5 Days in Provence - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Ultimate Provençal Road Trip

Discover the history, culture, and cuisine of Provence—one of France's most popular regions—on this road trip through the region.

You'll arrive in Marseille, France's oldest city, and toast your good fortune with sunset drinks by the Mediterranean. On day two, you'll head to the village of Aix-en-Provence and take a walking tour to get an overview of regional history and culture. 

Drive to Les Baux de Provence, which dates back as far as 6,000 BCE, on day three. You'll see a fortress from the middle ages and have a chance to catch a multimedia art show, Les Carrières de Lumières, in a former quarry near the castle. Spend the night in charming Saint Remy de Provence before enjoying a wine tour around the Rhône Valley on day four: highlights include a stop in Châteauneuf du Pape, where you'll taste local varietals and see the ruins of the Pope's onetime summer residence. Overnight in the medieval town of Avignon before departing Provence on day five. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Gourmet Tour of Provence

On this gourmet trip plan, you'll eat and drink your way through the French countryside, visiting Provençal marketplaces, wineries, and restaurants—and learning to cook like the locals do. 

Begin the trip in Aix-en-Provence. After a walking tour, sit down for aperitifs at an outdoor café on the Cours Mirabeau thoroughfare. On day two, take a food tour of the town, including a stop at the local market to shop for olive oil, truffles, figs, honey, and other local products. You'll take them to a country house in the afternoon for a cooking class. Enjoy the meal you've prepared—complemented, of course, with Provençal wine pairings. 

Visit the fortified castle of Château des Baux de Provence on day three, then catch the Les Carrières de Lumières art show before side-tripping to the town of Val d'Enfer to see unusual limestone formations. Finish with wine and cheese in Saint Rémy de Provence, where you'll spend the night. On the last full day of the trip, travel to Fontvieille, a village in the Alpilles Mountains. At a 13th-century Provençal farmhouse, you'll take a tour and take a cooking class centered around cooking with olive oil. You'll head back to Paris by train the next day to catch a flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: French Riviera & Provence Getaway

Hit the beaches of the French Riviera and the lavender fields of Provence on this brief but diverse tour around two of France's loveliest regions.

Nice, at the foot of the French Alps, is the first stop on the journey. You'll pick up a rental car and drive along the coast, stopping in the beautiful village of Eze, at the medieval castle in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, and ending up in Menton, near the Italian border. You'll spend the night there and tour the town the next day before continuing the road trip towards medieval Saint Paul de Vence.

Continue on to Grasse, the perfume capital of the world since the 19th century: it's surrounded by mountains, forests, and caves. Visit the castle of Mouans Sartoux before driving to Port Grimaud, nicknamed the "Venice of Provence" for its miles of canals. Spend the last full day of the trip hiking in the mountains, visiting the chestnut-producing capital of Collobrières, tasting local wines, or touring the castle at Villeneuve Loubet. You'll have one last evening in Nice to dine on fresh seafood and visit the Chagall Museum before flying out the next day. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Natural Parks of Provence

See the landscapes that inspired Vincent Van Gogh and take a cooking class at a 13th-century farmhouse during this off-the-beaten-path tour around Provence.

You'll begin in Marseille, France's oldest city. Take a walking tour and have a leisurely meal in the old port. On day two, you'll pick up a rental car and drive to Calanques National Park, where you'll go on a boat tour of the park's beautiful coves and rugged coastline. Overnight in Les Baux de Provence.

The next day, move onto Fonvieille and Alpilles natural park. You'll visit an olive oil mill and learn how to cook with locally produced olive oil during a cooking class at a 13th-century farmhouse. After feasting on the meal you helped to prepare, go for a hike in the park. Finish the day with a visit to Saint Remy de Provence, a village that inspired the works of Vincent Van Gogh. You'll tour the hilltop villages of the Luberon—including a tour in a horsedrawn carriage and a stop at a fortified castle in Gordes—before returning the rental car on day five. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Food & Wine Tour of Provence

Your glass will always be half full on this relaxing food and wine tour around Provence: the itinerary features a bike tour, a cooking class, and ample time to sip and swirl.

The trip commences in medieval Avignon. Kick off the gourmet adventure with a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant, La Mirande, and a stroll around the historic center. On day two, you'll go for a hike in the mountains, then hop on an electric bike for a tour around the Luberon, stopping in traditional villages along the way. Overnight in Bonnieux.

The following day, visit the local marketplace in the village of Goult to pick up ingredients for a cooking class with Chef Giuseppina. You'll dine under the olive trees, pairing the dishes you've prepared with local wines. On the last full day of the trip, you'll explore the region's wineries. Accompanied by an expert guide in a private car, you'll visit several wineries to taste local rosés and reds. Have one last meal back in Bonnieux before leaving Provence the next day. Learn more

Ready to Plan Your Trip to Provence?

Check out all of our 5-day France itineraries, ranging from active to cultural, luxury, and family-friendly. Or, describe your ideal trip and we will connect you with a local specialist to make it happen.