The Joy of Slow Travel in Provence: Tips for an Unforgettable Journey

The South of France teaches us, thirsty wanderers, the art of slow travel, and Provence is the perfect school to master this skill. The region fosters tranquility with its countless charming villages, sun-drenched vineyards, fragrant lavender fields, and endless hiking trails. However, the reality sets in — because the region is vast, it is nearly impossible to explore all its popular locations and hidden gems in just a couple of weeks.

Although I genuinely tried. On my first trip to Provence, I did my best to fit all the fabulous places to visit and things to do into a two-week travel itinerary. By day five of rushing through the South of France, I was exhausted. So, the executive decision was made (with some healthy pressure from my travel companions) to slow down and savor the journey.

And so we did. At that very moment, the region truly revealed all of its beautiful colors. We ended up having a great time despite not visiting all the fabulous locations on our travel itinerary. What we gained instead was the flexibility to change plans, linger in places we loved, and move on from places that did not resonate with us. I invite you to consider slow travel in Provence as an option, and I am happy to share some travel tips to hopefully make your journey even more memorable.

Getting Ready for Slow Travel in Provence

Planning a trip to Provence? Here’s a useful list of resources to help you make the most of your journey:

1. Booking Airplane Tickets: Get ready for your trip in advance by booking the best airplane tickets to Nice or Marseilles. Compare prices here.
2. Booking Accommodation: Find the perfect place to stay during your trip to Provence by browsing accommodation options.
3. Renting a Car: Explore Provence with ease by renting a car for your travels. Find the best deals and options for your trip.
4. Booking Trips and Activities: Enhance your Provence travel experience by booking tours, activities, and excursions in advance. Look for reputable tour operators and activity providers to ensure a memorable trip.
5. Travel Insurance: Protect yourself and your belongings by purchasing travel insurance for your trip to Provence. Explore different insurance options to find the coverage that suits your needs.

What Are the Benefits of Slow Travel in Provence?

Slow travel opens options to not only observing the life of the region but actually integrating into it. This is especially felt when you stay not in big cities like Aix-en-Provence and Avignon, but in less touristy towns and villages. There, life flows slowly, and people have time for each other.

The local café owner remembers what you prefer for lunch. Folks passing by smile and even stop to ask how you are doing. The baker, the butcher, and the fruit vendor set aside fresh produce for you—care is the absolute charm of slow travel.

The stress level on  such journeys is also much lower. There is no need to rush anywhere, trying to see everything mentioned in hundreds of travel blogs in one day. And there is no irritation from having to choose and sacrifice something.

Even more so, with the slower pace of travel comes the acceptance that you can’t see everything. But that’s okay, because the good memories you have already made are very valuable and enough. Everything is enough.

Finally, slow travel is often more sustainable and cost-effective. Staying longer in one location reduces the environmental impact of frequent transportation and allows you to take advantage of long-term accommodation discounts, making your travel both eco-friendly and budget-friendly.

Provence Travel Tips for Slow Travelers

1. Choose a Central Base: Select a charming town or village as your home base, such as Saint-Rémy-de-Provence or Vaison-la-Romaine. This will allow you to explore the region at a leisurely pace without constantly moving accommodations.

2. Embrace Local Markets: Visit local markets for fresh produce and regional specialties: cantaloupes from Cavaillon, candied fruits from Apt, or the legendary almond calissons are just a few of the delicacies to try. Engaging with vendors and sampling local foods is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the Provencal lifestyle.

3. Rent a Bicycle: Biking through the picturesque landscapes of Provence offers a slow and scenic way to explore the countryside, discover hidden gems, and experience the region’s natural beauty.

4. Venture on Exploratory Road Trips: You don’t even need a specific destination in mind; just hit the road and see where it leads. Many memorable road trips in Provence often begin with something like, “And then I saw a charming castle on the hill and decided to take a detour. It turned out to be fantastic!” It is the best French road trip idea, if you ask me.

5. Savor Everything Provence Is Famous For: Local games? Pétanque! Local drinks? Pastice. Local delicacies? Tapenades, Calissons, Brandade, and soupe au pistou. 

The Best Places to Stay for Slow Travel in Provence

When on a short-term visit to the region, the rule of thumb is to choose a larger town as a base—Aix-en-Provence or Avignon immediately come to mind. These are great locations in many regards. They offer a more robust selection of accommodations, have supermarkets and cafes that might close later in the day or open earlier, and are packed with entertainment, including museums, gardens, galleries, and numerous shopping sites. These are all valid benefits.

But if you consider taking it slowly in the region, I can wholeheartedly recommend looking into smaller towns and even villages and choosing those as your base. Some great options include:

• Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: This town is a popular recommendation for slow travel wanderers, offering a convenient blend of cultural richness and day-to-day relaxed living, as well as easy access to lavender trips and other popular regional activities. The local markets, quaint cafes, and historical sites provide an authentic Provencal experience. Take a moment to discover the delightful places to stay in this serene area.
• Vaison-la-Romaine: A charming location known for its flamboyant mix of Roman ruins, a medieval cathedral, and a modern part of town. This place is not shy of art galleries, numerous cafes, and a bustling local market. Find your cozy retreat among the lovely lodging options in this area.
• Sablet: With its scenic hills allowing for rentals with fabulous views of the Haut Vaucluse, Sablet is neither as big as Aix nor as touristy as Gordes. It’s far from a “museum village,” which is the best thing one could wish for when looking for a slow travel base. Sablet has its fair share of cafes, and grocery shopping can be done with local vendors. For adventurers, there are plenty of places to explore right outside the village. Feel free to explore the lovely places to stay and make the most of your slow travel experience.

Of course, considering the pace of life these days and the trend towards remote work, the situation in the region is changing very quickly. Towns that were considered quiet and remote from tourist influxes just a year ago may now be rising stars, attracting the attention of ravelers. Just ten years ago, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence was on the periphery of tourism, and travelers would inquire in detail about it before deciding to add it to their list of places worth visiting in Provence. Today, it is almost the top recommendation for those seeking that slow travel experience.

But even considering the rapidly changing situation in the region, the key rule is not to be afraid of choosing smaller towns and villages as your base. They are unlikely to disappoint visually—everything in Provence is beautiful! But they will certainly ensure that you can become a part of that very unhurried, measured life of the region.

What Is the Best Time to Travel to Provence?

Provence is travel-friendly year-round. If you do well with hot days and don’t mind thousands of other tourists, then summer is the most spectacular season to see the region. If you are wondering if Provence is worth visiting in autumn, winter, or spring, then yes — 100%. This region is stunning regardless of the season; it just has a different vibe depending on the chosen month.

Things to Do in Provence in Summer

Let’s get the most obvious season covered first, shall we? Each year, Provence attracts around 10 million tourists, with the majority visiting during the summer. This comes as no surprise, as July through August is the time for the iconic lavender trips in Valensole and other areas. The South of France lures visitors with its sandy beaches, warm turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, and abundant sunshine. The markets across all the popular towns and villages are filled with fresh local farmers’ produce. The appeal is obvious.

For slow travelers, summer months in Provence are a great time to enjoy the full lavender cycle, from fields starting to bloom in late June to farmers harvesting the fragrant flowers in the second half of August. The options are limitless: from self-guided trips to guided stunning sunset tours.

Renting a car and driving through the region, visiting its lesser-known villages, attending farmers’ markets, playing pétanque, and enjoying pastis are among the other treats that the summer season offers.

Camargue, often overlooked by travelers who only have a couple of weeks to explore Provence, has a salt harvesting season in summer. At Gorges du Verdon, you can kayak the river, hike the area, or simply sunbathe by the lake. Then there are also the iconic destinations like Gordes or Roussillon, and the guided tour options here are abundant.

Evenings are perfect for exploring bigger towns like Avignon or Aix-en-Provence and enjoying wine and food on the summer terraces of numerous cafes.

Things to Do in Provence in Autumn

In September, the temperature drops, and so does the influx of tourists. Provence remains a popular travel destination during autumn, so it is still a good idea to book accommodation and a vehicle in advance. To me, however, Provence feels very different in autumn. As the spasm of the summer travel rush subsides, the markets brim with autumn produce, and milder weather opens limitless possibilities for outdoor activities.

While Provence is indeed friendly to tourism year-round, there are certain areas that you might not get a chance to visit in July and August. Calanques de Cassis is one of them. Scorching temperatures pose a health hazard in summer. Come autumn, however, and you are more than welcome to enjoy hiking in the area and swimming in the clear blue water, or splurge on a stunning full-day shore excursion.

Charming hilltop villages like Gordes are kinder to tourists in autumn, too. During my initial road trip through Provence in summer, I found it nearly impossible to drag myself up the “postcard-perfect” cobbled streets of Gordes. I simply declined to do it in the 35°C weather. In October, however, the experience was different. I enjoyed leisurely strolls through the village, followed by souvenir shopping, gastronomic delights, and simply being in the right place at the right time.

Autumn is also the time for grape harvesting and the festivals that come with it. One of the most popular events is the Grape Harvesting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. There are many great guided wine tours that will allow you to savor the wine without worrying about drinking and driving. Another wine festival celebrated throughout the region is the release of Beaujolais Nouveau in November. There is also the Truffle Festival in Richerenches and the Chestnut Festival in Collobrières.

Ultimately, embracing slow travel in Provence during autumn ensures a deeper connection with the region’s authenticity and a more rewarding experience overall.

Things to Do in Provence in Winter

In winter, Provence becomes noticeably cooler. Temperatures drop to 5-10°C. Snow covers the mountains. The streets become deserted, and not all cafes remain open, which is especially noticeable in the small villages of the region. Nevertheless, the region usually basks in sunshine, the sky is clear, and life slows down – the frantic pace of the tourist season gives way to a time for rest, exploring the region, and having all the iconic tourist spots to oneself.

December is the season for Christmas markets in towns and villages. Ski enthusiasts head straight to the numerous ski resorts in Provence. In January, you can enjoy a trip to the French Riviera and, taking advantage of seasonal discounts, rent a place and live right by the sea in Nice. February marks the start of the famous Lemon Festival in Menton, and as spring approaches, the unique sound and light show Carrières des Lumières takes place.

Things to Do in Provence in Spring

In the spring, Provence delights with gentle weather, warm days, and cool nights. This time of the year, the region is awash with blooming peonies and poppies. Market stalls are filled with freshly grown artichokes and asparagus. This is a wonderful season for outdoor activities.

Start your adventure by hiking through the picturesque Luberon Valley and the stunning Verdon Gorge, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the river. Visit Aix-en-Provence to walk the Terrain des Peintres, a trail that follows in the footsteps of the famous artist Cézanne, or take a trip to the seaside.

Don’t miss the numerous food festivals that take place on the streets, celebrating the region’s culinary heritage. These festivals offer a chance to taste regional specialties and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Provençal towns. Whether you’re exploring charming villages, hiking scenic trails, or savoring the local cuisine, spring in Provence offers a memorable and enriching experience.

Slow Travel in Provence: Final Thoughts

Slow travel in Provence offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the region’s rich culture, vibrant food scene, and unique activities. By taking your time, you can explore the region’s hidden and not-so-hidden gems at a relaxed pace, allowing for a deeper connection with the local way of life.