Where to Stay in Provence: 5 Beautiful Spots to Base Yourself

The rolling lavender fields and vineyards of Provence are a must-visit for most South of France itineraries, but figuring out where to stay in Provence can be tricky.

On one hand, part of the appeal of the region is the beautiful countryside and historic chateau estates. 

On the other hand, Provence has some of the prettiest towns in Europe, let alone France. Staying in a town or city gives you the option of strolling the morning markets and a choice of evening bistros. 

After spending a few weeks in the area, I quickly realised that where you stay really dictates the kind of experience you can have. 

The many different spots suit different types of travellers, whether you’re looking for ultimate romance in the countryside or a jam-packed itinerary with the kids. 

To help you pick your perfect Provence escape, I’ve put together this quick guide on all the top places to base yourself on a trip to this beautiful part of the world. 

These are all the spots I would 100% stay at again. 

Most offer the perfect mix of convenience for day trips and morning market strolls, along with the beautiful scenery the region is known for.

If you’ve got any other questions about where to stay in Provence, just let me know in the comments! 

Aix-en-Provence 

Best Place to Stay in Provence Without a Car

If you want to experience Provence without hiring a car, Aix-en-Provence would be my first choice. 

Unlike some of the region’s tiny hilltop villages, Aix is a really walkable city, with beautiful honey-coloured streets, fountain-filled squares, markets, and plazas crammed with cafes and restaurants.

You can spend your mornings wandering the markets at Cours Mirabeau and the Old Town, stop for a long Provençal lunch and still have museums, boutiques and wine bars to fill the afternoon.

It also makes a practical base for exploring further afield, with good train and bus connections and plenty of organised day trips into the surrounding countryside. 

The hotels I recommend are particularly convenient: Hôtel Bellegarde puts you right in the historic centre, while Villa Saint-Ange and Villa Gallici give you the gardens, pools and Provençal glamour of a countryside escape without actually leaving Aix behind.

Best hotels in Aix-en-Provence 

Lourmarin 

Prettiest Village to Stay in Provence 

If your vision of Provence involves stone houses dripping with ivy, café tables spilling onto cobbled streets and slow mornings wandering around a village market, Lourmarin is hard to beat. 

Sitting between vineyards, olive groves and the Luberon hills, it’s one of those villages that somehow manages to be postcard-pretty without feeling like an open-air museum.

I particularly like Lourmarin as a slower, more romantic base. You can visit Château de Lourmarin, browse independent boutiques and galleries, linger over lunch in the village and then head into the surrounding countryside for wineries and lavender fields. 

Le Moulin and La Maison de Lourmarin put you right amongst the action, while Bastide de Lourmarin is still an easy walk away. 

For something more secluded, Le Mas de Guilles gives you the Provençal farmhouse fantasy just a five-minute drive outside the village.

Avignon 

Best Place to Stay in Provence for Wine Lovers 

If you came to Provence for the wine…well, you’re in good company. Avignon is not only surrounded by estates for best-in-class rosé, but you’ve also got celebrated reds on your doorstep. 

The walled city is beautiful in its own right, with Medieval streets, atmospheric squares and the magnificent Palais des Papes, but its location also puts you within easy reach of some of the Rhône Valley’s most celebrated vineyards. 

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is roughly half an hour away by car, while Gigondas, Vacqueyras and other wine villages make easy day trips.

You also get far more going on in the evenings than you would in a tiny wine village. There are excellent restaurants, wine bars and historic streets to explore once you return from a day of tastings. 

All four of my hotel picks are pretty central to help you make the most of the buzzy location.

La Mirande is practically next door to the Palais des Papes, while Hôtel d’Europe, Kyriad Avignon Palais des Papes and Hotel de Cambis allow you to explore most of central Avignon on foot.

Countryside châteaux

Best Place to Stay in Provence for Couples and Honeymoons 

If this is a honeymoon, anniversary or simply a trip where the hotel is as important as the destination, I’d skip staying in a town altogether for at least a couple of nights and escape to a château in the Provençal countryside. 

Think breakfast overlooking vineyards, afternoons beside the pool and long dinners where there’s absolutely no need to be anywhere else afterwards.

There are some seriously romantic options dotted across Provence. 

Château de la Gaude, just outside Aix, combines a wine estate with contemporary art, landscaped gardens and serious luxury. Plus, the food and in-house wine were to die for.  

Nearby Château de Fonscolombe feels like disappearing into your own grand Provençal estate. 

Château de Varenne, near Avignon, has a more intimate fairytale feel, while Château de Trigance is perfect for couples who’d rather have medieval castle character and dramatic countryside than polished five-star glamour. 

For these stays, I’d definitely recommend hiring a car so you can explore during the day before retreating back to your château.

Luberon Valley 

Best Place to Stay in Provence for Lavender 

If you’re coming to Provence dreaming of lavender fields, hilltop villages and winding roads through the countryside, the Luberon and its surrounds are where I’d spend most of my time. 

This is Provence worthy of the big screen, particularly around early summer, when lavender and sunflower fields transform the landscape.

Your choice of base here really depends on what you want to see. 

Capelongue puts you just outside Bonnieux, surrounded by a patchwork of purple during the lavender season. The village itself is gorgeous, and we loved the hilltop views from there. 

Meanwhile, Mas des Romarins gives you easy access to spectacular Gordes. 

If lavender is your only focus on this trip, I’d look further north towards Sault, where Le Nesk Ventoux makes a brilliantly quirky base close to some of the region’s most impressive lavender landscapes. 

Hôtel Le Colombier is actually over in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, rather than the Luberon itself, but it puts you near the lavender fields of the Valensole Plateau as well as the spectacular Gorges du Verdon, making it a fantastic option for combining lavender with some of Provence’s most impressive summer scenery. 

Where to stay in Provence: FAQs 

Where to stay in Provence for the first time?

For a first trip to Provence, I’d choose Aix-en-Provence if you want restaurants, shopping and easy transport, or the Luberon Valley if you’re dreaming of lavender fields, vineyards and beautiful hilltop villages. 

If you have a week or more, I’d actually split your stay between the two to experience both city life and the Provençal countryside.

What are the best hotels in Provence?

For a serious splurge, Villa Saint-Ange in Aix-en-Provence and Château de la Gaude just outside the city are two of my favourites. 

Capelongue near Bonnieux is perfect for Luberon luxury, while La Mirande is my pick for an atmospheric stay in historic Avignon. For something particularly romantic, I would also recommend Château de Fonscolombe.

Where to stay near Aix-en-Provence?

If you want countryside tranquillity without being too far from Aix, look immediately north of the city. 

Château de la Gaude is an especially beautiful choice for wine, food and five-star luxury, while Château de Fonscolombe offers a grand country-estate experience amongst vineyards. Both allow you to enjoy rural Provence while keeping Aix within easy reach.

Where to stay in Provence with kids?

For families, I’d prioritise a countryside hotel, farmhouse or villa with a pool, rather than staying right in the middle of a busy historic centre. 

The Luberon works particularly well, giving you space to relax alongside easy day trips to villages, markets and outdoor attractions. Aix-en-Provence is another good option for families who prefer the convenience of restaurants, shops and activities within walking distance.

How long to stay in Provence?

I’d recommend at least five days, although a week is much better if you want to explore without spending the entire holiday in the car.

 With seven days in Provence, you could split your time between somewhere like Aix-en-Provence and the Luberon, giving you several days for markets, wineries and villages alongside plenty of time to actually enjoy that gorgeous hotel pool.

Have more questions about where to stay in Provence? Just let me know in the comments section!