Travel Guide

Provence

France

Best time to go: May–July, September–October

Sights

Palace of the Popes, Avignon – Europe's largest Gothic palace – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pont d'Avignon – The half bridge from the children's song.
Valensole lavender fields – In bloom from late June to mid-July.
Gordes and Sénanque Abbey – A hilltop village in the Luberon and an abbey amid lavender.
Roussillon – A village and trail among glowing ochre cliffs.
Pont du Gard – A Roman aqueduct over the Gardon river.
Arles – A Roman arena and places painted by Van Gogh.

Provençal market – Olives, herbs, cheese and soap – weekly in almost every village.
Ratatouille and tapenade – Summer vegetables and olive paste.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape – A powerful red wine from vineyards north of Avignon.
Calissons d'Aix – Almond sweets from Aix-en-Provence.

Gorges du Verdon – A deep gorge with turquoise water – great for kayaking.
Camargue – Flamingos, white horses and salt marshes.
Marseille and the Calanques – The Old Port and rocky coves in the national park.

When to go: May–July, September–October
Getting around: TGV trains to Avignon, Aix or Marseille; hire a car for the villages and lavender fields.
Tipping: Service is usually included – rounding up is a nice gesture.
Power: Plug type C/E, 230 V – pack an adapter for Swiss plugs.
Currency: Euro (EUR)

Create a trip plan and the Travel Guide comes with it – with a map, ideas to suggest and saved for offline use.

General tips without guarantee – please check opening times and prices locally.