There are countless towns scattered throughout Provence. Truth be told, it’s impossible to see it all in just three days. With a little planning, you can maximize time to see the most beautiful towns and lavender fields over three rosé-filled days. Towns in Provence are so charming with their cobblestoned alleyways, window shutters, ivy-covered buildings and stunning views.
This 3-day itinerary is really the culmination of two separate trips I’ve taken to Provence. So, this is my best attempt to marry the best of both trips in one. In this itinerary, I’ll show you how to see the best of Provence in three days and we’ll cover Gordes, Roussillon, Aix-en-Provence, Lourmarin and Saint-Remy-de-Provence.
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Where to Stay in Provence
For this particular itinerary, I’d recommend staying in Aix-en-Provence or Lourmarin. Both are centrally located to the places you’ll want to visit and offer nice hotels options.
If you want to stay in a small village and prefer a more rural setting, I’d recommend two Beaumier properties in Lourmarin. Le Moulin for a hotel in town with a full restaurant or Le Galinier for a quiet guesthouse. We stayed at Le Galinier and it was perfect to walk into town, but I also liked the vibe at Le Moulin.
Just 10 minutes away, Domaine de Fontenille would also be a good choice for a countryside stay. The hotel and winery is a Relais & Chateau property with a beautiful fountain and expansive gardens.
For a more lively city stay, choose a hotel in Aix-en-Provence. I stayed at Le Pigonnet which is right on the outskirts with free parking and a pool. We enjoyed the large gardens and an outdoor restaurant, while still being walking distance to all the things to do in Aix-en-Provence.
The service at the hotel and restaurant was excellent. The employees were very friendly and I found it very thoughtful how the bartender explained the a regional liquor offering in depth.
Also read Where to Stay in Provence for more details and other accommodation options.
When to Visit Provence
Each season has something to offer. So, it completely depends on your preference. I’ve been in July and September. For my first trip, I really wanted to see the lavender fields and that definitely was a memorable experience.
If you’re not particularly motivated by lavender and prefer more mild temperatures, September was lovely. The swimming pools were quite chilly though so it wasn’t warm enough to fully take advantage of the pools.
How to get to Provence and get around
From Paris, the TGV arrives at the Aix-en-Provence train station in about 3 hours. There are many car rental companies available and from there you’ll be about 15 minutes from the city center. You could also fly in to Marseilles airport (about 25 minutes from Aix-en-Provence).
I rented a car both trips and I do believe it’s the best way to see the smaller villages on your own time. For those more adverse to renting a car, staying in Aix is the best option. There are a number of tours departing Aix-en-Provence.
Day 1: Gordes, Sénanque Abbey & Roussillon)
Gordes is known for its beautiful viewpoint of the town up on the hilltop. It’s home to the 5-star Airelles Gordes, La Bastide with sweeping views of the valley below from its pool. You may also recognize it from the restaurant scenes in the movie A Good Year.
Gordes is one of the more popular towns in Provence and can get quite crowded. Terraces and narrow alleys were full of people eating lunch outside and exploring the small town.
About 10 minutes north of Gordes, you can’t miss a quick stop at the Sénanque Abbey. If you go in the summer, you’ll be treated to the lavender in bloom. Read more about its history and schedule a tour.
Roussillon is one of the more unique towns in Provence, mainly because its buildings are all shades of red. It’s home to one of the largest Ochre deposits in the world. You can also explore the nearby Ochre Trail.
If you want to minimize drive time or don’t want to rent a car, this tour offers a taste of several villages and is a great alternative.
Day 2: Lourmarin & Aix-en-Provence
Spend the morning in Lourmarin. If you can make this morning a Friday, it’s worth adjusting your schedule. The main street and plaza in the small town fill up with vendors. It’s a lively scene worth getting some fresh olive tapenade, wine, cheese and bread for a snack. Stroll through town to visit some shops and have a coffee at Café Gaby.
Read my guide to Lourmarin for more to do and see in this charming village.
Arrive in Aix-en-Provence for a late lunch at Tita (open until 3:30). Get the mezze plate. I actually flagged down our server to change my order when I saw it arrive at the table next to us. Yes, I was that annoying person and I regret nothing.
Aix-en-Provence was the former capital of Provence with many boutique shops, outdoor cafes, charming fountains and things to do. For shopping, I made a beeline to the Sézane and Diptyque shops. Get a drink at one of the cafes with a terrace along Cours Mirabeau or a wine bar. Hôtel de Caumont is an arts center housed in a former private mansion built in 1715.
There’s several plazas and outdoor markets selling fresh produce and locally made goods depending on what day of the week you visit. The cathedral is worth visiting too for its beautiful architecture, painted organ and baptistery that dates back to the 6th century.
Day 3: Saint-Remy-de-Provence & Les Baux-de-Provence
On your third day, drive a little over an hour to the Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole in Saint-Remy-de-Provence. There’s been a monastery there for over 1000 years, but it was made into an asylum in 1807. Van Gogh lived and painted there for about a year towards the end of his life. The asylum today acts as a living Van Gogh museum and is a must see for any Van Gogh fan. It’s a beautiful, yet somber place full of history.
It’s an easy walk from the monastery to the town center of Saint-Remy-de-Provence. Grab lunch in one of the many charming outdoor patios.
From Saint Rémy de Provence, it’s only a 15 minute drive to Les Baux-de-Provence.
Next time I’d love to visit L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (which is legendary for its antique market on Sunday) and see the sparkling turquoise waters of Verdon Gorge. I’m waiting for my son to get a little older so he’ll remember and be able to enjoy the paddle boat. I’m already looking forward to our next visit.
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Hi! Did you used to have two other links to larger Airbnbs in your post? We are traveling with a larger group and I could have sworn while reading this a month ago I saw some other options you recommended.
Thanks!
Hi Stephanie! You’re right; I did have another paragraph with some group rentals. I was updating this post recently and was going to research more options. I’ll add some today!
Hello, this is an amazing overview. Is it possible to get around Provence if one doesn’t speak French?
Hi Sarah,
I don’t speak French at all and everything was fine. We mostly used Google Maps to drive around. I did have to stop once and ask for help when we frantically couldn’t find a gas station. I found the locals very friendly and they usually speak English. Don’t let the language barrier keep you from visiting! Provence is wonderful!
Thank you for sharing this short but sweet trip! We’ve just returned from the South of France but sadly we didn’t get a chance to explore any of the pretty villages of Provence – there just wasn’t enough time to pack everything in! Next time we’d love to return and stay on a lovely vineyard, experience the lavender fields and wander through the tiny alleyways. The Monastery sounds like a beautiful place to visit!
Milenka
There’s never enough time! There’s just so much to see in France!
Thanks for sharing ! What’s the price on the rental car from aix de Provence ?
I don’t remember exactly, but we used RentalCars.com and it was pretty affordable. We did pay slightly more for an automatic.
This is exactly what I was looking for! And the photos are stunning! ☺️
Thank you so much! Glad you found what you were looking for!