The 26 things to do in PACA

Looking for the ideal destination for a dream holiday in France? Go to Provence and its 25 must-sees!

Cézanne and Van Gogh have sublimated his landscapes. Pagnol and Giono have popularized the art of living provencal envied by all. The warm welcome of its inhabitants has made the rest. Evoking Provence is to call the songs of cicadas, the scent and violet of the fields of lavender in bloom, it is to have images of posting of the 1930s in the head and to be plunged into crystalline waters. Not bad, right? This is the program that awaits you if you decide to visit Provence.

The region is a must-see destination for the summer period, both French and foreign travel, attracted to the diversity of its landscapes, its climate and a certain sweetness of life. In fact, more than one life would be needed to discover the beauties of the region. However, here is an attempt to present the 26 essentials to visit in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

1. Les Îles d’Or

These are the jewels to visit in Provence and the name of the Golden Islands does not tell you anything, Porquerolles, Port-Cros and the Levant should speak to you more. These are miniature Mediterranean concentrates with their paths that snake through the pines, their coves hidden from turquoise waters and incredible seabeds.

In short, little paradises, especially out of season.

2. L’Estérel

This volcanic massif located between Cannes and Saint-Raphaël is in reality a piece of Africa that has attached itself to the French Riviera during the formation of the sea. The multiple nuances of its red mountains taken from the randonneu·rses and the blue of the sea are a feast for the eyes.

The massif is classified to protect its natural treasures. The mythical National 7 crosses the inner lands while the well known Route de la Corniche d’Or runs along the shredded coast.

3. Saint-Tropez

Who never fredded "Do you, do you Saint-Tropez"? It is the city that a part of the world dreams of visiting in Provence and that others flee. Forget the a priori and direction Brigitte Bardot's city but only off-season! It is the sine qua non condition to appreciate the medieval village, its colourful facades, its small port and the climbing plants. Art lovers will not miss the Musée de l’Annonciade whose colourful works delight visitors.

4. La Vallée des Merveilles (Mercantour)

Difficult to decide whether the wonders describe the superb sequence of mountain landscapes with the succession of altitude lakes and rocky peaks with changing colors, or the famous exceptional engravings of the Prehistory that make it a classified archaeological site.

Always is it that the whole bears its name well and the hikes promise to be unforgettable. The Train des Merveilles is also a good alternative to discover the perched villages of the region.

Know the Valley of the Wonders is within the Mercantour National Park . In itself, and if you have time, the whole area is a must to visit.

5. Cape Ferrat

Known as the Cap des Milliardaires, you must not stop at its reputation and take the time to go along this peninsula. The coastal path that makes it possible to turn around is one of the most beautiful to see in Provence with many hidden creeks and a characteristic vegetation of the region.

The best is to travel it out of season obviously when the waters are no longer sprinkled with mooring boats.

6. Villa Ephrussi

If you want to immerse yourself a few hours in the life of the great fortunes that made the fame of the Cap, it is this villa that must be visited in Provence! Moreover, it would be necessary to speak of a palace to designate the rose building whose architecture refers to a palazzo Italian with an amazing mix of Renaissance and Gothic styles.

The interiors with the marble patio and 18th century-style apartments are just as sumptuous. And on the outside, there are no less than 9 different gardens that have been created! Luxury.

7. A boat ride

Going to the discovery of the PACA Region by boat is a step that you must not miss under any pretext... Indeed, rent a boat in this beautiful region promises a day full of softness and sublime views!

This is a beautiful way to discover the surroundings of South France. So for a one-day or one-week trip, to swim in the middle of the sea, to see the city from another point of view or just to escape, we take the sea!

A rental system is ample enough to please one or more times so affinity, and this at all seasons!

8. Nice

Visiting Provence and ignoring Nice would be a mistake. Indeed, the city is not summed up at the Promenade des Anglais, it is necessary to take the time to get lost in the streets of the old city that recalls the Italian history of Nice.

You can also go in the footsteps of the Russian presence with the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and the Park of Valrose. For a gastronomic break, one must taste the unmatched socca then go and admire the works of Chagall.

9. The islands of Lérins

They are seen from the coast that cut off, far, on the horizon. However, it is often ignored that they are small paradises. The island of Sainte-Marguerite is the largest, it is covered by forest that randonneu·rses explore while the others leave to the assault of the sandy coves.

Saint-Honorat is the most preserved thanks to his abbey in which monks still live, producing wine and liqueurs, but also lavender.

10. Grasse

It is impossible to visit Provence without stopping in the world perfume capital. This is where the only international museum of perfumery and the old factories of large perfumers like Fragonard are located. You can even create your own fragrance and at the end of the day, the world of scents will have no secret for you.

Finally, the city turns out to be charming to see with its historical facades.

11. The country back

There is not only the coastline that is very popular in Provence, the hinterland, especially above Nice, sees its population explode during the summer period. The fault of the villages perched like Gourdon, Tourettes-sur-Loup or Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

The fault also to the stars and artists like Montand, Giono, Ventura who had their habits there. But also the fault of the old stones, the winding alleys, with the scents of bougainvilliers and jasmines in bloom. In summary, the fault of the Provencal charm.

12. The National Park of Writers

The NRP covers a total of 91,800 hectares, with 7 valleys and 3 large hiking trails for peaks. With respect to flora, more than 1,800 species are identified and therefore protected. The same applies to wildlife with traditional mammals of high-montagne and 210 species of birds, including the rare royal eagles, tetras-lyres and lagopèdes.

This is the perfect place to recharge the batteries and forget the daily tumult in front of the grandiose landscapes of the mountain.

13. Marseille

Want a city-trip while you visit Provence? It is a cosmopolitan, dynamic city, fruit of a wonderful cultural brew.

There are the essentials , Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde , the beautiful MuCEM , the famous Old Port ride and the Château d’If . Then there are more secret places like the neighborhood of Cart, the old village of Estaque and the Vallon des Auffes where the bouillabaisse is, we say, the best.

14. Les calanques de Cassis

If there was only one portion of the coast to see in Provence, it would be this one! The sea cliffs are among the highest in Europe and the color of the water is even more beautiful than in dreams.

By chance, the site is a national park, which allows to protect it but also to have access to many trails to admire among the most beautiful views of the country. As for the coves, they are at the height of their reputation with the pins perched on the heights, which explains their attendance rate.

15. Aix-en-Provence, the mountain Sainte-Victoire

Its architecture recalls the Italy , just like its squares decorated with pretty fountains whose water refreshes the visitor. You can start your exploration by the old town with the baroque facades of the private hotels of the Mazarin district. Don’t forget to take the time to chiner in the shops of brocaners and booksellers who populate the alleys.

The swimsuit can also serve you if you decide to go for a tour of the baths whose origins go back to Antiquity. Finally, to finish your day, go up to the Sainte-Victoire to admire the sunset as Cézanne would have done.

16. Les Baux-de-Provence

Located in the Alpilles, this perched village is one of the most visited in Provence. Surprisingly, the old alleys that climb to the storm of the rocky summit have lost nothing of their appeal despite the very high tourist concentration.

In addition to the ruins of the castle and the old village, the site houses another treasure in the ancient quarries. Drawn under the mountain, the galleries with huge walls of 4,000m2 are the scene of grandiose artistic light projections.

17. Avignon

If there is a festival in Provence, it is Avignon. The gigantic theatrical manifestation attracts crowds and best artists in this field. And the frame is no longer possible with the great scene installed in the honor court of the Palace of popes . Palace that you must obviously visit because of its uniqueness outside Rome.

The other jewel of Avignon is Pont Saint-Bénézet whose monumental arches always fascinate visitors.

18. Gordes

It is very difficult, if not impossible to make an exhaustive selection of the perched villages to visit in Provence. However, Gordes is certainly one of the most photogenic with the houses that snake to the top of the hill. This first glimpse of the village from the road remains engraved in the memories.

After arriving in its centre, several discovery routes are offered by the Tourist Office to not miss the beauty of its old stones.

19. Provencal Colorado

It is one of the most unusual activities to do in Provence, believing in a western in the heart of Luberon. This impression is due to the work of the Dôa River that dug the rock over time and discovered the layers of ochres that compose it. The man’s hand made the rest by using the site to make careers of ochers.

Today, for the greatest happiness of the small and large, the site is designed and allows to discover the flamboyant colors of the vallons and fairy chimneys. To complete this visit on the theme of colors, do not miss the very beautiful village of Roussillon whose houses are covered with ochers.

20. The Ancient Theatre of Orange

It is not a simple theatre, far from there, it is exceptional by its age and has even been qualified by Louis XIV as the "best wall" of its kingdom. Nothing surprising to this because the Roman theatre of Orange is the best preserved in Europe with its almost intact scene wall.

With its 100 meters long and 37 meters high, it gives the whole a grandiose decor and a beautiful acoustic. This is why it is strongly advised to discover this jewel during a concert.

21. Le Mont Ventoux

Known as "the giant of Provence", the mountain is a mythical stage, almost as much as the Alps pass, of the great cycling races. It dominates the whole area of the top of its 1,912 meters that can be seen about a hundred kilometers in the round.

The top finish is an opportunity to admire a lunar landscape defeated by the winds. The mountain is also a refuge for exceptional flora and fauna, the luckiest and patient can, for example, observe wolves.

22. The Abbey of Senanque

After your stroll in Gordes, do not miss taking the D177 to reach the Abbey of Senanque, sublime Cistercian building surrounded by lavender fields. The site is one of the most beautiful to see in Provence, especially at the time of flowering of “blue gold”.

A community of monks still lives there but allows the visit of historical parties such as the former dormitory or the chapter room. Do not leave the premises without having kissed the spectacle of the buildings nestled in the hollow of the vallon.

23. The Gorges du Verdon

Sometimes referred to as the most imposing gorges in Europe, it is in any case one of the landscapes to see in Provence. They run on 21 kilometers with cliffs from 300 to 600 meters high. The water is of an enchanting turquoise colour, an oasis of freshness, especially under the burning sun of summer.

Of course, you have to take the time to admire the fantastic landscapes of rocky chaos from the roads along the canyon. You must also stop to discover the villages perched at the turn of a turn and their heritage. The most sporti·fs·ves can, in their case, travel through the many hiking trails.

24. La Camargue

Sharing with the region Occitania (la) Little Camargue located in the Gard), the Camargue is one of the most beautiful natural setting in France. It stands out by a unique landscape and an exceptional fauna and flora, with more than 2,000 different species.

In Camargue, the bull and the horse are kings. Thus, walking around the back of the first and attending a Camarguaise race represent the region's must-see activities. The opportunity to discover one of the strongest traditions of South France.

25. L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Also known as the Comtat Venice, the city is an ideal setting for a relaxing and inspiring ride. As you walk through the streets of the centre, you will make a leap in the past, in the Provence of old, as Pagnol loved filming it.

Also in the many antique shops that line the canals, and bring back a souvenir of your passage.

26. The Queyras Valley

Located in the Hautes-Alpes, this natural park offers a breathtaking natural setting. Nature and nothing but nature will dictate your program. The area is well known to hiking fans, but also cyclists as the valley houses the famous Izoard and Agnel pass.

How to get to Provence?

By plane

The area is well served by the air network with 4 international airports: Nice Marseille, Toulon-Hyères and Avignon. Depending on your drop point, find the most appropriate flights using a flight comparison as Skyscanner . Enter your criteria and dates, the comparator handles the rest.

By train

The train is also a good way to visit Provence. Several TGV stations are located in the region. Nice train station, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence are less than 3 hours from Paris and Marseille.

By car

The mythical National 7 , the "tourage route", although very beautiful to browse, has left room for a faster motorway network to visit Provence. Among others, there is A7 that goes back to Marseille, then the A8 along the coast to Nice.

Where to stay in Provence?

The region is the flagship destination of summer, so it has a very large and diversified housing offer. Therefore, you have the choice between hotels of all categories, campsites, Airbnb , cottages or bed and breakfast of charm and many more. The best thing is to make you an idea by going on a Compare hotels , to find the best offers, based on your requirements.

You now know what you can't miss, if you come to visit Provence! Good trip!