20 Less Touristy Things to Do
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Mount St. Victoire | ★★★☆☆ | Hiking ; Biking | Self | Free |
| 02 | Mount Ventoux | ★★★☆☆ | Hiking ; Biking | Self | Free |
| 03 | Provençal Colorado | ★★★☆☆ | Hiking | Self | Paid |
| 04 | ➡️ Roussillon | ★★★☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 05 | ➡️ Ménerbes | ★★★☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 06 | ➡️ Bonnieux | ★★★☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 07 | ➡️ Isle-sur-la-Sorgue | ★★★☆☆ | Town | - | - |
| 08 | ➡️ Vaison-la-Romaine | ★★★☆☆ | Town | - | - |
| 09 | Château La Coste | ★★★☆☆ | Winery + Sculptures | Either | Paid |
| 10 | Senanque Abbey | ★★★☆☆ | Abbey | Self | Paid |
| 11 | Montmajour Abbey | ★★★☆☆ | Abbey + Panorama | Self | Paid |
| 12 | ➡️ Orange | ★★☆☆☆ | Town | - | - |
| 13 | ➡️ Cucuron | ★★☆☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 14 | ➡️ Lourmarin | ★★☆☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 15 | ➡️ Oppède | ★★☆☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 16 | ➡️ Ansouis | ★★☆☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 17 | ➡️ Lacoste | ★★☆☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 18 | Dentelles de Montmirail Massif | ★★☆☆☆ | Hiking ; Biking | Self | Free |
| 19 | Alpilles Massif | ★★☆☆☆ | Hiking ; Biking | Self | Free |
| 20 | Silvacane Abbey | ★★☆☆☆ | Abbey | Self | Paid |
01. St. Victoire Massif
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Hiking ; Biking
Visit Self
Cost Free
Highest Peak 1,011 m (3,317 ft) 📍Pic des Mouches
Mount St. Victoire is a symbolic natural massif located east of Aix-en-Provence. It’s 20 km long (12 mi) and 8 km (5 mi) wide.
📍Croix de Provence is one of the most notable points of the site, situated on top of the second highest peak of the massif at 946 m (3,104 ft).
The site offers scenic hiking and biking trails with sweeping views of the Provençal countryside.
The mountain is also famous for being depicted in Cézanne’s paintings
02. Mount Ventoux
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Hiking ; Biking
Visit Self
Cost Free
Peak 1,909 m (6,263 ft)
Mount Ventoux, located in the northern part of Provence, is the highest peak of this region. It’s known as the “Giant of Provence.”
It’s a popular destination for hikers and cyclists due to its steep ascent and stunning panoramic views.
The summit is also accessible by car.
It’s also famous for being a challenging stage in the Tour de France.
03. Provençal Colorado
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Hiking
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The Provençal Colorado, near the village of Rustrel, is an area of vivid ochre quarries that evoke the landscapes of the American West, hence its name.
The site features a kaleidoscope of colors ranging from red to yellow, offering a unique and picturesque setting for hikers.
There are two possible routes. They pass through ochre areas, and the rest is forest.
Check the Official Website (especially in summer) to see if a reservation is required or if the site is closed due to fire risk.
04. Roussillon Village
Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
The village of Roussillon is a picturesque Provençal settlement renowned for its colorful buildings and charming streets.
The houses are painted in the shades of ochre extracted from nearby quarries since the late 18th century. They are adorned with this distinctive yellow-orange tint.
05. Ménerbes Village
Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
Menerbes is a picturesque village that stretches in length, perched atop a hill in the Luberon region. It’s renowned for its charming streets and traditional architecture. Wandering through its narrow lanes reveals an array of quaint houses and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
06. Bonnieux Village
Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
Nestled in the Luberon Valley, Bonnieux is a bewitching hilltop village that still preserves its medieval character. It offers a charming walk through narrow streets lined with quaint stone houses, where the essence of Provence is palpable. The village’s layout is typical of hilltop settlements, with winding paths and scenic views.
07. Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Town
Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a charming town nestled in Provence, is renowned for its picturesque canals and lively antique markets. Often called the “Venice of Provence,” its scenic waterways and quaint streets provide a tranquil setting for leisurely exploration.
08. Vaison-la-Romaine Town
Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
Vaison-la-Romaine is a town steeped in history, known for its impressive Roman ruins and medieval architecture. The town is divided into 3 distinct areas: the ancient ruins, the medieval town and the modern area.
09. Château La Coste
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Winery + Sculptures
Visit Self or Guided
Cost Paid
Château La Coste is a wine estate and a contemporary art. Visitors can explore the vineyard’s extensive sculpture park, and the art center où se déroule des expos temporaires. Both features works by renowned artists
The winery propose aussi des tastings of Provence wines.
The place has aslo restaurants and accommodations.
⚠️ Don’t confuse this place with the ruins of the Château in the village of Lacoste (also known as the Marquis de Sade’s castle).
10. Senanque Abbey
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Abbey
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Sénanque Abbey is a monastery set in a peaceful valley near the village of Gordes. It dates back to the 12th century and is Romanesque in style. The abbey is still an active Cistercian monastery. Notable features include the abbey church, the cloister, and the lavender fields that have become an iconic image of Provence.
⚠️ The lavender fields in Provence display their famous purple color only during the blooming period, which is around July.
11. Montmajour Abbey
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Abbey + Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Montmajour Abbey is a fortified Benedictine monastery located just outside Arles.
The abbey features elements dating from the 10th to the 18th centuries, reflecting various periods of its history.
Notable features include the Romanesque chapel, the cloister, and the tower, from which visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the surroundings.
12. Orange Town
Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
Orange, an ancient roman town in Provence, is famed for its well-preserved Roman theater and triumphal arch, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
13. Cucuron Village
Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Cucuron is a picturesque village nestled at the foot of the Luberon Massif, featuring charming narrow streets, traditional stone houses, and a large basin in its main square.
It is known for being the filming location of two movies: The Horseman on the Roof (1995) and A Good Year (2006).
14. Lourmarin Village
Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Nestled in the Luberon Valley, on a mound, the village offers a charming atmosphere with a hillside profile marked by three bell towers: St. André Church, the Belfry, and the Protestant Temple; surrounded by winding streets that encircle the heart of the village and its stone houses.
15. Oppède Village
Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
The old part of the village, called Oppède-le-Vieux (“Old Oppède” in French), consists of a few streets and an elevated section that has the feel of an abandoned place, with stone alleyways and overgrown vegetation.
16. Ansouis Village
Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Ansouis is a traditional Provençal village perched on a small hill. It offers a charming stroll through its narrow, winding streets lined with historic stone houses.
17. Lacoste Village
Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Lacoste is located in the northern part of the Luberon Massif, perched on high ground.
Walking around the village reveals a charming mix of medieval architecture and Provençal character. The narrow streets and quaint squares offer a relaxed, authentic atmosphere.
The village is also known for hosting a campus of the American university SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design).
18. Dentelles de Montmirail Massif
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Hiking ; Biking
Visit Self
Cost Free
Highest Peak 722 m (2,369 ft) 📍Crête de Saint-Armand
Dentelles de Montmirail is a massif located in the northern part of Provence.
It’s 8 km (5 mi) long.
The site offers scenic hiking and biking trails with sweeping views of the Provençal countryside.
19. Alpilles Massif
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Hiking ; Biking
Visit Self
Cost Free
Highest Peak 496 m (1,627 ft) 📍Les Opies
Alpilles is a massif located in the center of Provence.
It’s 25 km long (16 mi) and 8 km (5 mi) wide.
The site offers scenic hiking and biking trails with views of the Provençal countryside.
It includes several localities, the most well-known being Baux-de-Provence and St. Rémy-de-Provence.
20. Silvacane Abbey
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Abbey
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Silvacane Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery founded in the 12th century and renowned for its Romanesque architecture.
The site also hosts temporary art exhibitions.
