Palace of the Popes
Avignon, Provence, France
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
Recommended itinerary:
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.
Editor note – Dana has not included specific recommendations of where to stay each day unless it’s necessary. Instead, see the ‘Where to stay’ section in our Provence destination guide.
Start in Avignon, visiting the Palace of the Popes and half a bridge nearby – the famous Pont d’Avignon.
Have a quick lunch at Le Gout du Jour, then take in the Petit Palais Museum with its Botticelli, and the Angladon Museum, with the only Van Gogh left in Provence.
Take an evening stroll through Avignon’s romantic streets, where you’ll find restaurants a-plenty for dinner.
Avignon, Provence, France
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
Avignon, Provence, France
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
Avignon, Provence, France
A superb private art collection in a townhouse, including the only Van Gogh in Provence. There are also paintings by Chardin, Manet, Cezanne, Degas, Modigliani, Sisley and Picasso.
Best for ages: 18+ | £7
Pack a picnic lunch and hire a car – or take a small group tour – of the Luberon, to drink in Provence’s most enchanting landscapes.
Highlights include Roussillon, Menerbes, Lacoste and Gordes, or head off the beaten track – it’s all beautiful.
Back in Avignon, dine at Hotel La Mirande’s elegant restaurant.
Luberon, Provence, France
The Luberon massif, with its lush landscapes, quaint villages and lavender fields (in season) is like a film set. It’s quintessential Provence at its most picturesque – best appreciated by car or the 236km circular bike route.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 1+ days
Spend a day with the Romans: self-drive or take a guided tour from Avignon half an hour north to Orange to see its well-preserved theatre and arch.
Grab lunch at Le Petit Patio, then head southwest to the Pont du Gard, a lovely spot for a swim or kayak.
Back in Avignon, end the day with creative cuisine at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Pollen.
Orange, Provence, France
Europe’s best-preserved Ancient Roman theatre, dating back to the 1st century AD, is still used for performances today.
Best for ages: 18+ | £9
Vers-Pont-du-Gard, Occitaine, France
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of breathtaking beauty, this aqueduct bridge, dating back to the 1st century BC, is testimony to the genius of Roman engineers.
Best for ages: 6+ | £850
Spend a day in Arles: the Museum of Antiquity, the Roman amphitheatre and Les Alyscamps are all must-sees.
Have lunch at the cheerful l’Antonelle le Bistrot, then seek out the locations of Van Gogh’s paintings in a dedicated walk.
For dinner, dine in a 13th–century garden cloister at the Jardin des Arts.
Arles, Provence, France
An archaeology museum housing a fascinating collection of sculptures, mosaics and much more from the ancient Arles region – artifacts date from prehistoric times until the 6th century AD.
Best for ages: 13+ | £5
Arles, Provence, France
The biggest and one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in France, where 20,000 would come to watch gladiators fight to the death.
Best for ages: 18+ | £8
Arles, Provence, France
An evocative, romantic Roman burial ground – once the most famous cemetery in medieval Europe. It’s the burial site of the legendary St Trophime and the first bishops of Arles, and remains an important stop on the pilgrimage to Compostela.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Arles, Provence, France
Follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps around Arles, the town where he painted some of his best-known works.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 1-2 hours
Head south to Les Saintes-Maries for a two-hour safari among the black bulls, pink flamingos and white horses in the Camargue.
Enjoy a seafood lunch at La Casita and a beach; stop off to spot birds at the Pont de Gau Park.
Afterwards, drive to Saint-Remy-de-Provence and dine and stay at the elegant Chateau des Alpilles.
Arles, Provence, France
A massive, wildlife-filled river delta, where gardians (French cowboys) ride white ponies and herd black Camargue bulls amid vast flocks of pink flamingos. Brilliant for horse-riding, hiking, cycling, and wildlife safaris.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Saint-Remy, Provence, France
An elegant, historic 19th-century chateau hotel just outside historic Saint-Remy, set in glorious grounds.
Official star rating:
Spend the morning in Saint-Remy, touring the Roman ruins of Les Antiques and Glanum, the latter near Van Gogh’s asylum, St-Paul-de-Mausole.
Have lunch at the rustic chic L’Aile ou la Cuisse, then head up into the Alpilles to the spectacular medieval Chateau des Baux.
Dine at Les Baux’s famous Le Cabro d’Or, before heading back to Saint-Remy.
Saint-Remy-de-Provence, Provence, France
The asylum where Van Gogh spent 1888-89 is a masterpiece of Provencal Romanesque, and today specializes, appropriately, in art therapy. His room and reproductions of the paintings he made there are on display, along with temporary exhibitions.
Best for ages: 18+ | £4
Saint-Remy-de-Provence, Provence, France
Follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps through the landscapes around Saint-Remy-de-Provence, where he painted some of his best-known works.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 1+ hours
Saint-Remy-de-Provence, Provence, France
The best-preserved Roman city in Provence, near Saint-Remy, amid landscapes painted by Van Gogh.
Best for ages: 18+ | £7
Les Baux-de-Provence, Provence, France
An atmospheric, ruined 10th century castle teetering atop the craggy Alpilles mountains, rich in Provence feudal history and panoramic landscape views.
Best for ages: 4+ | £15
Drive just over an hour to Aix-en-Provence in time to enjoy the outdoor market in Place Richelme. Take in its stunning cathedral and Granet Museum, housing works by native son, Paul Cezanne.
Have lunch at the Le Poivre d’Ane, then visit the Caumont Centre d’Art, with its film on Cezanne, before visiting his perfectly-preserved studio.
End up for dinner in the 15th-century cellars of Les Caves Henri IV.
Aix-en-Provence, Provence, France
Each morning, Aix hosts one of Provence’s best markets, overflowing with the freshest fruit, vegetables, herbs, meats, seafood and cheeses from local producers. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, it expands tenfold and includes a massive flower market.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Aix-en-Provence, Provence, France
A must for any art lover, this museum holds one of Provence’s top art collections, including works by Cézanne, Rubens, Rembrandt, and the Collection Planque.
Best for ages: 18+ | £5
Aix-en-Provence, Provence, France
This magnificent townhouse (1715), a beautifully restored hôtel particulier, features lavishly furnished period rooms, an exquisite garden, a film on Cezanne and temporary art exhibitions; a good stop for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner too.
Best for ages: 18+ | £12
Aix-en-Provence, Provence, France
The studio where French artist Paul Cezanne painted – evocatively preserved, as if he had just put down his brushes.
Best for ages: 13+ | £6