A slow-luxury guide to eating well, staying beautifully, and doing very little — perfectly.
Provence isn’t a destination you rush. It’s a place that gently insists you slow down — where lunches stretch into afternoons, and plans are more suggestion than schedule. Forty-eight hours here isn’t about seeing everything. It’s about choosing well.
This is how to do Provence properly — with just enough structure to let the rest unfold naturally.
DAY ONE — ARRIVAL & SETTLING IN
Check in Somewhere That Sets the Tone
Your Provence experience begins with where you stay. Choose a hotel that reflects the region’s rhythm — grounded, elegant, and quietly confident.
At Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, perched above one of France’s most beautiful villages, Provençal heritage meets refined indulgence. Stone walls, sweeping views over the Luberon Valley, and a spa inspired by ancient Roman baths set the tone for a stay that feels cinematic yet deeply restful.
For something more intimate, La Bastide de Marie offers vineyard-side tranquillity. Owned by the Sibuet family, it feels less like a hotel and more like a beautifully kept secret — complete with cellar tastings and dinners that unfold slowly, just as they should.
Lunch That Turns Into the Afternoon
Once checked in, lunch should be unhurried and local. Seek out a countryside restaurant where menus change with the market and rosé arrives already chilled.
Order simply. Stay longer than planned. This is not the moment to rush.
If rosé feels predictable, a chilled Verdicchio or Etna Bianco offers the same ease — crisp, mineral, and made for lunches that refuse to end.
An Afternoon of Provençal Rituals
Provence reveals itself best through its rituals — simple, seasonal, and deeply rooted in place. When paired thoughtfully with where you stay, these moments feel less like activities and more like extensions of the landscape.
Lavender, In Season
If you’re staying at Airelles Gordes, you’re perfectly positioned for lavender country. From late June to mid-July, the fields around Gordes and the Plateau de Valensole glow in soft purple waves.
Nearby, Distillerie du Vallon des Lavandes offers an intimate look at traditional lavender distillation — unpolished, fragrant, and refreshingly low-key. Early mornings are best, when the air is cool and the scent lingers longest.
For a quieter, more contemplative stop, the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque remains one of Provence’s most iconic lavender backdrops — best visited gently, and without haste.
Olive Oil, Pressed Slowly
Around Ménerbes, olive oil is as essential as wine. Guests staying at La Bastide de Marie will find themselves surrounded by small family-run estates where tastings feel informal and deeply personal.
A short drive away, Moulin Jean-Marie Cornille is one of the region’s most respected olive oil producers. Visits often include a walk through the mill followed by a tasting that highlights the differences between early and late harvest oils — grassy, peppery, golden — usually served with warm bread and very little explanation.
These moments don’t demand much time. They simply deepen your sense of place — and make the return to the hotel pool or terrace feel even more earned.
Dinner, Softly Spoken
Dinner in Provence doesn’t need theatre. It needs atmosphere.
Many countryside hotels offer understated gastronomic dining, where ingredients speak louder than technique. Candlelight, local wines, and a pace that encourages conversation rather than courses.
End the evening with something herbal. Sleep deeply.
DAY TWO — ART, WINE & A LONG LUNCH
Morning Light & Provençal Calm
Wake with the sun. Open the shutters. Let the light in.
Breakfast should be slow — pastries, fruit, strong coffee — preferably taken outdoors. Provence mornings are gentle by design.
Art and Architecture Before Lunch
Before the heat sets in, head towards Aix-en-Provence or the vineyards beyond.
At Château La Coste, art, architecture, and landscape merge seamlessly. Contemporary installations are scattered among vineyards and olive groves, encouraging slow walks and quiet pauses rather than checklists.
If you prefer staying closer to town, wandering the streets of Aix — fountains, bookshops, shaded cafés — offers its own understated pleasure.
Lunch Worth Planning Around
Lunch is the main event.
At Villa La Coste, dining feels inseparable from place. Seasonal produce, precise cooking, and vineyard views encourage you to cancel the rest of the day entirely.
Alternatively, return to your hotel for a long terrace lunch — Provençal rosé, shared plates, and no agenda beyond enjoying the moment.
A Gentle Farewell
Spend the afternoon as you arrived — slowly.
A final swim. A last espresso. One more look at the landscape. Provence has a way of making even departures feel unhurried.
If you’re continuing toward the coast, Hôtel du Castellet offers a refined stop, pairing Relais & Châteaux hospitality with Michelin-starred dining and a spa designed for total decompression.
WHY 48 HOURS IS ENOUGH
Provence doesn’t ask for intensity. It asks for attention.
In two days, you won’t see everything — but you’ll feel the rhythm. And that’s the real luxury: leaving rested, well-fed, and already planning your return.