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- Provence, France: Hiking, Medieval Towns, and Van Gogh
Provence, France: Hiking, Medieval Towns, and Van Gogh
A culture itinerary in which Cezanne, Van Gogh, a few Popes, and a lot of cobblestones will make this journey scandalous and fascinating.
Provence, France:
Hiking, Medieval Towns, and Van Gogh
Today, we will focus on the best way to embrace the historical cultural vibe of Provence, which has been part of France for over 400 years yet retains a distinctive unique identity. Cezanne, Van Gogh, a few Popes, and a lot of cobblestones will make this journey scandalous and fascinating.
Tomorrow, we will take a deep breathe and enjoy the ultimate Relaxation itinerary. These tables are handy to keep - a blister or torn muscle may convert your Cultural plans into Relaxation plans. Let’s see what’s been happening in Provence for the last 400 years or so.
- Cris
Travel style: | Culture | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
Avignon | Arles | Aix-en-Provence | Luberon villages and markets |
Day 1: Avignon
The Palais des Papes is one of the largest Gothic buildings in Europe and was home to the Catholic Popes in the 14th century. This is a very impressive and popular destination so buy your tickets in advance - before you get on a plane. As befitting a Gothic masterpiece, neither heat or AC are available so plan for both indoor and outdoor temps.
Picnic by the Rhone River at Pont d'Avignon and enjoy the wildlife that floats past you. As the most famous bridge in France, the Pont d’Avignon actually only crosses a small part of the river. It did cross the entire river for a long time, but when parts washed away in the 17th century, Louis XIV didn’t want to pay for its restoration. He had other things to buy, I suppose.
Visit the Musée du Petit Palais, which houses an impressive collection of Italian and Provençal paintings from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, including works by Botticelli. You would be forgiven for discreetly looking up the word ‘petit’ as the Palais is definitely not small.
Day 2: Arles
Travel to Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its well-preserved Roman monuments.
Start your day with a visit to the Arènes d'Arles, a Roman amphitheater that dates back to the 1st century and is still used today for concerts and events. I can nearly imagine the fear that would be felt during ‘Shake It Off’ at a Taylor Swift concert. |  |
 | Walk through the ancient streets to visit the Roman Theatre and the Church of St. Trophime, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture with a beautiful cloister. |
Explore the Van Gogh Trail to see the sites that inspired Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous paintings, such as "Café Terrace at Night" and "Starry Night Over the Rhône." Visit the Fondation Vincent van Gogh to see exhibitions of his work alongside contemporary artists. |  |
Blurriness, Time Confusion, RTO Reality
Frame this: Something to go on the fridge
Bull: What year is it?
No words: Everyone Return To the Office
Day 3: Aix-en-Provence
Head to Aix-en-Provence, a city known for its elegant architecture, thermal springs, and vibrant cultural scene. Start with a visit to the Cours Mirabeau, a tree-lined avenue filled with cafes, fountains, and 17th-century mansions. This street was originally the Instagram of Provence, where the rich and famous were ‘seen’ wearing their fanciest outfits.
Explore the Atelier Cézanne, the studio of the post-impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. This preserved space offers insights into his creative process and the objects he used in his still-life paintings. Gold star if you just imagined a bowl of fruit with a side of skulls.
Visit the Musée Granet, which features works from Cézanne, Picasso, and Rembrandt, as well as collections of modern and contemporary art. After a day of scary fruit and intense skulls, your dreams should be entertaining.
Day 4: Luberon Villages and Markets
Today is a battle among the beauties to see who will earn the title of ‘prettiest town in France.’ They take this seriously so be careful about complementing another town within hearing of the locals. Start with a visit to Gordes, who claim to be the most beautiful village in France. Walk through its narrow cobblestone streets and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding valley. Personally, I would skip touring the inside of the Château de Gordes. The outside inspires awe but the inside is kinda blah. 3 hours of blah.
Head to Roussillon, a village famous for its red and orange ochre cliffs and buildings. Take a walk through the Ochre Trail (Sentier des Ocres) and explore the village’s art galleries and pottery shops. The vase you buy here will bring smiles at every gathering when you get home. Want to visit Mars? You can get a similar experience (with plenty of oxygen and water) by walking through the Ochre Quarry.
Is it Friday? Then visit Lourmarin, another beautiful village known for its Renaissance Château de Lourmarin. Explore local boutiques and visit the Friday market, famous for its local produce, cheeses, and artisanal crafts. This is a great location to stock up on picnic foods or snacks for the hotel if you have a refrigerator. But please only stock up on stinky cheese if you have refrigeration AND plan to eat it within 24 hours. I once carried a bag of stinky cheese on the subway in outrageously hot weather in Paris and earned every.single.side-eye. Yep, I was the jerk who brought the stink.
Tomorrow, we will explore the Relaxation appeal of Provence. I have a firm rule that each international trip must begin and end with a massage and so the research for this agenda was…heavenly.
See you tomorrow.
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