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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 09 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

Sunny Provence has been making wine ever since grapes were introduced by the Ancient Greeks, circa 600 BC. Provence grows some of the most prestigious Cotes du Rhone wines, including the reds of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Beaumes-de-Venise, all located north of Avignon (more details below).

Famous for its quaffable roses, there are also notable AOC areas along the coasts (Bandol, with its Mourvedre wines, Cassis with its whites), while Les Baux-en-Provence is known for organic wines.

Beaumes-de-Venise

Grown on natural terraces under the ‘lacy’ mountains (the Dentelles de Montmirail), this wine-growing area – famous for Muscat – goes back to Roman times and remains both one of Provence’s most beautiful and prestigious.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Promoted by the wine-loving medieval popes of Avignon, the world-famous reds of Chateauneuf-du-Pape have steadily grown in reputation over the years. The 320 estates are distinctive for their bushy vines grown in large sun-soaked pebbles.

Gigondas

AOC Gigondas is a powerful red wine nicknamed ‘little brother’ of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, grown in a tiny area around the pretty little village of Gigondas, with beautiful vines and vertical views of the Dentelles de Montmirail.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

For a comprehensive guide to wineries and wine trails, see the Vins Rhone website. They have a map of all the wineries.

Most wineries in Provence offer free tastings and sell wine in any quantity, from one bottle upwards. As well as selling bottles and cases onsite, many vineyards sell wines straight from the vat (‘en vrac’). A few estates in Chateauneuf-du-Pape request advance notice, but in most cases you can just turn up. Check specific winery websites if you’re unsure.

Within the growing areas, specialist wine shops (caves cooperatives) offer tastings from numerous local estates to help you decide which to buy, so these can be a good place to start.

The roads in these parts are very scenic, and numerous wine trails make touring by car a pleasure, although joining a tour means you don’t have to drive. Alternatively, hop on a bike: many of the wine roads are peaceful and away from main routes. Or just have a wander: the prettiest walking trails are around Beaumes-de-Venise and Gigondas.

You could also consider a ‘wine cruise’ taking in the vineyards of both Provence and Burgundy. These luxury river cruises usually last around 8 days, and will organise visits and tastings at the best vineyards.

When to do it

April to July are good months to visit, when the vine bushes are lush; autumn is lovely for the colours and interesting for the busy harvest. Most wine estates are open during regular business hours.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Entrance ticket to the Brotte Wine Museum with tasting of 3 wines

Entrance ticket to the Brotte Wine Museum with tasting of 3 wines

Avignon

Maison Brotte shares its winegrowing know-how through a unique educational path, revealing all the secrets of wine making, the specificities...

€8 | Rating 4.82 / 5 [46 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Entrance ticket to the Brotte Wine Museum with tasting of 5 wines

Entrance ticket to the Brotte Wine Museum with tasting of 5 wines

Avignon

Maison Brotte shares its winegrowing know-how through a unique educational path, revealing all the secrets of wine making, the specificities...

€12 | Rating 4.89 / 5 [85 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

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Provence Cru Wine Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon

Provence Cru Wine Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon

Avignon

Enjoy a small group tour from Avignon Wine Tour : On the way to Châteauneuf du Pape Let us guide you through this amazing visual and tast...

€80 | Rating 4.80 / 5 [134 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Chateauneuf-du-Pape Prestige Wine Tour from Avignon

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Prestige Wine Tour from Avignon

Avignon

During this afternoon tour, discover one of the most famous vineyards of the Rhône Valley : Chateauneuf du Pape , is renowned for its full-b...

€122 | Rating 4.58 / 5 [75 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

La Mirande Hotel

Avignon, Provence, France[14.7 miles]

A magnificent, evocative and aristocratic luxury hotel, right next to Avignon’s Palace of the Popes.

Official star rating:

Hotel d’Europe

Avignon, Provence, France[14.8 miles]

An uber-luxury, boutique hotel set in a 16th-century mansion right in Avignon’s medieval centre. The city’s oldest hotel oozes elegance and class.

Official star rating:

Hotel Le Colbert

Avignon, Provence, France[15.4 miles]

Quirky, bohemian and great value boutique hotel conveniently located within easy walking distance of Avignon’s attractions. One for the budget-conscious traveller.

Official star rating:

Le Clos Saint Saourde

Beaumes-de-Venise, Provence, France[17.3 miles]

Unique boutique guesthouse on an 18th-century farm, set in the beautiful wine region of Beaumes-de-Venise.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Provence

Provence, France

Gorgeous landscapes peppered with beautiful villages, sunflowers and lavender, art-filled towns, lively cultural festivals and exquisite food and wine. Provence is everything you imagined it would be.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Les Choregies d’Orange

Orange, Provence, France[6.8 miles]

France’s oldest festival, featuring exceptional lyrical and opera performances, held in the beautiful, crumbling 1st-century Theatre Antique.

Best for ages: 18+ | £30 | 5 weeks

Avignon Festival

Avignon, Provence, France[14.6 miles]

Nearly a thousand shows and exhibitions over three weeks, showcasing world-class drama, music and dance. France’s answer to the UK’s Edinburgh Festival.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 3 weeks

Palace of the Popes

Avignon, Provence, France[14.7 miles]

The world’s biggest Gothic palace was home to popes during their 14th-century exile from Rome. Seven reigned here until 1377, in a colourful period of greed and depravity.

Best for ages: 18+ | £10

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Exterior of the Little Palace Museum
Experience

Petit Palais Museum

Avignon, Provence, France[14.5 miles]

Papal Avignon was the centre of the European art for decades, and over 300 works of (mostly) Italian medieval and renaissance paintings and sculptures commissioned by the wealthy prelates of the church, including a Botticelli Madonna, are displayed in this 14th-century palace.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Round-ups that include this experience

13 Best wine regions

Multiple countries

The world’s greatest wine regions – where you can sip the world’s greatest wines at source, and tour the vineyards to learn how they’re made.

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