11 weekend ideas in Provence

Thanks to the TGV-Méditerranée, Provence is quickly accessible from Lyon or Paris. It has therefore become quite easy to come to spend a weekend in the south of the Drôme, the Vaucluse or the Bouches-du-Rhône (high Provence is too far from the TGV links).

MARSEILLE AND THE CALANKS
1st and 2nd day: take a walk in the discovery of the museum and architectural heritage of Marseille, not to mention the islands of Friuli, accessible by boat.
3rd day: walk in the calanques, starting from Callelongue, accessible by bus from the city center.
2 days in Provence - on foot and by car

AIX AND THE HOLY VICTORY
Day 1: Discover Aix and its astonishing heritage (museums, mansions and fountains).
Day 2: Rent a car and drive around the Sainte-Victoire massif via Vauvenargues, Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde, Puyloubier and Le Tholonet.
2 or 3 days in Provence - on foot, by bike and by car

AVIGNON AND THE BERGES DU RHÔNE
Day 1: Visit the Palais des Papes and the Pont Saint-Bénezet (the famous bridge of Avignon), before taking a walk in the old Avignon or discovering one of the superb museums.
Day 2: Rent a bike for a walk on the island of Barthelasse. Then cross the Rhone towards Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, and follow one of the signposted itineraries of the "trail of the Abbey" along the river.
3rd day: excursion to Orange and its ancient theater, accessible by train (15 minutes journey).
2 or 3 days in Provence - on foot

NIMES AND GORGES OF THE GARDON
Day 1: visit the bullring, the square house, the gardens of La Fontaine and the Magne tower, then go shopping in the shopping streets (rue de la Madeleine, rue des Halles, rue Nationale, rue des Marchands).
Day 2: take the bus to Collias and rent a canoe-kayak to descend the Gardon to the Pont du Gard (2 hours of beautiful stroll). Return by bus to Nimes.
Day 3: Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Old Nimes; make a great walk to discover the mansions of the historical center.
2 or 3 days in Provence - by car or by bike - from Avignon

VAISON-LA-ROMAINE AND THE MONT VENTOUX
1st and 2nd days: join Vaison-la-Romaine and visit its upper town and its lower town.
3rd day: win Malaucène, at the foot of Mont Ventoux.
2 or 3 days in Provence - by car or by bike - from Avignon

THE LACE OF MONTMIRAIL
1st and 2nd days: Rally Gigondas and Séguret and enjoy a day of hiking or, why not, climbing.
Day 3: discover the Dentelles de Montmirail from the villages of Suzette and Lafare. You can reverse this route.
2 or 3 days in Provence - by car or by bike - from Avignon or Nîmes

THE ALPILLES
1st and 2nd days: visit the villages of the Alpilles massif: Saint-Remy (Les Antiques and Glanum), Les Baux-de-Provence, Eygalieres (Saint-Sixt chapel), Maussane, Fontvieille (Daudet mill and Montauban castle) .
3rd day: rent a bike to tour the vineyards and olive groves, with stops tasting in the cellars and mills.
2 or 3 days in Provence - by car or by bike - from Avignon

THE PLATEAU OF ALBION AND THE GORGES OF THE NESK
This tour is best done during the flowering of lavender (from mid-June to mid-August).
Day 1: Join and visit the village of Sault.
Day 2: drive to Saint-Trinit, then to Ferrassières and Aurel.
3rd day: discover the magnificent gorges of the Nesque.
2 or 3 days in Provence - by car and / or by bike - From Avignon

THE SMALL LUBERON
Day 1: Drive to Oppède-le-Vieux, one of the beautiful perched villages; sleep in one of the guest rooms in the surrounding area.
Day 2: Visit other villages of character such as Ménerbes, Lacoste and Bonnieux.
3rd day: rendezvous in Buoux.
Other options:
Day 1: Isle-sur-la-Sorgue for its old town and its antique dealers.
2nd day: Oppède-le-Vieux.
Day 3: Ménerbes, Lacoste and Bonnieux, taking the D3.
2 or 3 days in Provence - by car or by bike - from Avignon

THE GRAND LUBERON
Day 1: Direction Apt (do not forget its Saturday morning market!), Then Saignon and / or Buoux.
Day 2: Departure from Buoux, hike or climb.
3rd day: connect Saignon by the plateau of Clarapèdes.
2 days - by bike in Provence - from Montélimar

SOUTH OF DRÔME
Day 1: Grignan, its castle, its bookshops and galleries.
Day 2: discovery of the north of the village by bike (rental).
Other option (by car):
1st day: Grignan.
2 and 3 days: Buis-les-Baronnies and the superb villages of La Roche-sur-le-Buis and Poët-en-Percip.

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