A Week in Provence: Slow Days, Stone Villas & Lavender Dreams

There’s something timeless about Provence — where every village looks like it belongs in a Cézanne painting and every meal feels like a long, sun-drenched memory in the making. We spent a week in a stone villa just outside Les Baux-de-Provence, one of the region’s most beautiful hilltop towns. With our two kids in tow, we made gentle day trips, sampled croissants daily, and quickly fell into the rhythm of Provençal life — slow, simple, and sun-kissed.

Here’s how our week unfolded.

Where We Stayed Our home for the week was a rustic-luxe villa tucked into the olive groves, with shutters that opened to views of rolling lavender fields and limestone hills. Just a 10-minute drive from Les Baux-de-Provence, it had a pool, an outdoor kitchen, and enough space for barefoot mornings and long family dinners under the stars.

Day 1 – Arrival & Settling In We arrived in the afternoon after a scenic drive from Marseille airport. The kids ran straight to the pool while we unpacked and stocked the kitchen with local cheese, fruit, and a bottle of rosé from a roadside vineyard.

That evening, we took a quick trip up to Les Baux — cobblestone lanes, cliffside views, and the scent of wild herbs in the air. Dinner was at a simple bistro with the kind of view that makes you put your phone down and just stare.

Day 2 – Les Baux & Carrières de Lumières After croissants and cherries on the terrace, we spent the morning exploring Château des Baux, where the kids loved climbing old catapults and running through the medieval ruins.

In the afternoon, we visited the incredible Carrières de Lumières, a massive art installation in a former quarry. This season’s show was devoted to the pharaohs of Egypt, and watching the temples and their secrets come alive across stone walls was a highlight for all of us — even the little ones stood still, spellbound.

We ended the day with homemade pasta, poolside, as the sun dipped behind the Alpilles.

Day 3 – St-Rémy-de-Provence & a Market Morning We set off early for St-Rémy, just 25 minutes away, to catch the weekly Wednesday market. Picture overflowing baskets of figs, lavender sachets, olive oil, and cheerful stallholders handing out slices of saucisson.

We let the kids pick pastries while we browsed linens and pottery. After lunch under plane trees in the town square, we stopped at Saint-Paul de Mausole, the former asylum where Van Gogh lived and painted his most iconic works. Quiet, moving, and full of sunflowers.

Back at the villa, we swam, napped, and had a casual dinner of market finds: tomatoes, tapenade, crusty bread, and rosé.

Day 4 – Arles & Roman Wonders A bit of history on day four with a day trip to Arles. The Roman amphitheatre captivated the kids, while the narrow streets and painterly corners were a dream to wander. We followed a Van Gogh walking trail, peeking into bookshops and galleries along the way.

Lunch was crepes and ice cream near the Rhône. On the drive home, we stopped for a wine tasting (grape juice for the kids!) and picked up a few bottles to bring back.

Day 5 – A Lazy Villa Day By midweek, we were all craving a slow day — no plans, no driving. We read by the pool, played board games, and the kids helped pick wild herbs from the garden. My husband and I took turns sneaking naps in the hammock.

In the late afternoon, we lit the outdoor pizza oven and made dinner together — simple toppings, lots of laughs, and a Provençal sunset as the perfect backdrop.

Day 6 – Avignon & the Pont du Gard We took a longer drive to Avignon, where the Palais des Papes impressed all of us with its towering halls and secret passageways. The kids loved the medieval history scavenger hunt (thank you, audio guide!).

Later, we stopped at the Pont du Gard — a Roman aqueduct and World Heritage site where we picnicked by the river and skipped stones. It’s the kind of place that makes ancient history feel alive and accessible for everyone.

Day 7 – Lavender Fields & Saying Goodbye On our final day, we made a short morning trip to Eygalières, a tiny village with quiet charm and postcard views. We stopped at a lavender farm nearby and filled the car with its scent for the ride home.

Back at the villa, we packed slowly, swam one last time, and sat out late into the evening — a soft breeze, the hum of cicadas, and one more toast to Provence.

Final Thoughts Provence isn't about ticking off sights — it's about how it feels to be there. The stillness of the olive trees, the rhythm of the markets, the way kids slow down in the sun and remember how to play.

If you're looking for a holiday that blends beauty, ease, and a little bit of magic, a villa stay in Les Baux-de-Provence is just about perfect. We'll be back for sure.