Thinking of going on holiday to Provence, but don’t know where to start? Read on for 5 tips on how to have the holiday of your dreams.
Choose your destination
Of course, if you’re a great adventurer and can’t stand still, there’s nothing to stop you being guided and wandering from town to town within the region so you don’t miss a thing. If you’re looking for peace and quiet and prefer to stay in one place a little longer, there are several options open to you:
- The Alpilles and its mountain ranges or its regional nature park, perfect for lovers of hiking and nature. You’ll also have the chance to try your hand at oenology, as the region boasts a number of wine-producing estates.
- Arles, with its ancient Roman ruins, and especially its amphitheatre, where you can enjoy all kinds of theatrical and musical performances, and even bullfights. It’s also a great place to discover the Camargue countryside.
- The Luberon, with its natural diversity and mountain range culminating at 1100 metres, where you’ll find plenty of hiking trails to explore on foot, mountain bike or horseback.
- Avignon, with its historic centre and well-preserved ramparts, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Aix-en-Provence for fans of rosé, a speciality of the surrounding vineyards.
- The Ventoux, with its peaks, gorges and hilltop villages.
Make your reservations in advance
Provence is a popular holiday destination, particularly during the school holidays and especially in the summer months. As you probably know, prices often tend to rise with demand, so remember to book your train or plane tickets and accommodation in advance.
Choose your transport
The ideal means of transport depends very much on your departure city. The car is very practical for those who wish to retain their independence and live nearby. On the other hand, trains and planes are particularly suitable for those who live a little further away, and you often won’t pay much more than by car if you book well in advance.
Think about parking at the airport
If you’re flying, don’t forget to reserve your parking space. Parking at Roissy CDG airport is not necessarily difficult to find at an acceptable price, as long as you book several weeks in advance. Ideally, try to book at the same time as you buy your plane tickets, that way you won’t be hit by last-minute price increases.
Compare different forms of accommodation
Your accommodation will probably account for the bulk of your holiday budget, so make sure you compare different options to find the one that’s best for you.
If you have a small group or don’t want to have to cook during your stay, the classic hotel option is still your best bet. It does, however, cost a little more than the others.
Renting private holiday accommodation is probably the best compromise between independence and savings if you’re travelling in a group. The more people rent the same accommodation, the more attractive the relative price per person becomes.
Finally, camping is probably your most affordable option for holiday accommodation in the French provinces, especially if you come with your own motorhome. However, you will have to sacrifice a little peace and quiet compared with private accommodation.
