Where to Spend a Week in Provence

Where to Spend a Week in Provence
📍 Avignon, France

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There are certain places that stay with you long after you return home, and for me, Provence will always be one of them. The golden light, the winding roads lined with cypress trees, sleepy village cafés, and the scent of lavender lingering in the warm air somehow make everyday life feel slower and more beautiful. When we visited Provence during the summer of 2022, we spent our days wandering through hilltop villages, lingering over long lunches, browsing antique shops, and ending evenings with chilled rosé and sunset views over the countryside. It was the kind of trip that encourages you to slow down and savor the beauty of even the smallest moments. If I were planning one perfect week in Provence, this is exactly where I would spend it.

Gordes

We began our trip in Gordes, one of the most breathtaking villages in all of Provence and the perfect introduction to the region. For our first home base, we stayed at Hôtel Le Jas de Gordes, a charming boutique hotel surrounded by olive trees and gardens just a short five minute walk from Gordes Village itself. I loved how easy it was to wander into town each morning and evening without needing to drive. Gordes feels exactly how you imagine Provence will look, with glowing stone buildings, winding alleyways, and sweeping countryside views around every corner. We spent our time browsing little boutiques filled with woven baskets, linen dresses, and Provençal soaps before eventually settling in for dinner and drinks at Airelles La Bastide. Watching the sunset over the valley with a cocktail in hand while the church bells echoed through the village was one of the most magical moments of the trip.

Ménerbes & the Luberon Villages

One of the best parts of Provence is simply driving between villages and allowing yourself to stop wherever catches your eye. We spent one morning in Ménerbes, beginning with breakfast at Café du Progrès while watching the village slowly wake up around us. Afterward, we wandered through the tiny shops and galleries before spending the afternoon driving through the lavender fields that stretch throughout the Luberon region during the summer months. The roads themselves felt cinematic, lined with vineyards, cypress trees, and golden countryside views at every turn. We eventually stopped for a long leisurely lunch in Oppède, lingering beneath the shade with wine and fresh bread while escaping the afternoon heat. It was one of those perfectly simple Provence days that somehow becomes unforgettable.

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue quickly became one of my favorite stops during our time in Provence. Known for its antique markets and charming canals, the town has an energy that feels both lively and relaxed at the same time. We started the morning with croissants and coffee at Café de France before spending hours wandering through the endless antique shops lining the streets. Even if you are not shopping seriously, it feels impossible not to fall in love with the vintage silver, French linens, pottery, and artwork tucked into every corner. By the afternoon, the Provence heat had fully arrived, so we grabbed sorbet and wandered along the canals before settling in for lunch at Café Fleurs beneath the trees. The entire town felt effortlessly picturesque and wonderfully French in every possible way.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Of all the places we visited during our trip, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence may have been my favorite. We stayed at Le Saint-Rémy, an absolutely beautiful boutique hotel right in the heart of town that perfectly blended old-world Provençal charm with modern luxury. Saint-Rémy felt slightly livelier than some of the smaller villages while still maintaining the relaxed pace that makes Provence so special. We spent our mornings walking the Van Gogh Trail through the olive groves and countryside before wandering through the town square lined with cafés, markets, and charming boutiques. Afternoons were often spent relaxing back at the hotel lounge or by the pool with a book and a glass of rosé. Every street corner seemed impossibly beautiful, and the entire town had a warmth and elegance that made it very difficult to leave.

Château d’Estoublon

One of the absolute highlights of the trip was lunch at Château d’Estoublon. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, the estate feels like something out of a movie. We spent hours lingering over lunch and wine while taking in the quiet beauty of the countryside around us. Everything about the experience felt elegant without being overly formal, which is something Provence does so well. It perfectly captured the relaxed luxury that makes this region so magical. If I were planning another trip to Provence tomorrow, this would immediately go back onto the itinerary.

Avignon

For the final portion of our trip, we headed to Avignon for a slightly different Provence experience. We stayed at Le Mirande, a stunning historic hotel near the Palais des Papes that felt incredibly timeless and elegant. Compared to the smaller hilltop villages, Avignon felt grander and more historic while still maintaining so much charm. We spent our days wandering through the medieval streets within the city walls, stopping into cafés and boutiques before returning to Le Mirande for afternoon tea. To end our trip, we enjoyed dinner at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, which felt like the perfect final evening in Provence. Elegant, romantic, and memorable in every possible way.

Provence is one of those places that somehow exceeds every expectation. The villages are more beautiful than photographs can capture, the meals stretch for hours, and even the smallest moments begin to feel romantic. Between sunset drinks in Gordes, lavender fields in the Luberon, antique shopping in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, afternoons in Saint-Rémy, and long lunches beneath the olive trees at Château d’Estoublon, this trip remains one of my favorite travel memories to date. And honestly, I would go back tomorrow if I could.

Love from Provence,
Katie

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