Hi my husband and I will be travelling in late June for 6 nights in the region and are looking for an authentic provence city/region to get the feel for that area. We have already seen the french riveria so need to go that far just looking for charming towns, nature and beauty well and of course food :)
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1450 posts
Look where the Lavendar Fields are in Bloom and go to Wine Country. These are most likely to be in Rural area with smaller villages. Perfumeries are fun to tour and test samples. Bon Voyage!
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6522 posts
Without a car, Avignon is probably the most convenient base for public transportation to various parts of Provence. With a car, Arles is a better base, but you have many other choices. It's all "authentic."
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1612 posts
St. Remy is also a good base. Wednesdays are market days. Lots of good restaurants to choose from. The asylum where Van Gogh spent a year is in St. Remy along with Glanum, Roman ruins.
https://www.site-glanum.fr/
St. Remy is close to Les Baux where you can see the Carrieres et Lumieres show. Go to the top of the village to wander through the castle ruins.
https://www.carrieres-lumieres.com/fr
And for real authenticity, visit the village of Eygalieres, about 20 minutes from St. Remy. Eygalieres has a market every Friday. You will hear very little English spoken. Primarily French visitors. Walk to the top of the hill to visit church and castle ruins with great views of the valley below. On Fridays the restaurants in Eygalieres serve fresh fish baked in parchment paper. Try Chez Paulette.
Posted by
France Southwest
1820 posts
An example of "authentic"
On the third Sunday in June, go to Riez to see the transhumance festival (when shepherds take their sheep to graze in the mountains during the summer)
You will also see craft and local markets, sheep shearing, musical entertainment, folk dances, and the passage of sheep on the main street of the village.
And even if it's not the right date, go anyway.