The Best Things to Do in Provence
Headed to the South of France? Très bien, read on.
Last spring I spent two weeks in stunning Provence. I love this area in the shoulder seasons for milder temps and smaller crowds. In terms of getting there, trains from Paris are a great option as is flying into Nice. My friends and I decided on a rental car to allow us to explore. I would recommend, as different towns are not all easily connected by train. Parking was sometimes a bit of a pain but I think we would have struggled to get around without the car. For the majority of our time in Provence we were based near Gordes (at the absolutely wonderful Domaine Les Martin), which was a convenient base for exploring the region. The following six activities were the highlights of the trip!
Hike in Roussillon
The landscape in Roussillon is so unique and beautiful. Sentier des Ocres trail is the best way to see the ochre, which gives the land its burnt orange color. We went with the short loop trail, which took about 30 minutes. After our hike (ok, short-ish walk. I do more steps in London on my way to work) we wondered into the town. Rousillion is quick to explore - we went to the Saint-Michel Church, the Belfry and wondered around the shops. We didn’t make it there this trip, but I was desperate to try Michelin-stared Omma in the Omma hotel for its seasonal, Provence-inspired menu and cliff views. I think a half day in Roussillon is the perfect amount of time.
Antique in L’Isle-sur-la- Sorgue
Antique lovers, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue needs to go on the itinerary. Nicknamed the Venice of Provence, the town is truly fairytale-like with its canals and waterwheels. We went on Sunday for the legendary market, the largest outdoor one in the South of France. It is best to arrive early as the town can get very crowded. We were able to find parking, but did have a bit a walk into the town center once we found a spot. The shopping was a mix of market stalls and permanent stores. I wanted to bring back so, so many pieces of incredible furniture which the luggage didn’t allow for. There were luckily tons of ceramics and random knick knacks on offer as well that scratched the antique itch.
Make your Own Fragrance in Grasse
Grasse is home to some of the most prestigious perfumeries in the world. We booked a 2-hour perfume making workshop at Galimard, where we had a chance to create our own unique fragrance. Everyone had an individual workstation with an “organ” of tons of different scented oils. We learned about the different notes and how to use them to build a scent. The instructors were very hands-on to help create your perfume and offer suggestions. I went with a rose-heavy fragrance and still wear it today! Do book in advance as workshops fill up.
Dine at Les Remparts in Saint-Paul-de-Vence
The dreamiest restaurant in Saint-Paul-de-Vence has got to be Les Remparts. We sat on the patio and caught an epic sunset during dinner. If you try out Les Remparts, I recommend exploring the village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence further. The village was once a destination for artists like Picasso and Matisse and is the resting place of Marc Chagall. It is home to many art galleries to explore along the cobblestone streets. I’d suggest a stroll by the fountain and grabbing an aperitif at Hotel Le Saint Paul. Also worth a visit - a few minutes drive outside of the town center is the incredible hilltop Fondation Maeght, a private museum of modern art.
Take a Cooking Class in Saint Rémy de Provence
We joined Jane from La Cuisine Provencale in her kitchen for some classic French cooking in the picturesque village of Saint Rémy . The kitchen was straight out a Nancy Meyers film - vibes of the best montage from my comfort movie. Jane had sourced all of the ingredients from her local vendors that morning and everything was so fresh. We got our hands dirty with some of the prep work, then left the rest to Jane and enjoyed some wine and picky bits outside before sitting down for dinner at the table. It was such a lovely and interactive evening hanging in the kitchen with Jane in beautiful Saint Rémy.
Tour the Vineyards of the Rhône Valley
Nothing but great things to say about the wine tour we booked through Le Vin à la Bouche. We chose the Châteauneuf-du-Pape private full-day tour where we had a chance to visit and have tastings at a few vineyards, with a lunch in between. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a Grenache-based red blend from the Rhône valley that we were all eager to try. Our tour included stops at Domaine de Beaurenard , Domaine la Barroche and Château La Nerthe (my top pick, a gorgeous property). All of the wineries we were visited were so welcoming and our local guide was knowledgable and passionate about the region. Many bottles were shipped home that day.
J'espère que vous apprécierez la Provence!
And now I shall be adding this to my never ending travel list. 🙌🏻✨
This makes me want to redo the trip!