One of the most idyllic area's of France, Provence is the perfect summer escape. Lavender fields, yellow stone houses, olive trees, blue mediterranean skies, wineries, culture and art, all part of the charming style of this iconic region.
Discover with us this fantastic region, we will give you 10 Cool Things you can do when visiting Provence, so here we go:
1) Spend one night in Aix de Provence, the main city of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France full of history and Cezanne art corners. Make a detailed daily plan and visit Cezanne's childhood home, Jas de Bouffan, and his former studio The Atelier Cézanne. Also don't forget to end your day in The white limestone Sainte-Victoire for the perfect sunset time. To complete the experience stay in Hotel Cezanne, located in the city centre, this chic and trendy property offers a four star service with 55 rooms. The terrace have a lovely and well equipped bar. The Breakfast is a must running through until noon giving you the perfect start for your day.
2) Next stop is Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in the region will welcome you with unique narrow cobbled streets which thread their way through tall houses; all constructed against the rock whispering the tales of a thousand legends. Romantic balconies and the characteristic yellow rock Mediterranean houses.
Stay in Mas de Gordes, the perfect place to enjoy the view of Provence and the rural vibe of the area. Located about 10 min walking from the entrance of Gordes, this hotel is a perfect place to relax after a long trip. Rooms have been renovated for summer, breakfast is great and the service will make you feel at home. The beautiful shapes of the building and wonderful gardens will entice you to stay for more than one night.
3) Enjoy a great Lunch at La Ferme de La Huppe, a wonderful old Provencal house located in Gordes. With a lovely pool-terrace this is the perfect place for a late summer lunch. Try the Pigeonne, the Cold cherry soup and the frozen chocolate mousse. Organic products, daily specials , set menus and Jazz every Friday make this place a must visit.
4) Visit Mane, another beautiful town in the region just 3.5 km south of Forcalquier. A lovely little village with a good number of nearby sites worth visiting for their beauty and their historical interest, such as Pont Romain, Château de Sauvan and the famous Prieuré de Salagon. Every Sunday there is a Farmers Market and on Aug 10 the famous Fête votive de la St Laurent.
5) For a fabulous meal, try La Manne Celeste, a traditional and cosy restaurant with great local food. The menu includes French and some other international food such as great pizzas. All prepared with local products, service is friendly. Try the Gazpacho, its great.
6) Visit the busy and central town of Apt, a charming town surrounded by rising plateaus and a beautiful river that runs through the center, definitely the the gateway to Haute-Provence region. Apt has been the natural trading area of Provence. The Saturday-morning farmers market is a must. This is not a tourist town, however it will give you the feel of what the real life in Provence is all about.
Stay in Sainte Anne and eat in L'Intramuros, a Gault & Millau recognized restaurant with a unique charm and fantastic food. From outside it looks like a normal old restaurant but when you walk inside the charm and quirkiness will make you stay. Walls full of color and collections of vintage art. Daily menu with organic local products, a menu of beers and a fantastic service will make the experience unforgettable. Buy some sardines in the unique vintage designed cans. Fantastic place.
7) For a more luxury experience, try La Coquillade, a exquisite retreat located about 15 min out of Apt. The ideal place to relax and enjoy the Provence experience. Beautiful Old Building surrounded by vineyards and lavenders. From this place you will be able to explore nearby towns like Bonnieux, Saignon and Roussillon. This hotel offers bike tours, winery tours and excellent Spa experience. if you want to treat yourself in a wonderful provence way, this is the place for you. Food is superb.
8) Stop in the beautiful Forcalquier , the main central town of the Haute-Provence area. From the entrance of the town to the end, you will see Mountain top, plains surroundings and wonderful valleys, a different provence landscape with abundant vegetation, aromas of lavender and olive trees. Visit the Citadel for a wonderful view of all the valley. On sunday Mornings don't miss the beautiful sounds of the bells and music coming from the Chapelle Notre Dame de Provence. Farmers Market is on Monday with a great variety of local products, craftsmen and of course local people, the perfect way to know more about this wonderful place. Narrow streets, shady squares, and elegant 13th century houses conform the rich arty and cultural life of Forcalquier.
9) If a road trip is your thing, try the Napoleon Pass, starting in Grasse and all the way to Grenoble. (Over 150 km road) tracing its way through both the Alps Maritimes and the Alps. Its have a fantastic design, with windy roads and fantastic scenery. You can find many vintage cars and bike groups doing this road. The road has a perfect smooth rhythm from beginning to end, making it a fantastic driving experience for anyone. Become one of the people that can say "I drove the Napoleon route to Grenoble".
10) Our best Pick of a Provence Cote D'Azur experience is Cassis, an ancient fishing port that has become a cosmopolitan beach area full of great natural beaches, fantastic food and amazing views. The old village streets contain nice old buildings and some beautiful restored houses with the colorful pastels of Provence. Visit the Old fountains and an open-air artists market, the harbor area is the prettiest part of Cassis. Plan your day trip to Calanques, a line of limestone cliffs that go down into the Mediterranean and connects Marseille to Cassis with almost 20 km of marked trails.
Provence is a beautiful region full of contrasts and history. From Van Gogh to Cezanne, From Napoleon to the Pirates along the coast, plan your trip and take in all of the charming corners of this unique region.
Created by Huellas de Luz Blog /D.Oballos
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