Are you looking for an idea of road trip in France and you are wondering what to see in Provence? So here is my best 7-day road trip between Provence and the Luberon.
I show you the detailed itinerary below with photos and advice for visits for each stage. And as a bonus, you will find the Google Map to follow the route in GPS mode.
This road trip in France allows you to discover the most beautiful places in Provence and the Luberon. It can be done by car, van or camper van.
Why visit Provence and the Luberon?
With its varied landscapes (Alpilles, fields of lavender, poppies, olive trees, ocher quarries, hilltop villages ...), its typical markets and its historical and cultural heritage (Arles, Avignon, Aix en Provence, Marseille ...), Provence is one of the most beautiful regions of France.
Luberon, located in Provence, is a massif between the departments of Vaucluse and Alpes de Haute Provence. It's in the Luberon that we find the most beautiful Provencal villages and landscapes that make tourists from all over the world dream!
It is not for nothing that great painters like Van Gogh or Sézanne stayed there to produce their most beautiful paintings ...
But as the Provencal territory is extensive, the ideal is to discover it by doing one of the most beautiful road trips in France !
How long for a road trip in Provence?
If you have little time, you can visit the bigger sites by taking a tour of the must-sees of Provence in 4 or 5 days.
But if you have a little more time I recommend you do this Provence Luberon road trip in 7 days or more. Thus, you will have time to take pretty walks, to stroll in the Provençal markets, in the small villages, to taste the local specialties and to visit some beautiful museums and monuments.
Mon road trip in Provence Luberon is optimized for a 7-day tour by car but is rather recommended for a ten days.
When to take this road trip?
To enjoy an ideal climate, sun, beautiful light in the early morning and fields of flowering lavender, I recommend that you go to the Luberon end of June or beginning of July. Thus, you will avoid the crowds of summer visitors in August and enjoy the tourist sites better.
However, whatever the period you choose to visit Provence, you will not be disappointed because the temperatures are mild all year round, the key is to avoid the rain soavoid november.
How to visit Provence in 7 days?
To visit Provence in 7 days, the best is to follow a circuit with an itinerary that passes through the most beautiful places in the Luberon and Provence. In fact, a tourist circuit allows you to optimize road time with hotel nights at each major stage.
My road trip starts from Marseille and makes a loop because after the last stop in Arles, you can reach Marseille by the highway in 1 hour.
What to see in Provence in 7 days?
- Marseille
- Sainte Victoire mountains
- Road Sézanne
- Aix en Provence
- Colorado Provençal
- Roussillon
- Quarries of Ocher (Gargas)
- Isle sur la Sorgue
- Village des Bories (15 km from Gordes)
- Gordes
- Notre Dame de Sénanque Abbey
- Chateauneuf Pope
- Avignon
- Saint-Remy-de-Provence
- The Baux de Provence
- Montmajour Abbey
- Alphonse Daudet Mill and Montauban Castle
- Arles
7-day Google Maps itinerary in Provence
Here is now the Google Maps route of my tourist circuit in Provence to follow by car, motorbike or camper van:
Click in the map on "more options" to follow the GPS
Program of my road trip in Provence
Here are the stages of my road trip in Provence in 7 days:
- Day 1 - Marseilles
- Day 2 - Route de Cézanne - Sainte-Victoire mountain - Aix en Provence
- Days 3 - Roussillon - Carrières d'Ocre in Gargas - L'Isle sur la Sorgue
- Day 4 - Village des Bories - Gordes - Abbey of Notre Dame de Sénanque
- Day 5 - Châteauneuf du Pape - Avignon
- Day 6 - Saint-Rémy de Provence - Les Baux de Provence
- Day 7 - Montmajour Abbey - Alphonse Daudet Mill and Montauban Castle - Arles
Discover now the detailed stages of my Provence Luberon road trip with photos and visiting tips!
Marseille unmissable in Provence – Day 1
The first stop on my road trip is a city that is a “must see” in France: Marseille!
What to visit in Marseille?
To visit Marseille on foot, I made a short route that you can follow by pedestrian GPS: Walking tour to visit Marseille in 1 day.
Otherwise, you can also:
- Discover the calanques of Marseille and Cassis along the cliffs of Soubeyranes and Cap Canaille (see guided hike);
- By making a cruise departing from the old port of Marseille ;
- Or in panoramic bus to visit Marseille, Cassis and the Calanques !
Where to sleep in Marseille?
To avoid unpleasant surprises for some dangerous neighborhoods of Marseille, I recommend the hotel below (well placed in a safe area and for visiting).
Aix en Provence and surroundings – Day 2
The 2nd day of my most beautiful road trip in France passes by the route de Cézanne, runs along the Sainte-Victoire mountain and ends in Aix en Provence. This magnificent route crosses sublime landscapes on approximately 75 km of road.
Route of Cézanne
To find the landscapes that inspired Paul Cézanne, you can take the D17 which runs along the Sainte-Victoire mountain to Tholonet. This route follows the route that Cézanne took to reach the places where he had the best views of the massif.
Great site of Sainte Victoire
Very nice hiking site for all levels. Many markings show you the paths to follow to discover a mythical massif and incredibly beautiful panoramas.
Aix en Provence
After having discovered natural landscapes of wild beauty, I suggest that you continue and end your day at Aix en Provence.
To discover the must-sees in Aix en Provence, you will be able to follow my circuit in pedestrian GPS: Aix en Provence on foot
This city where Cézanne lived (there is still his workshop), has preserved a historic center that can be discovered from the Cours Mirabeau by strolling through its small alleys.
With its wildly charming little squares, its pretty fountains, its sumptuous 18th century mansions, its ocher-colored facades, its shaded café terraces ... Aix en Provence is my CRUSH !!!
Where to sleep in Aix en Provence?
Here is a nice hotel with an ideal location in the historic heart of Aix en Provence: The hotel aquabella. In addition to its bar, swimming pool, spa, there is a parking lot!
Ocher Route in the Luberon – Day 3
The 3nd day of my most beautiful road trip in France will make you discover the land of ocher which is in the Luberon.
Here is the itinerary that allows you to visit the most beautiful sites and trails of Ocher in the Luberon :
Ocher is a natural pigment that is extracted from the cliffs of the Luberon. The sand contained in these cliffs with its high rate of oxidized iron gives it a golden yellow color that can go to dark orange. This landscape has been shaped by natural erosion but also by human exploitation (see Gargas quarries below).
Colorado Provencal
You have to go to Rustrel to visit Colorado Provençal. It is an exceptional site of great beauty which can be discovered by a marked path.
Gargas Ocher Quarries
You have to go to the Bruoux mines to visit these quarries.
Be careful because during the Covid period, you must book your visit 24 hours before by phone (see number on photo below).
Ocher Trail
It's since Roussillon (village classified among the most beautiful villages in France) that you can do the Sentier des Ocres. 2 routes are possible to enjoy the splendid ocher massif of the Luberon.
Isle sur la Sorgue
For this overnight stopover, I recommend that you go to the village of Isle sur la Sorgue. This small town has a crazy charm with its canals, small bridges and pretty alleys.
Tourist circuit around Gordes – Day 4
The road you are going to take in this 4nd day leaves from L'Isles sur Sorgues and goes to Sénanque Abbey (42 kilometers). It takes you through natural and wild landscapes from which start many hiking trails lined with olive trees and poppies ... Don't hesitate to stop for a walk, it's a real pleasure!
Here is the itinerary that allows you to visit the most beautiful tourist sites in the Luberon :
Bories Village
This is the 1st stage of the day. This site is located 3,5 km from Gordes. It is a very old village made of stone huts.
It was a hamlet that served as temporary accommodation for agricultural workers and shepherds. Discover the history of this village on: https://levillagedesbories.com/histoire/
Gordes
This magnificent hilltop village is one of the unmissable places in the Luberon.
I recommend you to go there on Tuesday morning because it is market day!
Classified as the most beautiful village in France, this enchanting village has become very and may be too popular ...
Tourists from all over the world flock there to take the photo which represents the typical village of Provence. Because yes, it is really a postcard village:
Notre Dame de Sénanque Abbey
Here is an essential step during the flowering period of lavender. Indeed, it is at the end of June and the beginning of July that the panoramas are incredibly beautiful with the lavender fields as far as the eye can see.
Where to sleep in Gordes?
To sleep in a 19th century building a 10-minute walk from the center of Gordes, I recommend: The Relais du Silence Le Mas Des Romarins.
Avignon and its surroundings – Day 5
For this 5nd day, I will take you 38 km from Gordes to Avignon.
Avignon with its City of the Popes has managed to preserve its rich architectural and cultural heritage. I recommend you to visit it quite early in the morning (less crowded) by making a Avignon walking tour (Avignon essential tour).
Important Info : Think of book your visit to the Palais des Papes in advance because there is no place for everyone. You might as well go about it in advance and be sure to visit it on the big day!
Fort Saint Andre
4 kilometers from Avignon, you can also visit the Fort Saint Andre. It is a fortified city from the 13th century which offers a spectacular view over the Rhône valley and the Cité d'Avignon.
Chateauneuf Pope
Personally, I did not make this visit. However, for lovers of good wines, the appellation Chateauneuf Pope is world famous. This is why I integrated it into this itinerary because the vineyards are located right next to Avignon.
To choose a visit, I recommend that you go to a site specializing inwine tourism.
Where to sleep in Avignon?
If you are looking for a beautiful place for your overnight stopover in Avignon, I recommend theHotel Cloitre Saint Louis.
In a building of the 16nd century, this hotel is ideally located for visiting the historic center of Avignon with the bonus of a beautiful swimming pool!
Baux de Provence and its surroundings – Day 6
For the 6th day of my road trip in Provence, my itinerary takes us to Saint Rémy de Provence and then to Les Baux de Provence.
Saint Remy of Provence
The first stage of the day is just 25 kilometers from Avignon: A Saint Remy of Provence.
This small town knows how to charm travelers. pretty artisan shops, cool terraced cafes, pretty alleys ...
If you like Van Gogh and his history in Provence, you will find places that inspired these paintings, especially by walking along theAvenue Vincent Van Gogh. There are signs indicating the landscapes painted by the artist during his stay in Saint Rémy de Provence.
You can also visit the Saint Paul de Mausole cloister. It is famous because Vincent Van Gogh painted there, among others, Sunflowers and Cypresses.
The Baux de Provence
In the heart of the Alpilles Natural Park, this hilltop village with its ruined castle is one of the most beautiful villages in France.
To discover it, you will find just at the entrance of the village in the Maison du Roy the tourist office which distributes maps with the sites to visit:
- Eglise Saint Vincent
- Chapel of the White Penitents
- Gate of Eyguières
- Santons Museum
- Hotel de Porcelet
- The Château des Baux and the esplanade, etc ...
Where to sleep in Les Baux de Provence?
If you are looking for an exceptional hotel, here is the most beautiful address in the heart of Baux de Provence: the Baumaniere. Its little extra: an excellent gourmet restaurant.
Arles and its surroundings – Day 7
Here is the last stop of my 7 days in Provence: Arles (25 km from Les Baux de Provence) and its surroundings in the Alpilles.
Alphonse Daudet Mill
What French child has not read the letters from my mill by Alphonse Daudet? Well, the Alphonse Daudet mill is located Fontvieille right next to Arles.
On a magnificent natural site in the Alpilles, this mill which dates from 1814 can be visited (museum in memory of Alphonse Daudet and his work).
Montauban Castle
The Château de Montauban a few tens of meters from the Mill was the resort of Alphonse Daudet.
Montmajour Abbey
Before reaching the city of Arles, I recommend a short stop at the Montmajour Abbey. This place inspired Vincent Van Gogh who made many drawings there in 1888 and 1889.
Personally, I was unable to visit the interior because it was closed to visitors. So I just took a little photo of the outside:
Visit of Arles
The city of Arles is another essential stopover in a road trip in Provence.
There are many tourist interests and monuments to visit.
To visit it, I advise you to follow my Arles must-see walking tour and follow in Van Gogh's footsteps ...
Where to sleep in Arles?
To stay in a hotel ideally placed for sightseeing, dining at a restaurant, and going out at night, then I recommend the hotel Volver House.
300 m from the amphitheater and with public parking nearby, this is a very good hotel;
Where to end your vacation in Provence?
If you have a few days off left, here is my good plan for a stay near Arles surrounded by nature, in a 35-hectare park, with 2 superb swimming pools: the Résidence Odalys Le Village Camarguais Les Gardians.
Why not continue with a weekend in Camargue ou a tourist circuit in the Gorges du Verdon ?