Provence is one of those rare destinations that delivers on every promise. The light really is golden, the villages really do cling to hilltops like something from a painting, and the lavender fields really do stretch to the horizon in rolling purple waves. A five-day itinerary gives you enough time to experience the best of this extraordinary region without rushing — from Roman ruins and papal palaces to hilltop villages, bustling markets, and the famous lavender plateau.
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This guide covers a practical, day-by-day route through Provence that works whether you’re visiting in lavender season (mid-June to early August) or any other time of year. Every recommendation is based on real distances, real driving times, and real logistics — no invented statistics, no filler.
Before You Go: Practical Essentials
Best Time to Visit
Provence has two peak windows. Mid-June to early August brings the lavender bloom — the Valensole plateau is at its best from late June to mid-July. September and October offer warm days, thinner crowds, and harvest season across the vineyards. Spring (April–May) is lovely but can be unpredictable with rain.
Avoid the first two weeks of August if you can. Half of France goes on holiday and prices spike across the region.
Getting Around
You need a car. Public transport exists between major towns (Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Arles), but the hilltop villages, lavender fields, and gorges that make Provence special are only accessible by road. Hire a car from Avignon TGV station or Marseille airport.
Most drives in this itinerary are between 30 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes. The roads are generally excellent, though some village approaches involve narrow lanes with sharp bends.
Where to Base Yourself
Two strong options: Avignon for the first night (central, well-connected, good restaurants) and then a Luberon village such as Gordes or Bonnieux for the remaining nights. Alternatively, base yourself in Aix-en-Provence for the full trip — it’s a beautiful town with easy access to all five days of this itinerary, though Day 1 requires a longer drive.
Day 1: Avignon and Pont du Gard
Morning: The Palais des Papes
Start in Avignon, the medieval city that served as the seat of the papacy for nearly 70 years in the 14th century. The Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) dominates the old town — it’s the largest Gothic palace in Europe and genuinely impressive even if medieval history isn’t your usual thing. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the visit. The tablet-guided tour is well done and brings the stripped-back interiors to life.
Afterwards, walk across to the Pont d’Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet). The famous bridge only has four of its original 22 arches remaining, but the setting on the Rhône is striking. Combined tickets with the Palais are available and save a few euros.
Afternoon: Pont du Gard
Drive 30 minutes west to the Pont du Gard, the remarkably preserved Roman aqueduct that spans the Gardon river. Built in the 1st century AD to carry water to Nîmes, it stands nearly 50 metres high and remains one of the finest Roman engineering achievements anywhere in the world.
You can walk across the top level, swim in the river below (summer months), and explore the excellent museum on site. Budget 2 to 3 hours here. The late afternoon light on the honey-coloured stone is superb for photography.
Driving time: Avignon to Pont du Gard — 30 minutes. Pont du Gard back to Avignon or onward to the Luberon — 1 hour.
Market day tip: Avignon’s covered market (Les Halles) runs Tuesday to Sunday mornings. Saturday is the biggest day.
Day 2: The Luberon Villages — Gordes, Roussillon, and Bonnieux
Morning: Gordes
The Luberon is the Provence of postcards — honey-stone villages perched on ridges above valleys of olive groves and vineyards. Start at Gordes, regularly listed among the most beautiful villages in France. The approach road from the D2 gives you the famous panoramic view of the village cascading down the hillside. Stop at the viewpoint for photographs before driving into the village itself.
Wander the steep lanes, visit the 11th-century château, and if you have time, drive 4 kilometres north to the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque. This 12th-century Cistercian abbey surrounded by lavender fields is one of the most photographed scenes in all of France. The lavender is at its best in late June and early July.
Midday: Roussillon
Drive 20 minutes east to Roussillon, a village built entirely from the ochre-rich earth that surrounds it. The buildings glow in shades of red, orange, and deep yellow — completely unlike anywhere else in Provence. Walk the Sentier des Ocres (Ochre Trail), a 30 to 45-minute loop through the old ochre quarries. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dusty — the ochre stains everything.
Roussillon has several good lunch spots in the village centre. Eat on a terrace with views over the Luberon valley.
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Afternoon: Bonnieux and Lacoste
Continue 15 minutes south to Bonnieux, a quieter alternative to Gordes with equally stunning views across the valley to Lacoste and Ménerbes. The 12th-century church at the top of the village is worth the climb for the panorama alone.
If time allows, drive 5 minutes to Lacoste, the tiny village dominated by the ruins of the Marquis de Sade’s château (now owned by fashion designer Pierre Cardin). It’s a 20-minute wander but atmospheric.
Driving times: Gordes to Roussillon — 20 minutes. Roussillon to Bonnieux — 15 minutes. Total driving for the day — under 1 hour.
Market days: Gordes — Tuesday. Roussillon — Thursday. Bonnieux — Friday.
Day 3: Aix-en-Provence
Morning: The Old Town
Aix-en-Provence is Provence’s most elegant town — a university city with wide, tree-lined boulevards, dozens of fountains, and a café culture that rivals Paris. Drive 1 hour south from the Luberon (or 30 minutes from Avignon via the A7 motorway).
Start on the Cours Mirabeau, the grand avenue lined with plane trees that divides the old town from the Mazarin quarter. The cafés here have been serving locals and visitors since the 17th century — Les Deux Garçons (now rebuilt after a fire) is the most famous.
Wander north into the old town through the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville and the daily flower market. The lanes here are full of independent shops, bakeries, and small galleries. Aix is famous for its calissons — almond-shaped sweets made from ground almonds and candied melon. Buy some from the Confiserie du Roy René.
Afternoon: Cézanne’s Aix
Paul Cézanne was born in Aix and painted the surrounding landscape obsessively, particularly Mont Sainte-Victoire, the limestone mountain visible from across the city. Visit his studio (Atelier Cézanne) on the northern edge of town — it’s been preserved as he left it, with his easel, brushes, and the objects that appear in his still-life paintings. It’s small but genuinely moving.
For a deeper dive, drive 15 minutes east to the Terrain des Peintres on the Chemin de la Marguerite, where Cézanne set up his easel to paint Mont Sainte-Victoire. The mountain view from here is magnificent and largely unchanged since the 1890s.
Market days: Aix has markets every day. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday are the biggest — the Saturday market on Place des Prêcheurs is exceptional.
Driving time: Luberon to Aix — approximately 1 hour.
Day 4: Lavender Fields, Valensole Plateau, and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Morning: The Valensole Plateau
This is the day that defines a Provence summer. Drive 1 hour 15 minutes northeast from Aix (or 1 hour from the Luberon) to the Valensole plateau — the largest lavender-growing area in Provence. From late June to mid-July, the fields are a sea of purple stretching to every horizon.
There’s no single “best spot” — the entire plateau is covered in lavender and the roads between Valensole village and Puimoisson offer endless photo opportunities. Drive slowly, stop often, and avoid trampling the crops (farmers are understandably protective). Early morning or late afternoon light is best for photography.
The plateau also grows sunflowers and wheat, so even outside lavender season, the patchwork landscape is beautiful.
Afternoon: Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Continue 30 minutes north to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of the most dramatically situated villages in France. It’s wedged into a gap in the limestone cliffs above the turquoise waters of Lac de Sainte-Croix. A gold star hangs on a chain between the two cliff faces above the village — legend says it was placed there by a returning Crusader knight.
The village is famous for its faïence (hand-painted pottery) and has been producing it since the 17th century. Several workshops and showrooms line the narrow streets. Walk up to the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Beauvoir above the village for extraordinary views down to the lake and the Verdon gorge beyond.
If you have time, drive 15 minutes to the shores of Lac de Sainte-Croix for a swim or pedal-boat hire. The water is a startling shade of turquoise.
Driving times: Aix to Valensole — 1 hour 15 minutes. Valensole to Moustiers — 30 minutes. Moustiers back to Luberon — 1 hour 30 minutes.
Best season: Late June to mid-July for peak lavender. The plateau and Moustiers are worth visiting year-round, but the lavender transforms the experience entirely.
Day 5: Les Baux-de-Provence and Arles
Morning: Les Baux-de-Provence
Drive 45 minutes west from the Luberon (or 30 minutes from Avignon) to Les Baux-de-Provence, a fortified village built into the rocky spur of the Alpilles mountains. The ruined château at the summit offers sweeping views across the Camargue to the sea on clear days.
Just below the village, the Carrières de Lumières is an immersive art experience housed in a former limestone quarry. Giant projections of famous artworks cover the walls, floors, and ceilings of the cavernous space. The exhibitions change annually — check the current programme before visiting. It’s genuinely spectacular and unlike any gallery experience elsewhere.
Allow 1.5 hours for Les Baux village and the Carrières combined.
Afternoon: Arles
Drive 20 minutes south to Arles, the ancient Roman city that captivated Van Gogh. The Roman amphitheatre (Les Arènes) still hosts events and is remarkably intact — you can walk the upper tiers for views across the rooftops. The Roman theatre nearby is smaller but atmospheric.
Van Gogh lived in Arles for 15 months in 1888-89 and produced over 300 paintings here, including The Yellow House, Starry Night Over the Rhône, and Café Terrace at Night. The Fondation Vincent van Gogh in the old town hosts excellent exhibitions. You can also follow the Van Gogh trail — plaques around the city mark the exact spots where he set up his easel.
End the day at the Place du Forum, the square where Van Gogh painted his famous café scene. The café (now called Le Café La Nuit) has leaned into its fame, but the square itself is a lovely spot for a final glass of rosé.
Driving times: Luberon to Les Baux — 45 minutes. Les Baux to Arles — 20 minutes. Arles to Avignon (for departure) — 40 minutes.
Market days: Arles — Saturday (one of the best markets in Provence, stretching along the Boulevard des Lices). Wednesday has a smaller market.
Budget Tips
Provence is not a cheap destination, but a few strategies help. Book accommodation in smaller villages (Bonnieux, Roussillon) rather than Gordes or Aix for significantly lower rates. Eat lunch as your main meal — many restaurants offer a formule déjeuner (set lunch) at a fraction of dinner prices. Buy wine directly from domaines rather than shops. And fill up on petrol at supermarket stations (Intermarché, Leclerc) rather than village pumps.
Museum passes exist for Avignon, Arles, and the Pont du Gard — check each city’s tourism office website for current offers.
Getting There and Away
The TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon reaches Avignon TGV in 2 hours 40 minutes. Marseille Provence Airport has direct flights from most major European cities and is 45 minutes from Aix-en-Provence. Car hire is available at both Avignon TGV and Marseille airport.
If you’re driving from further afield, the A7 motorway (Autoroute du Soleil) runs from Lyon to Marseille via Avignon — it’s a toll road but fast and well-maintained.
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Final Thoughts
Five days in Provence strikes a good balance between seeing the highlights and actually relaxing into the rhythm of the region. You could easily spend a fortnight here and still find new villages, vineyards, and views around every corner. But this itinerary covers the essentials — Roman history, hilltop villages, lavender fields, great food, and some of the most beautiful light in Europe.
The key is not to rush. Provence rewards slow mornings, long lunches, and late-afternoon drives when the light turns everything golden. Leave room for the unplanned stop — the roadside vineyard offering tastings, the village square with a fountain and no tourists, the field of lavender you weren’t expecting.
That’s Provence at its best.
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