I am thrilled to be back in the Provence region of France! I’m combining work and pleasure on this six-day trip. The first few days of the trip will be spent scouting locations so I can check out hotels for clients and potential future Atlas Adventures trips. We’ll be exploring Gordes, Apt, Crillon-le-Brave, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (for some wine tastings), Menebres, and a few others. Then, I’ll be joined by a few girlfriends for my bachelorette/hen party!
Why I Love Provence
Provence is arguably one of the most beautiful regions in France (which is probably why Rénoir, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Picasso, and other great impressionist artists frequented the area to inspire their work). The region is full of the most charming villages scattered throughout rolling hills. Whether you're nestled in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail, by the sparkling waters of Côte d'Azur, or discovering endless fields of lavender or sunflowers, Provence is a stunning variety of landscapes. There's so much to do here that you could easily spend months in the area and never get bored. A few years ago, a friend and I visited Valensole to see the lavender fields in all their glory before visiting Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Paradou, Aix-en-Provence, Ménerbes, and Gordes. I’ve visited Provence several times since that trip and in 2023, we hosted our first Atlas Adventures trip in the region.
The region includes the coast of southeastern France next to the Mediterranean and includes hundreds of cities, towns, and villages. Many of these villages could easily be pulled from the pages of Beauty and the Beast. While it will be at the beginning of summer, the temperatures typically range from high 70s to mid 80s. I’m packing plenty of lightweight clothes to match the casually chic vibe of the villages.
My Tips for Visiting Provence
If you’re visiting Provence (and I highly recommend you do), let me first suggest renting a car. A lot of these quaint villages are fairly remote and would be difficult to get to without a car. It may seem intimidating to drive in a foreign country, but I assure you that if I can do it, so can you! Just be sure to always have plenty of Euros handy because the tolls in France are a pretty penny. You’ll also want to make sure and book your reservation for an automatic car if you aren’t used to driving stick shift.
The markets in the towns are a true joy and a must-see. However, market days tend to get very busy so be sure to plan ahead (and know which day they take place in each town!) Many of these villages are built within the hillside; which means you’ll likely come across stone staircases and plenty of cobblestone streets. You’ll want to pack comfortable shoes with good tread to easily navigate the charming thoroughfares.
My team has a wealth of knowledge about this region: everything from the best hotels, to fantastic restaurants, navigating which specific towns to visit & more. We’d love to help you plan a trip of your own! When you book with us, we’re also able to get you exclusive perks & even upgrades at the top hotels. Get in touch to start planning!
What I packed for provence
For this trip, I packed a few classic pieces that can be used in various settings. For my hen party, we’re staying at a villa with a pool that overlooks a winery so I anticipate a lot of relaxing poolside and exploring a town or two here & there.
I have been living in this olive green linen top and pants and these sandals. They are so chic yet incredibly comfortable. I love being able to mix and match the pieces. For cooler evenings I’ll pair it with a sweater. In Italy recently, I paired the top with this silk skirt and these espadrilles for a dinner out in the town. This outfit is making a repeat appearance in France. I packed a floral print Ellie Nap Dress and a linen maxi dress to wear when exploring the area. I also packed my trusted woven flats.
We will likely spend an evening or two in town so I’m taking this dress with the sweetest lace cut-out detail. The draping of the hem has a perfect flutter to it. I’m also packing a blue floral dress from Sezane. While mine is sold out, the Mariama dress from them has a similar cut.
For days spent lounging at the pool, I’m taking this floral one-piece. I got so many compliments on it when I wore it last! I also packed this gorgeous caftan that can be worn over my swimsuit and I also wear it on its own. I wore it to lunch in Capri a few weeks ago while visiting a new luxury hotel. Finally, I packed my favorite set from Lake Pajamas. These are hands down my favorite pajamas!
I am so looking forward to this trip and feel incredibly lucky to have this special time with my friends!
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