1 Week in Provence - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Provence Road Trip

Hit the road for this adventure around Provence that takes you to wineries, traditional villages, and a national park where you'll cruise through bays and inlets on a private boat tour.

The trip starts in Marseille. You'll pick up a rental car on the first day, then make a side trip to Calanques National Park, where you'll go on a half-day boat trip through a series of beautiful bays and inlets. Drive to Aix-en-Provence and explore the charming streets of the village, taking in the iconic surrounding landscapes that inspired the work of Cezanne, Picasso, and Kandinsky.

On day four, you'll taste the famous wines of Côtes de Provence during a wine tour. Then explore the Luberon by car, overnighting in Bonnieux. On the last full day of the trip, you'll explore the Provençal countryside on an electric bicycle, stopping to visit villages like Lacoste, Ménerbes, and Oppède le Vieux. Have a picnic lunch and pedal through vineyards and lavender fields on your way back to Bonnieux, where you'll spend the last evening of the journey. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Hiking & Hilltop Villages in Provence

On this outdoorsy itinerary, you'll swim in a river, hike in a gorge, stroll through hilltop villages, explore lavender fields on foot, and relax in world-class spas.

You'll start your trip by arriving at the airport in Marseille, Lyon, or Nice. Transfer to Malaucène, a village at the foot of Mont Ventoux, for a relaxed afternoon and evening. On day two, get a hot stone massage at the Ventoux Provence Spa before an easy hike to the summit of Mont Ventoux at sunset. Sip local wines on the next day's tour of the Rhône Valley wine region of Gigondas, where the regional specialties are Grenache-based red and rosé wines.

Continue to the magnificent Gorges de la Nesque for a guided hike through the canyon's most scenic spots, then take a walk on the Lavender Road, a three-mile loop through a fragrant lavender farm. Day five brings a culinary workshop and soak in natural hot springs in the hilltop village of Montbrun les Bains. You'll relax on the last day of the trip with a hike along the scenic Toulourenc River, a swim in the area's naturally formed pools, and a visit to Montbrun Spa, where an outdoor hot tub faces panoramic views of the wilderness. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Tour of Provence & the French Riviera

Make your own perfume, experience the glamour of Monaco, and wander through colorful marketplaces on this trip plan around Provence and the French Riviera.

Kick off the trip in Aix-en-Provence, often called "the jewel of Provence," with a guided tour. Then continue to picturesque Calanques National Park, where rocky cliffs jut out of the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean, and have an al fresco lunch at the Vieux-Port of Marseille. You'll tour the hilltop villages of Luberon on day three, then enjoy the evening in Cannes. 

Take the next day to explore the western French Riviera, stopping at beaches and villages along the way. Have lunch with a view of the marina in Saint-Tropez, then continue to Côte de Provence for a wine tasting and take a short sunset hike to Massif de l'Esterel at sunset. Make your own perfume during a workshop in Grasse, then spend the last day on a tour of Monte Carlo and Monaco before heading out on day seven. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Luxury, Art & Food in France

See the City of Lights and the quiet villages and wineries of the countryside on this well-balanced tour through Paris and Provence.

At the start of the trip, you'll see Paris in style from the vantage point of a chauffeured vintage car. Go on a pastry tour of Le Marais and enjoy world-class art at the Louvre in the afternoon. Move onto Provence on day four, where you'll have a free afternoon in Aix-en-Provence to visit the colorful flower market and a Provençal food market to sample local cheeses and traditional dishes.

The next day, you'll have a full-day food adventure. Shop for produce in Aix-en-Provence, then head into the countryside, where you'll take a cooking class and prepare a three-course meal at a scenic Provence château. Next, you'll head to medieval Avignon, known as "the City of the Popes," and tour the hilltop villages of the Luberon. You'll have one last evening for dinner with wine pairings in Aix-en-Provence before you fly out the next day. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Upper Provence Cycling & Wine Tour

Pedal your way through vineyards, stopping to taste local wines along the way, on this bike trip through Upper Provence.

Begin the trip in France's oldest city, Marseille, where you'll go on a guided tour of key highlights. Continue onto the medieval city of Avignon, where you'll spend the second night before a cycling and wine tour of Upper Provence on day three. Pedal along the Rhône River, passing through medieval cities and towns like Roquemaure. You'll end up in the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where you'll sample Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.

Explore the Luberon by electronic bike on day four, taking a break in the hilltop village of Gordes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue through the Alpilles, passing through pine and oak forests, traditional villages, and fields blooming with lavender, herbs, and wildflowers. Overnight in Saint Rémy de Provence, then return to Avignon, where you'll have time to relax over a leisurely meal on the last day of the trip. Learn more

Ready to Plan Your Trip to Provence?

Check out all of our 7-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.