Colorful landscapes, endless meadows with bright flowers, the proximity of mountains and the sea, olive groves, excellent cuisine, rose wines and an abundance of perfume shops – all this can be found in Provence. We tell you how to spend a holiday in the southern region of France.
How to get there
We recommend starting your trip to Provence from Marseille, where the largest airport in the region is located. You can fly from Russia with a transfer in Algeria or Istanbul, ticket prices start from 33,000 rubles* one way.
There are regular buses and trains between the major cities of Provence, but it is much more convenient to explore Provence by car.
Main cities of Provence
Marseille
Sights in the bustling capital of Provence are varied: the colorful old port with a fish market, forts and souvenir shops, the graceful basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde on a hill from which you can see the surrounding area, the Longchamp Palace, the shopping streets of Paradis and Saint-Ferreol, as well as the innovative residential complex “Dwelling Unit”, built according to the design of the architect Le Corbusier, who is considered a pioneer of functionalism and modernism.
Visitors to Marseille have many opportunities for day trips: take a boat to the Chateau d’If, where the Count of Monte Cristo languished, or to the Friulian Islands to semi-wild beaches. You can go hiking along the trails in the Calanques National Park or spend the day sunbathing on the Prado beaches. And be sure to plan a dinner with a tasting of Marseille bouillabaisse fish soup.
Where to stay in Marseille:
In a three-star hotel Ibis Budget Marseille Prado (rating 6.8) — from 7,400 rubles per day*.
In the Studio facing the sea in downtown Marseille (rating 10) — from 18,600 rubles per night*.
In the holiday home Magnifique haut de villa les camoins Marseille (rating 10) – from 22,000 rubles per day*.
Avignon
A city with a rich historical heritage, which was the residence of the popes. Its main attractions are the 14th-century Papal Palace, the 12th-century Notre-Dame de Dome cathedral and the four surviving spans of the Saint-Benez bridge. Every summer a theater festival is held in Avignon, in which groups from different countries come to take part. Performances take place outdoors in the courtyard of the Papal Palace.
Where to stay in Avignon:
At the Le Magnan Hotel (rating 9.7) — from 7,800 rubles per night*.
At the Domaine de Rhodes (rating 9.5) — from 12,900 rubles per night*.
At the Hôtel de l’Horloge (rating 9.9) – from 14,000 rubles per day*.
Aix-en-Provence
Former capital of the region. It delights guests with the thick shadow of plane trees, the murmuring of fountains at every step, the leisurely pace of life, ancient mansions and churches. Art lovers should find the workshop of the impressionist Paul Cézanne, where the artist created many outstanding works. By the way, the city is located on mineral springs, so don’t forget to grab a swimsuit and go to the local balneological resorts or the Roman thermal baths.
Where to stay in Aix-en-Provence:
At the apart-hotel Odalys City Aix en Provence L’Atrium (rating 7.8) —from 7,800 rubles per night*.
At the Maison Du Collectionneur hotel (rating 9.4) — from 25,800 rubles per night*.
In a five-star hotel with a swimming pool Villa Saint-Ange (rating 9.3) – from 63,200 rubles per day*.
Gras
The city is considered the perfume capital of France: in its surroundings, rare essences from mimosa, lavender, myrtle, jasmine, rose and wild orange blossom have been produced since the 7th century. In 2018, Grasse’s perfume production technologies were inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is also where the action of Patrick Suskind’s novel “Perfume” takes place. Among the main attractions are the International Perfumery Museum, the Palais des Congrès, the Fragonard Factory, the Notre-Dame-du-Puy Cathedral and the Bunin Monument.
Where to stay in Grasse:
At the apart-hotel Résidence Le Virginia by Popinns (rating 8.0) – from 7,300 rubles per night*.
At the five-star hotel Bastide Saint Antoine — Relais & Châteaux (rating 9.2) – from 31,300 rubles per night*.
Arles
This small town became famous thanks to Van Gogh: it was here that the artist created such masterpieces as “Sunflowers”, “Cafe Terrace at Night” and “Starry Night”. In Arles, many ancient buildings have been preserved – for example, a theater (1st century BC) and an amphitheater (1st century AD), which could accommodate up to 20 thousand spectators.
Where to stay in Arles:
In the holiday home Arles fait sa révolution (rating 9.1) — from 15,600 rubles per night*.
In a five-star spa hotel with restaurant Hôtel & Spa Jules César Arles — MGallery Hotel Collection (rating 8.2) – from 27,400 rubles per night*.
Interesting villages
Moutiers-Sainte-Marie
This is the gastronomic center of Provence, where several local restaurants are awarded a Michelin star. In the village you should try ratatouille, pied paquet (legs of lamb and stuffed sheep stomach in white wine), dob (a stew of beef stewed in wine with vegetables and Provençal herbs) and rose from the surrounding vineyards. In addition, Moutiers-Sainte-Marie is a very picturesque place: the village is surrounded by forested cliffs, the main street is crossed by a mountain river, and the terraces offer views of olive groves, fields and cypress trees.
Where to stay in Moutiers-Sainte-Marie:
At the two-star hotel Le Relais de Moustiers (rating 8.8) —from 9,700 rubles per night*.
In the three-star hotel Hotel Les Restanques De Moustiers (rating 9.1) – from 11,900 rubles per day*.
Lacoste
The appearance of this village has hardly changed since the 18th century – in those days the notorious Marquis de Sade lived here. Now his estate belongs to the designer Pierre Cardin: he bought the chateau and 22 other houses, decorated the surrounding area with modern sculptures and organized the Lacoste festival of dance, theater and opera, which takes place every year in June. The castle terraces offer views of the picturesque Luberon valley: oak forests, vineyards, olive groves, apple and cherry orchards, fields with Cavaillon melons.
Where to stay in Lacoste:
At the three-star spa hotel Le Domaine de Capelongue & Spa (rating 8.9) — from 40,300 rubles per night*.
In the Holiday home Rue Raspail (rating 7.0)—from 41,300 rubles per night*.
Menerbes
Authentic medieval village, which Nostradamus once called “a ship in the ocean of vineyards.” Two kilometers away is the huge plantation Domaine de la Citadelle, where tastings and excursions are held (on its territory there is even a museum of corkscrews with a thousand exhibits from around the world).
Where to stay near Menerbes:
At the hotel with a swimming pool Mas Dansavan Chambres d’hôtes (rating 9.2) — from 12,500 rubles per night*.
In the holiday home DANSAVAN (rating 9.3) – from 18,500 rubles per day*.
Natural beauty
Classic postcard view opens at Plateau de Valensole: This is where the famous lavender and sunflower field is located. This place is located next to a small village of the same name. During the flowering season (June to August), the main field is very busy with tourists, but if you travel by car, you can easily drive around the area and find more secluded places with equally impressive views.
Where to stay in Valensole:
In the apartments Maison de village au pays des lavandes à Valensole (rating 9.2) —from 6,800 rubles per night*.
At the hotel Les Terrasses de Valensole (rating 9.4) – from 10,900 rubles per night*.
The beautiful orange city Roussillon is surrounded by a bizarre landscape of canyons where ocher was once mined. Nowadays there are excursions around the former quarries, mines and ocher rocks: the landscapes here are alien. This route is called Roussillon Ocher Trail.
Where to stay in Roussillon:
In the guest house Lou Amourie (rating 9.5) — from 9,100 rubles per night*.
In the three-star hotel Les Sables d’Ocre (rating 9.4) – from 13,200 rubles per day*.
Of course, when coming to Provence, you can’t help but see the famous mountain range Calanques of Cassis and the picturesque Cap Canai. To enjoy the views, go to the port of Cassis and board a yacht or boat: these places are especially beautiful from the water. If you have a license to operate a boat, you can rent it yourself and spend time on one of the secluded wild beaches. There are also many paragliding centers in Cassis, so you can admire the terrain from a bird’s eye view.
Where to stay in Cassis:
At the hotel Le Jardin d’Emile (rating 8.5) — from 24,300 rubles per night*.
In the five-star Hotel Les Roches Blanches (rating 9.0) – from 78,100 rubles per night*.
Amazing views greet visitors to the Verdon Gorge: This is one of the largest and most beautiful canyons in Europe, cutting through the Provençal and Maritime Alps. The bright azure waters of the river, picturesque cliffs covered with forest, caves and the green lake of Sainte-Croix: it is difficult to describe all the interesting locations that await you here. There are many hiking routes along the gorge.
Where to stay near the Verdon Gorge:
At the hotel Le Mas De La Chérine (rating 8.8) — from 10,400 rubles per night*.
In the holiday home Château d’Esparron (rating 9.3) – from 22,900 rubles per day*.
In the area of the Corniche del Esterel there is a small but interesting mountain range of red rocks with a peak of Pic du Cap Roux towering at 454 m above sea level. You can get to the mountains along hiking trails, and after the hike you can go down to the beach at Anteor Bay.
Another great place for hiking and camping is the Vaucluse ridge. The highest mountain of the massif is Ventoux: you can climb it on foot or along a bicycle track. The ascent takes place through dense forests, along the way you will come across many sky-blue lakes and streams. This area is considered a biosphere reserve protected by UNESCO.
Where to stay in Vaucluse:
In the apartment appartement de charme dans le luberon (rating 10) — from 11,600 rubles per night*.
At the Mas des muses hotel (rating 9.9) – from 16,500 rubles per night*.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
