Fragrant
lavender fields, awe inspiring Roman ruins, and mouthwatering food and wine;
these are the things that make Provence one of the most popular vacation
destinations in the south of France. Even Van Gogh couldn’t resist the beauty
and allure of the region, as illustrated by approximately 300 of his works.
However,
figuring out how to explore approximately 12,124 square miles of sun soaked
splendor in just a few days can be a little daunting. So, we’ve created this little selection of
vacation ideas to help guide you through your time there. Vacation home exchange can help you explore France and
create best memories with the local communities. Here are more ideas to bear
in mind. Provence is best experienced in a wandering and unstructured fashion,
so these suggestions will likely just serve as starting points for your own
unique Provençal adventure.
Provence
contains a network of country roads and highways are easily navigated by car or
bicycle and, due to the abundance of hidden gems throughout the region, getting
lost can actually work in your favor. For driving maps of the area, see www.viamichelin.com.
Villa Eprhussi
de Rothschild - Also called villa Île-de-France, this villa was built between
1905 and 1912 for the Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild. It features nine gardens on the
grounds, each of which follows a different theme: Florentine, Spanish, French,
Japanese, exotic, stone, rose, Provençal and Sèvres.
Musée
Océanographique de Monaco - Founded by Prince Albert I, this museum was designed as a
Palace entirely dedicated to Art and Science. It is
home to a large collection of oceanic and general natural history, and a
panoramic terrace.
Théâtre
Antique d'Orange - One of the most well preserved Roman theaters and part of the UNESCO World Heritage
list, this ancient theater is home to awe-inspiring architecture and the famous
Chorégies d'Orange international opera festival.
Things to Buy
While you’re
taking in the old-world sights, don't forget about the weekly markets. Provence
is full of local artisans and these markets are often the best way to find
their goods. A few of the things to keep an eye out for: Herbs de Provence, olive oil, wine, soaps,
perfumes, cosmetics, textiles, calissons and nougat.
Things to Eat
and Drink
If you’re
looking for a sit-down meal, you’ll have many places to choose from, but expect
to set aside some time for the experience. Restaurants here serve meals at a
pace that is slower than you may be used to and because the whole meal is meant
to be enjoyed as an inclusive experience, it is strongly frowned upon
(basically an insult) to ask that a dish be altered to suit your tastes. There
will also typically be both a prix fixe and an a la carte menu. Bistros and
cafés are more casual, and generally just offer coffee, drinks and sandwiches.
For a more local
experience, familiarize yourself with the region’s market days. On these days
you’ll find produce and delicacies like breads, cheeses, sausage, olives and
preserves from the local farms; perfect for nibbling on while exploring the
countryside.
Places to Sleep
As a popular
tourist destination, so it’s no surprise that this area boasts a wide a variety
of accommodations. As always, there are plenty of hotels, but for a truly
immersive experience you’ll want to go with one of the many wonderful French homes that range from beautiful villas
to traditional rural gîtes, which come fully furnished. It you’re planning to visit in
the May to September season, when the weather is at its best, be sure to book
far enough in advance as this is when the region is the most popular.
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