Welcome to my South of France Travel Guide! I’m thrilled to share this journey with you, as the South of France might be my favorite destination we explored during our trip.
My husband, Asher, and I spent two weeks exploring France, including Paris, the Bordeaux region, the South of France, and the French Riviera.
We celebrated our sixth anniversary on this leg of the journey, which was spent in the Luberon Valley for three full days. This South of France Travel Guide blends our personal journey with a roadmap to the region’s best boutique stays, hidden gems, and gastronomic experiences—think rolling hills, ancient villages, and Mediterranean-influenced terroir.
So grab a glass of your favorite white and maybe a fig or two, and join us!
Where to Stay: Domaine de Fontanille, Lauris
Why Stay: There’s no better way to kick off a South of France Travel Guide than with Domaine de Fontanille in Lauris, a boutique hotel that felt like we’d stepped into the movie A Good Year with Russell Crowe. Perched in Provence with its own vineyards sprawling across the property, this 18th-century estate is picture-perfect, dotted with olive trees, a trickling water fountain, and the Luberon mountains as the backdrop. The rooms are spacious, airy, and boast private terraces or views of the Provençal hills.
What to Do: There’s no better way to start your day in the South of France than with breakfast at Domaine de Fontenille. We spent our mornings on the stunning southern terrace and began our day with their health-focused turmeric orange juice shots. After ordering an espresso drink from the kitchen, we filled our plates from the breakfast buffet, which included pastries, meats and cheeses, fruits, yogurt, and more. Asher claims they have the best croissant in all of France.
One afternoon, we lounged by the pool while staff passed around fruit skewers. The hotel also provided afternoon snacks, like pastries, fruit, and dried figs.
After taking a stroll across the property one evening, we had dinner at Domaine de Fontanille’s restaurant, Amélie’s Kitchen. The menu is constantly evolving based on the seasonal availability of ingredients. Dishes are inspired by the organic vegetable garden on the property, local vegetable, meat, and olive oil producers, and the chef’s creativity. We recommend making a reservation during your stay.
The Vineyards: Domaine de Fontenille boasts a winemaking heritage that traces its roots to the early 17th century. This 96-acre vineyard embraces sustainable agriculture and is certified organic. During our tour, we wandered through the semicircle of rounded concrete vats, rows of stainless steel vats, and wooden barrels. The vines are planted in a blend of clay-limestone and rocky soils. We tasted six wines—two crisp whites, two robust reds, and two fruit-forward rosés—each a testament to the vibrant terroir of Provence.
My Favorite Village: Lourmarin
Why Visit: Just 10 minutes from the domaine, Lourmarin became my favorite village in the South of France—we shamelessly returned three times during our stay. This postcard-perfect town is home to charming cafes, lively streets, and art galleries. Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees, this Provençal village was home to famous writers, such as Henri Bosco, Albert Camus, and even Peter Mayle, who wrote A Year in Provence.
What to Do: We wandered through boutiques, admiring indiennes de Provence textiles, French trinkets, and bistro-style art. We collect art from every country we visit, and Atelier Isidri quickly won us over. We walked away with a stunning print of the South of France. We dined like locals at Chez Gaby, where the people-watching, food, and wine are all impeccable. We may or may not have dined there more than once. I could live in Lourmarin.
Day Trip: Luberon Villages
We spent our anniversary village-hopping throughout the South of France, crossing the Luberon to immerse ourselves in Provençal culture.
Bonnieux: Our first stop was Bonnieux. This medieval perch dates back to Roman times and is home to a 12th-century church. We hiked the terraces, taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and ancient architecture. Bonnieux (along with Cucuron and Gordes mentioned below) was the filming location for A Good Year, with the key location being Château la Canorgue. Asher and I visited, but the domaine is now a private residence and barely visible from the road.
Gordes: Busier but stunning, Gordes is often heralded as the “most beautiful village,” renowned for its cobblestone streets, dry-stone houses, and hilltop views. This was the most touristy village we visited in the South of France, complete with expensive boutiques and a Ladurée. We grabbed pizza and a latte at Casa Rosario and meandered through the quieter village streets.
Domaine TréluS and near L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue: Our spontaneous stops always become my favorite travel memories, and that is no exception for our visit to Domaine TréluS. Located just outside L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, the domaine cultivates its vineyards using organic and biodynamic farming methods. After a wine tasting, we walked away with a bottle of white from their 2021 cuvée. Domaine TréluS is home to the best wines we tried in France.
After our stop at the domaine, we visited L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, known as the “Venice of Provence” due to its location on the Sorgue River and network of canals. But personally, I think it should be known for its gelato at Glacier Arelatis.
Cucuron: We capped the day in the charming village of Cucuron. The shops had closed for the evening, and we felt like we had the entire town to ourselves. We roamed the peaceful streets until we came across La Dame Jeanne, a cozy and eclectic bistrot, where we had one of our best meals in France. I can’t think of a more perfect way to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
The Big Cities: Aix-en-Provence and Marseille
Aix-en-Provence: We began our final day in the South of France in the “City of a Thousand Fountains,” Aix-en-Provence. Founded in 122 BC, Aix-en-Provence inspired Cézanne’s Mont Sainte-Victoire paintings and is still picture-perfect today. We grabbed breakfast at Maison Nosh before scoping out the endless marchés located throughout the city’s squares. We perused the markets for clothes, antiques, fruits, honey, jewelry, and so much more! The streets are dotted with high-end stores, including the famous Sézane. If you love to shop, Aix-en-Provence is your place.
Marseille: Every city has something beautiful about it. In Marseille, we admired the boats at Vieux-Port and the Notre-Dame de la Major Cathedral. We also stopped for the pistachio butter acai bowl at Oakberry (to die for). But in all honesty, we wouldn’t return. The gritty port city was home to overwhelming crowds and graffiti-covered streets, and we found ourselves ending the visit early and revisiting Lourmarin on the way back to our hotel.
The French Art of Living
This South of France Travel Guide captures nearly everything—except one thing you must discover firsthand: the exquisite French art of slow and intentional living. The French master a deliberate, peaceful rhythm, perfecting the dance of love and community, finding joy in the everyday, savoring both their dishes and the company across the table, and embracing not just fashion but an elegant posture of being.
While I hope this guide inspires the journey of your dreams, I also hope it invites you to relish every moment and romanticize the mundane. It’s the small moments that make up your entire life—let’s live them well.
Bisous from Provence and beyond! Thank you for traveling with me.
Heading to Paris? Check out my Paris travel guide!
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