The best places for a picnic in Provence

Set off on a vintage outing with a gourmet basket included in the Vaucluse

With Oh My Deuch, you can hire a stylish 2CV cabriolet to travel around the Vaucluse! And the added bonus for this autumn escapade is in the boot of this vintage cabriolet. Surprise! You’ll find a picnic kit with cutlery, crockery, stem glasses, corkscrew, napkins and tablecloth, all in a pretty isothermal wicker basket. Two menus to choose from: “rustique” or “gourmand”. They both highlight good fresh seasonal products from the Provencal terroir. Vegetables, charcuterie, tapenade, anchoïade, goat’s cheese, etc. What’s your little indulgence? We recommend that you head for Lourmarin, l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue or Monieux. Comfortably installed under a tree with orangy leaves or reading a book on the grass, it’s up to you to choose. There’s even a set of pétanque bowls in the boot!

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Une publication partagée par Location 2cv Provence Luberon (@oh_my_deuche_location_2cv)

Go on a “Tour du lac de Mison” walk in the Alpes de Haute Provence

Walk along beside the Lake of Mison on a 2-kilometre-loop and find yourself a peaceful spot for your picnic. You’ll get some lovely views of the Alpine peaks with their snowy summits and interpretive panels which will help you get a better understanding of the surrounding nature. In this spot which is listed as an Espace Naturel Sensible en Zone Humide, 202 species cohabit. From the migratory birds nesting in the reedbeds to the fish swimming peacefully in the lake, colourful nature will give you a complete change of scene. There are tables and benches to eat comfortably; and are those fishing pontoons beckoning you to come and catch a pike-perch or a pike in the afternoon?

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Une publication partagée par Sisteron-Buëch Tourisme (@sisteronbuech)

And here’s a superb view of Marseille to finish off your picnic lunch

You’ll have to walk 7 kilometres on the La Croix Saint-Marcel hike to get your reward: an autumn escapade on the heights of Saint-Marcel with an incredible view over Marseille, the Frioul island, the Garlaban massif, and the Sainte-Baume. At this time of year, nature and its warm colours invite you to make the moment last a little longer with a picnic not far from the Mediterranean city. And why not continue with a tour of the Château de la Buzine, which is now the Maison des Cinématographies de la Méditerranée purchased by Marcel Pagnol in 1867? Located right in the middle of the Parc des 7 collines, in Marseille’s 11th arrondissement, this will show you another aspect of the city.

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Une publication partagée par Mathieu Grapeloup (@matgrapeloup)

Go for the authentic in Saint-Barthélémy in the Var

Listed as an Espace Naturel Sensible et Protégé, Saint-Barthélemy has a lovely particularity. The valley sculpted by the old waters of a torrent near Salernes is well worth a visit and you’ll walk through the autumnal golds, reds, yellows, and greens, among the oaks, Aleppo pines, and the La Brague stream. You’ll be impressed by the caves cut into the cliffs, which are several dozens of metres high. Not far away, you’ll find the round Tholos de la Lauve, a prehistoric grave dating back over four thousand years. But before you visit it, it’s picnic time! A large shady park with tables and benches under the plane trees looks just perfect. And lastly, for your postprandial walk, head for the 16th-century chapel restored in the 19th century and dedicated to St-Barthélémy. Nearby you’ll also be able to see the Maison de la Céramique Architecturale, Terra Rossa, and the museum of the former terracotta floor tile factory. Just open the doors of the ceramic artisans’ workshops in the village of Salernes, and be even more amazed.

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Une publication partagée par La vie est belle (@passion_jardicrea)