Provence is a region in Southeastern France that borders Italy, the Mediterranean, and Côte d’Azur (the French Riviera). This part of France is full of medieval hill towns and ancient Roman ruins.

This region has stunning and diverse landscapes – from the Alps, vineyards, olive groves, rolling hills, and forests to those iconic sunflowers and lavender fields. 

Here are five towns that should be on your itinerary as either day or overnight trips!

Gordes

Gordes is known as France’s most beautiful village, and it’s easy to see why. The town dates back to the Roman Empire, but most of its current architecture is from medieval times.

During WWII, Gordes was an active resistance village, and it suffered significant damage and losses fighting the German occupation. But miraculously, most of the original medieval castle and some of its walls survived the war.

Today, Gordes is a destination for artists – or anyone! – looking to find some inspiration. The cobblestone streets, winding alleys, and views on all sides make this town perfect for just sitting or wandering.

The top attraction for Gordes is the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque. This medieval abbey surrounded by lavender fields (pictured in the first image on this page) is one of the most recognizable places in Provence.

You should also visit the Musée de la Lavande, an eco-museum that explains the process of growing, harvesting, and extracting lavender. From May to September, this museum offers guided tours of the nearby lavender fields.

The town’s Tuesday farmer’s market is fantastic, and you should visit the Church of St. Fermin and the Chateau de Gordes – the castle dominating the center and top of the town.

Arles

Arles’ main “claim to fame” is for inspiring many of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings. Van Gogh only lived in Arles for about a year (from 1888 – 1889), but he created more than 300 paintings and drawings during his time here. The city is also known for its Roman ruins.

Arles is one of the most amazing budget destinations in France.

While here, you should visit the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh contemporary art museum and take a short car or bus ride to the Roman Aqueduct of Pont du Gard. You should also tour the Church of St. Trophime, where you’ll find an excellent example of Romanesque sculpture in the “Last Judgement.”

You should visit the Arles Amphitheater (pictured above), and I’d recommend seeing a play, concert, or bullfight here. The city’s waterfront is also beautiful to stroll along. If you’re here on a Saturday or Wednesday morning, you can visit the open-air street market – one of the largest in the region.

Just a short drive from Arles, you’ll find fields of sunflowers. So, if you’re here in June, July, or August, you need to set aside some time to “get lost” in a field of sunflowers.

The Best Things To Do in Arles

Avignon

Avignon used to be the Capital of the Catholic Church until the city became part of France in 1791. The Palace of the Popes, surrounded by its medieval ramparts, dominates the city’s center.

The city has beautiful and historic chapels and churches on every corner. Be sure to walk along the river Rhône to see the famous medieval bridge (pictured above). The bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the best views of it are from the water.

Today, Avignon is renowned for its culture and wine, so visiting a vineyard is a must-do activity. No matter what time of year you visit, there will be art, theatre, and music festivals to enjoy. 

Roussillon is built on the world’s largest vein of ochre, a clay that can range in color from yellow to deep orange to red to brown. The town is also built out of ochre, which gives Roussillon’s buildings this beautiful rust-colored look.

I recommend exploring the surrounding ochre quarries with a bike tour or by hiking the Ochre Trail. You should also consider doing a pigment-making workshop where you extract different color samples from the ochre.

Guided Day Trips To Roussillon

This hill town is quite small, but it has an impressive art scene with several galleries you can visit. 

The highest point of the town is the Place de la Mairie, which is surrounded by the Town Hall Square. This square is a picture-perfect spot to sit and admire the village. It’s also where most of the town’s shops and restaurants are.

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is the antiquing capital of France, so it’s a must-visit destination for vintage-lovers. There are antique shops and vendors open year-round in (what seems like) every other building. And every Sunday, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue hosts vibrant open-air markets throughout the entire town. 

The town also hosts a yearly antique fair in April that’s considered one of the best in the world. Hundreds of dealers and vendors bring their goods, wares, and unique finds from the past.

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is called the “Venice of Provence” because of the canals and waterways that crisscross the town. I highly recommend you stroll and dine along the waterways! You should also try to find some of the large wooden water wheels spread throughout the city.

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Recommended Tours in Provence

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