12 Completely Romantic Issues to Do in Provence 

An artists’ sanctuary, Provence lures in guests with its sun-kissed landscapes and enviable local weather. The last word romantic vacation spot, it’s the proper place to get misplaced in nature, in a slower tempo of life, and expertise the joie de vivre the South of France is famend for. 

Learn on to seek out probably the most romantic issues to do in Provence, to your subsequent fling in France!

Desk of Contents

• Go to the Calanques Nationwide Park
• Stroll among the many aromatic lavender fields
• Stroll by the markets of Aix-en-Provence
• Watch the sundown from a rooftop bar in Marseille
• Rent a ship and cruise up the Verdon Gorge
• Swim & sunbathe on a hidden seashore
• Drive by the villages of the Luberon
• Sip effective wines at a French Chateau
• Store for antiques in L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue
• Get carried away by artwork at Carrières de Lumières
• Cycle across the island of Porquerolles
• Pink lakes and pink birds within the Camargue
• Keep someplace pretty: Romantic Locations to Keep in Provence

Go to the Calanques Nationwide Park

The Calanques Nationwide Park close to Marseille is an space of immense pure magnificence. Spanning the coast between Les Goudes (in any other case often called the top of the world) and Cassis, the park is the primary in Europe to envelop land, sea, and concrete areas. Throughout the park, you’ll discover unimaginable hikes, beautiful seashores, aromatic pure flora, and underwater treasures too.

Set out for the day, pack your mountain climbing sneakers and a picnic, and begin your trek from both Port Miou (on the japanese finish), Calanque de Callelongue (on the western finish), or the Luminy College (center). These three trails will take you thru among the most breathtaking surroundings in France.

Stroll among the many aromatic lavender fields

Surely, the lavender fields of Provence are among the many most lovely sights within the space, and can’t be missed if you happen to’re visiting in summer time. From late June the panorama is laced with purple rows of those effective flowers, and their unmistakable aroma fills the air.

The Valensole plateau is the place you’ll discover probably the most concentrated variety of lavender fields, interspersed by sunflowers and sage. However you’ll additionally discover pretty fields within the Luberon, and the Sault plateau is the place to go in August, because the lavender blooms later within the larger altitude. In fact, the lavender fields additionally make the best backdrop for a romantic picnic for 2, or for a memento portrait session.

Stroll by the markets of Aix-en-Provence

Editorial credit score: ArtCranberry / Shutterstock.com

Aix-en-Provence is called market metropolis, and when you go to, you’ll know why it earned this popularity. Within the hotter months, market stalls unfold up Cours Mirabeau and fan out into town, day-after-day of the week.

Every space has its personal distinctive theme, beginning with antiques round La Rotonde, easing into trend and crafts as you stroll down the tree-lined boulevard, and spreading into contemporary meals as you proceed alongside to Place des Prêcheurs. You’ll additionally discover a flower market in entrance of the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville and a every day meals market at Place Richelme – good for grabbing goodies for a picnic to take pleasure in in one among Aix-en-Provence’s leafy parks.

Watch the sundown from a rooftop bar in Marseille

When you’re searching for probably the most romantic issues to do in Marseille, head to the Vieux Port. It’s right here you’ll really feel a special form of vibe than you’ll expertise within the extra refined cities of Aix-en-Provence or Avignon, but it surely’s one price exploring if you wish to expertise the full of life spirit of France’s second metropolis.

After spending the day discovering the neighborhoods, museums, and markets that encompass the inside metropolis, head to a rooftop terrace to look at the solar sink over the Mediterranean. The Rowing Membership is situated on the finish of the outdated harbour, reverse the MuCEM and presents an informal setting, usually with dwell music and tapas to accompany your apéro.

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Rent a ship and cruise up the Verdon Gorge

The Verdon Gorge is among the most spectacular pure sights in Provence. The 50km lengthy canyon will be explored from above – by automotive, bike or foot – or beneath, by boat. Take the latter possibility if you happen to’re searching for probably the most relaxed journey. You may rent kayaks, pedal boats, or motorized boats from the jetty on the northern tip of the Lac de Sainte-Croix. Take one out for the afternoon, cruise up the canal, then come again to the lake and discover a quiet nook to ‘drop anchor’ and go for a dip. 

Swim & sunbathe on a hidden seashore

Provence is house to an unimaginable shoreline, with a few of France’s best seashores. And regardless of its reputation, it’s nonetheless attainable to seek out romantic coves and secluded spots to loosen up and whereas away the hours swimming and sunbathing. A few of these hidden seashores will be discovered on the Cote Bleue – the Cote d’Azur’s lesser-known sibling. Hike alongside the coast, in both course, from Niolon to seek out the seashores solely the locals frequent. Plage de la Pointe de Figuerolles is a favorite, as is the beautiful Calanque de l’Everine.

Drive by the villages of the Luberon

There are few extra iconic, and romantic, issues to do in Provence than driving by the hilltop villages of the Luberon. From the well-known cobbled alleyways of Gordes, to the sunshine hues of Roussillon, to the understated class of Menerbes – all of them have their very own distinctive attraction.

Allocate a minimum of a day, to permit your self time to indulge within the French artwork of flaneur, and get misplaced in these historical worlds which were preserved and restored remarkably effectively. Pack a picnic to take pleasure in overlooking the valley, or pop into lunch at Bistrot le 5 (Menerbes), or L’Orangerie (at La Bastide in Gordes) to take pleasure in a romantic setting with unbeatable views. 

Sip effective wines at a French Chateau

Moreover meals, the South of France is legendary for its wine. And one wine particularly. Provence rose has a well-earned popularity all over the world, and there are fewer higher locations to pattern it than straight from the producers. The countryside in Provence is peppered with chateaux, so that you received’t be hard-pressed to seek out one to pop into. However if you wish to plan forward, goal for Château La Coste north of Aix-en-Provence which delivers a complete artwork and wine expertise, or head alongside to Chateau Gassier close to Mont Sainte Victoire the place you should purchase a pre-made picnic and sip their signature rose among the many vines.

Store for antiques in L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue

The antiques capital of France, L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue is the very best place to go to select up a singular memento or memento to recollect your journey to the south of France. Browse the stalls for little treasures, earlier than continuing alongside the canals to the center of the outdated city. It’s right here you’ll discover loads extra methods to half together with your cash in boutiques promoting the whole lot from handmade ceramics to genuine Marseille soaps.

The principle market day (Sunday) transforms the city right into a hive of exercise, and after you’ve shopped up a storm, you’ll be able to dine waterside on one of many bistro terraces. When you’re visiting in early August, don’t miss the annual floating market when locals costume up in conventional outfits and promote their wares straight from their boats.

Get carried away by artwork at Carrières de Lumières

Editorial credit score: Evgeny Shmulev / Shutterstock.com

Located in an deserted stone quarry, the Carrières de Lumières right this moment hosts one of the outstanding immersive artwork experiences in Europe. Every year, a single theme is delivered to life by photos and sound to create an encompassing expertise for the senses. Former exhibitions have included Picasso, Van Gogh, and Dali amongst others.

Positioned within the medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, the expertise can go hand in hand with a stroll by one among France’s (official) most lovely villages. Don’t overlook to additionally go to the Chateau des Baux de Provence to immerse your self in one other aspect of the area’s historical past.

Cycle across the island of Porquerolles

The island of Porquerolles is located simply off the coast of the coast of Provence, close to Hyeres. A doable day journey, however a extra gratifying brief break vacation spot, the car-free island is an unspoiled gem within the Mediterranean. Take your bike (or rent one there) and spend your days seashore hopping, visiting the island’s vineyards, or mountain climbing by eucalyptus forests and olive groves. 

Pink lakes and pink birds within the Camargue

There’s no mistaking pink as a color of romance, so if you happen to’re trying to up the ante, why not plan a visit to the Camargue! Dwelling to pink lakes and 1000’s of pink birds, it’s certain to go away an impression. Begin with a visit to the Salin d’Aigues-Mortes, the salt lakes that flip pink from the algae current within the water, Dunaliella Salina. Close by, swarms of larger flamingos collect on the marshlands of the Camargue. To see their pure magnificence up shut, head to Parc Ornithologique the place you’ll be able to stroll across the lakes on a wood pathway. The birds are wild, however you’ll discover a whole bunch of them grazing within the muddy marshes if you happen to go to within the hotter months.

Keep someplace pretty: Romantic Locations to Keep in Provence

The Luberon is the very best place to remain if you happen to’re trying to expertise the romantic nature of Provence. And by chance it’s brimming with decadent inns and B&B’s the place you’ll be able to indulge and loosen up. 

La Bastide de Gordes is famously lavish, and presents guests the final word in luxurious. If that’s not fairly becoming your finances, Le Clos du Buis in Bonnieux presents a extra intimate keep in genuine environment. 

Alternatively, simply south of the Luberon, with easy accessibility to Aix-en-Provence you’ll be able to dwell out your French fantasy by staying within the beautiful Chateau de Fonscolombe. With grand gardens, and its personal onsite winery, you’ll by no means need to return to ‘actual life’

Concerning the creator: Nadine Maffre is the creator of Le Lengthy Weekend. A New Zealand-native, she now calls Provence house and she or he loves to assist others uncover the very best of the area by her Provence journey guides, and her free Provence Journey Planning group.

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