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Provence is a sensory escape thanks to the smell of lavender fields, the beautiful hilltop villages, and the Roman ruins under endless skies. Nestled in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, it boasts a coastline rivaling the French Riviera and landscapes reminiscent of the Alps. With its mild climate, it is a year-round paradise. Rent a Villanovo luxury villa in Provence to enjoy the region’s natural beauty, rich culture, and timeless joie de vivre, in every season.
Provence is quite famous for its local gastronomy. The countryside is lined with grape vines, olive groves, and lavender fields. The Alpilles is particularly known for its AOC olive oil - Mouriès has over 80,000 trees - while the Camargue is France's second-largest salt producer. Each town has its own market brimming with farm-fresh produce, artisanal cheese, charcuterie, and honey. Both Uzés and Aix-en-Provence have enormous Saturday markets for filling up your shopping basket. The daily fish market at the Old Port of Marseille is frequented by chefs and locals alike.
Looking to taste wine in Provence? The best terroir-driven bottles can be found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Rhone Valley, Bandol, Cassis, and around Aix-en-Provence. Pair them with traditional dishes like artichokes barigoule, ratatouille, and daube, beef stew, and you will have the perfect Provençal meal.
The beautiful landscapes of Provence are beloved for their diversity. Find hilltop villages with scenic views in the Luberon, where Gordes has been voted one of the most beautiful villages in the world. This region is also famous for the red rock formations of the Colorado Provençal near Roussillon, a treat for the whole family. Further north, the steep slopes of Mont Ventoux, nicknamed the giant of Provence, are a popular climb at the Tour de France.
To the east, mountainous areas surround the Gorges de Verdon, the biggest canyon in Europe. Be sure to visit the nearby charmer of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Continue south to Marseille to Calanques National Park, limestone fjords that spill into turquoise coves of the Mediterranean Sea. Heading west along the coast, the Camargue, aka the Wild West of France, captivates with its pink salt lakes, at their peak pink in June.
Provence is famous for influencing many artists and writers throughout history. Particularly in the 19th and 20th century, they were lured to the south for its warmth and natural beauty, escaping cold, rainy Paris. Named for the writer Frederic Mistral, the mistral wind creates the clear skies that painters love. Follow in the footsteps of Paul Cezanne in Aix-en-Provence. Take the Cezanne trail, visit his studio, or head out of the city to visit his muse, Sainte-Victoire Mountain, which he painted over 80 times.
Inspired by Cezanne, Pablo Picasso moved to a beautiful ancient castle in Vauvenargues outside of Aix. He is actually buried there. Visits are rare, but ask your Villanovo concierge if they can book one. Vincent Van Gosh made both Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence famous. The Romain city of Arles is home to the Foundation Vincent Van Gogh which hosts temporary exhibitions. Van Gogh spent the last year of his life in an insane asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence where he created many masterpieces, including the famous painting "Starry Night". For contemporary art lovers, Provence has numerous art festivals, museums, and galleries, including the magnificent art walk amongst the vines at Chateau la Coste.
From medieval castles to Roman ruins, Provence is a treasure trove for history buffs. Visit the world's largest gothic palace in Avignon. The Palais des Papes was built in the Middle Ages when the city was a papal centre. Both exterior and interior of the 14th century palace are impressive - climb to the top of the towers for panoramic views. It is best to go early to avoid the crowds. Arles is home to remarkable Roman ruins, including a burial ground, Alyscamps, and a large amphitheatre, Arènes, that hosts bullfighting throughout the year.
Near Uzès, another ancient Roman town, the Pont du Gard is one of the most historic monuments in Provence. A UNESCO heritage site, the well-known aqueduct has a museum and paths to discover the site on foot, by bike, or even along the river in the summer months. Lastly, the preserved villages of the Luberon and the Alpilles invite people to stroll through history, along their cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings and churches.
Though it has been part of France for over 400 years, Provence is famous for its distinct cultural identity. The lifestyle is laid-back, its easy pace dictated by the sun. Full of joie de vivre, the people enjoy lounging on outdoor terrasses. Pull up a chair for a café, apéro (local happy hour), and a generous dose of conviviality.
Traditional boulangeries and colourful markets are staples to each village. Proof that Provence gastronomy is an important part of daily life. You will also often find locals playing pétanque, a sociable game that mirrors the people's friendliness. Provence is also all about pampering, with spas, gourmet restaurants, and sumptuous villas that are synonymous with luxury travel.
For memorable moments in Provence, have your Villanovo concierge book a special experience. Take a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Provençal recipes with a local chef, followed by a tasty meal that you will have cooked together. In Paradou in the Alpilles, try your hand at rock climbing via abseiling or a via ferrata, returning to terra firma on a fun zip line.
At Château Romanin in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, learn about biodynamic winemaking and visit the cellars during a private wine and olive oil tasting. Another one of the best ways to explore Provence is by bike. With an electric bike rental, you can enjoy breathtaking landscapes, gourmet picnics, vineyards and lavender fields without wearing yourself out.
Villanovo has an extensive catalogue of luxury villas in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur, including dream homes in Provence. We have handpicked the best villas near wine regions, family-friendly villas, even historic estates to rent for an unforgettable holiday. Find villas in the most beautiful villages of Provence like Gordes in the Luberon, Les Baux-de-Provence and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in Les Alpilles, or Aix en Provence, Avignon, Uzès, and Marseille.
Our attentive, hands-on concierges handle every detail so you can focus on enjoying your holidays. This personalised service tailors each trip to perfectly suit your needs including private tours, wine tastings, a private chef and more. The pièce de résistance? Every Villanovo stay comes with a travel booklet packed with our insider picks, including where to eat, drink, and shop and the best things to do in Provence.
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