Ultimate Provence Travel Guide for the Antiques & Design Lover

Chloe Legras, founder of Boxwood Abroad, takes us to the sun drenched hills of Provence, sharing where the experts go, what's worth seeing, and where to stay for the most magical trip to the Luberon!

Welcome to…Provence! The corner of France where centuries-old villages cling to sun-baked hillsides, and each day is an invitation to celebrate life (the French way).

A land that has captivated artisans, writers, and travelers for centuries with its breathtaking landscapes and slow pace of life.

Provence is where I head when I want to rest, recharge, and find a sense of peace. The stone houses, sprawling olive groves and vineyards, and the antiques…oh the antiques! To me, Provence is the ultimate slow luxury destination.

A favorite for the warm Mediterranean sun and sweet smell of lavender fields, as soon as you make your way to the Luberon countryside, you’ll find an immediate sense of calm.

Between visiting the charming towns, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, or a local brocante, you will find restoration and the joys of slowing down.

Since founding Boxwood Abroad, well even before then…I've spent extensive time leading our group trips to Provence and have discovered the best spots to visit for those of us who love antiques, design, and a slower paced holiday.

Today I am sharing some of my tried and true spots and tips for making the most of your trip…ya know, the places I'd tell my besties to go!

Join me in Provence

Imagine a completely planned for you trip to Provence. With like-minded women, antiquing, eating, drinking, and enjoying all the region has to offer. Sound too good to be true? It’s not! We’re heading back this September and invite you to join…

First, What is Provence?

Provence is simply a region in the South of France.

It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage. Originally influenced by Greek and Roman civilizations, Provence’s unique character is shaped by its Mediterranean climate, distinctive cuisine, and of course, the famous Mistral wind.

It’s important to know that “Provence” is a region in France. It would be like saying “the South” in the states. There are many different areas of Provence, and in this guide, I will share some of the notable areas as well as hidden gems.

Key cities like Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and Avignon serve as cultural hubs, while charming villages dot the countryside.

Pro Tip: When visiting Provence, I recommend staying in a smaller village such as Lourmarin, Gordes, Bonnieux, Oppède le Vieux, or Saint Remy de Provence. Personally, I don’t care for the larger villages (Aix or Avignon), because I prefer a more quaint experience…but more on that later.

Agriculture plays a large part in the local identity and economy. Provence is known for its olive oil, fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Wine is also a staple, with red, rosé, and white varietals produced across the region.

Most visitors flock to the area to indulge in the scenery, cuisine, and relaxed lifestyle that have drawn people for centuries.

Why Visit Provence?

Well, why wouldn’t you?

First and foremost…there’s the design! Architecture, antiques, and inspiration galore. Whether you’re an interior designer like me, or not, you will be inspired.

If you’re not familiar with my story, I will share a little bit about my love of France and how I’ve come to be an expert on all things France.

My grandfather was born in a small town called Megeve, which is located in the French alps. He immigrated to the USA where my father was born in Lake Tahoe. I guess you could say that I have equal parts love of the mountains, France, and the countryside.

My French heritage has provided me with an intrinsic joie de vivre that I fostered while living on a remote cattle ranch in northern California for a decade.

As I began to explore my roots, I found myself drawn back to Provence time and time again. I have a deep appreciation for artisans, slow living, and the simple luxuries that make for a fulfilling life.

In addition, I am an interior designer and absolutely love sourcing antiques for my clients across the world. Blend all of that up, and you get: Provence!

I was actually first drawn to the area for the antique shopping. You will find marchés, brocantes, and antiquities dealers throughout the region! You could spend a full day, heck, multiple days just antique shopping!

Next, there’s the landscape. Picture rolling hills covered in vineyards, fields of lavender stretching as far as the eye can see, and quaint villages perched on hilltops. It’s the place that inspired Vincent van Gogh and truly makes you want to pick up a paintbrush…even if you’ve never painted before.

Then there’s the food. Oh boy, the Provençal cuisine. The region is renowned for its fresh, flavorful produce, exquisite olive oils, and world-class wines. It’s a different spin on flavor than other regions in France, with tomatoes being a star player.

You also absolutely must visit the vibrant Provençal markets, where you can experience local culture and flavors. But, more on that later.

In addition to the food, you’ll also find many historical sites. Roman ruins, medieval castles, and ancient villages are scattered throughout the region.

For beach lovers, the Côte d’Azur has some of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines. But perhaps the best reason to visit Provence is to experience the art of living well. Here, life moves at a different pace. Long lunches are the norm, not the exception, and there’s always time to appreciate the small pleasures in life.

Getting to Provence

So, how can you get to this French paradise? Luckily, Provence isn’t a far-flung, hard-to-reach destination. It is well-connected to the rest of France and Europe. In fact, you’ve got quite a few options to choose from, and here are some of the best ways:

By Air

The first step to getting to Provence is by flight. Once you’ve arrived in France, you’ll then either drive or take a train to the Provence region.

Flying into Paris

Whenever I visit Provence, I almost always fly into Paris first. Partly because j’adore Paris (now, where I call home), but it’s also a very easy flight for me. I find it to be cost effective and allows me a couple of days in the city before heading south to the French countryside.

Flying into Nice

Flying is often the quickest way to reach Provence, especially if you’re coming from outside France. For those heading to the eastern side and the French Riviera, flying into Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is your best bet.

As France’s third-busiest airport, it offers several international and domestic flights. Once you’ve landed, you can easily reach glamorous coastal towns like Cannes and Saint-Tropez and charming inland villages, often just a short ride away by taxi, rental car, or train.

Flying into Marseille

Marseille Provence Airport serves the western part of the region. It’s ideal to explore Aix-en-Provence, Arles, or the Camargue. The airport is well-connected to major European cities and has intercontinental flights.

By Train

Once you are in France, or if you’re already visiting another part of Europe, the train will place you directly in Aix or Avignon.

Honestly, there’s something romantic about watching the French countryside zip by as you head south.

Once you have arrived in Avignon or Aix, you’ll then rent a car or take a taxi to your final destination. I will share more details about getting around Provence down below.

Arriving in Avignon

Avignon’s TGV station is a major hub for fast TGV trains. You can reach Avignon from Paris in about 2 hours and 40 minutes. The station is a short shuttle ride from the city center, where you’ll find the famous Palais des Papes and Pont d’Avignon.

Arriving in Aix-en-Provence

The Aix-en-Provence TGV station is another convenient entry point. It’s about 3 hours from Paris.

While the station is outside the city, regular shuttle buses connect it to the center of Aix, known for its beautiful boulevards and connection to artist, Cézanne.

I actually prefer to arrive in Aix rather than Avignon because it is closer to the villages of Bonnieux and Lourmarin, which I prefer calling “home” during my visits to the region.

Expert Tips

As I mentioned, I generally fly directly to Paris and spend a few days exploring the city before heading down south.

From Paris, we always take a high-speed train to Aix-en-Provence or Avignon, depending on where we’re headed in Provence. Once I have arrived, I reserve a rental car (be sure to do so ahead of time, and book an “automatic”!).

Also, double check that the rental car center will be open when you arrive. It’s always been a little bit of a headache picking up the rental car – I suggest checking in, making an account, and doing as much as you can prior to your arrival to expedite the process.

Or, you can simply hire a driver (we love working with Caroline: +33637523792 – use WhatsApp). It is quite nice to have a rental car though – think of it as if you were visiting the South in the US, and wanted to visit multiple areas, you’d want to have a rental car!

For the return, I either take the train back to Paris or extend my trip to the Côte d’Azur and fly out of Nice. This approach often provides me with better airline prices and saves me from dealing with layovers.

Train Tips: I always book in advance because they sell out rather quickly, especially on popular routes during peak season. I always splurge for the 1st class so that I have a place to store my luggage.

I recommend booking about a month in advance. Keep an eye on timing as train times change fairly often even after you’ve purchased your ticket (similar to flight time changes).

The Best Accommodations in Provence

Provence has various lodging options to suit every traveler’s preferences. From five star hotels to charming bed and breakfasts and home-like vacation rentals, there’s something for every taste and budget.

Hotels

Provence’s hotel scene is rich and varied. Larger cities like Aix-en-Provence feature familiar international chains alongside boutique hotels.

As an interior designer, I am quite opinionated on hotels – I always like a well designed hotel, it’s very important to me!

If you want luxury, Airelles La Bastide de Gordes, perched atop a cliff in one of France’s most beautiful villages, it’s a total splurge, but unreal and the service is unmatched. The views are simply breathtaking!

Where to Stay in Provence

Where you stay in Provence is the most important choice you’ll make when planning your trip. Many people opt to rent a bastide (country farmhouse) or stay at a charming B&B. Which I find more authentic than staying at a hotel. A few of my favorite places to call “home” when in Provence:

• Lourmarin: My number one recommendation. Wonderfully located near Bonnieux and Lacoste. Lourmarin has the best markets and feels completely authentic. The town center does not allow cars, which I find to be a key element of joy. Lourmarin’s Friday morning markets are one of the best in Provence, and the village offers great restaurants, and beautiful lodging. This is where we host our Boxwood Abroad retreats! We recommend either Le Galinier or Le moulin. If you prefer a more luxury stay, try Capelongue. All three are owned by the same hotel group. Another favorite is Domaine de Fontenille, it’s fantastique!

• Gordes: Is an amazing town in Provence that sits atop a hill and overlooks the entire valley. It’s positively stunning, and truly iconic. Gordes is the “beverly hills” of Provence, it’s not my top recommendation because it’s a bit isolated and hard to get in and out of, but the Airelles hotel is fantastique!

• Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: Lively without being loud, rich in history, and home to one of the best weekly markets in the region. I absolutely LOVE St. Remy. It’s on the opposite end of the valley to Lourmarin, and closer to Avignon. I recommend staying at Hotel Château Des Alpilles which is an iconic hotel in the area. Domaines de Chabran is also nearby if you’d like to stay on this side of Provence. *This is a better location for visiting Châteauneuf du Pape if that’s of interest to you.

• Hotel Crillon le Brave near Mont Ventoux is a favorite if you prefer a more intimate setting. This boutique hotel, comprised of restored stone houses, beautifully blends luxury with authenticity. It’s situated much further north in the area, and not as convenient to get to the other villages.

• One of my other favorites is Le Saint Hubert, which has a fantastic restaurant! Located in a tiny village, it’s a darling option.

TL;DR: If you were my best friend, I’d say - stay in Lourmarin, arrive via Aix TGV.

Lastly, If you’re heading south to the coast afterwards, I love St. Tropez. Stay at Hotel La Ponche – hands down! I know it’s tempting to go to Nice or Antibes, but honestly, I think you’ll like St. Tropez better, or for an even quieter spot try le Provencial.

The Best Towns to Visit in Provence