Provence offers a veritable bounty of things to enjoy for visitors, from its world-famous lavender fields and olive groves to luxurious, historic towns and cities such as Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez. Whether you’re travelling to this southeastern region of France bordering the Mediterranean Sea for a holiday or to live …

Visiting local vineyards for a walk, tasting, and some art should provide a perfect outing for these days of social distancing. Here are a few suggestions by region: Luberon Vineyards: Wine and gourmet food are reasons to visit Chateau la Coste (near Aix-en-Provence), but there is no question the contemporary …

Another Beautiful Village Friends and others headed to Provence often ask where they should go during their once-in-a-lifetime visit to Provence. It is a hard question as most visitors have only six (6) days since they usually arrive on Saturday afternoon and depart the following Saturday morning; there are so …

Roman Arles On a busy summer day, visitors crowd the streets, restaurants and cafés of Arles wanting to see this “A-list” city and its Roman traces. During the Roman Era, Arles was an important trading center with an important river port. Barges with cargo from all over the Empire travelled …

The Papal City Avignon is 40 km southwest of Sablet, snuggled inside ancient walls along the Rhône River. The largest town in the Vaucluse, Avignon is very old, full of history, art, music and activity. I can spend hours wandering the narrow streets inside the fortified walls without getting bored. …

Gayle Padgett and her husband Ralph maintained a long-distance relationship with Provence for two decades. They often travelled to the South of France during their vacation from US government jobs in Germany. As their retirement years approached, the “Where are we going to live?” question loomed. The couple chose a …

Emily Durand, the founder of Your Private Provence, decided to turn her Covid-19 lockdown experience from lemons into lemonade. She refined her ideas for small-group tour itineraries in Provence, resulting in a delightful combination of charming villages, gardens and comfortable accommodations. Vaucluse Vineyards and Views The eight (8) night trip …

Imagine staying in a glorious 19th century Provencal country estate surrounded by mighty cedars, olive trees and resplendent vineyards framed by the rolling Luberon hills of the Durance Valley. Transformed in 2013 by architect Alexandre Lafourcade, Domaine de Fontenille is now a luxury spa hotel and exceptional wine domaine, with …

The road through France to discover Arles. by Mahima Kaur Arriving in Arles A transport strike, a few cancelled trains and an urgent Uber ride from Avignon to Arles was not the kind of Provencal welcome I had imagined. The long journey and a growling stomach are quickly forgotten when …

Narrowing down the reasons to visit this corner of France to only 10 is a difficult task. Provence covers broad geography in the southeastern section of the country. It’s here where the Rhône River reaches the Mediterranean, and the Southern Alps give way to fields and beaches. The Romans left …