With the French Riviera at its heels and the mountains at its crown, Provence is as good as it gets. Drystone villages, summer lavender fields, corniche cliffs roads, and calanques are among the signature sights, all bathed in a unique light that attracted artistic greats like Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh over time. Visitors today come to see the landscapes that these artists loved, along with other historical and cultural attractions—the Roman ruins of Arles, Châteauneuf-du-Pape wineries, and Grasse perfumeries are just a few of the things to in Provence.
The best time to visit Provence is from mid-June to early August when the lavender fields are bursting with color and festivals celebrating the purple flower pop up around the region. Long, languid summer days are also made for basking outside long after the sun sets with a chilled Provençal rosé in hand. Don’t eschew winter, however: You’ll find much cheaper accommodation this time of year, and Provence enjoys a mild climate year-round.
Provence is a vast region, so the most practical way to get around depends on where you’d like to go. Big cities such as Marseille and Aix-en-Provence have good public transport—and in Marseille in particular, a car is a hindrance. If you’re planning on exploring rural Provence, rent a car. A spectacular road trip route will take you through some of the prettiest villages in the country, including Gordes and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
Provence may conjure images of sun-drenched vineyards, olive groves, and beaches, but did you know you can ski here? The Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence have world-class ski resorts. Super Sauze is one of the best, rising to over 7,874 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level. Further south, Isola 2000, hugging the Italian border, is just two hours from the coast, meaning a day can begin with snow on your boots and finish with sand between your toes.
