Wine, Art and Gastronomy in Provence, France

Essential experiences

A perfect visit to Aix-en-Provence (however short) includes wine, art and the sea.

The art: Explore the sites that inspired Cézanne’s masterpieces on the Cezanne in Provence Tour by Context Travel or simply visit the Atelier de Cezanne museum.

The wine: A visit to Provence isn’t complete without experiencing its wines. The region is renowned for its rosé, but don’t overlook its other offerings. Here are my top recommendations:

• Rosé: Provençal rosé is distinct from the overly sweet varieties you might find elsewhere. There is immense variety in the rosés of the region — from darker-hued and fruit-forward to peachy and crisp. Venture beyond the city to vineyards of Château L'Evesque or Maison Saint Aix. Book a Wine Tour through Winedering.

• Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Located about an hour from Aix, this region is famed for its robust red wines that command a premium price in the States. Described by Food & Wine as “natural expressions of grapes, place and vintage,” Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are produced organically or biodynamically. For a taste of the best, consider a tour with Planet Provence, a luxury tour company run by an English-speaking local.

The sea: Head south from Aix, past the bustling port city of Marseille, to the picturesque fishing town of Cassis. Hike the dramatic cliffs of Les Calanques or enjoy a luxury sailboat tour to view the stunning landscape from the water.

Planet Provence also offers a private sailing and wine tasting experience along Les Calanques — a beautiful way to experience everything the French Mediterranean has to offer.

Other things to do

• Explore Les marchés de Provence, where you can smell fresh flowers and fill your picnic basket with French cheeses (my favorite is chèvre aux herbes de Provence — a herbed goat cheese), fruits, jams and a baguette.

• Le Cours Mirabeau: Stroll down this iconic, tree-lined avenue to the Fontaine de La Rotonde.

• Crepes a Gogo: For lunch, enjoy a savory crepe under the shade of a sycamore tree from Crepe a Gogo. You’ll find this hidden gem located in a mini underground tunnel near La Fontaine de La Rotonde. I recommend the Crepe Complete (a classic savory crepe of egg, ham and gruyere) or Crepe Ratatouille, (a vegetarian crepe with stewed summer vegetables).

• Maison Bechard: After lunch, you must visit the patisserie Bechard, where you can find exceptional buttery, cream-filled pastries. I promise these are worth the premium price tag.

• Flavors of Provence tour: Beyond rosé, the region produces high-quality olive oils, Savon de Marseille (soap) and unique regional sweets. Explore these specialties on a Flavors of Provence tour.

• L’Occitane: Take a guided tour of the L’Occitane factory and wander through the beautiful gardens on the premises.

• Day trip to Le Gorges du Verdon: Discover one of the region’s best-kept secrets, a stunning canyon with turquoise and emerald waters. Here you can hike along the canyon’s rim, paddleboat in the gorge or try white water rafting if you’re feeling adventurous.

Casual eats:

• JACOB's - Here's you'll find the best baguettes and sandwiches

• Pasta Luce - Delicious homemade pasta that you can eat in their cozy space or take away to enjoy perched on a stoop, as the locals do.

Michelin-rated restaurants serving traditional Provençal cuisine:

• Le Vintrépide

• Côté Cour

Pastries and Sweet Treats:

• Maison Bechard

• Le Roy Rene - The best place to try calissons