After arriving in Paris, collect luggage and take a relaxed TGV ride south, enjoying countryside views before disembarking at Gare d'Aix-en-Provence TGV; pick up your pre-booked rental car just outside the station to begin the Provençal leg. Spend the late morning wandering the tree-lined boulevards around Cours Mirabeau, stop for a coffee and a pastry at Les Deux Garçons, and browse fresh produce and flowers at the lively Place Richelme market to stock up for your drive and set a leisurely, sensory tone for the week.
After a leisurely market browse, drive toward the pastel streets and head to the charming old quarter around Place d'Albertas for a light lunch and people-watching on a shaded terrace. Continue with a gentle cultural dip at Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur before winding down the afternoon at Parc Jourdan, where you can relax under plane trees and plan evening dinner options at a nearby bistro or trattoria for a calm Provençal first night.
As the heat softens, stroll through the honeyed lanes of the old town to Rue Espariat and settle at a terrace for an aperitif while watching locals drift by. For dinner, choose a classic Provençal meal at Le Passage or a lively seafood-focused bistro on Rue de la Verrerie, then finish with a nightcap at the rooftop bar of Hôtel de France to enjoy sweeping dusk views and plan tomorrow's coastal drive.
Ease into Provençal life with a sunrise stroll through Jardin des Plantes, then join a small-group food walk that stops at Maison Nahon for artisanal chocolates and Bistrot Les Deux Garçons (for a morning coffee if open early) to sample a flaky croissant. Afterwards, explore the intimate ateliers along Rue Gaston de Saporta-meet a local ceramist or perfumer, pick up a handcrafted souvenir, and return to your hotel with fresh picnic supplies for an afternoon drive toward the coast.
Drive a short scenic loop to the leafy Parc Borély, spread out a picnic with goods from the morning market and linger by the ornate Château Borély before renting a paddleboat on the park's lake for a leisurely hour. Later, wander the elegant boutiques along Rue de la Verrerie (perfect for Provençal linens and soaps), then pause for an espresso and a slice of tarte at the sunny terrace of Café du Midi while watching Aix's languid summer pace unfold.
As twilight settles, wander toward the leafy terraces of Place des Cardeurs for an aperitif and lively people-watching, then follow narrow lanes down to the tranquil mosaic courtyard of Musée Granet's annex for a late-evening gallery visit or sculpture-lit stroll. For dinner, savor a modern take on Provençal cuisine at Le Clos de la Violette or choose the convivial atmosphere and grilled specialties at La Table du Pigonnet, finishing with a digestif beneath the plane trees of Cours Sextius as you plan tomorrow's coastal drive to Cassis.
Wake to sea-salted air and drive the short coastal road to Plage de la Grande Mer for an early swim and sunbathing before the crowds arrive; pick up a coffee and a freshly baked fougasse from Boulangerie Côté Soleil to enjoy on the sand. Afterward board a small boat from Port de Cassis for a morning cruise around the white cliffs of Calanques de Port-Miou, where you can anchor in a sheltered cove for snorkeling and cliff-fringed views before heading back to town for a light seafood lunch at a waterside table.
After a morning on the water, head up the coastal road to Cap Canaille for panoramic cliff-top views and a short, shaded hike along the headland; pause at the overlook near Belvédère du Cap Canaille for photos and a chilled rosé from a roadside vendor. Descend to the sheltered pebble cove of Plage du Bestouan for a lazy afternoon of snorkeling among rocky reefs, then stroll into town to browse artisan stalls at Cours Marcel Pagnol before choosing a seaside bistro for sunset moules-frites and Provençal salads.
As the sun softens, wander the waterfront toward Quai de l'Église for an aperitif at a waterside terrace, then stroll up the lanes to the hilltop Château de Cassis Park for panoramic twilight views over the harbor. For dinner, settle into a table at La Villa Madie or a relaxed seaside grill at Le Grand Large to enjoy fresh catch dishes and local wines, finishing the night with a moonlit promenade along Promenade Jean Aicard and gelato from Glacier Artisan.
Set out after breakfast for a winding drive into the Luberon, pausing first at Village des Bories to wander dry-stone huts and learn about traditional Provençal rural life before continuing to the dramatic clifftop terraces of Gordes where you can sip coffee on a sunny square and admire views over lavender fields. From there, take the short route to Abbaye de Sénanque to see (or photograph) its iconic lavender rows and, if timing allows, join a guided tour of the abbey gardens before a market-style picnic of local chèvre and rosé beneath plane trees in Les Plaines de Gordes.
After a morning in Gordes and Sénanque, meander through the ochre lanes of Roussillon and join a guided walk on the Sentier des Ocres to learn about the area's pigments while admiring luminous cliff faces; pause at Place du Château for a shaded terrace lunch of local olive tapanade and chilled rosé. In the later afternoon, drive a short country road to the perched village of Ménerbes, explore its narrow streets and Maison de la Truffe boutique, then settle at a wine bar near Place de la Mairie for a tasting of Luberon appellation wines as the golden light softens the valley views.
As the heat eases, take a short drive to the honey-coloured lanes of Oppède-le-Vieux to wander its atmospheric ruin-strewn streets and watch the valley glow; pause for an aperitif and small plates on the shaded terrace of Le Fournil. Later, head to the peaceful hamlet of Bonnieux for dinner at a terrace restaurant such as La Petite Maison de Bonnieux, then stroll to the church overlook above the village for a final glass of local Luberon red while stars emerge over the rolling vineyards.
Start with an early drive to the bustling Marché d'Apt to wander stalls overflowing with sun-ripe fruit, lavender bundles and Provençal honey, then grab a buttery fougasse and espresso from Boulangerie Paul to enjoy on a shaded bench. From there, head into the nearby hamlet of Saignon to explore its hilltop lanes, visit the tiny Chapelle Saint-Michel for soaring valley views, and browse local artisans at Atelier des Métiers d'Art before a mid-morning tasting of regional chèvre and olive oils at La Ferme de la Tour.
After the morning market visit, take a short drive to the ochre-streaked hamlet of Roussillon-en-Provence to walk the shaded lanes and join a hands-on ochre-pigment workshop at L'Atelier des Ocres, learning how locals historically ground and used pigments. Later, return toward Apt and stop at Domaine de la Citadelle for a cellar tour and tasting of local olive oils and wines, then stretch your legs on a gentle vineyard path before settling on a terrace for a late-afternoon plate of seasonal tartes and chilled rosé.
As the heat softens, drive to the sunflower-fringed plateau near Villars and take a short sunset stroll to the hilltop Château de Saignon viewpoint for wide valley panoramas, then descend to the shaded courtyard of Auberge de la Tour for an aperitif of local rosé and tapenade. For dinner, linger at Le Bistrot d'Apt (or a nearby family-run table d'hôtes) where you can enjoy a multi-course Provençal meal focused on seasonal produce and goat cheese, finishing with a slow paseo through Place de la République to sample artisan nougat and plan tomorrow's coastal drive.
Set out early for an active seaside start with a paddleboard session from Plage de Pampelonne (arrive when the water is calm) followed by a beachfront coffee at Club 55 to watch the luxe boats drift by; afterwards, join a half-day snorkel and sea-cave exploration aboard a small boat from Port de Saint-Tropez that drops you off at hidden coves for clear-water swims and underwater life-spotting. Finish the morning with a relaxed seaside lunch of grilled pescado and salade niçoise at Le Sénéquier on the quay before an easy coastal drive toward Hyères for the afternoon's island excursions.
After a morning on the water, drive to the sheltered coves of Plage de l'Escalet for a lazy afternoon of cliff-jumping and snorkeling amid clear shallows, then wander the coastal path to the hidden inlet at Anse Magaud for a shaded picnic of local olives, charcuterie and chilled rosé. Later, catch the short ferry to Île de Porquerolles and rent a bike to explore its pine-scented trails, stopping at Plage Notre-Dame for a sunset swim before returning to the mainland for a seaside dinner and mellow evening views.
As twilight falls, wander the lively quay to Place des Lices for an aperitif among locals playing pétanque, then climb to the hillside Citadel of Saint-Tropez for sweeping harbor views as lights begin to shimmer. For dinner, reserve a table at the intimate seafood bistro Le Girelier (or a seaside terrace at La Vague d'Or if you prefer Michelin-level service), and finish the night with a moonlit stroll along Plage des Canoubiers listening to the gentle surf and planning a relaxed return to the islands tomorrow.
Start your final morning with a tranquil sunrise swim at Plage de l'Estagnol, then stroll the dune-fringed shore sipping coffee from the beachside kiosk at La Cabane d'Estagnol while packing a light picnic. Before returning the rental car, take a short detour to Fort de Brégançon for a brisk coastal walk and sweeping Mediterranean views that make for a memorable last Provençal postcard.
Spend a relaxed afternoon exploring the sheltered bays of Plage de l'Almanarre, renting a pedal boat or windsurf board for an hour to feel the Mediterranean breeze, then cycle the coastal path to Le Lavandou's seafront for a seaside lunch of grilled sardines and salade niçoise at Le Bouchon du Port. Afterward, linger at Jardin du Rayol-a short drive inland-for shaded botanical paths and a final glass of chilled rosé beneath exotic pines before returning your rental car and heading to the station or airport for your evening transfer to Paris.
As the day's light softens, drive to the sheltered harbor of Le Lavandou - Port-Cros ferry quay and catch a late-afternoon boat for a short sunset cruise around the golden coastline, sipping a chilled rosé as cliffs and coves slide by. Back onshore, enjoy a farewell seafood feast at Chez Tonton on the waterfront-order whole grilled dorade and a plate of local anchoïade-then stroll the palm-lined promenade to Place de la Résistance for one last gelato and a quiet moment before heading to the station or airport for your evening transfer to Paris.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gare d'Aix-en-Provence TGV (arrival station) | Free |
| Rental car pickup (Aix-en-Provence TGV) - per person (7-day split, mid-size car) | €60 |
| TGV Paris → Aix-en-Provence (2nd class one-way fare, booked in advance) | €50 |
| Cours Mirabeau - coffee & pastry at Les Deux Garçons (typical) | €8 |
| Place Richelme market (shopping: fresh produce for picnic) | €12 |
| Place d'Albertas (light lunch on terrace) | €20 |
| Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur (visit) | Free |
| Parc Jourdan (park visit) | Free |
| Aperitif at Hôtel de France rooftop bar (drink) | €12 |
| Jardin des Plantes (stroll) | Free |
| Small-group food walk in Aix-en-Provence (per person) | €45 |
| Maison Nahon (artisanal chocolates - treat) | €6 |
| Bistrot Les Deux Garçons (coffee/croissant) | €6 |
| Atelier visit / local ceramist or perfumer (souvenir) | €25 |
| Parc Borély picnic & paddleboat rental (per person share) | €10 |
| Musée Granet (ticket, temporary exhibitions vary) | €8 |
| Place des Cardeurs aperitif (drink) | €10 |
| Plage de la Grande Mer (beach access) | Free |
| Boulangerie Côté Soleil (fougasse & coffee) | €6 |
| Boat cruise from Port de Cassis to Calanques (shared small-boat morning cruise) | €30 |
| Lunch at waterside seafood restaurant (Cassis) | €28 |
| Cap Canaille viewpoint (Belvédère) visit | Free |
| Plage du Bestouan (snorkeling) - mask/snorkel rental | €8 |
| Château de Cassis Park (panoramic twilight visit) | Free |
| Dinner at La Villa Madie (mid-range tasting option per person estimate) | €85 |
| Village des Bories (visit) | Free |
| Gordes (village visit & coffee) | €6 |
| Abbaye de Sénanque (visit & photo; guided tour optional) | €8 |
| Market-style picnic (local chèvre & rosé share) | €15 |
| Sentier des Ocres guided walk (Roussillon) | €6 |
| Maison de la Truffe (Ménerbes) tasting (per person) | €12 |
| Wine tasting - Luberon appellation (per person) | €15 |
| Oppède-le-Vieux visit & aperitif (drink) | €8 |
| La Petite Maison de Bonnieux dinner (per person estimate) | €35 |
| Marché d'Apt (market browsing - purchases) | €10 |
| Chapelle Saint-Michel (Saignon) visit | Free |
| Atelier des Métiers d'Art (artisan purchases) | €20 |
| La Ferme de la Tour tasting (chevre/olive oil) per person | €10 |
| L'Atelier des Ocres hands-on workshop (per person) | €25 |
| Domaine de la Citadelle cellar tour & tasting (per person) | €18 |
| Sunset viewpoint / Château de Saignon viewpoint visit | Free |
| Paddleboard session at Plage de Pampelonne (rental + basic lesson, per person) | €30 |
| Half-day snorkel/sea-cave boat trip from Port de Saint-Tropez (per person) | €45 |
| Lunch at Le Sénéquier (quay meal) | €35 |
| Plage de l'Escalet visit (beach access, cliff activities) | Free |
| Ferry to Île de Porquerolles (return ticket) | €12 |
| Bike rental on Île de Porquerolles (half day) | €10 |
| Plage Notre-Dame visit (on Porquerolles) | Free |
| Aperitif at Place des Lices (drink) | €10 |
| Le Girelier dinner (seafood bistro per person) | €40 |
| Plage de l'Estagnol sunrise swim & kiosk coffee | €4 |
| Fort de Brégançon coastal walk (visit grounds) | Free |
| Plage de l'Almanarre pedal boat or windsurf rental (per hour) | €15 |
| Le Bouchon du Port lunch (grilled sardines) | €22 |
| Jardin du Rayol entry | €12 |
| Sunset cruise from Le Lavandou / Port-Cros short cruise (per person) | €25 |
| Farewell seafood dinner at Chez Tonton (per person) | €28 |
| Return TGV/flight South coast → Paris (2nd class/train or economy flight, one-way) | €60 |
| Fuel & tolls estimate (per person split for road trip) | €40 |
| Parking & local transfers estimate (per person) | €25 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | €1,056 |