How to create the best itinerary through Provence
Provence is one of the most beautiful regions of France. From the spectacular French Riviera and Mediterranean coastline to stunning hilltop villages. The region enchants visitors with its wonderful scenery and style of life. Artists like Cezanne, Renoir and Van Gogh flocked to the region for its landscapes and extraordinary light. We have created a guide on how to create the best itinerary through Provence. From top museums to charming outdoor cafes, the way of life seduces travellers to relax and enjoy.
Here is our list of must-visit sites to create the best itinerary through Provence.
Nice
Walking on the streets of Villefranche, Nice, France
Nice is the Queen City of the French Riviera. It beguiles with its setting on the Mediterranean, the winding cobblestoned streets and alleys of its Old Town. It offers spectacular food, wine, and shopping like in the Cours Selaya market. There are top-notch museums here such as the Matisse Museum and Chagall Museum with its brilliant stained-glass windows and biblical story paintings. Stroll the iconic Promenade des Anglais, walk up to Castle Hill for spectacular views or relax seaside at one of the many beach clubs.
Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Monte Carlo is the main city of the independent principality of Monaco. Known for its yacht filled harbor and posh casino, Monte Carlo is an affluent enclave along the Riviera coastline. Stroll the rock, the promontory where Monte Carlo’s Old Town is located, and visit the Prince’s Palace ornate state apartments. Also see the Oceanographic Museum, displaying exhibits from the work of Jacques Cousteau. Worth a visit are the Monaco Cathedral, and the lovely Exotic Garden with its fabulous views over all of Monaco.
Èze
The Perfumerie Fragonard factory in Èze, France (Image from their website)
A short distance from Monaco is the spectacular clifftop village of Èze. From here there are stunning views overlooking the Mediterranean. At the town’s base is the Perfumerie Fragonard factory. From here you can walk through the village’s charming streets leading past cafes, boutiques and galleries and a 12th century church before arriving at the hilltop Exotic Garden, with its gorgeous coastline panoramas.
Grasse
Old Town Grasse, Provence, France
Grasse is known as the world’s perfume capital. In this idyllic hilltop village, you can visit perfumeries such as Parfumerie Galimard, France’s oldest, founded in 1747. Take a factory tour as well as create your own fragrance in one of the factory’s workshops. A truly unique experience.
The Parfumerie Galimard (Image from Wikimedia by Abxbay)
The International Perfume Museum presents the history of perfumes and soaps. Wander the delightful streets of the Old Town with fountains in tucked-away squares. And, perhaps, visit the Villa-Museum Fragonard, which displays a collection of the French artist’s Rococo art works.
St Paul-de-Vence
St Paul-de-Vence sits dramatically on a hilltop surrounded by 16th century ramparts. It is one of the oldest medieval towns on the Riviera. Also home to the Fondation Maught, a wonderful modern art museum filled with great works by artists such as Giacometti, Calder, and Chagall, set amidst spectacular surroundings. The town itself is a joy to explore. Full of winding alleyways and charming galleries and shops. Noteworthy churches include the Saint Paul Collegiate Church with a Romanesque choir and the Folon Chapel filled with mosaics, sculptures, paintings, and stained glass by Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon.
Aix-en-Provence
Originally the capital of the region from where the Counts of Provence ruled, Aix-en-Provence is an elegant, traditional Provençal town. Full of ornate fountains and historic Old Town squares that add an ancient Roman heritage.
Old town street of Aix en Provence, France
Wander its tree lined streets like the Cours Mirabeau with its outdoor cafes and savour the town’s environment. Artist Paul Cezanne had his studio here, which can be visited. Other important town sights include the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur and the Musée Granet fine arts museum.
Saint Rémy
The Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole, in Saint Rémy
Saint Rémy is an attractive village in the foothills of the Alpilles mountains. It is most famous for being the final place Vincent Van Gogh lived at the end of his tumultuous life. The Monastère Saint-Paul de Mausole asylum where Van Gogh stayed from 1889 to 1890 has a replica of his room and copies of the paintings he created here. The Musée Estrine has an Interpretive Centre featuring his work. Stroll through the atmospheric Old Town and visit the archaeological ruins of the old Roman town of Glanum.
Les Baux
Les Baux de Provence, France
Les Baux sits perched amidst dramatic surroundings in the Alpilles Mountains. This beautiful village feels like something straight out of the Middle Ages. Visit the ruins of the Chateau, that provides amazing views over the surrounding landscape. Wander the village’s cobblestoned streets past delightful old stone buildings. And enjoy its boutiques, galleries, and cafes. Also see the 12th century Romanesque Saint-Vincent Church with its modern stained-glass windows. Then visit the Carrières de Lumières, a unique exhibition space in a former quarry where images of artworks from famous artists like Van Gogh, Monet and Gauguin are projected onto rock columns.
Avignon
Avignon, Provence, France
Avignon is most famous for its extraordinary Papal Palace, seat of the catholic popes in the 14th century when the papacy left Rome for Avignon. The fortified Palace with its defence towers is one of the largest Gothic palaces in the world. Avignon also features the medieval Pont d’Avignon bridge, half of which was destroyed during a 17th century flood and never repaired. There are also Italian master paintings at the Musée du Petit Palais, the 12th century Cathédrale Notre-Dame-des-Doms, and the picturesque gardens of the Rocher des Doms overlooking the Rhône River.
A short distance from Avignon is the UNESCO World Heritage Site listed Pont du Gard aqueduct, a masterpiece of Roman engineering from the 1st century AD.
Wine Tasting in Provence
The Greeks started the wine growing business in Provence, the oldest grapes planted in France! The region’s specialty are rosé wines, but excellent reds are also produced here.
Enjoy wine tasting all over Provence, France
Some of the best-known wines include Châteauneuf-du-Pape from outside of Avignon and the famed Côtes du Rhône wines. The Provence wine route includes over 400 vineyards and wine cellars. It traverses remarkably diverse terrain, from the Rhône River to the Mediterranean coast and hilltop towns and villages in the scenic, mountainous interior. Tasting opportunities include stops at private wineries or a cave cooperative or caveau, where you can taste wines from different local vintners.
