Travelling Provence France

Provence - From Cathedrals to Chocolate

Take a peek at these typical sights to see in Provence as you travel in France: The market place is usually in the town square, filled cheek to jowl with stalls of every description. You’ll have a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers, fish and meats from local butchers as well as other specialties like fresh bread, ripe cheeses, olives, honeys, jams, spices and wines. Markets also sell everyday items like table linens, shoes, clothes, flowers, recorded music, and even books or things you might find in a hardware store. Depending on the town, you might find antiques and hand crafts that are typical of the region. Our favorite market takes place each Sunday in Isle sur la Sorgue.

By the time you have finished exploring the market it will be time for a leisurely lunch. In Provence most stores, museums, banks and schools close from 12:30 until about 2:30, so choose an outdoor cafe (if weather permits) to watch the life of the town unfold around you. Order multiple courses and savor your meal with a glass of the local rosé (surprisingly dry and light) wine. Our favorite salad course (or light lunch) is a bed of mixed greens tossed with a vinaigrette dressing (olive oil with just a touch of Dijon) and warm goat’s cheese served over small toasts.

After you have finished your meal enjoy an espresso. Take your time to cherish the sights and sounds around you. Your lunch experience can easily last 1.5 hours. The Provençals honor the southern tradition of an afternoon siesta, so there is no hurry. Maybe head back to your hotel for a nap, or some relaxation near the pool. It’s tough to decide what to do when the options are so few (Provence is asleep) and yet limitless. Hill top towns of the Luberon are favorites for afternoon visits. Most are built from stone and seem carved right out of the cliffs of the mountains. They were originally built here for defensive purposes, but today are filled with boutiques selling lavender scented soaps, beautiful fabrics, Santons (a Provençal doll), and lovely pottery. Our favorite is the town of Les Gordes.

If you enjoy art museums, cathedrals, palaces, castle ruins, Roman antiquities, Impressionist painters, antique shopping, wine, olive oil, tapenade or chocolate, you can find it all in Provence. From the smallest villages like Les Baux or St Remy to the larger cities such as Aix en Provence, Avignon or Arles Provence has something for everyone. See more sights