Provence 7-day Itinerary
France
Where to go and what to see in Provence to get the most from your trip – a 7-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
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Overview >Bucket list experience:
The Luberon [driving & cycling]
Last updated: 09 November, 2022
The Luberon massif on southeast Provence, with its lush landscapes and quaint villages, is like a film set. It’s quintessential Provence at its most charming and picturesque.
The easiest way to see it is to rent or bring a car and drive between scenic points. Make a circular tour, starting in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with its canals, waterwheels and antiques shops; then visit the mysterious source at the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, before heading to golden stone Gordes, with its curious field of bories (stone igloo huts) and its lavender-growing Cistercian abbey, Sénanque. Finally, head to Roussillon, with its dramatic ochre quarries, and three neighbouring villages – some of Provence’s prettiest – Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes.
You can also tour by bike: there’s a 236km circuit through the most beautiful parts of the region, along old country roads. It takes about 8 days.
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Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Duration: 1+ days
Getting there & doing it
There are numerous local tour operators offering guided tours of the region. They’ll know all the best spots, and will organise all logistics.
It is, however, easy to self-drive, and far more authentic and romantic. Start early in the day to give yourself ample time to stop and see the sights along the way. Roads are fairly well signposted, but do bring a map or use your GPS. For the best experience (in summer), hire a convertible car, available from Europe Luxury Car in Marseille or Sixt in Avignon.
Provence Cycling has information on cycling in the Luberon on their website and a map of the full 236km route. They also offer guided cycling trips, including accommodation.
On a fine day, this area is ideal for a picnic, with supplies picked up at a charming local market – Thursday and Sunday mornings are market days in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue; Tuesday in Gordes.
When to do it
Late spring and autumn are pretty and the roads aren’t busy, but it’s hard to beat the summer, when the Luberon’s famous lavender fields are in bloom (late June to August). While the roads and villages are peaceful out of season (November to March), many of the cafés and restaurants are closed and it gets dark too early.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Lavender in Luberon Small Group Half-Day Trip
Avignon
Admire Provence’s lavender fields in full summer bloom on this half-day tour from Avignon.
Admire the breathtaking beauty of the lavender f...
€66 | Rating 4.03 / 5 [128 ratings]
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Best of Luberon in an afternoon from Avignon
Avignon
Delve into rural France and discover stunning scenery on this half-day trip through Provence from Avignon. Travel along the Luberon regional...
€70 | Rating 4.30 / 5 [109 ratings]
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Luberon, Roussillon & Gordes Half-Day Tour from Avignon
Avignon
Discover the Luberon area on this small group tour from Avignon with an experienced guide. During this half day tour you will visit the high...
€75 | Rating 4.64 / 5 [71 ratings]
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Luberon Villages Half-Day Tour from Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence
Spend an afternoon exploring the Luberon region’s hilltop villages on this half-day tour from Aix-en-Provence! With your driver/ guide, disc...
€76 | Rating 4.88 / 5 [136 ratings]
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Auberge La Feniere
Cadenet, Provence, France[12.4 miles]
An old stone farm converted into an idyllic wellness retreat, immersed in some of the Luberon’s most beautiful landscapes. Renowned for outstanding food from two of France’s most famous female chefs.
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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Overview >Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
![Wine harvest at Les Pastras [grape stomping]](https://familyhotelfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/Grape-stomp-WEB.jpeg)
Experience
Wine harvest at Les Pastras [grape stomping]
Cadenet, Provence, France[13.5 miles]
An organic farm in the Luberon run by a French-American couple that offers the chance to experience a traditional French wine harvest, including a tour of the farm, lessons in cultivation, and the chance to stomp on the grapes. Weekdays only.
Best for ages: 13+ | £50 | 3 hours
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Experience
Truffle hunting at Les Pastras
Cadenet, Provence, France[13.7 miles]
Organic farm in the Luberon run by a French-American couple who offer summer and winter truffle hunts, and the chance to stomp on grapes the old-fashioned way during the harvest.
Best for ages: 13+ | £60 | 3+ hours
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