Experienced Travelers are planning their summer vacation now. Especially when it comes to independent trips to Europe: you need time to sort out transport, book accommodation, and explore the sights. For those who have long dreamed of a holiday in France, we have prepared a detailed story about Provence from eyewitnesses - independent travelers.
When you imagine Provence, many associations immediately arise: fields of lavender, aromatic spices, mountains, impressionists. People from all over the world continue to come here, just like 100 years ago. Artists are looking for inspiration, city dwellers tired of the hustle and bustle are looking for harmony, gourmets are looking for delicious cuisine. The secret of Provence is that everyone finds something of their own here, what they need.
When is the best time to go?
My favorite time in Provence is September. Firstly, there is no longer any heat, but the sea, on the contrary, is warmed up. Secondly, there are fewer tourists, and it is easy to find a place on the beach or park a car. Thirdly, prices in September are lower than in the summer months. And, of course, September is fig season. In October it is also warm here and you can swim. However, it doesn’t change from year to year and you can get caught in the rain.
Summer in Provence is high season. It can be very hot on the coast at this time. But higher in the mountains the climate is mild and comfortable. During the day the temperature rises to 30 degrees and in the evening drops to 20.
How to fly
From Moscow all year round There are direct flights to Marseille and Nice. A ticket to Marseille will be cheaper. Direct flights to Marseille from Moscow are provided by the company Air France. To make your flight more budget-friendly, choose a flight with a transfer. Such a ticket with a stop, for example, in Frankfurt will cost about $300. From Paris to Marseille you can travel by high-speed train in three hours (approximately 40 euros per person).
Where to live
If you are planning a trip for 1-2 weeks and frequent trips throughout Provence, it will be convenient to book rooms in different hotels or apartments. For longer trips, especially with small children, it makes more sense to rent a house. For example, this is the second year that we have been renting a house with friends through the website www.homeaway.com. To obtain a visa, ask your hosts to send you an invitation. This invitation must include your name and the name of your host, as well as the period for which you intend to rent the house.
How to navigate
Upon arrival at the airport, we rented a car. It is best to choose a car in advance on the Internet. France has a well-developed network railways. It is called here TGV. You can view fares and train schedules on this website. However, if you want to see small picturesque villages, you will still need a car.
Almost all express roads in France are toll roads. So when planning a trip by car, budget for travel expenses. Check out the rates.
What to see
Provence is the most diverse region France. I will write about the places we visited and which we liked the most. I'll start with Aix-en-Provence, historical capital Provence.
Everything here testifies to prosperity and prosperity. And at the same time, Aix is unusually alive - after all, there is a university here and the music Festival. If you come to Aix by car, it will be easiest to find a space in one of the multi-level underground parking lots. When traveling by train, keep in mind that Aix has two stations. You need to get off at the station Aix-en-Provence center (Aix-en-Provence centre).
Start your exploration of the city from Boulevard Mirabeau. Admire the exquisite building facades. Stop by Les Deux Garcons for lunch, a café that has been in business since 1792. Paul Cézanne and Jean-Paul Sartre often came here. On the opposite side of the boulevard from Les Deux Garcons stands the beautiful mansion of Morel de Pontev. Its façade is decorated with sculptures of Atlanteans. There are morning and evening markets on the boulevard, where you can buy local soap, honey or a hat. Visit the Saint-Saver Cathedral. It was built in different times and it combines three styles - Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque.
Marseilles
You can read a lot of unflattering reviews about Marseille. I can’t say that this is all fiction, that’s partly how it is. But nevertheless, Marseille is the capital of Provence with wonderful architecture and rich history. Therefore, I think that you need to visit here at least once.
One of the most famous landmarks of Marseille is the Basilica of Notre Dame de La Garde, built in the neo-Byzantine style in the 19th century. It rises above the city at an altitude of 154 meters. You can get to the basilica by excursion train (8 euros), which departs from the Old Port. After visiting the basilica, return to the Old Port. In my opinion, this is the most charming place in Marseille. Located next to the Old Port Old city. The famous Rue La Canebière departs from here. On it you will see the buildings of the Opera House and the Exchange, the Maritime Museum and the Museum of the History of Marseille.
Marseille is the birthplace of the main character of the novel Monte Cristo. Go to the island with the Chateau d'If, where Dantes was imprisoned. You can get to the castle by boat departing from the Old Port. The cost of visiting the castle is 5.50 euros.
Cassis
Go to Cassis to simply enjoy the atmosphere of a small seaside town surrounded by cliffs and swim in the sea. The road going down to Cassis is a real pleasure. Amazing sea views open before you, and the road is bordered by vineyards.
The main attraction of Cassis is the calanques, local fjords. At the port of Cassis you can buy tickets for boat trip with inspection of the calanques. The cost of a ticket for such an excursion depends on the number of places visited. A tour of 5 calanques costs 19 euros and lasts 65 minutes. The calanques can also be reached on foot along the road leading from the beach. Just be aware that there are difficult sections along the way, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Village of Lourmarin
This is a very picturesque village. While you are traveling to Lourmarin, you never tire of admiring the beautiful fields and vineyards.
The small streets of the village are dotted with shops and cafes. There is a 15th-century castle in Lourmarin (visit €6.50). Pay attention to the wonderful spiral staircase. The castle hosts wonderful classical music concerts. Moreover, guests can arrive an hour before the concert, bring provisions with them and dine on the castle terrace.
Arles
In Arles the sun shines almost all year round, which makes this city even more attractive. If you come here by train, get off at the central station. From the station you can get to the city center in a few minutes by one of the buses. If you are traveling by car, leave it in the parking lot on the embankment and start exploring the city from here.
Arles is located on the banks of the Rhone River. Walk along the embankment to the Reattu Museum, where works by Pablo Picasso are kept. Then move towards the small square Place du Forum. And then Van Gogh’s famous yellow cafe appears in front of you.
Van Gogh became an iconic figure for Arles. The artist painted almost 200 paintings here. In the center of Arles there is an ancient theater and arena - monuments from the times of the Roman Empire. The arena makes a colossal impression with its grandeur. Around it there are many shops and stalls with souvenirs and spices. It is best to have lunch or dinner not in the center of Arles, but closer to the embankment on Docteur Fanton or Reattu streets.
Saint Paul
Saint-Paul is a former psychiatric hospital at the monastery where Van Gogh was treated after cutting off his earlobe. The Saint-Paul hospital is located a short drive from Arles, next to the ancient Greek ruins of Glanum.
Van Gogh was in the hospital for voluntary treatment. Its decoration has been restored to the same form as it was in the artist’s time. Van Gogh created many famous paintings here. Copies of the artist's paintings are displayed in the garden, and you have the opportunity to admire the views that Van Gogh painted.
Avignon
Avignon is surrounded by a ring of fortress walls. Behind them you will find beautiful city. There are two stations in Avignon - Avignon Center and Avignon TGV. You need to get to Avignon center station. Keep in mind that from many cities trains only go to Avignon TGV. Therefore, change here to another train to the central station or take a bus.
Of course, the palace that attracts the most tourists to Avignon is the Papal Palace. Popes fled here from the Vatican and lived here from 1309 to 1377.
A tour of the Papal Palace is an amusing trip. If you explore the palace on your own, as I did, I advise you to definitely take an audio guide (when purchasing entrance ticket The audio guide is provided free of charge), otherwise it is very easy to get confused in the numerous halls and passages. Entrance to the palace costs 11 euros. You can immediately buy a ticket to visit the palace and the Saint-Benez bridge (pont d’Avignon) for 13.50 euros.
During the Avignon Captivity, 6 popes lived in the palace. And with each pope, the appearance of the palace underwent changes. After the popes moved back to the Vatican, the palace began to fall into disrepair. During Napoleon's time it was turned into military barracks. Only at the beginning of the twentieth century did the papal palace receive the status of a museum, and restoration work began to be carried out in it. Nowadays the international theater festival Avignon is held here every July. Once here, you will experience the most innovative productions in the field of dramatic art.
Another symbol of the city is the Saint-Benez bridge. It was built in the 12th century, but a flood in the 16th century severely destroyed it. The bridge has ceased to function for its intended purpose, but now it is a favorite place for tourists.
Les Beau de Provence
This city is called one of the most beautiful in France. It is built on rocks. On top of these rocks stands the fortress of Le Beau. In the Middle Ages, the fortress hosted fights between troubadours who wrote poems in honor of beauties. Go up to the fortress and look down. The beauty spread out all around takes your breath away.
Very close to Les Baux-de-Provence is the exhibition space Carrières de lumières (entrance 10.50 euros). It is organized on the site of a former quarry in which limestone was mined for the Le Beau fortress. Nowadays there is a performance showing projections of paintings by famous artists, accompanied by music and lighting effects. Free parking is available next to the quarry. But keep in mind that it is better to arrive here early, otherwise there may not be any free parking spaces left.
What to bring
In Provence, your eyes will widen from the abundance of souvenirs, spices and crafts. Be sure to buy lavender. It is best to take a large bag of this herb and package it into bags yourself. It is a real pleasure to inhale the fragrant smell and, falling asleep, remember the wonderful land every time. I also brought home the famous Marseille soap (Savon de Marseille) and delicious Provençal honey.
You set out to overcome the distance from Paris to Provence. Who among the motorists does not dream of getting to their destination as quickly as possible and at the lowest cost? One way to achieve this goal is to have information about the distance between the starting point and the final destination of the route. Our map will help you find the shortest and most optimal route between Paris and Provence. With a known average speed vehicle You can calculate travel time with a small error. In this case, knowing the answer to the question how many km are between Paris and Provence - 743 km. , the time you will spend on the road will be approximately 12 hours 23 minutes. Working with the map is very simple. The system itself will find the shortest distance and offer the OPTIMAL route. The route from Paris to Provence is shown in the diagram with a bold line. On the diagram you will see all the settlements that you will meet on your way while driving. Having information about cities, towns (check out the list of settlements along the Paris-Provence highway at the bottom of the page) and traffic police posts located along the route, you can quickly navigate unfamiliar areas. If you need to find another route, just indicate FROM and WHERE you need to go, and the system will definitely offer you a solution. Having a ready-made map from Paris to Provence and knowing how to get through difficult junctions, you can always easily answer the question of how to get from Paris to Provence.
Panoramas
Panorama of Paris and Provence
Driving along a pre-planned route is a way to eliminate problems that may arise in unfamiliar areas and overcome the desired section of the road as quickly as possible. Don’t miss out on details; check the map in advance for all complex road forks.
Don't forget a few simple rules:
- Any driver traveling long distances needs rest. Your trip will be safer and more enjoyable if, having planned your route in advance, you decide on places to rest. The map presented on the site has various modes. Take advantage of the work of ordinary Internet users and use the "People's Map" mode. Perhaps you will find useful information there.
- Do not exceed the speed limit. Preliminary calculation of time and a constructed travel route will help you stay on schedule and not exceed the permitted speed limits. This way, you will not endanger yourself and other road users.
- It is prohibited to use substances that cause alcohol or drug intoxication, as well as psychotropic or other substances that cause intoxication while driving. Despite the abolition of zero ppm (now the possible total permissible error when measuring blood alcohol levels is 0.16 mg per 1 liter of exhaled air), drinking alcohol while driving is strictly prohibited.
Everyone knows that lavender fields are located in Provence. But where exactly? Which airport should you fly to? To Marseille, Nice? How can you get to the lavender fields without a car? When does lavender bloom? Find answers to all these questions in today's article. about the blue gold of France.
In fact, there are many lavender fields in France. There are even special routes called “Lavender Roads” (Les Routes de la Lavande). Here they are marked on the map.
I'll tell you about a trip to the lavender fields that are located in Valensole- a small Provençal town located between the city of Manosque and the Verdon nature reserve.
When to go?
Lavender blooms in Valensole from the end of June to the 15th of July. Do not believe numerous websites that flowering can be seen until the end of August. Perhaps in other places, but not in Valensole. By August, the lavender is harvested and only empty fields await you.
How to get there?
Valensole is located in the department Alpes Haute Provence. The closest airports are Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, but flying to them from Russia is long and expensive.
Most best option — buy a ticket to Paris and directly from Paris Aéroport Roissy to Aix-en-Provence high speed train (TGV). The train takes 3h20 minutes. See tickets on the Ouigo website. They have inexpensive tickets compared to trains leaving from central Paris. For example, a TGV ticket departing from Paris Aéroport Roissy-CD2 at 7 am on July 4, 2017 costs only 25 euros. The only downside is that Ouigo trains do not arrive in the center of Aix-en-Provence, but you can easily get from the station to the center by bus for a few euros.
Okay, we got to Aix-en-Provence, but how to get further to the fields if you don’t have a car?
From the bus station in Aix-en-Provence (Aix-en-Province Gare routière) we take the bus number 24 to the town of Manosque. Here is a link to the Bus Schedule. We get off at the final stop Manosque Garerouter. The fare is 8.40 euros. It is more profitable to take a round-trip ticket for 13.20 euros.
From Manosque to Valensole is about 15 km. However, only 4 buses go there per day and only on weekdays. The last bus back from Valensole leaves at 13.10. Very inconvenient, the option of buses was no longer available.
We decided to rent electric bikes. On them you can accelerate up to 50 km/h downhill. Fast and useful!
At the Manosque bus station there is a very cute little shop called La Station de Lavande.
The owner called representatives of the local tourism office and we rented wonderful electric bikes from them. Purple, lavender color. Rental cost is about 20 euros for half a day and 40 euros for the whole day.
It is easy to find your way to Valensole by following the signs.
I will long remember the moment when I was riding a bicycle to the lavender fields. A feeling of boundless happiness, the wind blowing your hair, alluring aromas around. I clearly imagined myself as the heroine of a French film from the 60s.
And here are the lavender fields themselves! A light blue and almost cloudless sky overhead, the enchanting aroma of lavender, the hum of bees. Just a fairy tale!
On a huge plateau covered with lavender to the very horizon, you can get lost for a long time, inhaling the unique smells.
In addition to lavender fields, Valensole is also famous for its olive groves and sunflower fields. The L’Occitane cosmetics factory is also located nearby. Amazing place.
Where to live?
The trip to the lavender fields occurred during my Parisian student years, so we saved as much as we could. We lived for free in Aix-en-Provence using couchsurfing with a hospitable Frenchman. For those unfamiliar with the system, check out the website https://www.couchsurfing.com/.
There are also many offers for housing in Aix-en-Provence, Manosque, and even in Valensole itself on the airbnb website. By the way, I have prepared a discount of 2,000 rubles for your first trip, get it via the link www.airbnb.ru
As you can see, the trip to the fields turned out to be quite inexpensive. We did not find a similar route map on the Internet when we were preparing for the trip. The scheme was built by trial and error, but it works well. Already 2 groups of friends have used my tips to see the miracle of lavender fields without a car.
Come to Valensole! I am sure that the lavender fields will not leave anyone indifferent.
Helpful information!
Map of French regions with approximate lavender flowering dates for 2018.
Sights, cities and resorts of the warmest region of France - Provence await us! And also local delicacies for real gourmets and just lovers like us.
Provence is a place where you can go to relax from the hustle and bustle and admire unforgettable rural and natural landscapes. Here awaits immersion in majestic world medieval castles, churches and monasteries. Numerous villages are located on the hills and slopes of the Alps, which originate here. You can often see villages located around old castles and fortresses dating back to the times of the Roman Empire.
Provence - interesting facts
Life here is leisurely; in the summer the air is filled with floral aromas and the sounds of cicadas. Like nowhere else, in French province Provence makes you want to pick up a brush and paint all this splendor of nature. It was here that world-famous artists Van Gogh and Paul Cezanne created their priceless paintings.
By the way, Provence got its name from the ancient Romans, they came here to rest after their campaigns of conquest.
Where is Provence
Provence is a fairly large region in the south of France. Its exceptional landscape is defined by the foothills of the Alps, fields and a sea of flowers that begin here. To understand and explore these places as fully as possible, you can stop in one of the villages, from where you can travel by rented car. This is very convenient and allows you to travel at your own discretion and at any speed, stopping at places you especially like.
Of course, you need to get a reliable guidebook and book a hotel room in advance, especially if the trip is planned for the summer. Farmhouse-hotels with their unique rural flavor are very interesting for rent.
Accommodation is usually provided with a kitchen, and it is possible to cook your own food. But the best way to try delicious dishes is in local restaurants. Truffles are mined in the surrounding area; there are a lot of them here, which affects the range of restaurants. A wonderful earthy aroma with nutty notes fills the air. Truffle harvesting in Provence lasts from November to April. Restaurants also offer a lot of seafood, vegetable and fruit dishes, and this is the healthiest food.
Where is it and how to get to Provence
Lavender fields of Provence - when and where to go
France is famous not only for its wines, high fashion and amazing architecture. The symbol of the country is lavender, fields of which, surrounded by wheat, are depicted on tourist postcards. The capital of the flower is considered to be Provence, in whose countryside thousands of bulbs of this plant are planted. Because of this, the department was decorated with hundreds of hectares of purple landscapes that from a distance seem alien and very fantastic. Thanks to photographs, postcards, publications on the Internet and special travel magazines, a huge number of travelers come to Provence every year.
Peak visitation occurs in two summer months - July and August. It is at this time that you need to plan a vacation in Provence 2019 to catch the blooming lavender fields.
Lavender flowering period
The climate of Provence does not allow flowers to bloom in early spring; only individual buds can bloom in late May or early June. At this time, the fields look impressive, disappearing into the horizon, but without the lavender blooming. Its period begins only at the very end of June and lasts until the middle of the last summer month, sometimes longer, depending on the weather and the number of sunny days.
Lavender is the most common gift from Provence!
Tourist visits begin in July and last almost until September. Lavender flowers are harvested in August, which coincides with the grain harvest. Thanks to this, the entire region looks even more colorful.
Excursions to the lavender fields of Provence 2019
You can inspect the fields either independently or as part of an organized group. tourist groups. In any case, you need to do this by car or bicycle.
The ideal solution would be to rent a car in one of major cities, if you speak enough French. But it’s even more convenient to order a car rental in Provence in advance, pick up the car at the airport and then plan your vacation at your own discretion. This will be the most convenient way to move around the landscapes to leisurely sightsee and admire the flowers.
You can get to the fields and public transport. True, in this case, travelers will depend on the bus schedule and a specific route scheme.
Where does lavender grow in Provence?
Flowers are planted mainly in rural areas, where there are farms for the production of oils, esters, and drying of lavender. Also, almost every resident of the region plants small bushes of the plant on their plot. The centers of intensive cultivation of lavender are the northern regions of Provence, which include the Upper Alpine, Haute-Vaucluse, and Drôme-Provence. The capital is considered to be the small cozy town of Sol, which is located in Haute-Vaucluse. It is here that the fields resemble an endless fluffy carpet, the aroma of which is felt far beyond the borders of the region. For the convenience of tourists, numerous walking paths have been laid here. They have different levels of difficulty when passing, as evidenced by special signs.
In Drôme-Provence, lavender is adjacent to other fields - sunflowers, wheat, vineyards.
In every region of Provence there are villages that specialize in the production of cosmetics and lavender esters. In one of the settlements - Kustelle - various mechanisms are collected that have been used for many centuries when working with flowers.
Provence travel itinerary
Now we know that Provence is associated with lavender fields, as well as Nice and the ports of the Cote d'Azur, crowded with expensive yachts.
However, this one can open from a different side if you start traveling through it from the outback. Namely, from small towns and villages located high in the mountains and on the banks of picturesque rivers. Try to implement our version of a trip to Provence - you will see lavender fields and get more acquainted with the most beautiful region countries.
Route map
The total length of the travel route around Provence by car is 300 km.
#1. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Streets and serpentines of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (France)
You can start your journey through the Provence region from the town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, depicted in Van Gogh’s paintings, along whose streets the artist once walked a lot. Van Gogh painted here the Alps and olive groves, many of which have survived to this day, because the lifespan of an olive tree reaches a thousand years.
#2. Glanum and Egalier
Located here ancient city Glanum with beautiful bas-reliefs and a mausoleum in honor of Emperor Augustus. Many tourists visit this attraction every year.
You can stay in Egaliere, a small village of ancient Roman origin. Here you should definitely see the chapel of St. Sixtus, the picturesque ruins of a 12th century castle, many churches and monasteries. In summer local residents They organize many different festivals, parades, and holidays to honor the patrons of agriculture and livestock. The celebrations are accompanied by costumed processions. These can be seen almost every week.
#3. Arles and Avignon
The major cities of Provence - Arles and Avignon - are also worth visiting. Arles was once chosen by Caesar as the capital of Provence, and there is an Ancient Roman theater that still hosts bull shows to this day. Widely known in Arles is the Church of Saint Trophime with its famous bas-relief depicting the Day of Judgment. The bas-relief carved a line of sinners chained and heading to hell - a very expressive reminder of human sins.
Avignon is located further north, 25 miles from Arles. The Pope's palace was once located here for 70 years. You can see the bridge over the Rhone River, which, however, was never completed. Therefore, it is only half of the bridge, but it looks quite grandiose and unusual.
#4. Luberon and Roussillon
Let's move closer to nature - to the small town of Luberon, where there are vast purple lavender fields blooming at the end of June. This is how we most often imagine Provence! Lavender is harvested in September and used in all kinds of cosmetics.
Another interesting town is Roussillon. The walls of all the houses here are red - the color of ocher mined on the slopes of the neighboring hills. This was the case initially, and now this image is maintained for tourism purposes.
#5. Aix-en-Provence
You can also go to Aix-en-Provence - a lively student city with a huge number of fountains. The local market is replete with a variety of colors of vegetables and fruits and intoxicates with the aromas of coffee, lavender and spices - here you will certainly find the best souvenirs from Provence, both gastronomic and cosmetic. IN major cities In Provence there is a market day every week, each city has its own, for example, Thursday or Saturday.
Aix-en-Provence is famous for the fact that it was there that Paul Cézanne painted his famous still lifes, which he considered animated.
#6. Cassis
If you are drawn to the sea, then a good choice- excursion to the fishing port town of Cassis, where, in addition to the sea and the beach, there are vineyards and beautiful white cliffs. You can use one of the types sea routes, many of which include stops for a refreshing swim in the sea.
Where to stay in Provence 2019
To fully enjoy the beauty of Provence, you will need to book a couple of overnight stays along the route. The first stop can be made in Egaliere/Arles, the second in Roussillon or Aix-en-Provence.
#1. Overnight in Provence
After devoting the day to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the villages of Glanum and Aigallières, you can stay overnight in Aigallières or drive to a large settlement- the city of Arles.
#2. Overnight in Provence
After exploring Arles and Avignon, steer towards the Luberon Valley. You can stay in the heart of Provence either in Roussillon or a little further - in Aix-en-Provence.
How to get to Provence - air tickets
The Provence region has international Airport. It is located in the capital of the Cote d'Azur - Nice. Airport "Nice - Cote d'Azur"("Nice Cote d'Azur") accepts direct flights from Moscow. In the high season (from May to October), the cost of tickets on the Moscow-Nice route starts from 11,500 rubles round trip. You can get to Nice from Moscow in just 3.5 hours.
Our compatriots first fly to the airport named after. Charles de Gaulle. Then they move closer to the south to explore Provence.
Is it profitable? Perhaps only if you want to see Paris no less than Provence. And, after spending a week in the capital, go to Nice. The fact is that Moscow-Paris air tickets are only a couple of thousand cheaper than the Moscow-Nice flight.
To get to Provence from Paris, choose one of three options:
- Own car(it can be rented in advance). The distance from Paris to Nice is about 1000 km. On the A6 and A7 highways the journey will take you about 8-10 hours;
- Public transport. This can be either a train or intercity regular bus. In the latter case, the journey will take more than 17 hours;
- Domestic flight Paris-Nice. Every day there are 25 flights on the most popular route in France. You can use the services of Air France, EasyJet, British Airways and others. Departures are carried out both from international Charles de Gaulle (Roissy) and from domestic airports - Orly and, a little less frequently, Le Bourget.
