The My French Country Home Way of Travelling
July 28, 2026
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Travel Journal
A Week in Provence: The Places We’d Never Skip
If someone gave us one week in Provence and asked us where we’d go, these are the places we’d happily return to.
There are hundreds of lists online telling you what you “must” see in Provence.
Truthfully, that’s not how we travel.
When friends come to visit, we don’t try to show them everything. We’d rather spend the morning wandering through a market than rushing between villages. We’d rather introduce them to someone whose work we admire than squeeze another monument into the day.
So if you asked us how we’d spend a week in Provence, this is probably what it would look like.
Not because these are the biggest attractions, but simply because they’re the places we genuinely enjoy returning to.
Friday Morning Belongs to Lourmarin
If you happen to be in Provence on a Friday, start in Lourmarin.
The market spills through the village streets, with stalls selling vegetables, linen, pottery, cheeses, olive wood boards, flowers… a little bit of everything.
We rarely arrive with a shopping list, and you’ll probably leave carrying something you never intended to buy.
Afterwards, grab a coffee on one of the terraces before wandering through the little streets. There are some lovely galleries and independent shops tucked away from the main square.
Visit Gardens That Feel Lived In
One of the reasons we love Provence is that the gardens never feel overly polished. They feel personal.
One garden we always recommend is Le Jardin de Brantes.
It has been cared for by the same family for generations, and walking through it feels more like being invited into someone’s home than visiting a formal garden.
Those are always our favourite kind.
©Chateau de Ma Mère
Shop Where the Locals Shop
We rarely leave Provence without stopping at a few favourite addresses.
Jeanne Bayol is always worth a visit if you love beautiful interiors and carefully chosen antiques.
We’re also very fond of Le Château de Ma Mère, where you’ll find clothing, homeware and objects that somehow always end up taking a little space in the suitcase on the way home.
Never Plan Too Much
One of our favourite afternoons is simply driving between villages.
Bonnieux.
Goult.
Maybe Ménerbes if we’re nearby.
We stop when something catches our eye.
A little gallery.
A bakery.
A beautiful doorway.
A café that looks busy with locals.
Some of our favourite memories have come from places we hadn’t planned to stop at.
©MFCH – England Tour
Lunch Is Part of the Day
If we’re near Saint-Rémy, you’ll probably find us at Château des Alpilles.
It’s peaceful, the setting is beautiful and it’s exactly the kind of place where lunch naturally turns into the afternoon.
Learn Something New
One of the nicest ways to understand Provence is through its food.
The cooking classes at La Mirande are always a pleasure, whether you’re an experienced cook or simply enjoy spending time in the kitchen.
You leave with recipes, of course.
But also with a better understanding of local ingredients and traditions.
©MFCH – Normandy Tour
Meet The People Who Live Here
One of the greatest pleasures of travelling is meeting people who are passionate about what they do.
That’s why we always enjoy spending time with Ashley Tinker, the founder of Curious Provence.
Ashley has spent years uncovering local makers, artists and stories that many visitors would otherwise never come across.
It’s a reminder that Provence isn’t just beautiful.
Go Antique Hunting
If your trip happens to fall on the last Sunday of the month, don’t miss the brocante in Eygalières.
It’s one of our favourites.
If not, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is always worth browsing.
Don’t arrive hoping to furnish an entire house.
Arrive hoping to find one thing you can’t stop thinking about.
That’s usually enough.
©Chateau Estoublon
Make Time for Château Estoublon
Even if you’re not an olive oil expert or a wine expert, Château Estoublon is simply a lovely place to spend a few hours.
Taste the olive oils.
Walk through the estate.
Have lunch if you can.
Leave with a bottle that will remind you of Provence after you’ve returned home.
Don’t Try to See Everything
If there’s one piece of advice we’d give anyone visiting Provence, it’s this.
Leave room for surprises.
The little village you hadn’t heard of.
The conversation with a shop owner.
The roadside fruit stand.
The unexpected invitation.
Provence has a way of rewarding curiosity.
Sometimes the best part of the day isn’t the place you planned to visit.
It’s the stop you almost drove past.
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