While most people will say the best time to visit Provence is late spring or early fall, there is something to say for coming to Provence in winter.
The Provence region is located in the very gorgeous south of France. And I can tell you, there are some great things to do in Provence in winter!
Provence is charming year-round, but the nice thing about winter in Provence is that there are fewer tourists, yet the weather remains mild in most of Provence. And when it cools down in the evening, you can cozy up next to a crackling fire.
If you’re lucky enough to see snowfall, it’ll paint the area with an enchanting white sprinkling.
Ok, let’s start. In this article I want to share with you the best things to do in Provence in winter, and some recommendations for where to stay in Provence.
Winter in Provence
Where to Stay in Provence in Winter
If you’re visiting Provence in winter and want to explore the region, I recommend renting a car and staying in or around Aix-en-Provence.
First of all, Aix-en-Provence is a lovely city with plenty to do, any time of year. And its central location means that you can explore most of the region easily on day trips.
If you choose to stay in the beautiful university city of Aix-en-Provence, well known for being the birthplace of the painter Paul Cézanne, you’ll have a wide range of hotel options.
Hôtel Cézanne Boutique-Hôtel is a great option with a central location.
A good, slightly more budget-friendly option is Le Concorde. Or, if you are looking for a more high-end option to make your winter trip to Provence extra special, Le Pigonnet is a beautiful place to stay.
If you’d rather stay in a more rural, natural environment, then you have to take a look at Château de la Gaude. I know, it’s not a budget-friendly option, but the place is incredible. The historic building perfectly combines with the modern facilities.
Located in a pine forest but only a 20-minute drive to Ax-en-Provence, Mas de Fauchon is another great option, at a much lower price.
Things to Do in Provence in Winter if You Love French Food
If, like me, you love trying as much local food as you can when you travel, why not make this winter in Provence about food?
Winter is olive-picking season in Provence, so be sure to lay your hands on – and get your tongue around – a dash of the first olive oil of the season.
Olive farming is a major economic activity in the south of France, especially in the Alpilles region.
Since 1997, the oils from the Baux-de-Provence Valley have the Protected Designation of Origin label (AOC in French). The production area extends from Tarascon in the west to Orgon in the east, between the River Rhone and the Durance.
The olives harvested in winter (between November and February) are used to make oil. You will notice that some olive oils have a taste of cocoa, sourdough, or truffle, while others have hints of hazelnut, artichoke, or tomato.
For a unique winter experience in Provence, visit one of the oil mills and olive farms.
You’ll be able to buy olive oil and olives directly from the farm, but you can also get a guided tour, tastings, a walk through the olive fields, a cooking class, and tips on how to pick olives.
Some Oil Mills and Olive Farms to Visit in Provence:
• Moulin Cooperatif de Mouries, in Mouries. The miller will guide you through the old and new facilities and share his ancestral skills with you.
• Moulin Cornille in Maussane-les-Alpilles. Once the property of the Lord of Manville, the oil mill has been owned by the cooperative since 1924.
• Moulin a Huile Saint-Jean in Fontvieille.
• Moulin de la Coquille in Fontvieille.
• Domaine du Mourre de Viret in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. An olive grove at the foot of the Alpilles range, on the lands of a 17th-century farmhouse.
Note: all of these companies can be found on Google Maps. I recommend checking opening hours and contacting them in advance if you are interested in a tour.
But, Provence has a lot more to offer foodies than just its olives.
If you’re looking for something really unique to do, what about going truffle hunting at a Provençal truffle plantation!
The Provençal truffle plantation is located in the Luberon, just 40 minutes from Aix-en-Provence.
You’ll get to meet a real truffle hunter and learn how this elusive, edible “black gold” is cultivated and how the truffle dogs are trained. With the help of your guide, you will soon find some truffles to try.
Then you’ll learn how to clean, store, and cook with truffles, and sample some delicious truffle hors d’oeuvres.
The French love food, so of course there are even more food-related activities to try if you visit Provence. A few worth mentioning:
• Taste beautiful Provence wines on a scenic 3.5-hour countryside tour of the vineyards at the foot of Sainte-Victoire mountain.
• Go on a pastry and chocolate tour in Marseille.
• Take a food tour in Aix-en-Provence.
And of course, just enjoy local restaurants. Sit down, relax, and ask for the local specialties.
Also Read: Visiting Champagne – Things to Know Before You Go
Festivals to Enjoy in Winter in Provence
Apart from Christmas decorations and Christmas markets that you’ll find around Provence in December (and some starting late November and lasting until January 6th), there are several festivals that might be worth planning your winter trip around.
If you plan to visit Provence in December the Feast of Saint Barbara, running from December 4th, sees visitors and locals alike taking part in an ancestral tradition where everyone buys “seeds of hope” and places these in saucers of damp cotton, until December 24th. If the seeds sprout well, tradition says the year’s crops will be bountiful too.
The Lemon Festival (La Fète du Citron) organized in Menton in February, is one of the biggest annual events of the French Riviera. It is a spectacular event that uses over 140 tons of citrus fruit to create beautiful wagons and colorful displays arranged all throughout the city.
Carnival in Nice is arguably the highlight of winter in Provence, at least as far as festivals go. This two-week event takes place in February and attracts over a million visitors to Nice.
Each year, a special carnival theme is chosen, for artists to create floats and other figurines in traditional paper-mâché for the colorful parade. The parades happen day and night, while on the Promenade des Anglais, “flower battles” occur.
One more festival worth mentioning is the Mimosa Festival (Fête du Mimosa) in Mandelieu. And no, sorry, it’s not about the drink mimosa, but about the flower.
The festival includes eight days of festivities, held in February. Flower parades, a night show, hiking and excursions in the largest mimosa forest in Europe make this a very diverse and family-friendly festival.
And lastly, if you are a car aficionado, you might want to plan your winter in Provence around the Monaco car rally or the Monaco classic car rally.
Note: if you decide to visit Provence during any of these winter festivals, book your accommodation early, because it gets crowded!
Outdoor Activities in Winter in Provence
Who said you have to laze around the coffee pot/fireplace/wine cellar all day just because of slightly chillier temperatures?
An approximately 32km stretch of limestone-featuring coastline, the Calanques National Park is the perfect spot for any form of fitness activity. Those most popular during the winter months are cycling, walking, and running.
Do the climb to the fortified village of Les Baux-de-Provence or walk the ridge up to Sainte-Victoire Mountain.
And this is just one of many examples of outdoor things to do in winter in Provence.
If you enjoy hiking this website offers a great list of hikes in Provence.
Would you rather go cycling? Then this list of cycling routes is useful.
Or, would you like to see snow and enjoy some winter sports while you’re in Provence? That’s possible as well! Go to Alpes-de-Haute-Provence where you can choose from various ski resorts. You can find more information here.
Explore Local Towns in Winter
Winter in Provence is the perfect time to venture inland and visit small French towns.
Head to the Luberon Valley to see some of the most beautiful villages in Provence, and arguably in all of France.
There are many beautiful towns to visit in the Luberon, and if you’ve rented a car you can easily explore several and enjoy the scenery during your drive.
Roussillon is beautiful, Gordes is perhaps the most well-known, and Bonnieux, Cadenet, Lacoste, and Ménerbes and worth visiting as well.
Or visit Eze, St Paul de Vence, and Les Baux de Provence.
Many of these towns are packed with tourists in summer. But in winter, you’ll find them peaceful and get to experience the real spirit of Provençal towns.
Enjoy Provence, in winter, or whichever time of year you decide to visit this beautiful part of France!
Also Read:
- Things to Do in Montpellier on a Short Trip
- 4 Days in Paris – A Practical Itinerary
- Planning a Visit to Champagne – Everything You Need to Know
- How to Find the Cheapest Flights
- What Living in the French Countryside is Really Like
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