It all started with a wish for a sunny holiday

Alpilles

It all started with a painting by Van Gogh

An astonishing and quasi-mystical little mountain range nestling in the heart of Provence, the Alpilles is home to Saint-Paul-de-Mausole hospice, where Van Gogh painted many of his masterpieces. Enjoy a tour before heading out into the olive groves with a hamper of delicious local goodies.

The area abounds with medieval and Roman architecture, charming villages and little towns such as Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, lined with cobblestones and swathed in wisteria, where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works. The Alpilles is a foodies’ paradise too and you’ll find magnificent markets in Saint-Rémy and local villages such as Mouriès, Eygalières Fontvieille and Maussane-les-Alpilles, piled high with cheeses, wines, olive oils and artisan goods.

Put time aside to visit the Glanum Roman site and mesmerizing Carrières de Lumières – an immersive multimedia art experience inside a former limestone quarry just down from the spectacular old hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence.

Digne-les-Bains

It all started with the art of adventure
Pure air, soaring peaks, luscious homemade Provencal fare and much more… Digne-les-Bains has plenty of surprises in store for travellers keen to venture into the wild! Just for starters, you’ll find the world’s largest collection of Land Art by celebrity Andy Goldsworthy here, plus the house of Alexandra David-Néel, the first European woman to enter the forbidden city of Lhasa in 1924.

Nestled on the Napoleon Route, at the gateway to the French Alps, this charming spa town – home to the Jardin des Papillons butterfly garden and Musée Gassendi art & natural history museum – is perfect for an off-season break amid cascading rivers and exceptional monuments.

Offering a 200 million-year voyage back in time, the stunning Haute-Provence UNESCO Geopark features a world-unique limestone ammonite slab studded with 1,550 fossils. Just nearby, the ‘Route du Temps’ heritage trail promises stunning views over the Southern Alps, a paradise for nature lovers.

Istres

It all started with flamingo spotting

There’s no need to fly all the way to Florida to see flamingos – we have them too! And the off-season months are the perfect time to observe their courtship dance while savouring a flaming sunset over the Med.

Overlooking the Étang de Berre – Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon -, Istres is a delightful waterside town with a picturesque historic quarter, tucked between the fertile plain of La Crau and wild Camargue.

Charming lanes, secret passageways, craft boutiques, tempting food shops and an arts centre pan out around Château des Baumes and the Romanesque Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir. The village is also a year-round buoyant cultural hub, hosting medieval fairs, festivals, contemporary art shows and traditional ferias.

Far from the madding crowds, Lac d’Entressen and Étang de l’Olivier are havens for kayaking and birding fans. Don’t miss the gorgeous sandy beaches too, perfect for a romantic sundowner whatever the season.

La Ciotat

It all started with a snorkel and flippers

Of course, many people flock to the Mediterranean shores in summer, but our warm springs and autumns are perfect for snorkelling, boating and paddleboarding too! The golden sands of Plage Lumière beckon for a tranquil, off-season dip, or climb aboard a sailboat, SUP or kayak to relish the jaw-dropping sunsets over the Calanques fjords.

The historic birthplace of pétanque and cinema, home to the beautiful Eden Theatre where the first movie was screened, La Ciotat is a radiant resort with plenty to offer, just a short drive from the prestigious vineyards of Cassis and awe-inspiring Calanques National Park.

Sip a coffee or glass of fine wine on the seafront while contemplating one of the world’s most beautiful bays, before roaming the old town and Parc du Mugel – a haven of greenery with stunning vistas over the Med, tucked away under the impressive Bec de l’Aigle cliff.

La Londe-les-Maures

It all started with a rosé sky

Wine, especially rosé wine, is usually pretty high on the wish list of travellers to Provence! You’ll find a plethora of distinguished vineyards here at the gateway to the Maures massif, plus the allure of the Var Coastal Cycle Route crossing idyllic scenery and olive groves.

Fill your hamper with fresh local produce from Le Lavandou food market before heading out for a hiking or cycling adventure with breathtaking views over the Med. Take to the heights in the medieval villages of Bormes-les-Mimosas and Collobrières – the chestnut capital -, before climbing skywards to the magnificent solitude of La Chartreuse de la Verne, a 12th century Carthusian monastery.

The cherry on the cake? La Londe is just over the water from the beautiful Golden Islands. Hop on a boat to Porquerolles, lined with stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, or delve into the stunning sea beds of Port-Cros on the snorkelling trail.

Luberon

It all started with flower power

An ode to life’s finest pleasures, the Luberon’s magical blend of springtime wildflowers, beautiful bastides, artistic creation and Michelin-starred eateries make it a must-do throughout the year.

Ancient monasteries, lush vineyards and fruitful olive trees are just some of the wonders that have earned this corner of Provence its worldwide renown. But did you know the Luberon is also home to stunning ochre landscapes, a legacy of the ancient ochre mines? Be sure to have your camera at the ready!

Hiking and cycling trails wind through almond and cherry blossom to the ancient lanes of Oppède, Ménerbes and Gordes, voted the world’s most beautiful village by Travel + Leisure magazine in 2023 and a filming location for’Emily in Paris’ . The bustling markets of Lourmarin, Bonnieux and Apt promise to delight lovers of olive oil, truffles and fine wines, while  L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a must for antiquing aficionados.

Martigues

It all started in the Venice of Provence

Here in Provence, we love to astonish. And Martigues, the aptly-nicknamed ‘Venice of Provence’, promises to do just that! Lined with tranquil canals, bobbing fishing boats and colourful façades, this unique little fishing town is situated at the gateway to the Calanques, Camargue and Marseille’s Blue Coast.

With a museum showcasing works from the Fauvism movement, picturesque historic quarter and buzzing markets you’ll find plenty to do here. Fresh seafood specialities such as Poutargue – the ‘Caviar of the Med’ – make Martigues a hidden gem for foodies.

Enjoy a boat tour of Canal Saint-Sébastien and the arty Miroir aux Oiseaux, sail on Europe’s largest saltwater lake, or hop on the Côte Bleue train running atop viaducts and coves lapped by turquoise waters.This spectacular, 25-km stretch of shores harbours stunning sea beds protected by a marine park, plus delightful little fishing ports such as Carro, a world-renowned surfing and funboarding hotspot.

Moustiers Sainte-Marie

It all started with a treasure hunt

A treasure hunt you say? You’ve come to the right place! Set clinging to a cliff face, at the entrance to the stunning Verdon Canyon, the storybook village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie unveils itself after a voyage through hills and dales dotted with pines and truffle oaks.

A holder of the ‘France’s Most Beautiful Villages’ label, world-renowned for its breathtaking scenery and gorgeous earthenware, Moustiers is lined with artisan workshops, galleries and a museum showcasing the uniquely-beautiful local ceramics, a tradition born in the 17th century.

Hike through cypress trees and ancient oratories to Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel to savour the panoramic vistas, or opt for some of the thrilling adventures on offer – whitewater sports, rock climbing, mountain biking or paragliding – in Europe’s largest canyon. The pure, tranquil waters of Sainte-Croix lake and views from the medieval villages perched on the surrounding slopes are truly a sight to behold.

Pays d’Aubagne

It all started with a pinch of herbes de Provence

The rugged and stunning Garlaban massif – the beloved childhood playground of writer and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol – embodies the very essence of Provence. But who would have guessed that these rolling hills, exhaling sweet scents of wild thyme and rosemary, are poised at the gateway to the Ancient Greek city of Marseille?

Crisscrossed with rugged hiking trails gazing over azure waters, this is the perfect place for a tranquil trip out of town amid olive trees, cork oaks and other typical Mediterranean flora.

You’ll find plenty of homages to Pagnol in the little old villages of Allauch and La Treille, while Aubagne is a hub of artisan pottery and ‘santons’ – the handmade clay figurines that traditionally adorn Provence’s crib scenes. And of course, the local markets and boutiques promise a tempting array of fresh farm produce, local specialities and handmade craft gems.

Pays de Fayence

It all started with a winter getaway

If you can’t wait to escape the grey skies this year, step this way… Here in Provence, you’ll find winter with a twist – of lemon yellow!

One of the nine hilltop villages lining the Pays de Fayence area, Tanneron boasts striking panoramic views over Mediterranean waters and forests swathed in sweet-scented mimosa, pine, chestnut and eucalyptus. Just nearby, Seillans is one of ‘France’s Most Beautiful Villages’.

Winter is the perfect time to savour the local black truffles and tangy green olive oils fresh from the press, before enjoying a relaxing round of golf and luxurious spa treatment at the Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Gold Resort in Tourrettes, rated France’s top golf resort by Fairways magazine.

Don’t miss the colourful mimosa fairs and floral parades in the towns and villages lining the Mimosa Route from January to March – perfect for soaking up the winter sunshine.

Pays de Manosque

It all started with a thirst for nature

With its dizzy cliffs plunging into emerald waters, the rugged and magnificent Verdon Canyon is a natural paradise perfect for switching off and escaping the hubbub.

The crystal-clear lakes of Esparron and Sainte-Croix are a haven for sailing or simply relaxing on peaceful shores, before roaming the old lanes of Esparron village, with its stunning, 17th-century chateau and vibrant market showcasing regional produce.

Visit the Verdon Museum of Prehistory in Quinson for a full immersion in this time-old land, forged by an ancient sea. Revel in the rolling almond and lavender fields of Valensole Plateau, or enjoy a tour of L’Occitane en Provence in Manosque, on the ‘Flavours & Fragrances’ route.

Nearby Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and Castellane are temples of Provencal cuisine and local arts & crafts. Just next door, wellness seekers from the world over still come to take the waters in the charming spa town of Gréoux-les-Bains.

Roquebrune-sur-Argens

It all started with a grape escape

You’ll naturally find plenty of wonderful vineyards hosting tours and tasting dotted around the hills of Provence, but some spots are worth visiting for their astonishing landmarks too.

Poised at the cusp of the Estérel massif, plunging into turquoise Mediterranean waters, the flamboyant red relief of Roquebrune Rock is somewhat reminiscent of Ayers Rock in Australia or the Grand Canyon in Colorado. The ascent to the summit is pretty challenging, but the 360° vistas as far as the eye can see are truly food for the soul.

After sampling the delicious local wines, opt for a beach siesta at Les Issambres or casual stroll around the medieval village of Roquebrune-sur-Argens, with its cobblestone lanes and clock tower. The village nestles next to the river Argens, a haven for kayaking fans – set out early to make the most of the delicious colours of sunrise over the rock.

Sainte Baume

It all started with a shrine of old

Although many people visit the Sainte-Baume massif to see the cave where Mary Magdalene spent the last 30 years of her life, this eye-catching limestone ridge steeped in magic and mystery is also a refreshing treasure trove of natural glory, heritage and outdoor sports.

Crisscrossed with trails and dotted with astonishing old ruins and ancient ice houses – gigantic holes dug into the ground used to produce ice in winter -, the ancient forest boasts sweeping vistas over the Mediterranean and Verdon.

Just down the road, you’ll find wine, gastronomy and heritage combined at the Maison des Coteaux Varois, inside the magnificent Abbaye de La Celle. Don’t miss the troglodyte dwellings of Cotignac, one of ‘France’s Most Beautiful Villages’, or the stunning Gothic basilica of Saint-Maximin – Christianity’s 3rd most-important tomb -harbouring Mary Magdalene’s relics.

This is a golfer’s paradise too, with the Sainte-Baume and Barbaroux courses right on your doorstep.

Salon de Provence

It all started with the home of Nostradamus

Yes, Nostradamus was born right here in Provence! Today, Salon-de-Provence naturally boasts a museum dedicated to the world’s most famous seer, but that’s not all – this historic town overlooking the Alpilles is also the home of the French Air Force’s eminent Patrouille de France aerobatics team!

Salon’s mossy fountain, clock tower and ramparts pan out around the impressive walls of the 9th-century Château de l’Empéri, now a coveted exhibition venue.

Roam the food markets brimming with mouth-watering seasonal truffles, wines and olive oils. You can enjoy tours and tastings at the local olive mills such as Mas des Bories, dotted with ancient dry stone huts.

Another must: the Marius Fabre and Savonnerie Rampal Latour workshops still produce authentic Savon de Marseille soap. Often imitated but never equalled for the last 600 years, the real deal is made with at least 72% olive oil in a traditional copper cauldron.

Nîmes

It all started with a story of denim

Nîmes wears its history with pride. Known as the birthplace of “serge de Nîmes,” this sunlit city boasts an irresistible mix of ancient wonders and modern creativity.

Start your journey at the magnificent Amphitheater, once echoing with gladiator cheers and today hosting vibrant events throughout the year. The Maison Carrée, an impeccably preserved Roman temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the contemporary Carré d’Art museum, offer a striking contrast of past and present.

Wander cobblestone streets lined with boutiques, and don’t miss the Halles de Nîmes, a bustling market brimming with Provencal flavours, from fresh produce to local delicacies. Sample the city’s culinary delights, explore its denim heritage, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere.

Close by, the awe-inspiring Pont du Gard invites you to discover nature and history hand in hand.