Almost as soon as you enter Provence, you come across these marvelous fields of lavender. Just breathe and follow your sense of smell! The perfume from these fields stretching before your enchanted eyes very quickly becomes heady.

The most beautiful lavender roads are divided among three specific territories of Provence: the Drôme provenc lie between Dieulefit and Valréas, a very accessible area by car since it is close to the "Highway of the Sun" (A6), the region of Die which makes up the pre-Alps east of Gap, and the region of the breathtaking Gorge of the Verdon, near Dignes-les-Bains. These roads will take you straight to the discovery of wonderful sites where you can enjoy driving with all your windows rolled down during the month of July, right before the cutting of flowers. Every area has its own characteristics, its traditions and its lavender festivals all summer long. Each one offers the same enchanting spectacle of magnificent rolling fields, covered with an ample mauve coat, that fill the villages and countryside with the smell of lavender.

Roussillon

Situated in the Luberon, at the foot of the Monts de Vaucluse, the village of Roussillon is surrounded by beautiful countryside. It is considered one of the most impressive villages in France. Situated in the heart of one of the biggest ocher deposits in the world, Roussillon is famous for its magnificent red cliffs and ocher quarries.

The red, yellow and brown shades of the earth form a striking contrast with the lush green pinetrees. The vivid blue of the Provençal sky and the exceptional quality of light make this a magical site.

Cassis

Cassis was a very ancient fishing port and is an interesting village to visit. The village was rebuilt on the old ruins in the 18th century, resulting in a more regular layout than most other medieval villages.Some of the buildings, however, date. A walk through the old village streets will reveal some nice old buildings, some dating back to the 16th century, and some restored with the colorful pastels.

Other sites in the village are old fountains and an open-air artists market where we bought a few small paintings. Cassis is still a small fishing port, but the little fishing boats now share the harbor with yachts and boats for visiting the calanques, a trip you shouldn't miss. The first of the white Cassis stone quarries in the Calanques was opened in 1753.

Wine of Cassis Wine was being made around Cassis even before the Greeks arrived around 600 BC, and it's only gotten better. The appellation Cassis wine, received the Appellation d'Origine Controlée in 1936 — the first in the region. It's produced in red, rosé and white, with the white being the most famous.

Nimes

On the border between Provence and Languedoc, the name of NÎMES is inescapably linked to two things – denim and Rome. The latter's influence is highly visible in some of the most extensive Roman remains in Europe, while the former (de Nîmes), equally visible on the backsides of the populace, was first manufactured in the city's textile mills, and exported to the southern USA in the nineteenth century to c lothe slaves. It's worth a visit, in part for the ruins and, nowadays, for the city's new-found energy and direction, enlisting the services of a galaxy of architects and designers – including Norman Foster, Jean Nouvel and Philippe Starck – in a bid to west southern supremacy from neighbouring Montpellier.

Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard is located 25 kilometers from Nîmes, in the direction of Avignon. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985, the Pont du Gard is visited by more than 1,250,000 tourists every year. The bridge is part of the aqueduct built around the year 50 to transport water from the Eure spring near Uzès to Nîmes, a distance of over 50 kilometers.

It was long thought that the Pont du Gard was built around the year 19 BC. Newer excavations, however, suggest the construction took place in the middle of the first century A.D. Its construction is attributed to Augustus’ son-in-law and aide, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Designed to carry the water across the small Gardon river valley, it was part of a nearly 50 km (31 mi) aqueduct that brought water from springs near Uzès to the Roman city of Nemausus (Nîmes).

Vaison la Romaine

Vaison la Romaine is a must see town when visiting the Northern Provence. The Puymin and La Villasse Archeological sites, right in the middle of the town, are one o f the most important Roman heritage sites in France. Other notable sights are the Roman Bridge spanning the river Ouvèze, the medieval town and castle ruins on the cliffs of the left bank of the Ouvèze, Notre Dame de Nazareth Cathedral and St.Quenin Chapel. Let's not forget the summer festival, including the famous "Choralies" international choir competition, held every 3 years here. The Roman theatre and the Cathedral are the main focal points of the festival, but smaller scale performances are held in the medieval churches of Vaison and neighboring villages. The town has one of the best weekly markets in France and a lively restaurant and café scene. No wonder tourists abound here during the summer time. But you can always find a quiet spot in the Cité Médiévale of Vaison or the surrounding villages.

The village of St. Rémy is pretty and picturesque, and the old Gallo-Roman interior is circled by the remnants of the circular 14th-century wall and the protective circle of buildings.
Located on the plains at the northern edge of the Alpilles, 20 km south of Avignon, this is where Van Gogh painted Starry Night, Nostradamus born and Dr Albert Schweitzer was prisoner.

Wednesday is a major market day in Saint Remy-de-Provence. The market spreads across parking areas and squares around the northern and western parts of the Boulevards ringing the old town of St Remy. If you like markets, crowds, and an active experience, Wednesday is a great day to visit. Cafés and restaurants tend to be crowded around lunch time, but the atmosphere is good.

Carpentras

Market in Carpentras, the biggest open air market in Vaucluse, many historical places to visit, free time, Perched Village of Venasque and discovery of Mount Ventoux
Every Friday morning, Carpentras hosts a huge market located in the Allees des Plantanes and speading throughout the old town. Also, during the season from 27th November until March, a truffle market is held in the Place Aristide Briand opposite the Hotel Dieu each Friday from 8-10 a.m. one of the main markets for this sought-after fungus ("black gold") in France.

Les Baux de Provence

The road up to Les Baux from the southeast passes trough olive groves and vineyards and passes the Cave Vignoble du Mas Saint Berthe where you can stop and taste the local wines. And after...the sightseeing is amazing. There are incredible rock formations in this part of the Alpilles, with the road seemingly cut through thre solid rock with single strokes of some giant’s knife. The village area is a stone and cobblestone medieval village. Just inside the entrance to the village are narrow cobblestone streets, terrace cafés, souvenir shops.