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Heading further away from Avignon? Make sure to check out the town of Orange. Here, you\u2019ll find the ancient 1st-century AD Th\u00e9\u00e2tre Antique, which is one of the best places in Provence to visit.<\/p>\n
Here, you\u2019ll get to watch performances, comedies, and acrobatics during the Roman era. In the present time, the theatre is used for cultural events like Les Chor\u00e9gies d\u2019Orange.<\/p>\n
Other must-see spots in Orange are the Arc de Triomphe, the H\u00e9micycle, and the Mus\u00e9e d\u2019Art et d\u2019Histoire, where you need to check out the Mosaique des Centaures.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places in Avignon to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n2.) Les Baux de Provence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
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Les Baux de Provence is like a heading back in time. It totally looks incredible and is easily one of the best places in Provence to visit as you head around the region.<\/p>\n
Here, you\u2019ll get to experience a glimpse of the Middle Ages by visiting Les Baux-de-Provence by strolling its streets. It\u2019s so picturesque, especially with all its stone buildings, flower-filled terraces, quaint galleries, and cobblestone streets.<\/p>\n
After arriving, you have to head over to Ch\u00e2teau des Baux. It\u2019s a stunning castle, albeit, in ruins that\u2019s well worth taking a gander at. Then, pop over to Eglise Saint-Vincent and the Mus\u00e9e Yves, too. The latter is great if the weather takes a turn and you\u2019re looking for some epic places indoors.<\/p>\n
Getting peckish? Grab a yummy lunch at Le Bouchon Rouge. Their crepes and pates are so good.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3.) Cassis<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Best](\"https:\/\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/2023\/01\/25\/14-very-best-places-in-provence-to-visit\/\")
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Once considered a hidden gem, Cassis has become much more well-known over the last few decades. Though, that isn\u2019t a negative. In fact, it\u2019s still one of the best places in Provence to visit that\u2019s right on the coast and a stone\u2019s throw from the nearby city of Marseille.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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With its white cliffs, Cassis is a totally gorgeous spot to visit in Summer, especially when the weather is hot. We love the little coves and bays around this area, especially; Calanque de Port Pin and Calanque d\u2019En-vau which are not too far away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not only that, Cassis is world-renowned for its winemaking and you\u2019ll be able to try a tipple (or two) in loads of the little bars and restaurants that line its shorefront.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We popped into Le Grand Large and loved it. They serve up heaps of fresh seafood and their scallops are everything. Plus, you can usually find bouillabaisse<\/em> (a sort of fish stew) that\u2019s so tasty.\u00a0<\/p>\n4.) Gordes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Okay, for me, Gordes is idyllic and easily one of the best places in Provence to visit. Honestly, it\u2019s a place you can\u2019t miss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Perched in the region around Luberon Natural Regional Park, Gordes and its surroundings have been an inspiration to famous artists for their paintings for centuries (Marc Chagall and Victor Vasar\u00e9ly, to name a few). Trust me, you\u2019ll see why when you visit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After arriving, be sure to stop off at Ch\u00e2teau de Gordes and head inside the Les Caves du Palais Saint-Firmin which are well worth seeing.\u00a0Oh, and for some great views of Gordes, head to Point de vue sur Gordes<\/em>. It\u2019s easy to stop in the car and take in the views from here.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
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Nearby, you\u2019ll be able to drive to Village des Bories to see some of the UNESCO-protected stone ruins surrounding the area. There\u2019s also a gorgeous property to stay at, Les Bories & Spa, that\u2019s not too far away at all.<\/p>\n
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Finally, a great place to stay in the centre of Gordes is Airelles Gordes. The rooms are gorgeous and they easily make one of the best hot chocolate drinks I\u2019ve ever had!\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Since Gordes is around a 17-kilometre drive from Cavaillon and 40 kilometres away from Avignon, you can have some stopovers like in the Abbaye de S\u00e9nanque all along the way.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a totally scenic abbey and a spot to stretch your legs where you\u2019ll see all that beautiful (seasonally blooming) lavender. Just an FYI, the peak times for lavender blooms are mid-July.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places to see in Gordes<\/strong><\/p>\n5.) Uzes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For an authentic gem in Provence, do not forget to explore the village of Uzes. It\u2019s totally lovely to visit and is a small commune that\u2019s steeped in history.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You see, Uzes has gone through several periods, being a former Jewish enclave, a dukedom, a settlement of Romans, and a hamlet. Because of this mix, you can see a huge array of cultures and architectural influences, that make Uzes so special.<\/p>\n
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Once here, check out Pont du Gard and a castle in the town centre where a duke still resides and visit the Uz\u00e8s Medieval Garden that\u2019s totally quaint.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, and don\u2019t forget the Sunday market when you visit. You\u2019ll leave with bags of local treats.<\/p>\n
6.) Venasque<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Not only known for its cherries and grapes that are seasonally grown in this region of Provence, Venasque is also home to the pre-Romanesque Baptist\u00e8re de Venasque. It\u2019s one of France\u2019s oldest shrines and one of the best places in Provence to visit if you love history.<\/p>\n
Perched in the Venasque, you\u2019ll only spend a few hours in Venasque as it\u2019s pretty small. This makes it a perfect stopping point as part of a wider Provence road trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, you\u2019ll get to see the Roman walls, ancient ramparts, and the Baptistery which are beautiful to see. Plus, you\u2019ll see one of the most notable items in Venasque, the Crucifixion painting. You will find it in Notre Dame de Venasque and is well worth seeing whilst in the town.<\/p>\n
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For a tasty bite to eat in summer, check out Plein Air that\u2019s not too far away by car. It\u2019s an organic restaurant set on a farm which is so lovely. Plus, you get to eat outside and enjoy this beautiful region in the sunshine. We love it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
7.) L\u2019Isle-sur-la-Sorgue<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
A paradise for Antique hunters and market lovers, L\u2019Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is one of the best places in Provence to visit. A little bigger than spots like Gordes, you can easily spend a few days wandering the area and checking out this Provence island town that\u2019s totally unique.<\/p>\n
Talking about stalls, there are more than 300 stalls you can explore during the Sunday market. Plus, if you happen to have your trip on the first Sunday of August, be sure to check out the gloating market where wines and wares are sold by the locals.<\/p>\n
The historic watermills, boats and riverbank caf\u00e9s give L\u2019Isle-sur-la-Sorgue that charming atmosphere that makes Provence so special.<\/p>\n
8.) Saint-R\u00e9my de Provence<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Found in Alpilles Mountains\u2019 northern foothills, Saint-R\u00e9my de Provence is a peaceful place you have to visit.<\/p>\n
Kown by some as the spot where Vincent van Gogh spent a year in The Monast\u00e8re Saint-Paul de Mausole. Nowadays, you can visit his room and look at the copies of paintings he created whilst in the area.<\/p>\n
Plus,\u00a0if you want to know more about Van Gogh, you can head to the Mus\u00e9e Estrine where Van Gogh was given the Center of Interpretation.<\/p>\n
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Haven\u2019t seen an open market yet?<\/p>\n
Then, Saint-R\u00e9my de Provence is the place for you. It\u2019s one of the best places in Provence for markets and we love it. Once here, you can enjoy mingling with the locals on Wednesday mornings, when the Grand March\u00e9 Proven\u00e7al, which is a large market, spreads throughout the old town\u2019s main squares.<\/p>\n
Finally, you can also visit the Coll\u00e9giale Saint-Martin or the Glanum Excavation Site.<\/p>\n
When it comes to food, try the specialities of the region in La Roma (33 Boulevard Marceau), Chocolaterie Jo\u00ebl Durand (3 Boulevard Victor Hugo), Le Petit Duc, and a famous spot among locals, Le Bistro du Paradou. There\u2019s a heap of yummy spots and you\u2019ll be spoilt for choice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
9.) Arles<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Another place where Van Gogh resided in Provence is Arles.\u00a0In fact, you can stroll the\u00a0Van Gogh Circuit and see some of the spots where Van Gogh painted some 300 paintings around Arles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To this day, you can visit Langlois Bridge is one of his famous painting spots that still stands proudly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Van Gogh aside, Arles is also a UNESCO-protected site and has heaps of historical spots you can\u2019t miss. Of course, you have to explore the Roman Arles Amphitheatre which dates back millennia.<\/p>\n
Also, check out Alyscamps which leads over to a historic Roman cemetery in Arles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
10.) Aix-en-Provence<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Having Southern France\u2019s warmth and Paris\u2019 class, Aix-en-Provence is a must-see in the Provence Region. It\u2019s got that city feel that\u2019s perfect if you\u2019re preferring more of a city break in Provence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Throughout this area, you\u2019ll see heaps of historical spots and iconic places you can\u2019t miss. In fact, it\u2019s one of the best places in Provence to visit for its culture and history.<\/p>\n
Be sure to stroll through the boulevard of Cours Mirabeau where you can then meander through the smaller streets that join it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After taking a stroll, be sure to e Mus\u00e9e Granet, the Cath\u00e9drale Saint-Sauveur, the Atelier de C\u00e9zanne (studio), and marketplaces like Place des Pr\u00eacheurs for farmers\u2019 products and Place de la Mairie for flowers. It\u2019s a totally walkable city and they\u2019re all easy to spot along your meander through Aix-en-Provence.<\/p>\n
11.) Menton\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Nestled right on the border with Italy, Menton is one of the best places in Provence to visit as you follow the coastline.\u00a0Now, you can easily spend a few days in Menton, so make sure you plan your time wisely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, be sure to check out the totally gorgeous Jardins Biov\u00e8s which are right in the heart of Menton. The gardens are stunning and totally worth seeing on your walk around the area.<\/p>\n
Also, don\u2019t forget about March\u00e9 des Halles for its historic market that you can\u2019t miss. You\u2019ll easily grab a few treats whilst you\u2019re here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, although it\u2019s not Provence, you can easily visit the tiny country of Monaco whilst you\u2019re here. It\u2019s only around 15 minutes away and is the second-smallest country in the whole world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
12.) Roussillon<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Not too far from Gordes, Roussillon is one of the best places in Provence to visit whilst you drive further east from Avignon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Although small, Roussillon has heaps of little art galleries and the most lovely vineyard that\u2019s just outside the commune itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Now, although you won\u2019t spend days in Roussillon, it\u2019s well worth visiting for a few hours on your wider Provence itinerary. We loved it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: What to do in Gordes and Roussillon<\/strong><\/p>\n13.) Se\u0301guret<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Although small, S\u00e9guret is well worth a little gander to explore. Once here, be sure to stroll around the area of\u00a0Le Sentier des Ocres. Filled with yellow and red cliffs, there are marked hikes and walkways where you can explore this beautiful area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Best of all, S\u00e9guret is at the footings of Dentelles de Montmirail, a glorious mountain range that is perfect for hiking. This makes it easy to partner up a stay in Se\u0301guret with a wider exploration of the great outdoors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Also, not too far away from Se\u0301guret is Les Gorges du Toulourenc. It\u2019s a great hiking and kayaking spot that\u2019s totally beautiful in summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
14.) Dentelles de Montmirail<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
The mountain ranges in Provence are iconic and can\u2019t be missed as you head around the larger region. In fact, I\u2019d say that the Dentelles de Montmirail chain is one of the best places in Provence to visit if you love the great outdoors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Formed millions of years ago, during the Jurassic Period, the spiked and jagged towering mountains are so incredible to see. Best of all, there are hundreds of hiking trails that run all around the Dentelles de Montmirail that suit all different types of abilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Just be sure to pack plenty of water and wear some good hiking shoes. Trust me, you\u2019ll definitely need both of these as a bare minimum.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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That being said, if you don\u2019t fancy hiking, drive to the top of Mont Ventoux. It\u2019s the highest mountain in Provence and is often called the Giant of Provence by locals!<\/p>\n
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The views are breathtaking, but be sure to take warm clothes with you \u2013 the height makes it really chilly when you\u2019re at the top.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best cities in France to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n18 Very Best Cities In France To Visit<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n