After settling into your hotel, ease into Provence with a leisurely breakfast at Les Halles d’Avignon market—sample warm fougasse, local honey and a café au lait while watching producers set up. Spend the rest of the morning wandering the Île de la Barthelasse riverside park and crossing the famed Pont Saint-Bénezet for panoramic views, then pop into a small wine shop for a tasting of regional Côtes du Rhône to preview the flavors you’ll explore this week.
Since it’s already early morning local time, plan a relaxed afternoon: head to the Palais des Papes courtyard for an easy self-guided walk through the monumental exterior and then stroll to the nearby Rocher des Doms gardens for sunset over the Rhône. Afterward, enjoy a late light meal at a terrace bistro on Rue de la République—try a Provençal salad and a local rosé—and finish with a visit to a cozy wine bar such as Le Vin Devant le Vin for a short tasting of Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Gigondas.
As twilight deepens, wander over to Place de l’Horloge to soak up the lively evening atmosphere—stop for dinner at La Table d’Uzès or L’Agape for refined Provençal plates and seasonal vegetables. Afterward, take a short stroll to Les Caves du Palais for a relaxed guided tasting of local vintages, then finish with a nightcap at Bar Le Verre à la Bouche while enjoying the softly lit façades and gentle Rhône breeze.
Drive east after breakfast to the hilltop village of Gordes and begin with a slow wander through its stone lanes and the picturesque Château de Gordes grounds, then continue to nearby Sénanque Abbey to breathe the tranquil air of its lavender fields (best for photos and scent in summer). Afterward, stop at a family-run distillery or artisanal lavender boutique in the valley for a short tour and hands-on workshop where you can learn about distillation and take home a small bottle of lavender essential oil.
After a morning among Gordes and Sénanque, drive down into the ochre cliffs of Roussillon for an afternoon exploring the Sentier des Ocres—wander the vivid trails and learn about historic ochre extraction at the Conservatoire des Ocres et de la Couleur. Follow this with a late lunch and people-watching on the terrace of Le Café des Arts, then amble to nearby Bonnieux to climb to the hilltop church for sweeping valley views at golden hour before returning to your base.
As the light softens, drive to the perched village of Ménerbes for an aperitif on a terrace overlooking vineyards—sample a local rosé and small plates at Le Garde-Manger before a twilight stroll through its narrow streets. Continue to nearby Lacoste to visit the atmospheric ruins of the Marquis de Sade’s château and dine at a rustic bistro like La Petite Maison, where dishes spotlight Provençal herbs and goat cheese, then finish with a slow walk back down under starry skies.
Start your day at the vibrant Cours Mirabeau with a café and croissant at Les Deux Garçons, then head to the colourful Place Richelme to browse the morning marché stalls for local chèvre, olives and Calisson d’Aix. Continue with a guided visit to the Musée Granet to admire Provençal paintings and sculptures, finishing with a slow walk up to the Pavillon de Vendôme gardens for a peaceful moment among fountains and lemon trees before lunch.
After a morning of museums and cafés, linger through the atmospheric Mazarin district—browse artisan boutiques along Rue d'Italie and stop at the Atelier Cézanne (the artist’s studio) for a contemplative visit. Continue with a leisurely lunch and wine tasting at Les Deux Garçons’ quieter sister bistro, then stroll to the Pavillon Vendôme’s nearby ornamental gardens and finish with a guided tasting of local olive oils and calissons at Maison du Calisson to bring Provençal flavors home.
As twilight falls, head to the lively Quartier Mazarin’s quieter side streets for dinner at the intimate bistro Le Passage, where seasonal Provençal plates are paired with Rhône and local Luberon wines. Afterward, join a convivial food-and-wine walk departing from Place des Trois Ormeaux to sample artisanal gelato at Fenocchio and small-plate tastings at a nearby tapas-style bar, then finish the night with a moonlit stroll up to the atmospheric Cours Sextius fountains for a peaceful end to your Aix day.
Set off after breakfast for a scenic coastal drive along the corniche, stopping first at the seaside village of Théoule-sur-Mer for a brisk walk along the red-rock coves and a coffee at a waterfront café. Continue into Antibes to explore the vibrant Provencal market at Marché Provençal on Cours Masséna, then visit the Picasso Museum in the Château Grimaldi before wandering the Old Town ramparts for views across the Lerins Islands—a perfect bridge from Provence’s hilltop villages to the glamour of the Riviera.
After your lively morning market and Picasso visit, ease into a sunlit afternoon in Antibes by renting a small electric bike to ride the Cap d’Antibes peninsula—pause at the secluded Plage de la Garoupe for a swim or simply to sunbathe on pebbled sand. Then head to the Marché Provencal des Halles in Antibes-Juan-les-Pins for a late seafood lunch (try grilled sardines or a socca) and finish with a relaxed visit to the nearby Villa Eilenroc gardens for postcard views of yachts and manicured terraces as the light softens toward the Riviera evening.
As the sun dips, head to Cannes’ old port for an aperitif aboard a moored bateau-mouche or at the terrace of Le Roof for panoramic harbor views, then stroll the pedestrian Rue Meynadier to browse boutiques and pick up artisan chocolates for later. For dinner, reserve a table at the intimate La Maison du Bœuf on Rue Latour-Maubourg for seasonal seafood and Provençal accents, then finish with a moonlit walk along the Croisette to admire the Palais des Festivals glittering against the Mediterranean night.
Begin with a sunrise stroll along the Promenade du Paillon—pause at the Jardin Albert I for a peaceful coffee from a nearby café and watch locals practice pétanque, then continue down to the pebbled beaches near the Quai des États-Unis for brisk sea air and views toward the bay. Afterwards explore the Cours Saleya market area (if open for special holiday stalls) to sample socca from a street vendor and browse flower and produce stalls, finishing with a contemplative visit to the Musée Masséna gardens and their elegant mansion to connect Provence’s refined heritage with the Riviera’s seaside charm.
After lunch, wander up into the Colline du Château park for sweeping views over the Baie des Anges and a peaceful walk among ruins and waterfalls, then descend toward the vibrant Place du Palais de Justice to explore independent art galleries and perfumeries along Rue Droite. Finish the afternoon with a visit to the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC) for a dose of contemporary French and Italian art, followed by a relaxed drink on the terrace of a nearby café while watching the light shift across the tiled roofs toward evening.
For a festive Nice evening, wander to Place Masséna to enjoy the illuminated fountains and seasonal light displays before slipping into the charming lanes of Vieux-Nice for dinner at Chez Pipo for traditional pissaladière and socca with a local rosé. Afterward, join a tasting at Maison Auer for artisanal chocolates and candied fruit specialties, then cap the night with a digestif on the terrace of Le Plongeoir, perched on its rock outcrop, watching the Mediterranean lights shimmer.
Drive or take the train early to Èze and begin with a guided tour of the Jardin Exotique’s terraced cacti and panoramic viewpoints, then walk the scenic Nietzsche Path down to the seaside village of Èze-sur-Mer for invigorating sea breezes. Afterward head to Monaco to explore the exotic plant collection at the Jardin Japonais and enjoy a late-morning coffee overlooking Port Hercule before visiting the Oceanographic Museum’s exterior terraces for dramatic cliffside views that bridge Provence’s hilltop charm with Riviera glamour.
After a morning on the cliffside paths, take the train or scenic coastal drive to Fontvieille and wander the peaceful Japanese Garden adjacent to the yacht-lined harbour; then head up to the Jardin Saint-Martin on Monaco’s Rocagel for quieter terraces and sweeping views of the principality. Finish with a relaxed seafood lunch at the sheltered Port de Fontvieille (try grilled calamari or a Niçoise-influenced salade) and a stroll through the nearby Rose Garden for fragrant late-afternoon light before returning toward Èze for sunset.
As dusk falls, head to La Condamine’s lively quayside for an aperitif at B-Line by the Port, then stroll the harbourfront to admire superyachts and the twinkling marina lights. For dinner, reserve a table at a cozy bistro in La Montaigne district—sample Mediterranean-leaning dishes like grilled sea bream with fennel and a local rosé—then finish the night with a relaxed digestif at the Café de Paris terrace, taking in the principality’s illuminated skyline before returning along the coastal road to Èze.
Savour a gentle Riviera morning with breakfast at the sunlit Café de Turin near Place Garibaldi, sampling fresh oysters or Provençal pastries while watching local life unfold, then wander the nearby Quai des États-Unis for one last stroll along the seafront. If time allows before departure, visit the serene Musée Marc Chagall chapel galleries for a peaceful, art-filled pause and pick up packaged pan-bagnat or artisan olive tapenade from a specialty shop to enjoy en route to the airport or train station.
Spend a leisurely afternoon packing a picnic from the Marché Provençal des Halles and catching a short tram to Parc Phoenix for a final stroll through the heated greenhouses and water gardens, a calm contrast to the week’s coastal panoramas. If time allows before travel, pause at a nearby café on Avenue Simone Veil for a last Niçoise salade and espresso, then collect luggage and make a relaxed transfer to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport or the Cannes train station, leaving with one last seaside view.
For a final Riviera evening, linger over a leisurely dinner at La Réserve de Beaulieu’s waterfront dining room for refined seafood and Provençal herbs while watching the harbor lights, then stroll the nearby Plage des Marinières to feel the last salt breeze. Finish with a nightcap at the intimate Bar du Boccaccio in Beaulieu-sur-Mer or a cocktail at Le Bâoli in Cannes (if departing from there), savouring the gentle hum of the coast before your departure the next day.