How many days in Provence?

The headline things to do in Provence

From the Provence guide — these are the items that anchor a 4-day visit. For the full breakdown, read the Provence travel guide.

1. Palais des Papes (Avignon) — Avignon historic centre

   The largest Gothic palace in Europe — built 1335–1364 to house the seven Avignon popes during the 67-year period when the Catholic Church relocated from Rome. UNESCO World Heritage. The 15,000 m² interior includes the papal apartments with original 14th-century frescoes by Matteo Giovannetti, the Grand Chapel, and the audio guide is excellent. Allow 2.5 hours. Combine with the Pont d'Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet) ticket (€16 combined).

2. Plateau de Valensole — The Lavender Fields — Plateau de Valensole, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

   The 800 km² limestone plateau between Manosque and Riez — France's lavender capital. The famous photogenic fields with lone trees and church spires in the distance are along the D6 between Valensole village and Puimoisson. Peak bloom is late June through mid-July (~3 weeks); the lavender festival in Valensole village (third Sunday of July) closes the season. Outside July, the fields are green or dormant — be calendar-aware.

3. Aix-en-Provence Old Town & Cours Mirabeau — Aix-en-Provence centre

   The plane-tree-lined Cours Mirabeau is one of the most beautiful boulevards in France — fountains, 17th-century mansions, the famous café Les Deux Garçons (Cézanne and Zola's student haunt), and pavement cafés the length of it. The old town behind has the Place d'Albertas, the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, and the Saturday morning market. Aix-en-Provence is the most "Provençal" of the cities — elegant, fountains, plane trees, golden stone.

4. Gordes & The Sénanque Abbey Lavender — Gordes, Luberon

   Gordes is the most photographed of the Luberon hill villages — golden stone houses cascading down a hillside under a 16th-century chateau and church. Three kilometres north sits the 12th-century Cistercian Sénanque Abbey, which photographs into the worldwide standard image of "lavender field with monastery" every July (peak bloom mid-June to mid-July). The abbey is still active and welcomes visitors outside of services.

5. Roussillon & The Ochre Cliffs — Roussillon, Luberon

   Roussillon is built entirely from the local ochre cliffs — the village houses are red, pink, orange, and yellow, glowing in afternoon light. The Sentier des Ocres (€3) is a 30-minute walking trail through the abandoned ochre quarries with views over the multi-coloured cliffs. The nearby Conservatoire des Ocres et de la Couleur teaches the geology and history of pigment manufacture.

6. Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon) — Verdon, central Provence

   Europe's deepest canyon — 700 m deep, 25 km long, with the turquoise Verdon River at the bottom. The Route des Crêtes corniche drive (D952 to D71) has dozens of viewpoints including the Belvédère de l'Escalès. At the gorge mouth, the Lac de Sainte-Croix offers swimming, kayaking, and pedalos (€15/hour) into the canyon entrance. The drive from end to end takes 4 hours with stops; allow a full day.

7. Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct) — Vers-Pont-du-Gard, Gard

   The 49-metre-tall Roman aqueduct bridge spanning the Gardon River — built around 50 CE and one of the best-preserved Roman engineering structures anywhere. UNESCO. €9.50 entry includes the museum, the bridge approach, and the surrounding Gardon riverbanks where you can swim in summer. Located 25 km west of Avignon. The bridge is illuminated dramatically at night.

8. Roman Arles (Arènes & Théâtre Antique) — Arles centre

   Arles holds the largest concentration of Roman monuments in France outside Provence — the Arena (Arènes d'Arles, still hosting bullfights), the Roman Theatre, the Cryptoporticus, and the Alyscamps necropolis. UNESCO World Heritage as a group. Vincent Van Gogh painted his most famous works here in 1888–1889 (the Café Terrace at Night, the Yellow House, the Starry Night Over the Rhône) — a dedicated walking trail follows the locations.

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