My Photography & Travel Guide to Provence, France
We spent a week in Gordes, and I have been dreaming of going back ever since.
Every morning, we drove in a different direction through the Luberon and found something extraordinary before ten o'clock. A lavender field we had not planned for, emerging over a hillside between two stone villages. A fruit market in a village square where the tomatoes were stacked in colors that looked arranged rather than grown. A road with nothing on it but cypress trees and dry stone walls and the particular light of Provence in July that Van Gogh came here to paint and Cézanne spent his life trying to describe, and that you understand completely within twenty minutes of arriving.
The lavender fields are the reason most photographers visit, and they deliver exactly what the photographs promise, which is rare. The sun hits the rows at an angle that saturates the purple and throws the furrows into shadow, and creates a depth and texture that a wide-angle lens handles differently from a telephoto and differently again from a phone. You stop the car. You get out. You stop the car again two kilometers later.
The open-air markets are the reason you plan meals around the shopping rather than the other way around. We bought fresh cheese and wine and the best stone fruit we had tasted anywhere, and every meal we ate, whether in the hotel or at a restaurant terrace in a village square, was simply delicious.
Lavender Fields of Provence
La Bastide de Gordes is right in the middle of Gordes. Gordes is already one of the most beautiful villages in Provence, and staying in the heart of it means walking through the stone streets before breakfast, being at the lookout point for sunrise without driving, and returning for a glass of wine on the terrace while the valley below turns gold in the last light of the day. The room had a view of the valley that I photographed every morning and never captured completely. That is Provence.
In this Photography Guide to Provence, I share what a week in the Luberon revealed: the lavender fields and when to photograph them, the villages worth finding, the hotel that made the whole trip extraordinary, the food, the light, and the practical knowledge to help you plan a visit that will make you dream of going back.
Sunrise in Gordes
Where to Stay
The Luberon Valley is an ideal home base. It's central, stunning, and filled with some of the region’s most picturesque villages like Gordes, Roussillon, and Bonnieux. You’ll be perfectly positioned for scenic drives and early-morning shoots without the crowds. My personal preference is the beautiful village of Gordes perched on a hilltop.
Bastide de Gordes
Luxury Hotels:
La Bastide de Gordes: This is where we stayed, and I call it my favorite hotel in the Luberon without hesitation. La Bastide is a 16th-century Provençal house at the very center of Gordes, which means that the village is not something you drive to from the hotel. It is something you walk out into. The stone streets, the lookout point, the Abbey of Sénanque, fifteen minutes below: all of it accessible on foot from the front door.
Our room had a view of the valley that looked different at every hour. The morning light came in low and warm across the hills. At sunset, the valley went orange, and the lavender fields visible in the distance held their color longer than anything else. I photographed from the terrace every morning and never got the same image twice.
The hotel is magnificent in the specific way that a very old building in a very beautiful landscape earns magnificence: not through grandeur but through the quality of its surroundings. The service matches. The pool. The restaurant. The silence at 6 a.m. when the village is still asleep. We stayed for a week, and it was not enough.
Villa La Coste: A contemporary luxury estate with art installations, vineyards, and Michelin-starred dining.
Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa: Set among vineyards with elegant suites, a spa, and bike trails right outside your door.
Mid-Level Hotels:
Le Jas de Gordes: A charming Provençal stay just outside Gordes, with rustic-modern touches.
Domaine de Capelongue: Country chic with epic views and a farm-to-table restaurant.
Hôtel Les Bories & Spa: Peaceful, beautiful, and just minutes from Gordes with a spa and olive groves.
How Long Should I Stay?
At least 4–5 days to truly enjoy the villages, markets, and landscapes. If you're serious about photography, a full week lets you chase the light without stress.
Best Time of Year to Visit
Mid-June to late July: Lavender fields are in full bloom (aim for Valensole Plateau around the first two weeks of July).
September to early October: Harvest season—grapevines turn golden, and the crowds are gone.
Spring (April–May) is also lovely with wildflowers and green hills.
Getting Around
To put it simply: you’ll need a car. The best photography spots are tucked away in the countryside or high up on winding village roads. Rent a small car with good handling for hill drives.
Uber/Bolt: Not available in most rural areas. In towns like Aix-en-Provence or Avignon, you’ll find local taxis, but for photography adventures, stick with your own wheels.
The Best Villages to Visit or Stay In
Here's a guide to the best towns and villages in Provence—a perfect mix of charm, beauty, and photography gold:
Gordes
Perched dramatically on a hilltop in the Luberon, Gordes is one of the most photographed villages in Provence. Stone buildings, cobbled alleys, and sweeping views make it magical, especially at sunset. Don’t miss the Abbaye de Sénanque surrounded by lavender in summer.
Photographer tip: Shoot Gordes from the lookout just outside town at golden hour.
Roussillon
This village glows in red, orange, and gold—thanks to the nearby ochre cliffs. It’s like walking through a pastel-colored dream. There’s a short hike through the Sentier des Ocres that's both easy and insanely photogenic.
Aix-en-Provence
The region’s cultural capital. Elegant boulevards, 17th-century mansions, markets every day of the week, and fountains everywhere. It’s walkable, lively, and packed with Cezanne’s legacy.
Market days: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are best for the full Provençal market experience.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Van Gogh painted Starry Night here during his stay at the asylum. Today, it's a laid-back town filled with art galleries, olive groves, and Roman ruins (the nearby Glanum site is worth a stop). It’s also a great base for exploring the Alpilles region.
Stay: There are charming boutique hotels in nearby converted farmhouses.
Where & What to Eat
Here are the must-try Provençal dishes and specialties when you're traveling (or eating) in the South of France:
1. Ratatouille
This classic Provençal vegetable stew isn’t just a Pixar movie. It’s summer in a dish—zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions, tomatoes, garlic, herbs. Served warm or cold, often with crusty bread or alongside grilled meat or fish.
2. Bouillabaisse
A rich fish stew from nearby Marseille, traditionally made with at least three kinds of fish, shellfish, saffron broth, and served with rouille (a garlicky aioli) and toasted bread. It’s a full experience—often served as a multi-course meal.
3. Tapenade
A savory olive spread made with black or green olives, capers, garlic, and anchovies. Served as an appetizer with bread or crudités. Every restaurant and grandmother has their own version.
4. Salade Niçoise
Done properly, it’s a thing of beauty: tomatoes, anchovies or tuna, hard-boiled eggs, olives, green beans, and no cooked potatoes (despite what people outside France may tell you). A perfect lunch dish.
5. Rosé Wine
More a lifestyle than a drink in Provence. Light, dry, and perfect with basically anything you eat in the region. Try a bottle from Château d’Esclans or a local vineyard in the Luberon or Côtes de Provence.
Here are a few of our favorite restaurants:
La Coquillade — A Michelin-starred restaurant with stunning vineyard views and gourmet Provençal cuisine.
Le Mas Tourteron – A charming restaurant in Gordes serving delicious Provençal cuisine. Website
Auberge La Fenière – A farm-to-table restaurant in Cadenet, known for its creative and flavorful dishes. Website
L'Oustalet – Located in Gigondas, this restaurant offers a refined dining experience with local wines. Website
Chez Serge – A popular spot in Carpentras, known for its truffle dishes and friendly atmosphere. Website
Coffee Shops:
Gordes from the Lookout Point
Photography Gear to Bring
Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II, Sony A7R V, or Nikon Z8. The high resolution of all three handles the fine texture of lavender rows and the architectural detail of stone villages equally well.
Lenses:
Wide-angle (16-35mm) for capturing expansive fields and landscapes.
Standard zoom (24-70mm) for versatile shooting.
Macro lens (100mm) for close-up shots of the lavender and other details.
Tripod: Essential for stability, especially during low-light conditions.
Filters: Polarizing filters to enhance colors and reduce reflections, ND filters for long exposures.
Photography Locations in Provence
The lavender fields of Provence are pure magic—rolling waves of purple under the summer sun, buzzing with bees and humming with the scent of heaven. They usually bloom from late June to early August, peaking in early to mid-July, depending on the region and weather. Here are the best places to see (and photograph) lavender fields in Provence:
Valensole Plateau:
The superstar of Provence lavender photography. Endless rows of lavender stretch across the plateau, often with a lonely stone farmhouse or solitary tree to anchor your shot. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop the car every five minutes.
Best towns to base yourself: Valensole, Manosque, Riez
When to go: First two weeks of July
Photography tip: Sunrise and sunset are unbeatable here—bring a wide-angle lens and watch for the bees.
Sault:
Sault sits at a higher elevation than Valensole, so lavender blooms a bit later here (mid to late July). The fields are more scattered, with dramatic views of Mont Ventoux in the distance. Great for hiking or biking between fields.
Best base: The village of Sault
Highlight: The Lavender Festival on August 15 is full of charm, local food, and music.
Abbey of Sénanque (near Gordes):
An ancient stone abbey surrounded by lavender fields—this might be the most famous single shot in Provence. It’s small but stunning. Morning light is best, and they don’t allow you to walk into the fields here (which helps preserve the setting).
Nearest village: Gordes
Photography tip: A 70–200mm lens works beautifully to compress the field and Abbey in one frame.
Luberon Region (Bonnieux, Lacoste, Roussillon)
You’ll find scattered fields around this region, especially near Bonnieux and Apt. Not as dense or dramatic as Valensole, but paired with ochre cliffs, vineyards, and stone villages, it’s still an incredibly scenic area.
Bonus: You can photograph lavender fields with hilltop villages in the background for something different.
Gordes
The most photogenic hilltop village in Provence and the finest single photography subject in the Luberon. The classic view is from the lookout point just outside town, where the stone buildings cascade down the hillside, and the valley spreads below. Best at golden hour when the limestone walls catch the last light, and the shadows lengthen between the terraces.
Photography tip: Park at the lookout point west of the village for the classic view. Arrive one hour before sunset. A 70-200mm compresses the village layers against the valley; a 24-70mm captures the full hillside panorama. Return at blue hour for the lit village against the darkening sky.
Gordes
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence –
Known for its Roman ruins at Glanum and as the place where Van Gogh painted Starry Night during his stay at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum. The town center is elegant and walkable, with good morning markets and easy access to lavender fields on the roads toward Les Baux and Eygalières.
Bonus: You can photograph lavender fields with hilltop villages in the background for something different.
Special Festivals and Holidays
Lavender Festivals (late June–early August): Held in towns like Valensole and Sault—expect local food, music, and photo ops galore.
Fête de la Transhumance (May in Saint-Rémy): Watch shepherds parade their flocks through town—perfect for storytelling shots.
Wine Harvest Festivals (September): Celebrate the vendange season with grape-stomping and rustic feasts.
The Endless Lavender Fields
Final Thoughts
I dream of going back.
That is the honest summary of a week in Provence. The lavender fields in the morning, before the heat arrives. The way a fruit market in a village square looks at eight o'clock, when the vendors are still arranging things and the light is still low. The valley from the terrace at La Bastide de Gordes as it turns gold in the last hour of the day, and the specific feeling of being exactly where you want to be at exactly the right time of year.
Provence delivers what it promises, which is not guaranteed for a region this famous. The light is extraordinary. The food earns its reputation at every meal. The villages are genuinely as beautiful as the photographs suggest, and the ones you find by turning down an unmarked road in the Luberon are sometimes better than the famous ones.
Go in early to mid July for the lavender at full bloom. Wake up before six. Drive without a rigid plan. Stop every time something looks interesting. Buy everything at the open-air markets. Eat on terraces when the light is still good.
And stay in Gordes if you can. The town is already one of the most beautiful places in Provence. Being inside it rather than driving to it changes the whole experience.
If you enjoyed this Photography and Travel Guide to Provence, you can explore my other Photography and Travel Guides here, including my guides to Paris and Colmar.
If you are interested in joining one of my photography workshops, you can find the details through the link. You can also follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or subscribe to my newsletter for more travel photography tips and behind-the-scenes insight.
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