Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Provence France! Provence is really amazing, with lavender fields, Roman architecture, and beautiful Provence villages. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit Provence.
Hate #1: You Need a Car
While you can take the train from town to town, to really explore Provence, you need to have your own car. It’s the best way to see all of the things to do in Provence, because you want to be able to linger in one place and not be rushed around by a tour guide or tour group, or be beholden to a train schedule.
Hate #2: Tourist Crowds
The secret is out on Provence. Many Provence destinations, especially in summer, can feel a bit overrun with tourists. If you want to stay in a Provence village between May and September, plan to book your accommodation far in advance because the B&B’s and hotels can fill up during the busy months.
Hate #3: Pickpockets & Tourist Scams
Unfortunately, wherever there are crowds of tourists, the tourist scammers are not far behind. Pickpockets are definitely an issue in the large Provence towns like Avignon, although not as bad as in Nice or Marseilles. Likewise, if you rent a car for your trip, make sure you don’t leave belongings out in the open. Leave them locked in the trunk or back at your hotel.
How to Avoid Travel Scams & Rip-Offs
Hate #4: TGV Station Locations
When you take the TGV down from Paris, as a lot of people do, you’ll find that the TGV stations are not often in the center of town. Most towns have a train station in the center, but it’s not where the high-speed train goes, so once you arrive by TGV, you’ll have to transfer to a local train in order to reach the city center.
Hate #5: High Season Prices
The influx of tourists to Provence has caused a considerable increase in prices in Provence, especially for accommodation. So, it’s important to book ahead to get the best deals, but also consider renting an apartment so you can save money on meals. Provence has excellent markets, so cooking with fresh, local ingredients is a great way to experience the culture.
How to Cut Costs While You Travel
Love #1: Lavender Fields & Nature
Come June, when the lavender starts to bloom and the fields explode in color, it’s just gorgeous to drive around and take it all in. The beauty of Provence is truly in the nature so you will be outside a lot, and it’s the reason you want to rent a car.
Love #2: Provence Villages
Every Provence village seems to be cuter than the next. With cobblestone streets, flowery plazas, and historic churches, it’s hard to believe just how many things there are to see in Provence. It’s also important to see more than Avignon and Aix-en-Provence; make sure you are getting out to the smaller towns.
Love #3: Historic Sights
At one time, Avignon had Popes based there, so there are Papal Palaces and churches. Of course, the Roman aqueducts and walled cities have a ton of history surrounding them. VanGogh spent a lot of time in Arles, so some areas of Provence may even look familiar on your first visit and it’s because you’ve seen them in paintings.
Love #4: Tourism Infrastructure
You may have heard that people in France don’t speak English, but that’s far from the truth. Provence has an excellent tourist infrastructure that includes a lot of English speakers. There are maps and guides that are easily available for travelers, as well as many tours if you decide not to have your own car.
Love #5: Food & Wine
Yes, food and wine is fantastic everywhere in France, but it’s even more so in Provence. The wine is amazing, so make sure you visit some of the vineyards throughout Provence. The food is so good, and is a major part of the local culture. Many travelers come here specifically for food tours or cooking classes because it’s a very well-known region for food and wine.
Provence France is a great holiday destination and an area we love to visit. The “hates” are really just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to visit Provence. Want more info about travel in France? Check out these other blog posts: