Provence is large geographical and cultural rich destination situated in the south of France in a plain area always overlooking the Arc River. Provence is also a captivating region in France known for its stunning landscapes, charming villages, and rich cultural heritage. There are a lot of good things about Provence starting from its weather condition to hilltop villages, Provence makes the finest destination for most visitors. It is a well-established trail system, connected between many villages and its weather will inspire you to do some of the most joyful travel activities.
From the lavender fields to the azure coast, there’s something truly magical about this beautiful corner of the world. It does not matter if you are visit all about the rolling vineyards, the historic towns, or the vibrant markets, there’s no shortage of material to inspire every backpacker in Provence. In this blog post, we are going to explain the region’s picturesque beauty, its delicious cuisine, and it’s fascinating history, and we are presented with some things which travelers can really enjoy in Provence.
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Top 10 Things to Do in Provence, France
1. Visit the Lavender Fields
Lavender Fields is a place which is surrounded by the most romantic place in Provence where visitors can take leisure stroll through its Valensole Lavender Fields. Luberon is another place in Provence which is famous for its beautiful lavender fields like Valensole.
While walking amidst of these fields your place would covered by the vast areas of purple gold plateau, which make us to spend more time its fragrance and capture most beautiful photos. However it is considered as the biggest and most popular attraction in the entire Provence.
During late June to early August, perfect time to explore the biggest variety of shades of blue and purple. Every year during the third Sunday in July, annual Valensole Lavender Festivals is held here, and you can also find local areas or opportunities while discovering Lavender Fields.
2. Explore Avignon
Renowned for its architectural marvels and historical importance’s Avigon is a place recognized for UNESCO World Heritage listed as Palais des Papes (Popes’ Palace). A great historic city, Avignon is a symbol of well-preserved architecture, especially during the mediaeval period.
Lies at a point on the east bank of the Rohne River and city serves as the European cultural capital for 2000. Apart from, Avignon is famous for Sur le pont d’Avignon, a famous children’s song written about its bridges and home to incredible Christian heritages and lesser known marvels.
There are multiple places and things which a traveler can do here, like Palace of the popes, cultural importance’s of Gothic church building, festivals d’Avifnon biggest cultural events and theatre and live entertainments, cruises on the Rhone panoramic views over the city from the deck. Sur le Pont d’Avignon for children’s song written about its bridges and sweet pipelines small chocolate truffle.
3. Experience the Gorges du Verdon
Gorges du Verdon is considered the largest canyon in Europe and one of the most exciting places to visit in Europe. Where visitors can take a leisure walk along with a canoe or raft and even roll to admire its vertiginous cliff, unforgettable memory or exotic. Take a day trip to the stunning Gorges du Verdon, known as the “Grand Canyon of Europe,” where you can hike, rent a kayak, or simply admire the breath-taking views.
Such a beautiful protected natural park is must see by the driving which showcases many viewpoints from the top of the gorge. Gorges du Verdon is a perfect place to spend your time with kayaking in Verdon gorge, cliff jumping, swimming at Lac du Saint Croix and soaking in the beaches.
This quiet village is nestled in the green countryside of France spreading a most frantic and romantic smell of fresh birds chirping all the days. However most of the resorts and hotels here offer great breakfasts every morning with perfect locations. Never miss to enjoy natural views, activities and location while visiting Provence.
4. Tour the Roman Ruins of Arles
Ancient Roman city of Arles, ancient romans is a place often know to explore well-preserved Roman ruins, including an amphitheater and a Roman theatre. Several Roman monuments which exhibit the city have great historical importance’s even 2000 years ago, most of them are protected under the UNESCO World heritage risk. Amphitheater of Arles has 2 tier and smaller compared to Ancient Italy’s Colosseum, but Colosseum contains 3 tiers.
Arles city was founded by the Greeks- Phoenicians and home of the greatest artists like Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. Due to its historical and artistic viewpoints Arles will be a better weekend getaway in your Provence vacations.
Offering plenty of things in terms of attractions especially Roman ruins, ancient churches and monuments. Even today Arles left Roman feeling right from medieval streets to modern arts, however in certain parts of Arles you can see toga and fed graphs.
5. Discover Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is a place of home to regions colorful stunning architecture including Cathedral Saint Sauveur and a Roman square gothic church, that dates back to the 5th century. Aix-en-Provence is also called the “city of a thousand fountains” just because it contains numerous fountain throughout the city.
However Aix-en-Provence contains numerous art galleries and museums including the famous Musee Granet, made by Cezanne and others. Not only that, place famous for high quality artisan products like pottery, soap and lavendertoo. City has strong connections to wine industries, hiking trails, beautiful gardens and parks, shopping centers and famous landscapes and rich cultural heritages.
Don’t forget to spend a day in Aix-en-Provence, known for its charming streets, lively markets, and the former studio of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. More importantly its traditional Provencal cuisines, like bouillabaisse, ratatouille and tapenade are must adding things to your things to do in Provence.
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6. Wine Tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
It is a most picturesque village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in Provence region of France, popularly known for its vineyards and exceptional tasty wine. Most of the visitors came here to just to taste the wine and explore vineyards. In the same sense, you can see more than 300 wine producers and 13 varieties of grapes blended in the wines which means a variety of wines you can choose.
You can also take a wine tasting tour to sample the region’s renowned red and white wines. If you want to taste wines here, should start your journey from Vinadea in the village centre. Vinadea is called ‘the house of wine’, a place which offers free samplings and tastings in order to sell over 250 of local wines.
In Châteauneuf-du-Pape staff are very friendly and supportive, prices are tagged on the bottles, so customer will get wine products at fair price. Moreover, price will be the same even if you bought them directly from the Vignerons. You will get all other French wines famed for its Grenache based red blends here. Never miss to indulge yourself in the tasting of popular wines in Vinadea, Provence.
7. Visit the Calanques
Such a great place in France known its exceptional and unique landscapes in Provence Alpes-Côte-d’Azur régions. Most stunning Calanques, a series of deep rocky inlets and cliffs along the Mediterranean coast, offering beautiful hiking and swimming opportunities.
Calanques also popularised its sandy beaches, turquoise waters, place for sunbathing, seabed’s, hiking and even more water activities. Some Calanques are more accessible than others therefore which is perfectly suited for family visitors or even couples. But some other Calanques are much harder to reach and will be perfect for hiking seekers, but your effort will be worth one.
Calanques is an even better place for kayaking and boating under the 3 most famous Calanques that are close to Cassis. You will get Kayak for rental in town centers of Cassis like La Visite des Calanques or Lo Kayak Cassis. Each of them offers a 1 hour kayak trip, which exhibits a snapshot of the Calanques from without an ant swim. During your Calanques journey do not miss exploring Calanque D’EN VAU, Calanque de port pin and Calanques de port miou.
8. Discover Marseille
Settled on the Mediterranean coast, Marseille is a city (founded around 600 B.C by the Greeks) that has grabbed visitors over a centuries of time from its Mediterranean port and multicultural history. Marseille contains stunning beaches, rich history, and vibrant culture making it Marseille is known for being the most exciting and dynamic cities in France.
Spend your time in the vibrant port city of Marseille, where you can visit the historic Old Port, the MuCEM museum, and enjoy fresh seafood at the local markets. Symbol of a wide range of culture and influences that have shaped its unique features.
Marseille is also called “Phocaea city” famous for its street arts, particularly in the Cours Julien neighborhood with a vibrant art scene and numerous galleries and cultural institutions. Moreover rich traditions of music, museum of Europeans, CMA or CGM Towers, dishes like pistou, aioli, films, commercial ports and Marseille soap are must explore things here.
9. Take a Cooking Class
Never forget to enroll yourself in a cooking class in Provence to learn how to prepare traditional Provençal dishes using fresh, local ingredients such as olive oil, herbs, and seafood. Chef Jean Marc Villard opens the doors of his own kitchen, which has been spectacularly built and designed for budding cooks.
Phebus and spa welcomes visitors to indulge themselves in Provencal cuisines like gourmet meals like wines and aperitif. In Aix en Provence chef Gilles Conchy welcomes you to his country house after a trip to the market. La Mirande’s school Le Marmiton teaches us secret Provencal cuisines to both adults and children’s in a friendly atmosphere.
Famous for its mushrooms, poached eggs, truffle flavored olive oil and sheep cheese figs and chestnuts that come to cooking classes during the early Novembers. Classes all about achieving savoir faire with support as you create the Chef’s menu. Never forget to do the things like shop by tuk tuk at the market in Avignon, cook in Luberon Park, taste in Brantes and taste the Mediterranean cuisines.
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10. Relax in the Hilltop Villages
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Provence is a great place to see hilltop villages which have century’s old history that makes you spellbound. Explore the charming hilltop villages of Gordes, Roussillon, and Bonnieux, makes us to indulge in more picturesque views, narrow streets, and unique Provençal atmosphere.
Features of these villages are defensive, rocky crags, and surrounded with rich countryside. Intresting fact about these villages are, built around castles and fortified walls surrounding the communities. Each village is very delightful to visit and most of them are classified as the Plus Beaux villages de France.
Some villages under hill town have narrow passageways which are very convenient for walkers especially during the summer heat and winter cold and rainy season. Gordes Luberon, Ménerbes, Lourmarin, Roussillon, Séguret and Les Baux de Provence among famous hilltop villages in Provence. Normally villages are surrounded by the fountains, cafes and restaurants and very difficult to reach for vegetable gardens or orchards.
Overall Provence is one of the finest destinations for all sorts of backpackers, it is not a big problem if you are a family traveler, couples or solo visitor, Provence provides great travel experience for them. We are suggesting you to choose Provence as your upcoming travel destination in Europe to explore one of the finest French regions vocational destinations and its activities offering to travelers.
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Q: What is the meaning of Provence?
A: Provence means a native or inhabitant of Provence. It is region in Southern France bordering on the Mediterranean.
