The French region of Provence is made for explorers—and there’s a lot of room to explore. For a solid itinerary, we recommend at least four days to experience a few villages and sun-drenched landscapes.
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Is Provence France worth visiting?
Short answer: yes, definitely. If you are unsure, you only have 1 week to spend in the south of France, or two, Aix en Provence is definitely worth visiting. It’s one of my favorite towns in France.
What is the best time of year to visit Provence?
The best times to visit Aix-en-Provence are from March to May and September through November, when the weather is as moderate as the crowds. The summer months see an influx of Parisians and international travelers escaping to the south of France, so hotel and restaurant availability is scant and prices soar.
How many days do you need in Aix en Provence?
If you want to discover Aix, a whole day or two days and a night can be enough. I recommend you a visit of “Atelier Cézanne”, a little outside of the city center, walking in the city center and discover “Musée du Calisson” if you want a taste of the culinary specialties of the city!
What is the prettiest town in Provence?
Best Provence Villages and Towns
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. It may be small, but Moustiers-Sainte-Marie has been named one of the most beautiful villages in the South of France.
- Goult.
- Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue.
- Bonnieux.
- Les Baux-de-Provence.
- Cassis.
- Lourmarin.
- Vaison-la-Romaine.
Do you need a car in Provence?
For getting around to explore Provence we highly recommend a car, as public transport can be sparse or non-existent depending on where you are.
How expensive is Provence France?
Therefore, a trip to Provence for two people for a week is expected to cost around 1,759 euros on average. Additionally, a week vacation to Provence often cost close to 879 euros per head. And a two weeks trip for two people will cost around 3,517 euros.
How hot is Provence in August?
August in Provence sees little change than the month before with temps running between 64-82˚F (18-28˚C) and the Mediterranean Sea warming a degree to 75˚F (24˚C)—the perfect cooling antidote. Note that the farther away from the coast, the more oppressive the heat becomes during the day.
How cold does it get in Provence?
The months of December, January and February make up Provence’s winter, and January is generally the coldest month with an average temperature of around 45 degrees. It may fall as low as 36 degrees at night and may hit as high as 52 degrees during the day.
What is the best time to see lavender in Provence?
Lavender season in Provence sadly isn’t a year-round affair. The best time to see the plants in bloom is from the last week of June to the beginning of August. Peak bloom is around mid-July – although this may vary year to year depending on the rainfall.
How can I spend 10 days in France?
France 10 day itinerary
- Days 1 to 3 – Paris.
- Days 4 and 5 – Bordeaux.
- Day 6 – Toulouse.
- Day 7 – Montpellier.
- Day 8 – Marseille.
- Day 9 – Lyon.
- Day 10 – Paris.
What can you do in France for 7 days?
France 7-Day Tours & Itineraries
- Paris & South of France – 7 Days.
- “Like a Local” Tour in Provence and the French Riviera: 7 Days.
- Tour du Mont-Blanc Self Guided Trek – 7 days.
- The Very Best Walks on Corsica: 7 Days.
- Hiking & Hilltop Villages in Provence – 7 Days.
- Cycling Corsica: 7 Days.
- Normandy Discovery Tour – 7 Days.
How many days do you need in the French Riviera?
With two days to spend in the French Riviera, stick to a couple of key destinations, like Cannes and Nice or Saint-Tropez. You can add some time sailing around islands or hiking in the Alps if you have three to five days, and if you have around a week, detour to Provence.
How do you pronounce Aix en Provence?
One question I’m frequently asked is “how do you pronounce Aix-en-Provence?” The full name is pronounced ex-on-pro-vonse, but if you want to fit in with the locals straight-away, you can shorten it to just Aix (ex).
What is Provence France known for?
Provence is known for its beautiful landscape. There are beautiful river valleys, gorges, lovely coastlands, and mountainous areas with picturesque old villages, all under a wonderful Mediterranean climate. You will definitely be taking lots of pictures of all the scenic views.
How do I get from Paris to Provence?
You can take a direct flight from Paris Orly Airport (ORY), a train from Paris Gare de Lyon (3.5 hours), or rent a car drive to Marseille and the rest of Provence (8 hours, depending on your destination).
Is Provence safe?
In general, Provence is a safe destination. Petty theft and burglary are the main problems – especially in touristy cities such as Marseille and Nice – but assault is rare.
Is it difficult to drive in Provence?
Driving and Parking Tips For Aix-en-Provence
Aix is a very difficult city to be driving in.So with all that being said, it’s very slow driving, it can take you an extra 10 minutes to get anywhere. If you do drive into the city, there’s also no place to park.
Is it easy to drive around Provence?
Driving France’s swift and expensive toll-roads, it’s easy to cover 70 miles in an hour. But driving that same distance through the Luberon Mountains or the back roads of the Camargue or Alpilles likely will take three times as long. The best way to enjoy Provence more is to schedule less.
How much do I need to retire in Provence?
Cost of Living in Provence
| Expense | U.S. $ |
|---|---|
| Dining Out (nine times a month) | $425 |
| Transportation | $100 |
| Misc. | $200 |
| Total | $2,695 |
What are the pros and cons of living in France?
Pros and cons of moving to France
- + PRO: Plenty of choice.
- – CON: Older housing.
- – CON: Housing tax.
- + PRO: Slower pace of life.
- – CON: Bureaucracy.
- + PRO: Vacation.
- + PRO: Accessible and convenient urban transportation.
- + PRO: Fresh food and great wine.
