Idyllic Vacation in Provence

• Stay in a historic château or domaine: Indulge in the romance of sleeping in a centuries-old estate surrounded by vineyards or lavender fields. Here you can enjoy elegant accommodations, farm-to-table dining and the authentic Provençal atmosphere that can only be experienced as an overnight guest.

• Wander through fragrant lavender fields: Stroll hand-in-hand through the purple rows of Valensole's lavender in full bloom (mid-June to mid-July), capturing photos against one of France's most iconic backdrops.

• Discover charming hilltop villages: Explore the Luberon, with its honey-colored stone buildings cascading down the hillside. Be sure to pause at café terraces to absorb panoramic views of the countryside.

• Hike the vibrant Ochre Trails: Follow the well-marked footpaths through the surreal red-orange formations of Roussillon's Sentier des Ocres or Rustrel's "Colorado Provençal," where the otherworldly landscape offers stunning vistas and photo opportunities at every turn.

• Browse colorful Provençal markets: Meander through the vibrant markets of Aix-en-Provence or Saint Rémy. Sample local olives, cheeses and fresh fruits while collecting ingredients for a simple alfresco dinner.

• Cruise the stunning Calanques by boat: Sail along the breathtaking Mediterranean coastline from Cassis or Marseille to explore the dramatic white limestone calanques with their hidden beaches and startlingly turquoise waters.

• Sample wines at historic vineyards: Enjoy a family-friendly tasting at a Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate with sprawling grounds where children can play while parents sample world-renowned wines produced from the region's distinctive stone-covered soil.

• Marvel at ancient Roman engineering: Stroll through the perfectly preserved aqueduct of Pont du Gard at sunset. When the golden stone glows and the reflection shimmers in the river below.

• Dine under the Alpilles sunset: Savor a long, relaxed meal on a restaurant terrace in the mountainous landscape. Watch as the setting sun bathes the limestone peaks in pink and lavender hues.

• Unwind at a Côte d'Azur Beach Club: Relax on one of the elegant beaches of the French Riviera in Nice or Antibes. Alternating between refreshing dips in the azure Mediterranean and lounging under striped parasols with chilled rosé.

Scenic cafes:

• Café du Progrès in Menerbes: This authentic village café embodies the true spirit of everyday Provençal life with its vibrant local atmosphere and traditional cuisine served on a sun-dappled terrace. Visitors frequently praise its unpretentious charm and the perfect café crème, with one reviewer noting "sitting here among locals playing pétanque and discussing village affairs gave us our most authentic experience of true Provençal culture."

• Le Café France in Lacoste: Perched on a cobblestone square beneath the Marquis de Sade's castle, this historic café serves simple yet sublime regional fare with stunning valley views — It is the "perfect people-watching spot" and visitors praise the homemade tarte tatin that "captures the essence of Provence in every bite."

• Le Café du Port in Nice: Situated on the colorful port of Nice with front-row views of the bobbing fishing boats and luxury yachts, this relaxed seafood café captures the essence of Mediterranean coastal dining — guests rave about the "spectacular sunset vistas across the harbor" and the bouillabaisse that one patron called "the perfect marriage of Provençal tradition and the bounty of the sea that surrounds us."

Idyllic restaurants:

• La Trinquette in Gordes: This intimate restaurant offers authentic Provençal cuisine with breathtaking panoramic views of the Luberon valley — I loved the warm hospitality of the owners and my husband had an exceptional bouillabaisse that one visitor called "the most memorable meal of our entire French holiday."

• Le Saint Hubert in Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt: Nestled in the charming village of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, this restaurant occupies a beautifully restored stone farmhouse. It is surrounded by the gentle rolling hills and lavender fields characteristic of the region. Le Saint Hubert truly captures the essence of idyllic Provençal dining.

• Le Relais du Castelet: Tucked within a restored medieval château surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, this elegant restaurant offers sophisticated Provençal cuisine on a stone terrace overlooking the rolling countryside. Underneath the trees, you will feel like a character in a movie or novel, and the wine-paired tasting menu had one visitor calling it "a perfect expression of terroir that connects you deeply to the landscape spread out before you."

Fine dining with a view:

• La Vague d'Or in Saint-Tropez: Positioned along the legendary Plages de Pampelonne with stunning sea views, Chef Arnaud Donckele's three-Michelin-star restaurant creates gastronomic poetry inspired by the Mediterranean coastline — guests describe the seaside setting as "utterly magical at sunset" and the cuisine as "an emotional experience that captures the very soul of Provence."

• L'Orangerie: Perched at the summit of Gordes, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, this exquisite restaurant occupies a restored 18th-century orangery with breathtaking panoramic views across the Luberon valley — diners are captivated by the "magical play of light on the ancient stone buildings" as the sun sets over the landscape.

• La Petite Maison de Cucuron: Housed in a charming stone building overlooking Cucuron's historic 15th-century bassin (pond), this intimate restaurant offers sophisticated Provençal cuisine with ingredients sourced from local markets and nearby farms — visitors consistently praise the "magical evening ambiance as lights reflect off the water" and the seasonal truffle menu that one reviewer described as "a transcendent celebration of Provence's gastronomic treasures."