It is hard not to be enchanted by Provence: its adorable hilltop villages, glittering coastline and rippling lavender fields being just a few of its many attractions. Traveling through the southeasternmost corner of France is a thrilling experience, thanks to its bewitching natural beauty.
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Below, find our Provence travel guide for seeing the region over one week.
Day 1: Aix-en-Provence
Make this quaint and elegant city your home base until day three, as it is idyllically located for exploring nearby cities and towns on your Provence travel guide. Stroll down the iconic, tree-lined boulevard of Cours Mirabeau to marvel at its beautiful fountains and al fresco restaurants. Be sure to hit the local antiques and flea markets which take place on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.
Head to the charming square of Place de l’Hôtel de Ville for beautiful blooms and Place Richelme to shop delicious market produce. Purchase the Aixois delicacy, calissons — a confectionary made from candied fruit and ground almonds — while you’re there. Make a visit to the tranquil, pastel-colored charm of Atelier de Cézanne, the once studio of the post-Impressionist painter.
Read next: Interview with Jenny Cronk of Mirabeau Wine
Day 2: Marseille, Calanques & Cassis
Starting early, drive down to explore Marseilles’ Old Town (a 45-minute drive away) and go for a walk around the Panier district and the Old Port. Head on towards the underrated, charming beauty of the tiny village of Cassis in the afternoon, and stay for a seafood dinner under twinkling lights by its harbor. But on your way, be sure to make a stop at Calanques — these rocky bays carved into limestone cliffs provide mesmerizing vistas and a blissful dip!
Day 4: Isle sur la Sorgue
Spend a day leisurely perusing second-hand vintage bargains and antiques along the canals of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – a small town that is renowned for its brocante across Europe. Traipse through its markets for souvenirs to take home to forever treasure the memory of your trip to the South of France. Have a tasty seafood lunch at one of the restaurants that line the water.
Read next: 5 Stunning Hotels in Provence to Book
Day 5: Les Baux-de-Provence
Spend a day wandering through this gorgeous hilltop village perched on the jagged limestone of the Alpilles mountain range. Seeing the majestic Château des Baux-de-Provence and its dramatic scenery is a must, as is going to the Mas de la Dame vineyard for a wine tasting amid its olive groves.
For an unrivaled art experience, spend a few hours in the afternoon at Carrières des Lumières — an immersive digital art exhibition where paintings are projected onto the walls of a gigantic stone quarry.
Day 6: Luberon villages
If you are traveling during summer, then you have to see the region’s lavender come into bloom! Tour the 12th-century Sénanque Abbey and its famous lavender fields below. Make sure you get some lavender souvenirs whilst you are here too.
Continue onto the nearby Luberon villages of Gordes, Oppède le Vieux, and Roussillon to explore the calm beauty of Provençal life.
Day 7: Camargue
For the final step of your itinerary, traverse the rugged coastline of the Camargue to be richly rewarded with stunning wildlife and nature — more specifically, flamingos, wild white horses and pink salt flats that draw visitors near and far each year. Considered to be “France’s Wild West,” it is an absolute must-see when you’re in Provence.