The 11 Best Attractions in Provence (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 11 picks

The best things to do in Provence in 2026 are the Palais des Papes and the Pont d'Avignon, the Roman Pont du Gard, Arles' arena and LUMA tower, the Théâtre Antique in Orange, the Gorges du Verdon, the Abbaye de Sénanque among lavender, and the Carrières des Lumières at Les Baux. Lavender blooms from mid-June to late July.

Provence rewards a base and a car: Avignon or Saint-Rémy for the Roman sites and the Alpilles; Aix-en-Provence for the city and the Cézanne country; the Luberon villages for markets and lavender. Summer is hot and busy, with the Avignon Festival in July; spring and early autumn are the sweet spots. For the hill villages, see our best villages in Provence.

The list at a glance

Palais des Papes and the Pont d'Avignon Avignon
Pont du Gard Vers-Pont-du-Gard (near Avignon)
Arles: the Arena and LUMA Arles Arles
Théâtre Antique d'Orange Orange
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque Near Gordes, Luberon
Gorges du Verdon Alpes-de-Haute-Provence / Var
Carrières des Lumières Les Baux-de-Provence
Saint-Paul de Mausole, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Aix-en-Provence Aix-en-Provence
Camargue and the Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Lavender Fields of the Plateau de Valensole Valensole, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

1. Palais des Papes and the Pont d'Avignon — Avignon

The vast Gothic palace of the 14th-century popes, and the half-bridge of the song.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for First-timers · History · Families

When the popes moved to Avignon in the 14th century, they built the Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in Europe. Visits use a tablet that reconstructs the rooms as they were.

Nearby, the Pont Saint-Bénezet — the 'Pont d'Avignon' of the nursery song — stops halfway across the Rhône. A combined ticket covers both.

Good to know: Buy the combined ticket and climb to the Rocher des Doms garden for the view of the bridge.

Place du Palais, 84000 Avignon

Google Maps Website

2. Pont du Gard — Vers-Pont-du-Gard (near Avignon)

A three-tiered Roman aqueduct bridge, one of the wonders of the ancient world.

$ BudgetBest for Families · History · Swimming

The Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct bridge from the 1st century, three tiers of golden stone arches spanning the Gardon river. It carried water to Nîmes, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The site has a museum, walking trails, and the river below for swimming and canoeing in summer.

Good to know: Come late in the afternoon for the light, and swim in the Gardon in summer.

400 Route du Pont du Gard, 30210 Vers-Pont-du-Gard

Google Maps Website

3. Arles: the Arena and LUMA Arles — Arles

A Roman arena, Van Gogh's town, and Frank Gehry's shimmering LUMA tower.

$ BudgetBest for History · Art lovers · Photography

Arles has a Roman arena still used for events, a Roman theater and a UNESCO-listed old town where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works. LUMA Arles, a contemporary art campus, is crowned by Frank Gehry's twisted metal tower.

The Rencontres d'Arles photography festival fills the town each summer.

Good to know: Climb the arena towers for the view, then walk to LUMA.

1 Rond-Point des Arènes, 13200 Arles

Google Maps Website

4. Théâtre Antique d'Orange — Orange

The best-preserved Roman theater in Europe, with its stage wall intact.

$ BudgetBest for History · Music

Orange's Roman theater still has its colossal stage wall, with a statue of Augustus in its niche, which makes it one of the best-preserved Roman theaters anywhere. It hosts the Chorégies d'Orange opera festival in summer.

The town's Roman triumphal arch is a short walk away.

Good to know: See an opera performance in summer for the full effect.

Rue Madeleine Roch, 84100 Orange

Google Maps Website

5. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque — Near Gordes, Luberon

A Cistercian abbey framed by lavender, the classic Provence image.

Best for Photography · Lavender · Couples

Sénanque is a 12th-century Cistercian abbey in a valley near Gordes, still home to a community of monks, who grow the lavender in front of it. In bloom, from late June to mid-July, it is one of the most photographed sights in France.

Guided visits of the abbey are offered; respect the silence of the monastery.

Good to know: Come early in the morning in lavender season to beat the crowds.

Abbaye de Sénanque, 84220 Gordes

Google Maps Website

6. Gorges du Verdon — Alpes-de-Haute-Provence / Var

Europe's grandest canyon, with turquoise water for kayaking.

Best for Nature · Hikers · Families

The Gorges du Verdon is a limestone canyon up to several hundred meters deep, with turquoise water running into the Lac de Sainte-Croix. The Route des Crêtes gives the best viewpoints from the rim.

Rent a kayak or pedal boat at the lake end to paddle into the gorge.

Good to know: Rent a boat early in the day at the Pont du Galetas in summer.

Pont du Galetas, 04360 Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Google Maps

7. Carrières des Lumières — Les Baux-de-Provence

Immersive art projections in a vast limestone quarry.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Art lovers · Rainy days

The Carrières des Lumières, in a former quarry below Les Baux-de-Provence, projects immersive shows of great artists' works across its huge walls and floors, set to music.

Combine it with the hilltop village of Les Baux.

Good to know: Bring a layer; the quarry is cool even in summer.

Route de Maillane, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence

Google Maps Website

8. Saint-Paul de Mausole, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence — Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

The asylum where Van Gogh painted 'The Starry Night'.

$ BudgetBest for Art lovers · History

Van Gogh spent a year at the Saint-Paul de Mausole asylum in 1889–90 and painted around 150 works there, including 'The Starry Night'. His room has been recreated, and the cloister and gardens are open to visitors.

The Roman site of Glanum is next door, and Saint-Rémy's lively Wednesday market is a short drive away.

Good to know: Combine with Glanum next door and Les Baux, 15 minutes away.

Avenue Edgar Leroy, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Google Maps Website

9. Aix-en-Provence — Aix-en-Provence

Fountains, the Cours Mirabeau and Cézanne's city.

Best for Couples · Foodies · Art lovers

Aix-en-Provence is an elegant city of fountains and golden mansions, with the plane-shaded Cours Mirabeau, daily markets and lively cafés. Paul Cézanne was born and worked here, and the Montagne Sainte-Victoire he painted rises east of town.

Visit the Cézanne sites, browse the markets and sit at a café on the Cours.

Good to know: Check which Cézanne sites are open before your visit; some require booking.

Cours Mirabeau, 13100 Aix-en-Provence

Google Maps Website

10. Camargue and the Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau — Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Flamingos, white horses and wild delta landscapes.

$ BudgetBest for Nature · Families · Photography

The Camargue, the Rhône delta south of Arles, is a land of lagoons, salt flats, black bulls and white horses. The Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau is the easiest place to see pink flamingos up close along walking trails.

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, at the sea's edge, has beaches and a fortified church.

Good to know: Bring insect repellent in summer and binoculars any time.

Route d'Arles, 13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Google Maps Website

11. Lavender Fields of the Plateau de Valensole — Valensole, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Endless rows of lavender, the most famous fields in Provence.

Best for Photography · Couples · Lavender

The Plateau de Valensole is the heart of Provence's lavender, with long purple rows stretching to the horizon, often next to golden wheat and sunflowers.

Bloom peaks from about late June to mid-July; harvest begins after that.

Good to know: Go at sunrise or sunset, and stay on the edges — never walk into the rows.

Route de Valensole (D6), 04210 Valensole

Google Maps

Frequently asked questions

When is lavender season in Provence?

Roughly mid-June to late July. The Plateau de Valensole, the Sault area and the Abbaye de Sénanque near Gordes are the best-known spots; harvesting starts in July.

What is the best base for exploring Provence?

Avignon or Saint-Rémy-de-Provence for the Roman sites and the Alpilles, Aix-en-Provence for city life, or a Luberon village such as Gordes or Lourmarin for markets and countryside.

Can you visit Provence without a car?

Partly: Avignon, Arles, Aix, Marseille and Orange are linked by train and bus, and tours run to the Luberon and lavender fields. Villages and the Verdon really need a car.

What Roman sites are there in Provence?

The Pont du Gard aqueduct, the theater and triumphal arch of Orange, the arena and theater of Arles, and Glanum at Saint-Rémy. Nîmes, just west, has its arena and Maison Carrée.

When is the Avignon Festival?

Every July. The city fills with theater, and accommodation books up months ahead.

1. Palais des Papes and the Pont d'Avignon — Avignon

2. Pont du Gard — Vers-Pont-du-Gard (near Avignon)

3. Arles: the Arena and LUMA Arles — Arles

4. Théâtre Antique d'Orange — Orange

5. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque — Near Gordes, Luberon

6. Gorges du Verdon — Alpes-de-Haute-Provence / Var

7. Carrières des Lumières — Les Baux-de-Provence

8. Saint-Paul de Mausole, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence — Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

9. Aix-en-Provence — Aix-en-Provence

10. Camargue and the Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau — Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

11. Lavender Fields of the Plateau de Valensole — Valensole, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Frequently asked questions

Related lists

The 12 Best Villages in Provence (2026)

The 8 Best Hotels in Provence (2026)

The 10 Best Attractions in Strasbourg (2026)

The 12 Best Attractions in Normandy (2026)

The 12 Best Attractions in Nice (2026)