Planning a Provence itinerary from Paris is a straightforward way to add the South of France to your trip. High-speed trains connect Paris with Provence in around three hours, meaning you can leave the capital in the morning and be exploring Provençal streets by lunchtime. The best part? You can experience several of the region’s highlights without renting a car.
🇫🇷 Coming to Paris? Download our Free Paris Guide filled with insider tips and expert suggestions for your trip! 🥐
How to Get to Provence from Paris by Train
For a Paris to Provence itinerary, take a high-speed TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon towards destinations including Avignon TGV or Aix-en-Provence TGV. Journey times vary depending on the service, but the fastest trains take around three hours.
Avignon is particularly convenient if you want to explore Provence without a car. From Avignon Centre, regional trains and buses connect with several towns across the region, while the historic centre is easy to explore on foot.
Where to Base Yourself in Provence
For a first visit, Avignon makes a practical base for Provence train travel. Its historic centre is compact, atmospheric and filled with restaurants, cafés and cultural sights, while its rail connections make day trips easier.
If your priority is the Luberon’s hilltop villages, consider arranging a private excursion rather than trying to connect several small villages by public transport. Gordes, Roussillon and other countryside destinations are beautiful, but their rural locations make them less straightforward to reach by train.
Your Paris to Provence Itinerary
Day 1: Avignon
Arrive from Paris and spend your first afternoon exploring Avignon. Walk through the medieval centre, visit the Palais des Papes and stroll along the Rhône. Stop at Les Halles for local produce before settling into a relaxed Provençal dinner.
Day 2: Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Take a regional train to Arles, one of the best places to visit in Provence for Roman history and artistic heritage. Explore the Roman amphitheatre and atmospheric old town before continuing towards Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
Spend the afternoon wandering its boutiques, galleries and cafés. Saint-Rémy is also closely associated with Vincent van Gogh, making it an appealing stop for art lovers.
Day 3: Markets, Villages or Wine
Use your final day to experience a different side of Provence. Visit L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue for its canals, antiques and famous market, or arrange a private excursion into the Luberon.
For a more relaxed day, stay in Avignon and explore its markets, museums and restaurants. Wine lovers can also consider an organised visit to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape area.
Day 4: Optional Provence Extension
If you have four days, consider adding Aix-en-Provence to your South of France itinerary. Its elegant boulevards, fountains, markets and connection to Cézanne make it an excellent final stop before returning to Paris or continuing south.
Best Time to Visit Provence
April to June and September to October offer pleasant temperatures and fewer summer crowds. If seeing lavender is a priority, plan your trip for late June or July, when fields across Provence are typically at their most colourful. Blooming dates vary each year.
Can You Visit Provence Without a Car?
Yes, but choose your destinations carefully. Avignon and Arles are particularly convenient by train, while smaller hilltop villages are harder to reach using public transport alone.
For a smoother experience, combine trains with buses, taxis or a private excursion when needed. This lets you enjoy Provence at a comfortable pace without spending your trip navigating unfamiliar roads.
Ready to add Provence to your Paris trip? Contact My Private Paris to create a tailored itinerary with carefully selected hotels, transport and experiences throughout France.
Photo Credits
All images used in this article are credited to their original creators and made available under Creative Commons licenses or as public domain / royalty-free images.
- The village of Gordes, perched on a mountainside in the Provence region. Copyright: Unsplash/Sébastien Jermer
- Town square during the early morning in Aix-en-Provence. Copyright: Unsplash/ Sarah Le Guen
- Overview of the town of Avignon in the Provence region. Copyright: Unsplash/ Getty Images
Images are used in accordance with their respective licenses. All rights remain with the original creators.
