We decided it was time to try campervan life! And what better place than Provence, France, for our first adventure. With its stunning landscapes, charming villages, and campervan-friendly infrastructure, Provence promised the perfect mix of freedom and discovery. Of course, we couldn’t resist a detour to Monaco, as we have never been before.
Our journey started in Slovenia, driving through Italy with a delicious pit stop in Turin. A quick taste of authentic pasta and pizza, followed by a stroll through the city’s highlights: Piazza Castello, the Royal Palace of Turin and its gardens, the elegant Galleria Subalpina arcades, and the iconic Mole Antonelliana. Over the next 10 days, we explored Provence from vineyards to lavender fields, hilltop villages to sparkling seaside towns.
Where did we park our campervan at night?
Half of the nights, we parked our campervan at traditional campsites, and the other half we stayed at spots offered through the France Passion project. This program allows you to stay overnight at farms, wineries, and local producers for a modest annual fee—an amazing way to meet locals, sample their products, and discover hidden corners off the beaten path.
Here’s a full itinerary of campervan adventure through Provence.
DAY 1: Briançon & Lac de Serre-Ponçon
We entered France from Italy via Col de Montgenèvre, with our first stop in the charming town of Briançon. Nestled in the French Alps, this little town already impresses as you pass through its historic gates. We wandered through its narrow streets, stopped at cute local shops, admired the Vauban fortifications, and soaked in the stunning views of the Alps in the distance.
From there, we continued our drive to Lac de Serre-Ponçon, where turquoise waters, mountain views, and summer vibes awaited us. We stopped for lunch with a view of the lake, and of course, Gaja had to spend some time on the beach throwing stones into the water. It’s her absolute favourite activity. After that, we stopped by a local pastry shop for some delicious treats before driving a little further to spend the night next to a charming apple orchard.
DAY 2: Sisteron, Saignon, Roussillon, Le Sentier des Ocres
In Sisteron, we stopped at a viewpoint overlooking the Durance River and the surrounding cliffs, before driving through the town’s inviting streets. From there, we continued into the area of the famous Luberon villages: picturesque hilltop towns scattered across Provence, each with its own character and slow-paced vibe.
Saignon was probably my favourite village in Provence, at least among the ones we visited. It offers beautiful architecture, the most charming main square with a fountain, and a single open restaurant serving lunch from 12:00–13:15 only. But they did have delicious wine and French food. No crowds, just peaceful vibes. I truly wished we could have stayed longer. It honestly felt like a place straight out of a Disney movie.
Nearby, Roussillon was livelier, but captivating with its red and orange houses made from ochre, giving the village its unique glow. Be sure to head to the top for beautiful views of the surrounding Luberon hills. If you visit, a stop at Le Sentier des Ocres is a must. It’s a scenic walking trail through ochre cliffs and colourful sand formations.
For the night we parked our van next to a beautiful vineyard at Château les Eydins, fired up the grill, and enjoyed a relaxed evening. We also picked up a bottle or two of their excellent wine.
DAY 3: Bonnieux, Lacoste, Gordes, Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque
Another day filled with beautiful Luberon villages. We started the morning in Bonnieux with fresh French croissants. Then we climbed to the top of the village for sweeping views of the Luberon valley.
Next, we visited Lacoste, one of our favourites. Its medieval streets feel like stepping back in time. The village is also home to the ruins of the castle once owned by the Marquis de Sade. We loved also a small play area with a beautiful view of the village.
Of course, Gordes is a must-stop in Provence. The best view is from the famous viewpoint overlooking the village perched on a hill. Afterwards, take time to walk through its stone streets and enjoy the classic Provençal architecture.
We continued to Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, one of the most iconic spots in the region. It’s especially famous for its lavender fields, which I must visit one time, when they are in full bloom. We visited inside of this 12th century abbey as well. The inner courtyard, with its simple architecture and flowers, is peaceful and beautiful.
We spent the night next to an olive orchard at Moulin Saint Augustin and, of course, bought some precious and delicious local olive oil.
DAY 4: Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Pont du Gard, Avignon
This day was all riverside villages. We started in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, famous for its spring of the Sorgue River. Surrounded by steep cliffs, the emerald water and peaceful setting make it a truly unique stop. Do sit down for a coffee with a view.
Next was L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, often called the “Venice of Provence.” With its canals, water wheels, and charming markets, it’s perfect for a slow stroll. It’s also well known for its antique shops and Sunday market.
We then continued to Pont du Gard, an impressive Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Standing there, you really feel the scale and history of this ancient structure.
The day ended in Avignon, where we stayed at a campsite by the Rhône River. From there, we had a view of the famous unfinished bridge, the Pont Saint-Bénézet.
DAY 5: Avignon
We spent a full day exploring Avignon. In the morning, we wandered through the charming streets of the Old Town, admired the historic city walls, and visited the famous Palais des Papes, a must-see landmark that showcases the city’s medieval grandeur. We also stopped at a local bakery for some fresh treats and enjoyed a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant. In the afternoon, we took a free boat ride from one to another Rhone Riverbank, seeing the city from a new perspective and enjoying the views of Pont Saint-Bénézet. It was a perfect mix of history, local flavours, and scenic sightseeing.
DAY 6: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Carrières des Lumières, Les Baux-de-Provence
We said goodbye to Avignon and our first stop was the charming town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, famous for its colourful streets. The town is also known for being home to Vincent van Gogh for a period, and you can still see the landmarks and landscapes that inspired some of his most famous paintings.
It was the only rainy day of our trip, so we took shelter at the Carrières des Lumières, an impressive former limestone quarry turned immersive art exhibition. The current show featured The Little Prince, with projections covering the walls and floor. Truly a unique and captivating experience.
Of course, we also visited the nearby village of Les Baux-de-Provence. Another medieval gem, it boasts narrow cobblestone streets, charming squares, and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
DAY 7: Aix-en-Provence, Valensole, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Gorges de Verdon
We started the day in Aix-en-Provence, which impressed us with its vibrant culinary scene and numerous markets. The food market was a highlight. We picked up some delicious local cheese with Provencal herbs and enjoyed wandering through the lively stalls. We also visited beautiful Pavillon Vendôme, located in a nice park.
From there, we drove through Valensole. The lavender fields weren’t in bloom anymore, but we could already imagine how magical it must look in summer. We definitely need to come back.
Next, we arrived at Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of our favourite villages in Provence. With ice cream in hand, sunny weather, colourful houses, and the small Riou stream flowing through the village, creating tiny waterfalls, it felt like a perfect afternoon.
We then headed to the Gorges du Verdon, stopping at a bridge for panoramic views and cooling our feet in the river below.
For the night, we parked our campervan at Château des Demoiselles. It’s a vast Provençal estate spanning around 300 hectares, with vineyards covering roughly 70–80 hectares, surrounded by forests, olive groves, and rolling countryside.
DAY 8: Fréjus
We loved waking up surrounded by vineyards and took a peaceful walk around the estate. Then it was time to head back to the seaside. We chose Fréjus beach for some swimming and playing in the sand. Afterwards, we started looking for a campsite to spend the next few days. September is still peak summer here, so campsites were quite busy.
DAY 9: Nice
We took a train from our campsite to the centre of Nice. It’s an easy and convenient way to explore the city. Our first stop was the colourful Place Masséna and Fontaine du Soleil, followed by a walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais. The promenade stretches along a beautiful beach, and the sea here has that incredible turquoise colour the Côte d’Azur is known for. We explored also the Old Town, wandered its narrow colourful streets, and finally found a really good coffee spot La Claque. We then stopped for launch at the lively Marché aux Fleurs Cours Saleya. It’s a great place for a relaxed meal among local flavours and fresh produce. One of the highlights was also the visit of the Castle Hill, which offers stunning panoramas of the town, the promenade, and the marina. We also loved the playgrounds around the city and spent quite some time there, as my daughter loved them. To finish the day, we did a bit of shopping along Avenue Jean Médecin.
DAY 10: Monte Carlo (Monaco), Èze
We reached Monaco by train, enjoying beautiful views of the sea and coastal towns along the way. We started sightseeing at the peaceful Princess Grace Japanese Garden, then walked by Larvotto Beach and to the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo. The area is surrounded by elegant green spaces, of course we stopped at Jardins de la Petite Afrique and Jardin du Casino. We also walked a part of the Formula 1 track. At the marina, preparations were already underway for the annual Monaco Yacht Show. We also then visited the interesting Aquarium and Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. From there we walked through Saint-Martin Gardens up to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, where we watched the changing of the guard.
Later, I went on a little solo trip and took a bus to Èze. This charming medieval village quickly became a highlight. I wandered its narrow streets with a refreshing lemonade in hand and visited the Jardin Exotique d’Èze at the top, which offers one of the best views over the Mediterranean Sea. I returned to Nice by bus—quite crowded, but worth it for the experience. This marked our last full day in France before heading back home via Italy.
Visited: September 2025
