The Ultimate Provence Road Trip: 10-Day Itinerary Through Lavender, Villages, and Coastline

Provence is the France you dream about — lavender fields stretching to the horizon, ancient hilltop villages glowing gold in the afternoon sun, markets overflowing with olives and fresh herbs, and roads that wind through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Mediterranean world. A road trip through Provence is not just a vacation. It is a sensory awakening.

I have driven this route multiple times, in different seasons, and it never loses its magic. This guide maps out the ultimate Provence road trip itinerary covering 10 days (adjustable to 7 or 14), with the best stops, hidden detours, where to eat, and where to sleep. Buckle up — this one will change how you travel.

Before You Go: Essential Planning

Best Time to Drive Provence: Late June to mid-July for lavender season. September for warm weather, wine harvest, and zero crowds. May for wildflowers and perfect temperatures. Avoid August — half of France is on holiday and roads are packed.

Renting a Car: Pick up your car in Marseille or Avignon (both have TGV stations from Paris, under 3 hours). A compact car is ideal — Provence’s village roads are narrow and parking spots are small. Book early for summer travel.

Driving Tips: French autoroutes (toll highways) are fast but expensive. The scenic departmental roads (D-roads) are free, more beautiful, and the whole point of a road trip. Drive slowly, stop often, and never rush between destinations.

Compare flights to Marseille Provence Airport for the best entry point into your Provence road trip.

Day 1-2: Avignon — The Papal City

Start your road trip in Avignon, the city where popes once ruled from a fortress-palace that still dominates the skyline. The Palais des Papes is the largest Gothic palace in the world, and standing in its cavernous halls gives you a visceral sense of the power the medieval church held over Europe.

What to do:

• Explore the Palais des Papes — allow 2-3 hours for the full experience with the digital tablet guide
• Walk across the Pont d’Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet) — yes, the one from the song
• Wander the cobblestoned streets of the walled old town
• Cross the river to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon for the best panoramic view of the city
• Catch the evening light from Rocher des Doms garden above the palace

Where to eat: Les Halles d’Avignon is a covered market open every morning with extraordinary produce, cheeses, and prepared foods. For dinner, Restaurant Numéro 75 in a beautiful courtyard setting is a local favorite.

Where to stay: The walled city center puts you walking distance from everything. Look for a hotel near Place de l’Horloge.

Day 3: The Luberon Villages — Gordes, Roussillon, and Ménerbes

Drive east from Avignon into the Luberon, and the landscape transforms into a Peter Mayle novel. Perched villages cling to hilltops, cherry orchards line the roads, and the air smells of rosemary and thyme.

Gordes: This village, cascading down a cliff face with a Renaissance castle at its summit, is regularly voted one of the most beautiful in France. The view from the approach road (D15) is one of those moments that makes you pull over, get out, and just stare.

Roussillon: Built on ochre cliffs that glow in shades of red, orange, and gold, Roussillon looks like it was painted by a sunset. Walk the Sentier des Ocres (Ochre Trail) through the former quarries — the colors are surreal, especially in late afternoon light.

Ménerbes: The quietest of the three and the most authentically Provençal. Peter Mayle lived here and set “A Year in Provence” in this area. The views from the village church are extraordinary.

Lunch stop: The village of Bonnieux, between Roussillon and Ménerbes, has several restaurants with terrace views over the Luberon valley.

Day 4: Lavender Fields and Sénanque Abbey

If you are visiting between mid-June and mid-July, this day will be the highlight of your entire trip. The Valensole Plateau, east of the Luberon, transforms into an ocean of purple lavender that stretches to every horizon. The fragrance is overwhelming and the beauty almost absurd in its perfection.

Must-see stops:

• Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque: This 12th-century Cistercian abbey with lavender fields in front is the most photographed scene in Provence. Arrive before 9 AM to beat the crowds
• Valensole Plateau: Drive the D6 and D8 roads through endless lavender and sunflower fields. Stop anywhere — every angle is stunning
• Distilleries: Several lavender distilleries offer tours and sell essential oils, sachets, and honey directly

Outside lavender season: The plateau is still beautiful — golden wheat in August, plowed earth patterns in autumn, and snow-capped mountain views in winter.

Day 5-6: Aix-en-Provence — Elegance and Culture

Aix-en-Provence is the most refined city in Provence — tree-lined boulevards, splashing fountains on every corner, sandstone mansions, and a cultural scene that punches well above its weight. Cézanne spent most of his life here, and you can still see Mont Sainte-Victoire, his obsessive subject, from many points in the city.

What to do:

• Walk the Cours Mirabeau, the grand boulevard that is the soul of the city
• Visit the morning market at Place Richelme for local produce and flowers
• Follow the Cézanne trail through the city and up to his studio (Atelier Cézanne)
• Explore the Quartier Mazarin for elegant 17th-century architecture
• Day trip to the Calanques National Park for stunning coastal hiking (30 minutes by car)

Where to eat: Aix has an outstanding food scene. Try calissons (the local almond-shaped candy), eat at one of the restaurants on Place des Cardeurs, and do not miss a glass of local rosé at any terrace bar.

Where to stay: The old town near Cours Mirabeau is ideal. Aix also makes a great base for exploring the surrounding vineyards.

Day 7: Cassis and the Calanques

Drive south from Aix toward the coast, and the landscape shifts dramatically from rolling vineyards to dramatic limestone cliffs plunging into turquoise Mediterranean waters. Cassis is a small fishing port that has managed to stay charming despite its growing popularity.

What to do:

• Take a boat tour of the Calanques — the fjord-like inlets with crystal-clear water are breathtaking from the sea
• Hike the trail from Cassis to Calanque d’En-Vau (the most beautiful inlet, about 2 hours one way)
• Taste white wine from Cassis — it is one of the oldest appellations in France and pairs perfectly with seafood
• Swim in the harbor or from the rocky beaches along the coast

Where to eat: Fresh seafood at the port is mandatory. Order the catch of the day with a bottle of local white Cassis — one of those meals you will remember forever.

Book the best-rated hotels in Cassis and the Calanques coast for a perfect mix of seaside relaxation and adventure.

Day 8: Les Baux-de-Provence and the Alpilles

The Alpilles are a miniature mountain range rising from the Provençal plain like a dramatic stone spine. Perched on top of one of these ridges sits Les Baux-de-Provence, a medieval fortress village that feels like a film set for a period drama.

What to do:

• Explore the Château des Baux ruins at the top of the village — the views are staggering
• Visit the Carrières de Lumières, an immersive art show projected onto the walls of a former limestone quarry. It is one of the most unique cultural experiences in France
• Drive the scenic loop through the Alpilles, stopping at olive oil mills and small villages like Eygalières and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
• Visit Glanum, an excavated Roman city just outside Saint-Rémy

Olive oil detour: The Alpilles produce some of France’s finest olive oil. Stop at a moulin (mill) for a tasting — it will change your understanding of what olive oil can taste like.

Day 9: Arles — Roman Ruins and Van Gogh

Arles is where Roman Provence and artistic genius collide. The city has a remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheater (still used for bullfights), ancient baths, and a necropolis. It is also where Vincent van Gogh painted some of his most famous works during his turbulent stay in 1888-1889.

What to do:

• Walk through the Roman Amphitheater (Les Arènes) — it is smaller than the Colosseum but far more intimate
• Follow the Van Gogh trail through the city, visiting the spots where he painted “Café Terrace at Night,” “Starry Night Over the Rhône,” and “The Yellow House”
• Visit the Fondation Vincent van Gogh for contemporary art exhibitions inspired by his work
• Explore the Saturday morning market — one of the largest and best in Provence, stretching along Boulevard des Lices

Where to eat: The Place du Forum (the square from Van Gogh’s “Café Terrace at Night”) is atmospheric but touristy. Walk a few streets away to find better food at local prices.

Day 10: The Camargue — Wild Horses and Pink Flamingos

End your road trip with something completely different. The Camargue, the wild delta where the Rhône meets the Mediterranean, is one of Europe’s most unique landscapes — salt flats, marshes, white horses galloping through shallow lagoons, black bulls, and thousands of pink flamingos.

What to do:

• Drive the D570 from Arles toward Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, stopping at viewing points for flamingos and horses
• Visit the Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau for guaranteed flamingo sightings up close
• Walk the digue à la mer (sea wall path) for a peaceful coastal hike
• Try a horseback ride through the marshes — the Camargue’s white horses are semi-wild and the experience is unforgettable
• Eat a gardiane de taureau (Camargue bull stew) at a local restaurant

Budget Breakdown for a Provence Road Trip

• Car rental: 300-500 euros for 10 days (book early, compact car)
• Gas: 100-150 euros total
• Accommodation: 80-150 euros per night for a good 3-star hotel or guesthouse (chambres d’hôtes)
• Food: 40-70 euros per person per day (market lunches save money)
• Activities and entry fees: 100-150 euros total for the trip
• Total for 10 days (2 people): Approximately 2,500-4,000 euros including car, accommodation, food, and activities

Packing Essentials for a Provence Road Trip

• Sunscreen and sunglasses — the Provençal sun is intense, even in shoulder season
• Comfortable walking shoes for village cobblestones and hiking trails
• A light jacket for cooler evenings, especially in May-June and September
• A reusable water bottle — many villages have public fountains with fresh spring water
• A corkscrew — you will buy wine from producers and want to enjoy it at scenic picnic spots
• A French phrasebook or translation app — small village shopkeepers rarely speak English

FAQ: Provence Road Trip

How many days do I need for a Provence road trip?

A minimum of 7 days covers the highlights comfortably. 10 days is ideal for a relaxed pace with time to linger. Two weeks allows you to add detours to the Verdon Gorge, the Camargue coast, or the vineyards of Bandol.

Is Provence suitable for a road trip with kids?

Absolutely. The Camargue (horses, flamingos), the Calanques (swimming, boat trips), and Carrières de Lumières (immersive light shows) are all fantastic for families. Pack a picnic and let kids run in lavender fields — they will love it.

What is the best starting point?

Avignon or Marseille. Both have TGV train stations connected to Paris (3 hours) and airports with budget flights from across Europe. Avignon is more central to the inland route; Marseille is better if you want to start with the coast.

Can I do this road trip without a car?

Honestly, no — not comfortably. Public transport connects the major cities (Avignon, Aix, Arles, Marseille) but the best of Provence — the hilltop villages, lavender fields, and scenic roads — requires your own wheels. Consider renting for at least part of the trip.

When is lavender season in Provence?

Lavender typically blooms from mid-June to mid-July, with peak season around the last week of June and first week of July. The Valensole Plateau and the Sénanque Abbey area are the most famous viewing spots. Check local reports before you go, as timing varies slightly each year.

A Provence road trip is one of those travel experiences that rewires your idea of what a vacation can be. The beauty is constant, the food is extraordinary, and every village feels like it was designed to make you fall in love. Take the slow road, follow your instincts, and let Provence work its timeless magic on you.