Luxury One Week Provence Itinerary

Begin your Provençal itinerary: in Aix-en-Provence, where fountains murmur beneath plane trees and every stone tells a story. This elegant city, once the capital of Provence, is renowned for its golden-hued streets, stunning Baroque architecture, and vibrant cultural life. Wander the lively Cours Mirabeau, lined with historic cafés, majestic fountains like the Fontaine de la Rotonde, and shaded terraces perfect for savoring local delicacies. Explore the charming old town’s narrow, cobblestone streets filled with artisan boutiques, bustling markets scented with lavender, and art heritage linked to the painter Paul Cézanne. Aix-en-Provence offers a harmonious blend of timeless charm, rich history, and a relaxed, sunny Provençal atmosphere that enchants every visitor.

Your stay at Villa Gallici is pure enchantment, a Relais & Châteaux property exuding baroque charm and poetic tranquility, just minutes on foot from the vibrant heart of the city.

Highlights:

• Aix-en-Provence: Stroll the elegant Cours Mirabeau, linger at markets scented with lavender and honey, and follow in Cézanne’s footsteps to the Atelier Cézanne, the artist’s peaceful studio.
• Cézanne Perfume Masterclass: Step into the artist’s world and craft your own signature home fragrance from fourteen exquisite Haute Parfumerie essences inspired by his paintings. Your personalized creation, elegantly bottled with Provençal ribbons and cement tile patterns, becomes a sensory memory of your journey.
• A Day in Marseille & the Calanques: A private guide whisks you to Marseille, France’s vibrant port city, explore the Vieux-Port, the striking Mucem (Museum of Mediterranean Civilizations), and the dramatic Notre-Dame de la Garde, a beloved hilltop basilica offering sweeping views across the city and sea. Continue along the coast to the Calanques National Park, where limestone cliffs plunge into turquoise waters, a private boat or gentle hike reveals hidden coves and the pure essence of the Mediterranean.

Return to Villa Gallici in the evening for a candlelit dinner on the terrace, the scent of jasmine in the air.

Next, journey into the Luberon, where vineyards stretch beneath ochre cliffs and villages perch like poetry upon the hills. This enchanting region captivates with its dramatic landscapes, radiant red and gold cliffs, hilltop villages like Gordes and Roussillon crowned with honey-stone houses, and endless lavender fields framing the iconic Sénanque Abbey. Here, time slows to the rhythm of weekly farmers’ markets brimming with local truffles, artisan cheeses, and rosé wines, while winding roads reveal hidden treasures: ancient Roman bridges, centuries-old châteaux, and sun-drenched terraces overlooking the Provençal countryside.

Your haven, Coquillade Provence, sits among vines and olive groves, an oasis of understated luxury and Provençal authenticity. This enchanting property produces its own exceptional organic wines, Domaine de la Coquillade. Light-filled rooms offer panoramic valley views, while the award-winning spa and seasonal dining celebrate the art of Provençal living.

Highlights:

• Wine & Vineyards: Visit local estates for private tastings, meet passionate winemakers in elegant stone châteaux, and discover the estate’s own organic wines at Coquillade. Your private guide leads you through the cellars, explaining the region’s unique terroir, where different soils and microclimates create exceptional whites, reds, and rosés that capture the essence of the Luberon.​
• Les Plus Beaux Villages: Explore the region’s most picturesque hamlets with a private guided tour. Discover Gordes, dramatically perched above the valley with its limestone architecture and winding cobblestone streets; Roussillon, where striking ochre cliffs paint the village in brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows; Bonnieux, crowned by its 12th-century church with sweeping vineyard views; and Ménerbes, a medieval gem where ochre facades blend seamlessly into the hilltop landscape. Your knowledgeable guide shares the history, hidden corners, and local stories that bring each village to life.​
• Cycling or Driving Discovery: Embark on a scenic route through lavender fields and vineyards, stopping for a gourmet picnic prepared by your hotel’s chef, a moment of pure simplicity and joy. Whether you choose to cycle the quiet country roads or drive with panoramic stops, your private guide adapts to your pace, revealing secluded viewpoints, ancient bories (dry stone shelters), and the timeless beauty of the Provençal countryside.​​

Evenings at Coquillade are for relaxation, a glass of rosé by the pool, the horizon tinged with soft hues of sunset, and the air alive with the scent of thyme and pine.

End your Provençal journey within the storied walls of Avignon, once the seat of the papacy and still steeped in grandeur. This UNESCO World Heritage city served as the papal residence in the 14th century, and its majestic ramparts, winding cobblestone streets, and sun-drenched squares evoke a time when it was one of the most powerful cities in all of Christendom.

Your hotel, La Mirande, a historic 18th-century townhouse facing the Palais des Papes, where every room feels like a step back in time, elegant, serene, and exquisitely French. This intimate 5-star retreat features just 26 individually decorated rooms and suites adorned with authentic period fabrics, antique furnishings, and hand-painted details that evoke the refined elegance of a noble Provençal home.

Highlights:

• Avignon: Discover the Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll across the famous Pont d’Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet), the medieval bridge immortalized in song, and wander through sunlit squares lined with antique shops, outdoor cafés, and artisan boutiques. Your private guide reveals the city’s layered history, from Roman foundations to papal grandeur to its modern reputation as a cultural capital hosting the world-renowned Avignon Festival.​
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape: A short drive away, explore this legendary wine region with a private tasting in one of its noble estates. Learn about the unique terroir, where 13 different grape varieties grow in distinctive galets (rounded stones) that retain heat and create complex, powerful wines.
• Villages & Markets: Visit L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, the “Venice of Provence,” renowned for its antique boutiques, picturesque canals and waterwheels, a treasure trove for collectors and design enthusiasts. Or explore Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the charming market town where Van Gogh painted some of his most celebrated masterpieces during his stay at the nearby Saint-Paul-de-Mausole monastery. Stroll the Wednesday morning market, browse galleries and boutiques, and visit the Roman archaeological site of Glanum.

Your final evening in Avignon calls for a private dinner at La Mirande’s Chef’s Table, an intimate culinary experience celebrating Provence’s finest ingredients, paired with elegant local wines. The Chef showcases seasonal vegetables from the hotel’s garden, local truffles, Mediterranean fish, and artisanal cheeses, a perfect farewell to your Provençal journey.