Every time I visit this part of France I inevitably find a new place to visit that I hadn’t been to before. Behind every turn in the road, a charming new adventure awaits.
Whether it is an ancient monastery sitting in a lavender field, a snazzy modern vineyard waiting to be tasted, or a sleepy village soaking in the warm French sun, I guarantee there’s always something new for you to find.
To make your itinerary planning a little easier, I’ve put together a guide with the top day trips in Provence.
- Day 1: Marseille – The Port Of France
- Day 2: Aix En Provence – City Of A Thousand Fountains
- Day 3: Cassis – Seaside Town
- Day 3.5: Le Massif Des Calanques – Fjords Of Provence
- Day 4: Avignon & Papal Palace – The Pope Cave
- Day 5: Notre-Dame de Sénanque – iconic lavender fields
- Day 6: Gordes – medieval village
- Day 6.5: Rousillon – Colorful Village
- Getting Around in Provence
- Where to Eat in Provence
- Where to Stay in Provence
Discover the Top Day Trips in Provence
Day 1: Marseille – The Port Of France
Marseille is the largest (in size, not population) and oldest city in France. Our visit started at the historic “Vieux Port”, where bars and restaurants line the old port of Marseille. From here you can walk along the “Quai du Port” filled with boats and yachts on the dock. Amidst live music playing on the streets and crowds strolling by the water, the Old Port of Marseille is central to life here. Marseille’s Old Port is lively and pedestrian-friendly. Make sure you visit the Cathedral Sainte-Marie-Majeure, a beautiful almost Byzantine-style cathedral built by the sea.
At the highest point of the city, you will find one of Marseilles’ most iconic sites, the Cathedral Notre-Dame de la Garde. This cathedral is by itself an imposing and beautiful structure. What makes it spectacular is its location. Perched atop Marseille’s tallest hill offers the most incredible view over the city and the Mediterranean. Marseille’s airport and top spot make it a great place to go on day trips around Provence.
Day 2: Aix En Provence – City Of A Thousand Fountains
Over 2,000 years old Aix en Provence is best described as a lively university town. We visited on a Saturday so we could sense the true joie de vivre. On Saturdays, the city holds an open-air market “Le Grand Marché” in the Cours Mirabeau. Here locals and tourists alike can purchase fruits, vegetables, flowers, clothing, and other artisan goods. This street is the main promenade, lined with cafes and restaurants. The beautiful buildings date back to the 17th century. From here, you can get lost and continue exploring Aix through the narrow, colorful streets, picturesque squares, and famous fountains along the way.
For lunch, you can make your way to Tita to order some fresh and tasty falafel for takeaway.
Day 3: Cassis – Seaside Town
Cassis is a picturesque seaside town with charming colorful houses and beaches packed with people during the summer months. For lunch, you can seat in one of the many restaurants along the port overlooking the bay. I recommend ordering the steamed mussels in white wine, which is a token dish in the village.
Note: Make sure not to miss their lavender-flavored ice cream.
Day 3.5: Le Massif Des Calanques – Fjords Of Provence
The Massif des Calanques is a National Park formed by unusual rock formations and cliffs stretching between Cassis and Marseille. These miniature fjords hide pebble and sandy beaches at the end of long fingers of turquoise waters. The hiking trails vary in difficulty, but they all lead to breathtaking views of the water.
As you walk past the famous Calanque de Port Miou, make sure to snap some photos from above.
Day 4: Avignon & Papal Palace – The Pope Cave
Avignon was the seat of the Catholic popes for an extended period. In the city center, you will find the impressive, medieval Gothic building of the Papal Palace (Palais des Papes) surrounded by stone walls. Hosting the most immense gothic fortress in the world, it is no surprise that this city’s old town is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Make sure you take a tour of the papal palace. It only takes a few hours to complete and is very much worth the time. While the inside of the palace isn’t as opulent as you might imagine, it still makes for an interesting visit.
The other big attraction in this city is the Pont Saint Benezet over the Rhone river.
Day 5: Notre-Dame de Sénanque – iconic lavender fields
If you happen to visit France during the lavender season, (mid-June to mid-July) I recommend going to the Sénanque Abbey. This is one of the top spots to see the iconic lavender fields of Provence famous for its rows of lavender just right outside the building. Founded in the 12th century, the abbey is still a fully functioning monastery offering guided tours.
Discover Picturesque Hillside French Villages in the Luberon Region
Day 6: Gordes – medieval village
Le Luberon contains some of France’s most famous and pretty villages.
The roads here hug close to the mountains and make for a fun drive as you zoom past vineyards and villages. Atop a gigantic rock overlooking a valley lies the medieval village of Gordes. It is home to narrow winding streets, pastel buildings, and spectacular views of the French countryside. If you’re visiting Gordes for the day like me, I recommend going to the viewpoint located alongside the road just before sunset. Here you’ll get a fantastic view over the valley and of the hilltop village. The viewpoint is approximately a 15-minute walk from the center of town, and there’s also parking available closer to the viewpoint, but these tend to be always full, so I’d recommend parking in town and walking downhill.
Day 6.5: Rousillon – Colorful Village
Rousillon is a small, colorful village full of picturesque cafes, galleries, and souvenir shops selling lavender-scented soaps and other locally produced delicacies from Provence. Colorful houses painted with hues of orange, yellow, and red give this village a warmly toned color scheme that matches the colorful cliffs and ochre deposits surrounding it.
Note: If you are up for a unique and interesting 1-hour hiking experience make sure not to miss the Ochre trail “Sentier des Ocres”. Located close to the center, opposite the central village car park past the viewing point of the wave-like formations of the quarry on one side and the cemetery on the other side is a pathway that leads to the deep canyons of the former ochre mine.
Read my tips for visiting Provence
Getting Around in Provence
You will need a car to get around the Provence region. Do keep in mind that parking can be tricky, especially during France’s high season (June to August).
Where to Eat in Provence
One of the many highlights of France is usually the local markets you will find in the center of town on certain days of the week. These markets offer a variety of products; ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to charcuterie, as well as household goods and clothing.
Towns and cities in this region of France are usually filled with charming cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy delicious local and international meals.
Where to Stay in Provence
I visited some of the prettiest towns on multiple-day trips through the Provence region. I chose Marseille as my home base to explore Provence, so I didn’t stay overnight in other villages. However, there are lots of affordable options for accommodation! When searching for a place to stay, I usually start with Airbnb since there is always something within budget to suit everyone’s needs.
Did you Know
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Day Trips in Provence: Can’t-Miss Spots & Activities
Villages and towns in Provence seem to come straight out of a fairytale. I highly recommend spending 3-5 days exploring Provence as part of your French road trip. With so much to do, below I have summarized my top can’t-miss spots and activities in the Provence region.
- Stroll Aix en Provence.
- Wine & dine in Cassis.
- Swim in le Massif des Calanques.
- Tour the Papal Palace.
- Visit the lavender fields.
- Explore the Luberon villages.
- Walk the town and hike the ochre trail in Rousillon.
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