where azure blue sea meets old walls: nice to antibes
The journey begins where the azure Mediterranean sparkles in the sun and the charm of the old world hangs heavy in the air: Nice.
Here you pick up your rental car and quickly leave the city's pulse behind, via a coastal road that winds like a brushstroke along the water. The road follows the cliffs and opens up to small harbors where pine trees cast shadows over the sea.
Antibes welcomes with its timeless elegance. The old town's narrow alleys lead down to glittering bays and on Thursday and Saturday mornings, Cours Masséna is filled with lavender, fresh cheeses, and olive oils under shady awnings.
Staying here for a night is to feel the Mediterranean breathe slowly, while the evening sun colors the facades in honey-yellow tones.
inland: art, cobblestone streets and vence
After a morning walk along Antibes' walls, the journey continues inland.
The road sneaks upwards through valleys where cypresses reach towards the sky, and every turn offers glimpses of old stone houses and blooming terraces.
In Vence, you are met by a different rhythm – a town where cobblestone alleys wind between art galleries, small cafes, and fragrant orange groves.
Here you stay overnight among the city's tranquility, perfectly placed to also catch the first scent of lavender – for soon landscapes await where blue-violet fields stretch as far as the eye can see.
kingdom of lavender fields: towards aix-en-provence
When you leave Vence, the road rolls westward through the Var district's landscape of vineyards and blooming plains.
Between the end of June and mid-July, the area around the Valensole plateau transforms into a shimmering sea of lavender, where the fields ripple in blue and purple and the scents lie like a soft mist over the landscape.
Here you can make a detour through Valensole – perfect for experiencing the lavender up close, stopping to take photos among the fields or buying lavender honey and soap from small stalls along the roads.
Soon you reach Aix-en-Provence, where fountains whisper in shady alleys and the market smells of spices, leather, and sun-warmed fruits.
Here you stroll between cobblestone streets and historic facades, while cicadas play in the afternoon heat.
beyond the tourist trails: luberon's secret villages
From Aix, small roads lead into Luberon, a landscape that explodes in color and scents.
Here among Gordes, Bonnieux, and Roussillon, smaller lavender fields stretch out from the villages, often framed by olive trees and old stone houses.
In Gordes, where the houses cling to the cliff edge, the market stalls unfold every Tuesday with linen clothes, tomatoes, and lavender wreaths.
In Roussillon, the facades of the houses glow in shades of ochre, and the winding alleys lead to small cafes where time seems to stand still.
If you travel here between the end of June and mid-July, every little road is an invitation to stop the car, step out, and walk along fields that vibrate with the color and scent of lavender.
the weight of time: avignon and the romans' imprint
The road continues north over plains and vineyards until Avignon's massive walls rise against the sky.
Old streets lead through shady passages to the silhouette of the Papal Palace, which carries centuries of history.
On Saturday mornings, Les Halles – the city's indoor market – blooms, where cheeses, lavender, bread, and sun-ripened tomatoes mix in a kaleidoscope of colors and scents.
Near Avignon awaits Pont du Gard, the mighty Roman aqueduct that spans the Gardon River. Here you can swim under the high arches and feel the presence of history in the cool water.
back to the riviera: a final evening in nice
The journey completes its circle by the sea.
Coastal roads lead you back to Nice, where you have a final evening to wander along the Promenade des Anglais and feel the warm Mediterranean breeze against your skin.
Perhaps you end with a dinner in the Old Town, where the scents of lemon, basil, and grilled food spread in the mild night.
Here, where sea and sky meet, you end your journey through Provence – with a heart filled with colors, scents, and slow roads.
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