Provence - 12-Day Itinerary
Jan 28th, 2026 | 09:07 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Provence - 12-Day Itinerary
Hi All,
We are planning our trip to Provence in May. We planned it before. But COVID hit, and it did not happen.
Here is what we planned so far. I understand that this itinerary is rather ambitious. If you think the places we picked might not deserve the time and effort (i understand that eveybody have their own taste), please let me know.
Any advice is always welcome and very valuable.
May 16 - arriving in Paris and taking a train to Avignon, friends we'll drive us to the Saint Remy hotel. 9 nights in Saint Remy.
May 17 am picking up a car, going to - Isle‑sur‑la‑Sorgue (market) 1, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Joucas, and Pernes‑les‑Fontaines.
May 18 - Orange (amthiteater) → Carpentras → Caromb → Séguret
May 19 - Nîmes → Pont du Gard → Uzès
May 20 - Saint‑Rémy (market, Saint‑Paul‑de‑Mausole, Glanum) → Les Baux → Carrières, Eygalières (if we have time) or Tarascon
May 21 - Gordes → Sénanque → Roussillon → Bonnieux (lower) → Brantes (optional)
May 22 - Ménerbes → Oppède Viewpoint → Lourmarin → Cucuron → Ansouis
May 23 - Arles → Avignon → Night of Museums
May 24 - Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval with possible stops on our way back at Romans‑sur‑Isère, Mirmande ad Montélimar.
May 25 - Option1 - am - Transhumance Festival of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence- is it worth it???
Check out and drive to B&B Villa Roumanille in Aix-en-Provence (4 nights), spend the rest of the day in Aix, or
Option 2 - check out - drop off the luggage and go to Cassi and Le Ciotat
May 26 - Verdon Gorge → Moustiers → Tourtour → Cotignac
May 27 - Aix-en-Provence
May 28 - Aigues‑Mortes - Pont de Gau-Flamingos
May 29 - drop off the car - train to Paris, spent 1.5 days in Paris (we've been there many times before) meet with my dear girlfriend, go to Gidon Kremer concert
May 31 - flight to the US
I used Rick Steves and Lonely Planet guidebooks.
MANY THANKS to Kja - what a wonderful trip you had to Provence! I read and reread your trip report so many times! So is KarenWoo and, of course, late Stu.
About ourselves: we are in our mid-60s, quite active, and love history, art, and nature.
Thanks again!
We are planning our trip to Provence in May. We planned it before. But COVID hit, and it did not happen.
Here is what we planned so far. I understand that this itinerary is rather ambitious. If you think the places we picked might not deserve the time and effort (i understand that eveybody have their own taste), please let me know.
Any advice is always welcome and very valuable.
May 16 - arriving in Paris and taking a train to Avignon, friends we'll drive us to the Saint Remy hotel. 9 nights in Saint Remy.
May 17 am picking up a car, going to - Isle‑sur‑la‑Sorgue (market) 1, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Joucas, and Pernes‑les‑Fontaines.
May 18 - Orange (amthiteater) → Carpentras → Caromb → Séguret
May 19 - Nîmes → Pont du Gard → Uzès
May 20 - Saint‑Rémy (market, Saint‑Paul‑de‑Mausole, Glanum) → Les Baux → Carrières, Eygalières (if we have time) or Tarascon
May 21 - Gordes → Sénanque → Roussillon → Bonnieux (lower) → Brantes (optional)
May 22 - Ménerbes → Oppède Viewpoint → Lourmarin → Cucuron → Ansouis
May 23 - Arles → Avignon → Night of Museums
May 24 - Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval with possible stops on our way back at Romans‑sur‑Isère, Mirmande ad Montélimar.
May 25 - Option1 - am - Transhumance Festival of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence- is it worth it???
Check out and drive to B&B Villa Roumanille in Aix-en-Provence (4 nights), spend the rest of the day in Aix, or
Option 2 - check out - drop off the luggage and go to Cassi and Le Ciotat
May 26 - Verdon Gorge → Moustiers → Tourtour → Cotignac
May 27 - Aix-en-Provence
May 28 - Aigues‑Mortes - Pont de Gau-Flamingos
May 29 - drop off the car - train to Paris, spent 1.5 days in Paris (we've been there many times before) meet with my dear girlfriend, go to Gidon Kremer concert
May 31 - flight to the US
I used Rick Steves and Lonely Planet guidebooks.
MANY THANKS to Kja - what a wonderful trip you had to Provence! I read and reread your trip report so many times! So is KarenWoo and, of course, late Stu.
About ourselves: we are in our mid-60s, quite active, and love history, art, and nature.
Thanks again!
Jan 28th, 2026 | 10:33 PM
#2
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25,617
Likes: 0
Many thanks for your kind words, mila0229! Yes, I had a thoroughly wonderful trip to Provence and I’m delighted to think my trip report proved helpful to you.
Having read that long (very long) report, I’m sure you know that I skipped many of the places you plan to visit. You also know that I pack a LOT into my trips and maybe you got a sense of how my travel priorities differ from yours. But FWIW, in general your plan sounds extremely ambitious to me. Finding parking in each of these places can take a chunk of time and the roads might be busy in the second half of May. I think you would be wise to decide ahead of time what you’ll skip if you find yourselves running late. And do consider sunset times. Do you really want to plan on driving strange roads after sunset (as on May 23)?
Even though you’ve already consulted a couple of guidebooks, you might want to look at the Michelin Green guide to Provence – it has much more detail about the places you mention (and many others!) than either of the guidebooks you’ve consulted.
I’m sure you realize that you are skipping a lot in many of the places you plan to visit, putting your time instead into traveling from place to place. Maybe that’s your preference, but I would encourage you to make sure you’ve developed reasonable estimates of driving times. When I went (2019), my actual driving times were at least 25% greater than the time times I got from google maps, even when I entered the right dates and times of day. And of course, that didn’t include time for parking, walking to my destinations, etc.
May 17 provides an example of a day I think particularly ambitious. I’ll note that I loved both Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (even though I skipped it’s market – which will certainly mean crowded roads and difficulty parking) and I wish I’d had more than a couple of hours for Pernes-les-Fontaines.
May 18: If you have the time and interest (you do mention an interest in history!), I thought the Arc de Triomphe in Orange worth seeing.
May 19: I skipped Nimes, but wonder whether you’d have time for it AND Pont du Gard AND Uzés…
May 20: Again, it strikes me as extremely ambitious. Le Baux will probably take a few hours, and if you mean the Carriers de Lumieres, several hours for that, too (plus time for negotiating very busy roads and finding parking and then walking from wherever you were able to park...). I also think you would need at least a half a day for Tarascon (not counting time driving or parking).
May 23: I would not have been able to see what I wanted to see in Arles and Avignon in the same day. I felt hard pressed with more than a full day in each! YMMV.
May 25: I enjoyed La Ciotat, but if I’m reading correctly, if you try to visit it, you will have only one day (plus evenings) in Aix-en-Provence. That would not have been enough for me in Aix. And IIRC, traffic in and out of La Ciotat was not trivial, though I’m sure it varies with time of day.
May 26. I was disappointed with the Verdon Gorge.
Whatever you decide, I’m sre you will see some wonderful things!
I hope these comments prove useful.
Having read that long (very long) report, I’m sure you know that I skipped many of the places you plan to visit. You also know that I pack a LOT into my trips and maybe you got a sense of how my travel priorities differ from yours. But FWIW, in general your plan sounds extremely ambitious to me. Finding parking in each of these places can take a chunk of time and the roads might be busy in the second half of May. I think you would be wise to decide ahead of time what you’ll skip if you find yourselves running late. And do consider sunset times. Do you really want to plan on driving strange roads after sunset (as on May 23)?
Even though you’ve already consulted a couple of guidebooks, you might want to look at the Michelin Green guide to Provence – it has much more detail about the places you mention (and many others!) than either of the guidebooks you’ve consulted.
I’m sure you realize that you are skipping a lot in many of the places you plan to visit, putting your time instead into traveling from place to place. Maybe that’s your preference, but I would encourage you to make sure you’ve developed reasonable estimates of driving times. When I went (2019), my actual driving times were at least 25% greater than the time times I got from google maps, even when I entered the right dates and times of day. And of course, that didn’t include time for parking, walking to my destinations, etc.
May 17 provides an example of a day I think particularly ambitious. I’ll note that I loved both Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (even though I skipped it’s market – which will certainly mean crowded roads and difficulty parking) and I wish I’d had more than a couple of hours for Pernes-les-Fontaines.
May 18: If you have the time and interest (you do mention an interest in history!), I thought the Arc de Triomphe in Orange worth seeing.
May 19: I skipped Nimes, but wonder whether you’d have time for it AND Pont du Gard AND Uzés…
May 20: Again, it strikes me as extremely ambitious. Le Baux will probably take a few hours, and if you mean the Carriers de Lumieres, several hours for that, too (plus time for negotiating very busy roads and finding parking and then walking from wherever you were able to park...). I also think you would need at least a half a day for Tarascon (not counting time driving or parking).
May 23: I would not have been able to see what I wanted to see in Arles and Avignon in the same day. I felt hard pressed with more than a full day in each! YMMV.
May 25: I enjoyed La Ciotat, but if I’m reading correctly, if you try to visit it, you will have only one day (plus evenings) in Aix-en-Provence. That would not have been enough for me in Aix. And IIRC, traffic in and out of La Ciotat was not trivial, though I’m sure it varies with time of day.
May 26. I was disappointed with the Verdon Gorge.
Whatever you decide, I’m sre you will see some wonderful things!
I hope these comments prove useful.
Jan 29th, 2026 | 03:49 AM
#4
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Hi, I can't help but suggest a detour to Briançon. It’s been my home for 40 years and it’s truly a hidden gem.
It’s an incredible place: the highest city in Europe, surrounded by high peaks but still keeping that Provence soul (you’ll actually be at the source of the Durance river). It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site with amazing Vauban fortifications, and there is so much to do if you love nature and being active.
May is a perfect time to visit: the weather is mild, and everything is incredibly green and full of spring flowers.
It’s only a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Provence. If you want more tips, just ask me!
It’s an incredible place: the highest city in Europe, surrounded by high peaks but still keeping that Provence soul (you’ll actually be at the source of the Durance river). It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site with amazing Vauban fortifications, and there is so much to do if you love nature and being active.
May is a perfect time to visit: the weather is mild, and everything is incredibly green and full of spring flowers.
It’s only a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Provence. If you want more tips, just ask me!
Jan 29th, 2026 | 05:25 AM
#5
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,173
Likes: 0
Hi Mila0229,
I notice that May 17 is a Sunday. Just want to caution you that the Sunday market in Isle Sur La Sorque is EXTREMELY crowded. We went there once on a Sunday, and my husband had to drive around and around to find parking. Our French son-in-law said "never again". There is a Thursday market in Isle Sur La Sorgue which is wonderful, too, and not as crowded as Sunday. However, I think the antiques market is not open on Thursdays. If you really want to go on Sunday, be there when it opens.
I agree with KJA that your itinerary is very ambitious. I think your plan should be flexible. Start off your day in one town, spend as much time there as you want and to enjoy it, and then visit the next town, spend as much time there as you want/need. And if you can't visit every place on your list for that day, that is fine. You can't drive fast on the roads, and you will need time to find parking spaces. And stop for lunch. I don't think giving each place a cursory glance would be enjoyable.
I agree with kja about using the Michelin Green Guides for Provence. They are one of my favorite guidebooks.
I notice that May 17 is a Sunday. Just want to caution you that the Sunday market in Isle Sur La Sorque is EXTREMELY crowded. We went there once on a Sunday, and my husband had to drive around and around to find parking. Our French son-in-law said "never again". There is a Thursday market in Isle Sur La Sorgue which is wonderful, too, and not as crowded as Sunday. However, I think the antiques market is not open on Thursdays. If you really want to go on Sunday, be there when it opens.
I agree with KJA that your itinerary is very ambitious. I think your plan should be flexible. Start off your day in one town, spend as much time there as you want and to enjoy it, and then visit the next town, spend as much time there as you want/need. And if you can't visit every place on your list for that day, that is fine. You can't drive fast on the roads, and you will need time to find parking spaces. And stop for lunch. I don't think giving each place a cursory glance would be enjoyable.
I agree with kja about using the Michelin Green Guides for Provence. They are one of my favorite guidebooks.
Jan 29th, 2026 | 12:36 PM
#6
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Many thanks for your kind words, mila0229! Yes, I had a thoroughly wonderful trip to Provence and I’m delighted to think my trip report proved helpful to you.
Having read that long (very long) report, I’m sure you know that I skipped many of the places you plan to visit. You also know that I pack a LOT into my trips and maybe you got a sense of how my travel priorities differ from yours. But FWIW, in general your plan sounds extremely ambitious to me. Finding parking in each of these places can take a chunk of time and the roads might be busy in the second half of May. I think you would be wise to decide ahead of time what you’ll skip if you find yourselves running late. And do consider sunset times. Do you really want to plan on driving strange roads after sunset (as on May 23)?
Even though you’ve already consulted a couple of guidebooks, you might want to look at the Michelin Green guide to Provence – it has much more detail about the places you mention (and many others!) than either of the guidebooks you’ve consulted. - I looked for it. The "Newest" I found was from the 2015 edition. Does it matter???
I’m sure you realize that you are skipping a lot in many of the places you plan to visit, putting your time instead into traveling from place to place. Maybe that’s your preference, but I would encourage you to make sure you’ve developed reasonable estimates of driving times. When I went (2019), my actual driving times were at least 25% greater than the time times I got from google maps, even when I entered the right dates and times of day. And of course, that didn’t include time for parking, walking to my destinations, etc.
May 17 provides an example of a day I think particularly ambitious. I’ll note that I loved both Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (even though I skipped it’s market – which will certainly mean crowded roads and difficulty parking) and I wish I’d had more than a couple of hours for Pernes-les-Fontaines.
May 18: If you have the time and interest (you do mention an interest in history!), I thought the Arc de Triomphe in Orange worth seeing. - Definitely Arc de Triomphe!!
May 19: I skipped Nimes, but wonder whether you’d have time for it AND Pont du Gard AND Uzés…
May 20: Again, it strikes me as extremely ambitious. Le Baux will probably take a few hours, and if you mean the Carriers de Lumieres, several hours for that, too (plus time for negotiating very busy roads and finding parking and then walking from wherever you were able to park...). I also think you would need at least a half a day for Tarascon (not counting time driving or parking). Tarscon is an option. The whole day is dedicated to Saint Remy and Les Baux.
May 23: I would not have been able to see what I wanted to see in Arles and Avignon in the same day. I felt hard pressed with more than a full day in each! YMMV.
May 25: I enjoyed La Ciotat, but if I’m reading correctly, if you try to visit it, you will have only one day (plus evenings) in Aix-en-Provence. That would not have been enough for me in Aix. And IIRC, traffic in and out of La Ciotat was not trivial, though I’m sure it varies with time of day. - It is either Aix or dropping off the luggage at Aix's hotel in the morning and going straight to Le Ciotat. That's why I listed TWO options on my list.
May 26. I was disappointed with the Verdon Gorge.
Whatever you decide, I’m sre you will see some wonderful things!
I hope these comments prove useful.
Having read that long (very long) report, I’m sure you know that I skipped many of the places you plan to visit. You also know that I pack a LOT into my trips and maybe you got a sense of how my travel priorities differ from yours. But FWIW, in general your plan sounds extremely ambitious to me. Finding parking in each of these places can take a chunk of time and the roads might be busy in the second half of May. I think you would be wise to decide ahead of time what you’ll skip if you find yourselves running late. And do consider sunset times. Do you really want to plan on driving strange roads after sunset (as on May 23)?
Even though you’ve already consulted a couple of guidebooks, you might want to look at the Michelin Green guide to Provence – it has much more detail about the places you mention (and many others!) than either of the guidebooks you’ve consulted. - I looked for it. The "Newest" I found was from the 2015 edition. Does it matter???
I’m sure you realize that you are skipping a lot in many of the places you plan to visit, putting your time instead into traveling from place to place. Maybe that’s your preference, but I would encourage you to make sure you’ve developed reasonable estimates of driving times. When I went (2019), my actual driving times were at least 25% greater than the time times I got from google maps, even when I entered the right dates and times of day. And of course, that didn’t include time for parking, walking to my destinations, etc.
May 17 provides an example of a day I think particularly ambitious. I’ll note that I loved both Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (even though I skipped it’s market – which will certainly mean crowded roads and difficulty parking) and I wish I’d had more than a couple of hours for Pernes-les-Fontaines.
May 18: If you have the time and interest (you do mention an interest in history!), I thought the Arc de Triomphe in Orange worth seeing. - Definitely Arc de Triomphe!!
May 19: I skipped Nimes, but wonder whether you’d have time for it AND Pont du Gard AND Uzés…
May 20: Again, it strikes me as extremely ambitious. Le Baux will probably take a few hours, and if you mean the Carriers de Lumieres, several hours for that, too (plus time for negotiating very busy roads and finding parking and then walking from wherever you were able to park...). I also think you would need at least a half a day for Tarascon (not counting time driving or parking). Tarscon is an option. The whole day is dedicated to Saint Remy and Les Baux.
May 23: I would not have been able to see what I wanted to see in Arles and Avignon in the same day. I felt hard pressed with more than a full day in each! YMMV.
May 25: I enjoyed La Ciotat, but if I’m reading correctly, if you try to visit it, you will have only one day (plus evenings) in Aix-en-Provence. That would not have been enough for me in Aix. And IIRC, traffic in and out of La Ciotat was not trivial, though I’m sure it varies with time of day. - It is either Aix or dropping off the luggage at Aix's hotel in the morning and going straight to Le Ciotat. That's why I listed TWO options on my list.
May 26. I was disappointed with the Verdon Gorge.
Whatever you decide, I’m sre you will see some wonderful things!
I hope these comments prove useful.
Sure enough, i have some places we can skip. Thank you so much!
Jan 29th, 2026 | 12:40 PM
#7
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Hi, I can't help but suggest a detour to Briançon. It’s been my home for 40 years and it’s truly a hidden gem.
It’s an incredible place: the highest city in Europe, surrounded by high peaks but still keeping that Provence soul (you’ll actually be at the source of the Durance river). It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site with amazing Vauban fortifications, and there is so much to do if you love nature and being active.
May is a perfect time to visit: the weather is mild, and everything is incredibly green and full of spring flowers.
It’s only a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Provence. If you want more tips, just ask me!
It’s an incredible place: the highest city in Europe, surrounded by high peaks but still keeping that Provence soul (you’ll actually be at the source of the Durance river). It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site with amazing Vauban fortifications, and there is so much to do if you love nature and being active.
May is a perfect time to visit: the weather is mild, and everything is incredibly green and full of spring flowers.
It’s only a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Provence. If you want more tips, just ask me!
Thank you! It looks marvelous! But with so few days, it is way too far.
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Jan 29th, 2026 | 12:44 PM
#8
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Hi Mila0229,
I notice that May 17 is a Sunday. Just want to caution you that the Sunday market in Isle Sur La Sorque is EXTREMELY crowded. We went there once on a Sunday, and my husband had to drive around and around to find parking. Our French son-in-law said "never again". There is a Thursday market in Isle Sur La Sorgue which is wonderful, too, and not as crowded as Sunday. However, I think the antiques market is not open on Thursdays. If you really want to go on Sunday, be there when it opens.
I agree with KJA that your itinerary is very ambitious. I think your plan should be flexible. Start off your day in one town, spend as much time there as you want and to enjoy it, and then visit the next town, spend as much time there as you want/need. And if you can't visit every place on your list for that day, that is fine. You can't drive fast on the roads, and you will need time to find parking spaces. And stop for lunch. I don't think giving each place a cursory glance would be enjoyable.
I agree with kja about using the Michelin Green Guides for Provence. They are one of my favorite guidebooks.
I notice that May 17 is a Sunday. Just want to caution you that the Sunday market in Isle Sur La Sorque is EXTREMELY crowded. We went there once on a Sunday, and my husband had to drive around and around to find parking. Our French son-in-law said "never again". There is a Thursday market in Isle Sur La Sorgue which is wonderful, too, and not as crowded as Sunday. However, I think the antiques market is not open on Thursdays. If you really want to go on Sunday, be there when it opens.
I agree with KJA that your itinerary is very ambitious. I think your plan should be flexible. Start off your day in one town, spend as much time there as you want and to enjoy it, and then visit the next town, spend as much time there as you want/need. And if you can't visit every place on your list for that day, that is fine. You can't drive fast on the roads, and you will need time to find parking spaces. And stop for lunch. I don't think giving each place a cursory glance would be enjoyable.
I agree with kja about using the Michelin Green Guides for Provence. They are one of my favorite guidebooks.
I realize it. WE will try to be there as early as possible. I listed all the parking lots in all the places we are planning to visit. Hope it will help somehow. We will definitely cut a few places from our itinerary. It's always the case! I looked for Michelin Green Guides for Provence. Seemed like they stopped publishing it in English. The newest version available is from 2015! Do you think it matters?
Jan 29th, 2026 | 02:20 PM
#9
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
Some of your days seem a bit ambitious to me. For example, your day to the Verdon gorges. We visited the gorges and Moustiers in 2018. We were an hour away and spent several hours along the gorges and time in Moustiers at the end. That was enough for us and we still had an hour to get back to our base. Google maps puts Aix at over two hours drive to the gorges and I would expect it to take longer. Add on time getting in and out of Aix and you are looking at over five hours round trip. Not enough time to do two more villages.
We made the mistake early in our travels of being what I call destination focused, sometimes to the exclusion of other nice places. We would drive through a village and remark how lovely it looked but not stop to look at that pretty town square or interesting church, impressive fountain or scenic bridge. Now for us, one of the things we enjoy about our travels is having the time to stop for the unexpected - that amazing view, the lovely chateau with a lake in front, an old roman bridge. As much as I dislike the term, this is when you sometimes come across that hidden gem that everyone wants to find.
If you click on my name and go to the trip report section, you will find my report on our 2018 trip Our Autumn tour of Country France. This was the second week - the Var - but we also visited the Palais Ideal on our way from Lyon airport to our first base in the Drome.
I agree with the others that you need to be flexible and be prepared to drop some places. Even if that happens, you will still have seen some wonderful places.
Bon voyage.
We made the mistake early in our travels of being what I call destination focused, sometimes to the exclusion of other nice places. We would drive through a village and remark how lovely it looked but not stop to look at that pretty town square or interesting church, impressive fountain or scenic bridge. Now for us, one of the things we enjoy about our travels is having the time to stop for the unexpected - that amazing view, the lovely chateau with a lake in front, an old roman bridge. As much as I dislike the term, this is when you sometimes come across that hidden gem that everyone wants to find.
If you click on my name and go to the trip report section, you will find my report on our 2018 trip Our Autumn tour of Country France. This was the second week - the Var - but we also visited the Palais Ideal on our way from Lyon airport to our first base in the Drome.
I agree with the others that you need to be flexible and be prepared to drop some places. Even if that happens, you will still have seen some wonderful places.
Bon voyage.
Jan 29th, 2026 | 03:02 PM
#10
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Some of your days seem a bit ambitious to me. For example, your day to the Verdon gorges. We visited the gorges and Moustiers in 2018. We were an hour away and spent several hours along the gorges and time in Moustiers at the end. That was enough for us and we still had an hour to get back to our base. Google maps puts Aix at over two hours drive to the gorges and I would expect it to take longer. Add on time getting in and out of Aix and you are looking at over five hours round trip. Not enough time to do two more villages.
We made the mistake early in our travels of being what I call destination focused, sometimes to the exclusion of other nice places. We would drive through a village and remark how lovely it looked but not stop to look at that pretty town square or interesting church, impressive fountain or scenic bridge. Now for us, one of the things we enjoy about our travels is having the time to stop for the unexpected - that amazing view, the lovely chateau with a lake in front, an old roman bridge. As much as I dislike the term, this is when you sometimes come across that hidden gem that everyone wants to find.
If you click on my name and go to the trip report section, you will find my report on our 2018 trip Our Autumn tour of Country France. This was the second week - the Var - but we also visited the Palais Ideal on our way from Lyon airport to our first base in the Drome.
I agree with the others that you need to be flexible and be prepared to drop some places. Even if that happens, you will still have seen some wonderful places.
Bon voyage.
We made the mistake early in our travels of being what I call destination focused, sometimes to the exclusion of other nice places. We would drive through a village and remark how lovely it looked but not stop to look at that pretty town square or interesting church, impressive fountain or scenic bridge. Now for us, one of the things we enjoy about our travels is having the time to stop for the unexpected - that amazing view, the lovely chateau with a lake in front, an old roman bridge. As much as I dislike the term, this is when you sometimes come across that hidden gem that everyone wants to find.
If you click on my name and go to the trip report section, you will find my report on our 2018 trip Our Autumn tour of Country France. This was the second week - the Var - but we also visited the Palais Ideal on our way from Lyon airport to our first base in the Drome.
I agree with the others that you need to be flexible and be prepared to drop some places. Even if that happens, you will still have seen some wonderful places.
Bon voyage.
Jan 29th, 2026 | 06:10 PM
#11
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,245
Likes: 0
Among my favorite 'hidden gems' of Provence are the Grottes de Calès, 7th Century BC Ligurian grottoes in the village of Lamanon. You'll probably have them to yourselves.
Also, the ruins of Vieux Vernegues, another amazing place you might find yourselff alone among the ruins.
Someone is chasing down 'plus beaux villages' I see....
It's great to have an ambitious schedule, as long as you are willing to stop and smell the roses and maybe you don't get to every place you list.
IF you are a reader, then I highly recommend Village in the Vaucluse by Laurence Wylie. A sociological study that will make you cry.
Also, the ruins of Vieux Vernegues, another amazing place you might find yourselff alone among the ruins.
Someone is chasing down 'plus beaux villages' I see....
It's great to have an ambitious schedule, as long as you are willing to stop and smell the roses and maybe you don't get to every place you list.
IF you are a reader, then I highly recommend Village in the Vaucluse by Laurence Wylie. A sociological study that will make you cry.
Jan 29th, 2026 | 08:31 PM
#12
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 101
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Among my favorite 'hidden gems' of Provence are the Grottes de Calès, 7th Century BC Ligurian grottoes in the village of Lamanon. You'll probably have them to yourselves.
Also, the ruins of Vieux Vernegues, another amazing place you might find yourselff alone among the ruins.
Someone is chasing down 'plus beaux villages' I see....
It's great to have an ambitious schedule, as long as you are willing to stop and smell the roses and maybe you don't get to every place you list.
IF you are a reader, then I highly recommend Village in the Vaucluse by Laurence Wylie. A sociological study that will make you cry.
Also, the ruins of Vieux Vernegues, another amazing place you might find yourselff alone among the ruins.
Someone is chasing down 'plus beaux villages' I see....
It's great to have an ambitious schedule, as long as you are willing to stop and smell the roses and maybe you don't get to every place you list.
IF you are a reader, then I highly recommend Village in the Vaucluse by Laurence Wylie. A sociological study that will make you cry.
Very interesting. Thank you so much!
Jan 29th, 2026 | 08:47 PM
#13
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25,617
Likes: 0
Jan 29th, 2026 | 09:57 PM
#14
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,818
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I too think your ambitions for Provence are quantitative rather than qualitative, I have the 15th edition of the Provence Green book and it is outstanding. May not be up to date with restaurants or hotels but you can get the red book for up to date restaurant recommendations. I also do not like to drive in the dark in foreign countries after a long day touring. Hopefully it will not be an issue as it probably won't be dark until about 9 pm in May.
Jan 30th, 2026 | 07:52 AM
#15
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
If you’re driving through Montélimar (which, to be honest, isn’t the most exciting stop), I highly recommend detouring a few miles east to Dieulefit. It’s a charming village famous for its traditional pottery and vibrant art galleries - it feels like the "authentic Provence" ("Drome Provençale" as we call this region), and not one of those staged "museum village" you can see further in the south, beautiful but a bit hollow and overcrowded. Dieulefit is a living community - one of my friends actually lives there.
The surrounding countryside is also breathtaking - a perfect blend of wild landscapes, hills, and occasional lavender fields tucked between the pre-Alpine foothills. I love this region.
I also know a stunning "mas provençal" (farmhouse) to stay at nearby in La Bégude-de-Mazenc, and there’s a fantastic artisan bakery between the two called "Le Fournil des Comètes". All of this is actually right on your way.
Jan 30th, 2026 | 08:32 PM
#16
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
I too think your ambitions for Provence are quantitative rather than qualitative, I have the 15th edition of the Provence Green book and it is outstanding. May not be up to date with restaurants or hotels but you can get the red book for up to date restaurant recommendations. I also do not like to drive in the dark in foreign countries after a long day touring. Hopefully it will not be an issue as it probably won't be dark until about 9 pm in May.
Jan 30th, 2026 | 08:33 PM
#17
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
I understand! You will visit my region another time, I'm sure.
If you’re driving through Montélimar (which, to be honest, isn’t the most exciting stop), I highly recommend detouring a few miles east to Dieulefit. It’s a charming village famous for its traditional pottery and vibrant art galleries - it feels like the "authentic Provence" ("Drome Provençale" as we call this region), and not one of those staged "museum village" you can see further in the south, beautiful but a bit hollow and overcrowded. Dieulefit is a living community - one of my friends actually lives there.
The surrounding countryside is also breathtaking - a perfect blend of wild landscapes, hills, and occasional lavender fields tucked between the pre-Alpine foothills. I love this region.
I also know a stunning "mas provençal" (farmhouse) to stay at nearby in La Bégude-de-Mazenc, and there’s a fantastic artisan bakery between the two called "Le Fournil des Comètes". All of this is actually right on your way.
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