Visiting the Villages of Provence

Arrive in Avignon by train from Paris (a 2.5-hour train ride). Pick up your pre-arranged car rental and begin to explore the South of France. The roads in Provence are quiet and beautiful with a lot of roundabouts.

Enjoy the scenery on the 45-minute drive from Avignon as you pass lavender fields (June-August), olive trees and wine vineyards. Arrive at your hotel in St. Remy de Provence.

Explore Saint-Rémy on your own. Stroll through cobblestone streets and alleys, discovering secrets around every turn. Saint-Rémy is clean, with pristine stone buildings with pastel shutters lining the windows above the storefronts. This village has an understated French aesthetic, full of boutiques, shops, bistros and cafes. The city center is the hub for locals and tourists to gather and enjoy an espresso and croissant under shaded trees watching the carousel go round.

A local farmers market is on Wednesday mornings (8 am-1 pm). Bring cash because you will want to shop. Here, you’ll find mountains of savory olives, scented soaps, woven basket bags, freshly picked seasonal produce, local cheeses and more. It has everything.

Saint-Rémy is perhaps most famous as the place where Vincent Van Gogh was confined in an asylum towards the end of his life. Van Gogh was brought to the hospital here for recuperation after he sliced his ear and was having episodes of despair. He stayed at the hospital, walking in the gardens, finding inspiration to create 150 paintings at the end of his life.

In the morning, drive 15 minutes from Saint-Rémy to the ancient village of Les Baux-de-Provence. Arrive early to avoid spending time later in the day looking for a parking spot.

Perched atop Les Alpilles mountains, Les Baux-de-Provence is recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Start your visit at the Château des Baux, a fortress located at the top of the village with beautiful views overlooking the valley below. On a clear day, you can see Aix-en-Provence, Arles and Mont Saint-Victoire in the distance.

The castle at the top of the village served as the residence of the influential Les Baux family during the Middle Ages. Wander down the hill, stopping to visit some of the village’s main attractions, including St. Vincent Church, the Chapel of Penitents and the Yves Brayer Museum.

Drive 15 minutes from Les Baux to Chateau Estoublon. This chateau will blow you away! Experience the beauty of this incredible property as you stroll through the gardens on a guided tour of its wine and olive oil vineyards.

Enjoy a tasting of three olive oils and three wines along with a snack board of meats and cheeses. After the tasting, have lunch at the magical restaurant under a huge, shaded tree and umbrellas. Enjoy the delicious food with a glass of their signature Roseblood wine. You will thank me!

Chateau Estoublon is a magical experience from beginning to end.

Drive from Saint-Rémy to Gordes (50 minutes). Gordes is perched high on a cliff above the valley floor and overlooks the luscious scenes of the Luberon below. Its beauty is heavily protected by its residents.

You can explore the village and its beautiful cobbled streets, visit the Le Château de Gordes and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views, discover the ancient fountains, take a tour in the caves below the village, check out the incredible views from the edges of the village and experience the beauty of the Luberon region’s lavender fields. So much to see and do.

Gordes is home to some of the best restaurants in the region.
Taking a cooking class in any of these villages is an experience you will remember forever.

Drive 15 minutes from Gordes to the village of Rousillion, best known for its distinctive red (ochre) clay cliffs. Its location at the top of a steep hill gives it a fantastic panoramic view.

The colors of Roussillon: the reds, yellows, oranges and pinks merge into one another as you wander around the spiraling streets. The contrast of the green pine trees or the blue sky against the red cliffs is stunning.

Eateries are sprinkled throughout the streets of Roussillon, offering a chance to rest your feet while soaking up incredible views. Sit back and satisfy your appetite with a sweet from the local patisserie while people-watching in the square.