ochre cliffs and Sentier des Ocres hiking trail
- Ménerbes — made famous by Peter Mayle’s “A Year in Provence”
- Lacoste — medieval castle ruins and stunning valley panorama
- The weekly markets in Gordes (Tuesday) and Roussillon (Thursday)
3. Gorges du Verdon — Europe’s Grand Canyon
The Verdon Gorge is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Europe. The turquoise-green Verdon River cuts through a 700-metre deep limestone canyon, creating a landscape that rivals the American Southwest. You can drive along the rim, hike the trails, or kayak through the canyon itself.
Location: Between Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
Highlights:
- Route des Crêtes — a scenic 24 km drive along the canyon rim with viewpoints
- Kayaking through the canyon (half-day or full-day trips)
- Lac de Sainte-Croix — an artificial lake perfect for swimming and paddleboarding
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie — one of France’s most beautiful villages, a short drive away
- Hiking the Sentier Martel trail along the canyon floor
4. Arles — Roman Treasures & Van Gogh’s Light
Arles is a living museum of Roman architecture, with some of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Europe. The Arènes (Roman amphitheatre), the Théâtre Antique, and the Alyscamps (Roman necropolis) are all UNESCO-listed. Van Gogh produced over 300 paintings here in just 15 months — the luminous light of Arles transformed his palette.
Location: Camargue region, about 40 minutes from Avignon.
Highlights:
- Arènes d’Arles — the Roman amphitheatre still used for bullfights and events
- Fondation Van Gogh — rotating exhibitions in a 15th-century mansion
- Place du Forum — the Café Terrace at Night, still recognisable today
- Les Alyscamps — a haunting Roman necropolis lined with sarcophagi
- The Saturday market — one of the largest and best in Provence
5. Avignon — The City of Popes
Avignon was the capital of Christendom in the 14th century when seven successive popes ruled from here instead of Rome. The Palais des Papes is the largest Gothic palace ever built — a fortress-like monument to papal power. The city is also famous for the Pont Saint-Bénézet (the “Pont d’Avignon” of the famous song) and its sprawling summer arts festival.
Location: Northern Provence, on the Rhône River.
Highlights:
- Palais des Papes — the most important Gothic palace in Europe
- Pont Saint-Bénézet — only four of the original 22 arches survive
- Rocher des Doms — a hilltop garden with panoramic views over the Rhône
- Festival d’Avignon — the world’s largest theatre festival (July)
- The city walls — 4 km of intact medieval ramparts
6. Aix-en-Provence — Cézanne’s City
Aix is elegance defined — wide boulevards shaded by plane trees, Baroque townhouses, some of the best food markets in France, and 17th-century fountains on every square. It was the home of Paul Cézanne, and you can follow in his footsteps through the city and into the surrounding countryside that inspired his revolutionary paintings.
Location: About 30 minutes north of Marseille.
Highlights:
- Cours Mirabeau — the grand central boulevard with plane trees and fountains
- Atelier Cézanne — the painter’s preserved studio
- Marché aux Fleurs — daily flower market on Place de l’Hôtel de Ville
- Montagne Sainte-Victoire — Cézanne’s mountain, accessed via hiking trails
- Les Deux Garçons — historic café where Cézanne, Zola, and Picasso all sat
7. Camargue — Wild Horses & Pink Flamingos
The Camargue is unlike anywhere else in France — a vast wetland delta where the Rhône meets the Mediterranean. White wild horses gallop through salt marshes, pink flamingos wade in shallow lagoons, and black bulls graze on the grassy plains. It’s a raw, windswept landscape of extraordinary beauty.
Location: South of Arles, stretching to the Mediterranean coast.
Highlights:
- White Camargue horses — a unique breed that lives semi-wild in the marshes
- Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau — boardwalks through flamingo habitat
- Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer — a pilgrimage town on the coast with a Gypsy festival in May
- Salt flats — mountains of white salt create a surreal landscape near Salin-de-Giraud
- Cycling through the marshlands on flat, quiet roads
8. Les Baux-de-Provence & the Alpilles
Les Baux-de-Provence is a dramatic ruined castle perched on a rocky plateau in the Alpilles mountain range. The village below is one of France’s most beautiful, with stone houses built directly into the rock. The view from the castle terrace stretches across the olive groves and vineyards of the Alpilles all the way to the Camargue.
Location: Alpilles range, about 20 minutes northeast of Arles.
Highlights:
- Château des Baux — crumbled medieval fortress with breathtaking panoramic views
- Carrières de Lumières — immersive digital art shows in a former limestone quarry
- Olive oil tasting at the Moulin du Mas de la Dame
- Hiking in the Alpilles through olive groves and rocky ridges
- Saint-Rémy-de-Provence — nearby town with Roman ruins and Van Gogh’s asylum
Disclaimer: This guide is for general reference only. Prices, opening hours, and seasonal availability may change. Verify current information before visiting.