4-Day Itinerary in Provence: Tips, What to See and Where to Stay

Provence is a land that captivates with its authentic beauty, made of picturesque villages, colourful markets and relaxing atmospheres. Having already visited Marseille on a previous trip, we decided to go back to Provence for four days dedicated to discovering new corners of this region.

On a Ryanair flight we landed at Marseille airport, where we immediately rented a car to explore all the wonders of this land with maximum freedom.

In short: four days in Provence, by car from Marseille: day 1 Aix-en-Provence (Cézanne’s city), day 2 the villages of the Luberon (Lourmarin, Roussillon, Gordes), day 3 Avignon (with the Palace of the Popes), day 4 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Arles, on the trail of Van Gogh. Without a car, the main towns (Aix, Avignon, Arles) are reachable by train, while for the more inland villages an organised tour is the way to go. For the lavender fields, the right period runs from mid-June to mid-July.

And if you’d rather not rent a car?

The larger towns such as Aix-en-Provence, Avignon and Arles are easily reachable by train. To explore the villages of the Luberon and the more inland ones, instead, you can rely on convenient guided tours. On GetYourGuide you’ll find loads of organised options for visiting Provence stress-free. And, as always, a reminder that if you enter the code ANGELAISAI5 you also get a discount on any attraction or experience you decide to book!

If you don’t have a car, I’d recommend staying first in Marseille or Aix-en-Provence and then in Avignon: you’ll see they make very convenient bases for your tour.

Day 1: Aix-en-Provence

Our first stop was Aix-en-Provence, an elegant and refined city that perfectly embodies the Provençal soul. It wasn’t our first time in Aix, and yet, strolling through its little streets, we fell in love all over again with its atmosphere.

Aix is known above all for having been the city of the famous painter Paul Cézanne, who was born here and lived here until his death. The studio where he worked in the last years of his life, the Atelier des Lauves, was closed for renovation when we visited. It then reopened in 2025 after the works, but with seasonal opening: in 2026, for example, it can be visited from 4 July to 31 October (full entry €9.50). If you care about seeing it, always check the updated dates on the official website before going, because out of season it’s closed.

Where to stay in Aix-en-Provence?

We chose a place a 5-minute walk from the centre, but with the convenience of free parking included and a pool we could use. I have to say we had a great time! You can find it HERE on Booking, “La Chambre Cézanne”.

What to see in Aix-en-Provence

Cours Mirabeau: the elegant tree-lined avenue full of historic cafés and refined shops.
Place d’Albertas: a charming little square famous for its fountain.
Place de l’Hôtel de Ville: characterised by the clock tower and surrounded by historic buildings.
Historic fountains: Aix is nicknamed the “City of a Thousand Fountains”. Don’t miss the Fontaine Moussue, the Fontaine de la Rotonde and the Fontaine des Augustins.
Saint-Sauveur Cathedral: an architectural gem blending different styles, from Romanesque to Gothic.
Musée Granet: for art lovers, it houses a rich collection of paintings and sculptures.

We also devoted some time to the markets, which I particularly love. Aix offers several (I’d recommend checking the updated times before going):

Textile, crafts and antiques market: every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday on Cours Mirabeau, Rue Thiers and Place Verdun.
Food market: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in Place Verdun and Place des Prêcheurs.
Fish and food market: every day in Place Richelme.
Flower market: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, and Wednesday, Friday and Sunday in Place des Prêcheurs.

At the end of the day we enjoyed a relaxing sunset in the wonderful Pavillon de Vendôme, a historic park that’s home to a splendid 17th-century mansion surrounded by beautifully kept gardens.

Day 2: Lourmarin, Roussillon and Gordes

In short: the second day is dedicated to the villages of the Luberon: Lourmarin (with its Renaissance castle), Roussillon (famous for its ochre quarries) and Gordes (perched on the hillside).

We said goodbye to Aix-en-Provence to head towards Lourmarin, just 35 minutes away by car. If instead you want to take public transport, you can go for bus 909. To get around, use Google Maps’ “transit” function, which is always accurate in suggesting the best option, and then check the updated times online.

Where to stay in Lourmarin?

Here we stayed in a really lovely place that we liked a lot. We chose the “studio with kitchen” type so we could come home in the evening and eat on our patio surrounded by nature. A plus for me: the pool! It’s called Les Chêneslierres and you’ll find it HERE on Booking.

Lourmarin, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful villages in Provence, with its welcoming alleyways, local boutiques and the imposing Château de Lourmarin, a Renaissance castle not to be missed.

After a walk through the village, we moved on to Roussillon, famous for its wonderful ochre quarries, which tint the landscape with unique colours, offering postcard scenery and breathtaking views. Here I’d recommend stopping for a sweet treat at the Boulangerie Au Temps Passé.

Finally we headed towards Gordes, which will win you over with its old-world charm. Perched on a hill, this village offers spectacular views over the surrounding valley and little streets full of artisan workshops and typical little restaurants.

Day 3: Avignon

In short: the third day is dedicated to Avignon, with the Palace of the Popes, the famous Saint-Bénezet Bridge and the Les Halles market.

We devoted the third day to Avignon, a city rich in history. Although I have to admit that, of all the towns we visited, it’s perhaps the one I liked the least.

Not to be missed here:

The Palace of the Popes, the symbol of the city and one of the greatest examples of European Gothic architecture.
The Saint-Bénezet Bridge, famous for the well-known folk song.
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame des Doms.
The Les Halles market, perfect for discovering local flavours.
The gardens of the Rocher des Doms (partly under renovation at the moment).
The Petit Palais Museum.
The Île de la Barthelasse, for a relaxing walk.

For lunch we stopped at Chez Nine, a small place where the menu changes every day because all the dishes are prepared fresh on the spot. I tried a ricotta and spinach quiche that was really delicious. In the evening we headed back to Lourmarin for a quiet dinner.

Avignon could still be a great place to stay and then continue your trip through Provence to explore the nearby villages. Perhaps, if I went back, I’d stay here for the last night. 🙂

Day 4: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Arles

In short: the last day is split between Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (with the monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, where Van Gogh lived for a year) and Arles, a Roman city also linked to Van Gogh and close to the Camargue.

Our last day began with Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a little gem rich in art and history. Not to be missed here:

Nostradamus Fountain
Boulevard Mirabeau
The archaeological site of Glanum
Estrine Museum, dedicated to Van Gogh
Hôtel de Sade mansion
Château de Roussan
Les Alpilles nature park, for those with more time for hikes in nature.

For lunch we chose Le Goustarou, where I had a savoury galette with buckwheat flour, ratatouille and egg. Delicious!

Before leaving Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, we made an unmissable stop at the former monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. This place was also a psychiatric hospital, famous above all because Vincent Van Gogh spent a whole year here, during which he created extraordinary works such as the celebrated “The Starry Night”. Today, for around €10, you can visit the room where he stayed, faithfully recreated, walk in the gardens that inspired many of his paintings and admire the atmospheric medieval cloister. A unique experience that I absolutely recommend! There’s no need to book, you can buy the ticket on the spot.

If you want to watch the video I created about the monastery, you can find it on my Instagram profile HERE.

In the afternoon we moved on to Arles, another city rich in history and famous for being linked to Van Gogh. Absolute must-sees:

The Cathedral of Saint-Trophime and the Place de la République.
The Roman amphitheatre, built in the 1st century AD.
The Ancient Theatre, one of the first stone theatres of the Roman era.
Espace Van Gogh, the former hospital where Van Gogh was treated and today a cultural space with gardens.
Thermes de Constantin, 4th-century Roman baths.

Arles is also close to the Camargue nature park, famous for its pink flamingos and white horses, ideal for an extra visit. Here we ate really well at Saveurs et Terroirs, with a sandwich drenched in delicious grilled cheese and with a view of the amphitheatre!

Provence really is a region full of charm, with so many other villages and wonderful views just waiting to be explored. My dream is to go back one day, ideally in late June to finally see the lavender fields!

I hope this article has been useful for organising your next trip to Provence! 🌿

What to pack for Provence

Frequently asked questions about Provence

How many days do you need to visit Provence?

With 4 days you see a lot: we combined an elegant city like Aix-en-Provence, the villages of the Luberon (Lourmarin, Roussillon, Gordes), Avignon and the Saint-Rémy–Arles pairing linked to Van Gogh. If you have a few more days you can add the Camargue or devote yourself to the lavender fields in season.

Do you need a car to visit Provence?

For the villages of the Luberon and the more inland towns a car really makes the difference, and that’s what we chose. If you’d rather not drive, the main towns (Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles) are easily reachable by train, and for the villages you can rely on organised tours leaving from the towns.

When to go to Provence to see the lavender fields?

Lavender blooms roughly from mid-June to mid-July, with the peak usually around the first half of July (for example on the Valensole plateau). We went at a different time and the fields weren’t yet in bloom, so if it’s your dream, plan for that window.

What’s the most beautiful village in Provence?

It’s very subjective, but for us Lourmarin was one of the most beautiful, with its alleyways and Renaissance castle. Roussillon too, with its ochre quarries, and Gordes, perched on the hill, are truly breathtaking. Avignon, on the other hand, although rich in history, is the one that impressed us the least.