Provence Road Trip: Our Recommended 5-Day Itinerary

We think that driving through Provence at your own pace is the perfect way to discover the most beautiful hidden gems of southern France. From hilltop villages and lavender fields to historic Roman landmarks, this Provence road trip itinerary combines some of the region’s highlights and our favorite hidden gems.

We warmly invite you to browse our self-drive tours in Provence

Day 1: Aix-en-Provence

Highlights: Cours Mirabeau, Old Town, Paul Cézanne’s Studio

You’ll begin your road trip in the beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence. If you book with us, we’ll arrange for you to stay in a beautiful premium B&B half-way between Aix and the Luberon hills. There you’ll enjoy the same gorgeous landscapes that inspired painters like Cézanne and van Gogh. Driving into Aix, you’ll discover its elegance as well as its artistic heritage.

Take a stroll down the Cours Mirabeau, a tree-lined avenue filled with cafes and buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. There are several fountains, and on the Fontaine de la Rotonde you’ll notice three statues that represent art, agriculture and justice. This area is lovely to explore but it is popular with tourists. On our Provence tours, we’ll recommend places we like that are away from the biggest tourist crowds.

Visit the daily market at Place Richelme before 1pm and try some of the local delicacies, or choose a few things for a picnic lunch. Alternatively, have a delicious lunch at a local café or restaurant.

After lunch, take your time to wander through the charming Old Town, where the narrow streets lead to bustling squares. For a quiet place to sit down and rest, head to the Pavillon Vendôme’s gardens. The Pavilion itself dates back to the 17th century and was built for the Duke of Vendôme. Nowadays, it’s an art museum surrounded by pretty formal gardens.

Then, walk up to Paul Cézanne’s Studio. This was where the Post-Impressionist painter created many of his masterpieces, and to this day it remains unchanged. Enjoy a meal at a local bistro for dinner - in your personal guidebook, we’ll share our favorite restaurants and recommend some local dishes to try!

Day 2: The Luberon – Lavender Fields and Hilltop Villages

Highlights: Sénanque Abbey, Gordes, Roussillon

Spend the day exploring the enchanting Luberon region. Begin with a visit to Sénanque Abbey, where rows of lavender bloom in front of the historic stone abbey (best seen in late June to early August).

Continue to Gordes, a picturesque hilltop village known for its stone houses and breathtaking views of the countryside. Enjoy a leisurely lunch here before heading to Roussillon, famed for its ochre cliffs and colorful streets.

You may like to read this blog post on our favorite scenic driving routes in Provence for more options.

Day 3: Cassis and the Calanques

Highlights: Calanques National Park, Port of Cassis

We recommend driving south and spending a day in Cassis, a beautiful coastal town famous for its calanques. These are dramatic limestone creeks located just outside town within the Parc National des Calanques. It’s home to some of the most stunning beaches in France.

For those who enjoy walking, a hike from La Presqu’Île de Cassis to the calanques of Port-Miou or Port Pin is a must. It’s best to arrive early to secure a spot at parking lot located on the western side of Cassis. Parking there costs about 10 euros for the day; bring cash as, at the time of writing, they don’t accept cards. If you book a tour of Provence with us, we will share all the exact locations!

Enjoy a short scenic walk along a well-marked walking trail. Among the calanques, Port Pin is our favorite!

After spending some time at the creeks, walk back to the town center and enjoy the picturesque waterfront. There are plenty of seafood restaurants to choose from!

If you prefer not to walk to the creeks, you can also visit them by boat. Boats depart regularly from Cassis harbor.

Day 4: Avignon

Highlights: Palace of the Popes, Pont d’Avignon, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

Drive to Avignon and explore the Palace of the Popes, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest Gothic buildings in Europe. It was the Pope’s residence for much of the 14th century, before the papal seat returned to Rome.

The Pont d’Avignon, the famous broken Roman bridge, is another important landmark. Rather than walking on it (which isn’t really necessary, especially if you’re only in Avignon for the day), you can enjoy lovely views of it from the Rocher des Doms park.

In the town, you may stroll through Avignon’s cobblestone streets, stopping at Les Halles market to stock up for a picnic lunch (open in the morning from Tuesday-Sunday). Alternatively, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (we will share our favorites with you when you book with us). We also know an excellent ice cream café!

Drive up to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and climb 124 steps to the top. It offers 360° views over the rooftops of Villeneuve-les-Avignon, the Rhône river, Palais des Papes and the Pont d'Avignon. 

Alternatively, we recommend visiting La Chartreuse, a medieval Carthusian monastery. You can wander through and absorb the atmosphere of the three cloisters, church, chapels, cells and communal spaces.

By now you will have worked up an appetite! If you book a tour with us, we’ll share our favorite local bistrot for a delicious meal!

See our tour of La Belle Provence, which will take you on a journey through the whole region

Day 5: Pont du Gard and Kayaking on the Gardon River

Highlights: Pont du Gard, kayaking under the aqueduct

Seeing the iconic Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage Site is an absolute must if you’re driving through Provence. 

If you book with us, we’ll share with you our favorite viewpoint of the bridge, and how to get there by car. 

If you like outdoor activities, you might enjoy kayaking along the Gardon River - you can rent kayaks in the area. Paddling under the aqueduct can be a unique and fun experience. Keep in mind that it will be extremely busy on the river if you’re visiting in July and August. Afterward, you can relax by the riverbank with a picnic or visit the charming nearby town of Uzès before heading back to Avignon.

If you’re particularly interested in seeing Roman ruins and you have time, we also highly recommend visiting the Roman amphitheater in Arles during your Provence road trip. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Arles you’ll get a taste of ancient Rome while exploring the amphitheater, baths, and Romanesque churches.

Other options for your road trip in Provence

This is just one suggested itinerary for a 5-day road trip through Provence. If you book a tour with us, we will ask you about your interests and the places you want to visit. Then we’ll craft an itinerary that’s tailored exactly to your preferences.

For example:

• If you tell us you enjoy exploring big cities, we may recommend spending a day in Marseille.
• If you’re exploring Provence by car between June and August, we’ll suggest the best places to see the lavender fields in bloom, such as Valensole and Sault.
• If you’re a fan of van Gogh, we’ll suggest spending a day in Saint-Remy-de-Provence and Arles, where van Gogh lived and painted toward the end of his life. From Arles, you may like to drive up to Les Baux for sunset.
• If you are a nature and wildlife lover, we’ll suggest spending a day birding or horseback riding in the Camargue.

Explore Provence with Our Driving Itineraries

France Just For You specializes in crafting personalized France tour packages that showcase the best of France. We’ll help you experience the ‘real’ France like the locals, exploring by car at your own pace. With carefully selected B&B or boutique hotel accommodations, a detailed itinerary, and support from us when you need it, you’ll enjoy a stress-free journey through our beautiful country.

Ready to plan your Provence road trip? We would love to hear from you so we can start planning your next adventure! Contact us via our contact form or complete our trip-planning form.